Chapter 1 - My Eyes Went Ooh

Leaning on the door jamb, Shelagh took a deep breath in a failing attempt to get her rapid breathing and escalating feelings under control. She couldn't help it when her husband stood before her, shirt sleeves still rolled up from his last examination and looking so handsome in the new clothes she had purchased for him. Yes, the new suits were doing wonders for his form, she thought. If she were sensible, she would walk away - after all, it is a lot harder to stop thinking about someone when you're staring at them. But Shelagh didn't feel like being sensible, so she continued to steal glances at her husband as he finished his tea, well deserved after a long clinic afternoon. She took in his muscular forearms, dotted with coarse, dark hair, his broad shoulders, his large hands she longed to have splayed across her naked back… neither her breathing nor her heart rate were showing any signs of slowing down now. This is getting out of hand, I need to do something.

"Shelagh, are you feeling alright?" Sister Julienne asked cautiously as she approached. Ever since Shelagh had shared the news of her miraculous pregnancy with her former sister two weeks prior, Sister Julienne had been vigilant in watching for any signs of sickness or trouble in Shelagh. They both knew the potential difficulties of regular pregnancy, and Shelagh's age and difficulty conceiving had made her a little nervous.

"I'm fine, Sister," Shelagh wobbled out, the unsteadiness in her voice alarming the nun, who thankfully had no idea the true reason she couldn't seem to calm down. She stole another glance at Patrick as he placed his empty cup in the sink. Oh my… her breath hitched as he bent over to pick up a dropped spoon.

"It's only, well, you're looking a little flushed. And are you having difficulty breathing?"

You don't know the half of it, Shelagh thought, but answered aloud, "I am not quite feeling myself, Sister, but I'm sure I'll be fine."

Sister Julienne put her arm around the younger woman's shoulders and rubbed her back gently. "We're finished with clinic, why don't you go on home and rest? We can get things cleaned up here without you."

Shelagh started to protest, but by now Patrick had come over with the same look of concern that Sister Julienne possessed. He placed a hand on her forehead, that's not where I want that hand. His presence so close began to overwhelm her, filling her spirit with desire, a heat coiling deep in her belly, she would soon be consumed. And if they didn't leave now, Timothy would be home from orchestra before she could act upon it. So she simply nodded her head in assent to the suggestion, no longer trusting her voice.

Sister Julienne turned to Dr. Turner, "It's settled, then. You get her home and when we're done here, I'll bring Angela home for you. That should give her a good hour or two to rest." She smiled lovingly at Shelagh, "be sure she goes straight to bed when you get her home."

You'll have no arguments there from me, the thoughts of dragging her husband to bed with her were filling her mind, threatening to spill out. "I promise, Sister, straight to bed."

Patrick began to lead her out of the community center and she took his arm. His pulse quickened as her breast began lightly brushing against his bicep. He didn't think she could be doing it on purpose, but her fingers were beginning to gently caress where she clung to him and, yes, her chest was definitely pressing harder against him now that they were outside. As he opened the car door for her, he stopped to examine her again. It was only after her tilted her face upward to look her over that he noticed her pupils blown wide with desire and realized the reason for her ragged breaths. "Shelagh?" her name a simple question, wanting her to confirm his recent diagnosis.

"Take me home, Patrick."

He readily obliged.