Paging Dr. Hot

by Sophia Knightly

  I send a silent plea to St. Jude and prepare to grovel, when Devon intervenes.

  “Toni, you mustn’t fire Francesca. She is here solely at my insistence.” He puts a placating arm around my livid boss’s shoulder and draws her firmly to his side. Only Devon could get away with calling lofty Antoinette a nickname like Toni.

  “What do you mean?” Antoinette gives him a shrewd look.

  “When Francesca told me she wasn’t coming, I said it was unacceptable. I warned her that unless she attended the charity event she organized, she would have to find someone else to chair it,” Devon says, pretending to be the bad guy. “I gave her no choice and she did it to save the day. Why else would she come in drag?”

  Why else indeed?

  Antoinette levels a distrustful, sharp-eyed glance at me. “Is that so, Francesca? To save the day?” she says in a derisive voice.

  I nod and avoid making eye contact.

  “If you fire her, I will not host the new show we planned,” Devon adds in an inflexible tone. “That would be a pity since my book is already a New York Times bestseller.”

  When I look up, I notice a pink hive on Antoinette’s twitching cheek. “Why is it so warm in here?” she grumbles, lifting her hair off her neck. She grabs a menu from the table and rapidly fans her mottled, scarlet face.

  “Underneath that beard, Francesca’s pox are healed and she isn’t contagious. You do realize that’s rubbish, don’t you, Toni? A person is contagious only before and during the phase when the pox are scabbing over.”

  “Maybe, but I heard Dr. Escobar came down with them,” Antoinette says.

  “He did?” I ask. I probably shouldn’t be surprised that Antoinette has followed up on Alex Escobar. Elise once told me that Antoinette is the nosiest woman she’s ever met—which goes well with her career in the news, I guess.

  With a twist of her crimson lips, Antoinette adds, “What a waste of intelligence and good looks! The police arrested him as he fled the building and now he’s covered in chicken pox as he awaits trial.”

  I have to stop myself from giving Chloe a high five at the news. Woop, woop, I crow silently as I imagine despicable Alex’s too handsome face covered in itchy spots.

  “I won’t fire you, Francesca, but consider it a warning,” Antoinette tells me severely. She turns to Devon with a saccharine smile. “We can’t be too careful when dealing with the public. I was taking necessary precautions, Devon.” Antoinette’s long talons graze a hive on her cheek.

  “You might want to take precautions of your own, darling. You have a few spots right there,” Devon says in a mild tone as he points to two raised, pink bumps on her ample cleavage.

  Antoinette’s eyes nearly pop out of her head and her face contorts in terror when she looks at her chest. “I need to leave now!” she cries as she frantically scratches the top of her bosom.

  “I’ll drive you home, Toni. Wait for me at the exit,” Devon says smoothly.

  Antoinette runs to the door, nearly tripping on her platform wedges.

  I take a deep breath and turn to Devon, filled with gratitude and relief for the reprieve. “Thank you for coming to my defense.” I make a face. “Even though you were the one to out me.”

  “I couldn’t resist. Antoinette’s reaction was worth it.” Devon grins. “I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

  “I won’t. Do you think Antoinette’s hives are chicken pox?” I ask, holding my breath.

  “Probably,” Devon says in a nonchalant voice as if it would be no big deal.

  My heart sinks. “Then I’m toast. If she has chicken pox, she’ll surely fire me.”

  Devon pats my knee. “No worries. I’ll make sure she doesn’t,” he says with a spicy wink. “Good-bye.” He hands Chloe his business card as his wolf eyes send her a potent invitation. “I hope to hear from you soon, Miss Taylor.”

  “Call me Chloe,” she says right away.

  “Chloe. Lovely. It suits you. Did you know Chloe means blossoming flower?” His keen eyes sweep over Chloe as if he’d like to see her flower bloom for him.

  How would he know what Chloe means, I wonder, as I watch her blush. Their eyes meet and she looks startled for a fleeting moment. Her cheeks are flushed pinker than I’ve ever seen.

  Oh no, Devon’s working his devil magic on Chloe when she’s at an all-time emotional low. I’m going to have to set her straight about him. Devon might have saved the day, but he’s no avenging angel. He strikes me as being a major player and that’s not what Chloe needs in her life right now.

  When Devon joins Antoinette at the exit and ushers her outside, Chloe releases a loud, pent-up breath. “That was close.” She looks at Devon’s card and grins impishly. “Wow! He is so wicked hot. I wish he had a twin.”

  “A twin would be better, Chloe. I don’t think he’s the marrying type.”

  “I don’t think I could handle him anyway.” She shakes her head and grins at the memory. “He’s too much.”

  I give a satisfied sigh. “I’m happy this was a success. Thanks for helping me. As soon as I get home I’m emailing Mom the good news. She’ll be thrilled to know her interview was popular.”

  “I like the way you featured her interview with the others on the video presentation. She’s a natural before the camera, like you,” Chloe says, referring to the video that ran concurrently during the event.

  “Thanks, Chloe.” I hug my partner in crime. “I’ll touch base with Vinny and make sure he oversees the cleanup so we can leave. Mission accomplished.”

  “Where to, Camilo?” Chloe takes my arm.

  “The bookstore.”

  Chloe looks puzzled. “Why are we going to a bookstore?”

  “I’m about to do something that will change my life forever—that is if I survive it.” Thank goodness my face is covered by the beard or she’d see me blanch under my fake tan.

  Chloe’s eyes shoot open. “What?”

  I put on a brave face. “You’ll see…”

  Romeo: This place is rocking. Chloe, Fizzy and Francesca are laughing over some funny pictures while Coquette and I canoodle on my bed.

  Suddenly the lights are dimmed and Francesca aims the remote control at the TV. Seconds later, Coquette and I are rudely interrupted by Francesca hopping up and down, clutching her head and moaning,“Ohmigod! I can’t do it. I just can’t! But I have to, right? I mean, do you think I’m frigging crazy?”

  Lady, take a chill pill. Why did you buy the DVD if you can’t even watch it without freaking out?

  This is one time I’m glad Francesca will be leaving me home.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Do I go or do I stay? I feel like I’m going crazy. I’ve been pacing my living room since four o’clock this morning trying to make a decision. Bleary-eyed and irritable at getting up so early, Romeo joined me briefly, but then he grew bored and went back to bed.

  For the past hour, I’ve been weighing my options. Go to Harrison and tell him I will skydive with him this morning—this one makes me hyperventilate at the thought. Or stay in my safe zone and risk Harrison thinking I’m a boring scaredy-cat. I have to move fast or he might get back together with his ex—this is too depressing and unacceptable.

  Suddenly my iPhone buzzes with an email alert from Mom.

  “Congratulations on Bowled Over! Dad and I are so proud of you. You won’t believe it—we went scuba diving and it was incredible. Five years ago you couldn’t have paid me to scuba dive, but this time I figured, why not? Especially with Dad along, who is certified. Oh, Frankie, you must try it sometime, it’s exhilarating! We’ll be home in two weeks. Can’t wait to see you. We’ve missed you so much! Love you bunches, Mom.”

  I can’t believe I just got the sign I was waiting for. Earlier, I had asked God for a sign and this must be it. If Mom can scuba dive after surviving a massive heart attack, then I can surely skydive. I’m young and I have no physical limitations—that I know of.

  I’m already dressed in jeans and a cute tee, s
o I grab my bag and the skydiving DVD I bought yesterday and head over to Harrison’s. I hope I’m not too late.

  I ring the doorbell and hold my breath, trying to still my racing heart. It’s “do or die” now. There’s no turning back.

  The surprised look on Harrison’s face is priceless when he answers the door. “Frankie, what’s up? Why’re you here so early? Everything okay?” he asks, peering at me with concerned eyes.

  “Everything is perfect. Just perfect,” I say cheerfully. “I’ve been thinking…if you’d still like me to go skydiving with you, I’m ready to try it.”

  Stunned, he stares at me. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”

  I pull out the “Skydiving for Beginners” DVD that I’ve been holding behind my back and show it to him. “Yes, I’m positive.”

  When he realizes that I’m not kidding, his handsome face breaks into a huge smile. “Then let’s go, baby.”

  Breathe! Don’t faint, don’t panic! There’s no turning back now. Harrison and I are waiting behind two couples ahead of us in the open doorway of the airplane. My head is spinning, my heart is pounding, my stomach is doing somersaults, and my hands are frozen fists clutching the sides of my jumpsuit.

  So help me God, I don’t think I can do this anymore.

  Please St. Jude, I beg of you, please make us survive this insane stunt. I’ll do anything, I’ll…I’ll…

  “Frankie, we’re up next,” Harrison says, kissing the top of my head from behind me. He tilts my face up and his intense green eyes bore into mine. “Are you sure you want to? You don’t have to go through with this. There’s still time to back out.”

  He said this earlier, too, when I turned white while signing the documents and disclaimers. Now we’re strapped together to fly tandem (turns out he is a certified instructor after logging tons of miles, so at least I’m in good hands).

  I swallow hard against my constricting throat. “I want to do this, I swear. I have to prove to myself that I can. This is only the beginning. Fear is not an option,” I say, trying to sound convincing. But who am I kidding? A cold sweat breaks out on my forehead and I’m about to…

  “Great,” says the cheerful videographer behind us who will be videotaping our jump. “Be sure to smile for the camera.”

  He’ll be lucky if I don’t lose the contents of my stomach.

  “Okay, baby, here we go,” Harrison says, gently squeezing my shoulders. He is directly in back of me and we’re both in harnesses, linked together. Harrison’s solid weight and broad shoulders braced behind me make me relax a tiny bit until we step on the ledge and face a vast, open void.

  I squeeze my eyes shut. “Oh, God, I can’t look!”

  “Jump, Frankie. I’m right behind you,” Harrison urges as his hand nudges my bottom. “Don’t hold your breath and open your eyes so you can enjoy it.”

  “OHMIGOD, WE’RE GOING TO DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!” I scream as we step off the ledge.

  Harrison laughs into my ear. “No, we’re not. Open your eyes, Frankie. Relax and enjoy looking at the world. Isn’t it great?”

  After the initial scream, I can’t get any words out. I manage to pry open my eyes, but I’m freefalling in the air, wondering if we’ll even make it down alive. I start praying to St. Jude fervently.

  Harrison puts his arms around me and hugs me tightly. “You are amazing, Frankie. I love you!”

  “What did you say?” I shout.

  “I said I love you!” he shouts back.

  Did he just say what I think he did? Before I can answer anything coherent, he does the unforgivable—he flips us into a spin.

  “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” I shriek.

  Harrison stops spinning and then pulls the parachute open. As we glide like birds, I begin to feel incredibly peaceful, like I’ve been doped up. This is amazing, surreal, ethereal. I’m one with God and nature. Have I just died? Am I having one of those out of body experiences I’ve heard about? No, that’s impossible. Harrison’s body is pressed against mine and I can feel it vividly.

  Best of all, Harrison loves me! Me—not Fizzy or his ex, Daphne. Me, Frankie, the chicken turned brave skydiver!

  I’ve never felt lighter—except after the cleansing I once did, but that’s another story. Everything is perfect. I have just taken a huge leap, literally, and I’m still alive, so far…

  “We’re almost there,” Harrison says. “Be sure to squat your legs as we land.”

  I look down and see we’re approaching land. Somehow, we hit the ground feet first in a perfectly executed landing. Bravo, Harrison!

  “Quick,” he urges as we scramble to pick up the parachute and fold it.

  Once everything is gathered up, Harrison turns toward me with a glowing smile. “Oh, baby, you are the best!” He pulls me into a tight hug and my heart soars with joy.

  “So are you,” I say in a voice hoarse from screaming so much.

  All the trauma I went through was worth it to be held in Harrison’s strong arms and hear him tell me I’m the best. Was I delirious, or did he twice tell me he loved me while we were suspended in midair?

  “I love you, Frankie,” he says, and I wonder if he can read my mind. I peer at him, drugged by Harrison’s beautiful green eyes as they darken with desire. “And not because of the sky diving. The moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I was in trouble.”

  Harrison’s mouth closes over mine and his warm, sweet tongue tastes me with a thoroughness that takes my breath away. The memory of his first kiss comes back full force and I want more of them—forever.

  Drunk with love, I pull back long enough to murmur, “And I love you, Dr. Hot.”

  Harrison and I barely make it into his apartment before we’re in each other’s arms again, tearing our clothes off. The scorching desire in his eyes makes me melt against him. I’m about to give him my heart, my everything, but in this case it feels so right…he feels so right.

  Harrison’s big hands clasp my bottom and lift up, his hard length pressed against my throbbing pelvis. I wrap my legs around his waist and he walks us to the bed, lavishing hot, hungry kisses on my mouth and neck.

  Before long we’re passionately entwined and he is inside me. I welcome his deliberate thrusts with escalating moans, biting my lower lip until my body implodes with a million spicy, sweet sparks. I’m still reeling over the intense pleasure when he climaxes and hoarsely utters, “Frankie, my love,” over and over again.

  Quivering, I cling to him as if my life depends on it.

  Much later, we’re curled up in Harrison’s bed. We made love a second time, this time slow and long, and my body is still flushed and tender from the powerful sensations. My head rests on his solid chest listening to his steady heartbeat, while his right arm hugs me snugly against him.

  We are watching the skydiving videotape. Harrison’s shoulders shake as he cracks up laughing when the camera does a close-up of me screaming and waving my arms like a lunatic (not a pretty sight). I smack his chest, pretending to be mad at him, but I can’t help joining in his amusement.

  “I can laugh now, but I was terrified we’d never make it back alive. For a minute there, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven,” I admit.

  I don’t mention that’s how I feel when we make love—it’s an intoxicating high that I’ve never felt and I want to feel again and again with him. There is nothing like making love after skydiving with the man you love, especially if he’s one hot doctor like Harrison. I highly recommend it—the lovemaking, that is, not the skydiving.

  “Don’t worry, you don’t have to skydive again,” he says, ruffling my hair. “We can always enjoy other sports…”

  “That’s a relief. Like which ones?” I ask peering up at him.

  “Contact sports,” he says in a husky voice that leaves no doubt what kind. His hand glides over me creating tingles that feel like butterfly wings teasing my skin.

  “Sounds good to me.” I’m pleased with his answer, but then a niggling question enters my
mind that’s been bothering me and I have to voice it.

  “Um…Harrison?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How do you feel about your ex?”

  His warm hand on my breast goes still. “My ex? Why do you want to know about her? This isn’t a good time, Frankie.”

  Harrison’s voice is gruff, but I can’t let it go. I don’t want to be a mood killer, but I have to know.

  “Do you still stay in touch?” I ask, tracing lazy circles on his chest with my fingertip. I feel far from lazy, my heart is pounding and I’m anxious to hear his response.

  “Yeah. Daphne’s a vet, like me. We talk sometimes, but it’s usually about our practice or the sports we like.”

  “Oh,” I say in a small voice. He hasn’t said anything about his upcoming trip. Should I bring it up? No, this isn’t the right time, but still…

  “Sounds like you have a lot in common.” I can hear the wistfulness in my voice and wish I didn’t feel so vulnerable.

  Harrison grunts. “Yeah, too much of it. That’s why we didn’t work as a couple, we’re too much alike.” He pulls away and looks in my eyes. “She wanted to meet up at the Canyon with her new boyfriend, but I didn’t go for it. I told her I doubted he would appreciate having me there.”

  “Really?” I search his eyes and I can barely contain my joy when I see the sincerity in them. I tuck my head under his chin and say fervently, “I’m so glad to hear it. I was worried I’m not your type.”

  “Hey.” He tips my chin up to meet his probing gaze again. “What’s all this about?”

  “I can’t scale the Grand Canyon, Harrison, but I can wait for you at the lodge if you like. I don’t want you to get frustrated or bored because I don’t share your love of danger.”

  Harrison’s chest rumbles. “Bored with you, Frankie? Impossible. My life hasn’t had a moment’s peace since I met you and I like it that way.” My pulse beats riotously as he kisses my breasts, slowly, languidly, taking my nipples into his mouth until I’m feverish with wanting him again.