9781631052347OnCallKenyan

by M. O. Kenyan

  “Then you might just have a chance.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Might have a chance. Katherine frowned at those words. That’s what Senior had told AJ. With her father she dealt with the definite, words like might automatically meant defeat. She took out her stick of rouge lipstick, applied a healthy coat and smiled. She had her mini red bandage dress on, with her gold stilettos. She was looking sexy and determined to turn the word might to a definite. All she needed was AJ to commit to being in the trenches with her. Sure, her father would definitely cut her off, but she had her inheritance from her grandparents plus the Rosses as family. There was no downside to her relationship with AJ.

  Tonight was date night. They had established one every week. It was hard with AJ having family lunch on Saturdays and their 24-hour day careers. So Sunday was date night. She looked at herself in the mirror and was proud of what she had accomplished. Grabbing her gold clutch from the bed, she moved to the living room where AJ waited.

  He had his back toward her, so Katherine had the luxury of a few moments to admire the man she loved. Her heart broke and yearned for him. The wide expanse of his back and shoulders were covered in a black silk suit jacket. He strained the material, testing it for strength, as his muscles seemed to stretch the seams. She shuddered at the sight of him, strong, carrying his muscular frame with confident ease. Dear God, she didn’t think they would be able to make it out the door. All she wanted was to sink her nails in his back in the throes of passion. Katherine’s tug toward AJ was stronger than anything she had ever felt.

  He turned around and her breath hitched in her chest. His eyes darkened with lust, his head tilted to the side as an impressed grin claimed his lips. AJ took three giant steps and he was standing inches away from her. His gaze never dropped from hers as he took her hand in his. She felt a visceral tightening in her stomach as she watched her creamy dainty hand disappear into his large chocolate ones. Even holding her hand he did with perfection.

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Tha…ank you.” Her voice shuddered out and she had to command herself to draw it in slowly. “Thank you. You look great.”

  “I try.” He drawled. AJ lifted her palm to his lips, and brushed them over her knuckles in an absent gesture of intimacy.

  “Jeez.” she muttered under her breath as her stomach dipped at the sensual attraction echoing from him. “I think we should go to the restaurant, before I decide not to let you out of this apartment.”

  AJ chuckled then studied her for a second. Katherine’s heart beat out of her chest as her breathes were reduced to gulps. If he had given her the tiny indication that he would lead her to the bedroom instead of the restaurant she would take off that dress in a New York minute.

  “Tempting, but I think we should get something to eat.”

  “Oh!”

  “Don’t look so disappointed. Baby steps, remember.”

  Katherine nodded and forced a smile on her lips. She was disappointed, who wouldn’t be. Now she knew how those nurses at the hospital felt. But unlike them, AJ and his delectable body and his earth-shattering sexual skills were all hers. She let him lead her out of the house, a part of her whining about the loss.

  * * * *

  Katherine felt uncomfortable. Her skin crawled from the lustful glances men in the restaurant were giving her. Thank God, they didn’t have to wait at the bar for their table. But knowing AJ’s need for privacy, she knew their table would be in the back, where the lights were dimmed. Unfortunately that meant walking past a couple more tables. Katherine gasped in shock and bit back a grin as she watched a man turn crimson in shame. His girlfriend had slapped the back of his head. At first he was shocked, but when he noticed that half the dining room had witnessed it, he shrank back.

  She breathed a sigh of relief when the host stopped in front of a curtained area. With AJ’s gentlemanly help she took her seat. Katherine watched as he moved with natural grace as he took off his suit jacket and hung it on the back of his chair. He took his seat with suppressed strength that was easy to admire.

  “Would you like something to drink?” the host asked.

  “A glass of red wine.” Katherine noticed his suggestive grin. Sure the host was easy to look at. He had a boyish smile and although his face spoke innocence, his eyes gave him away.

  Katherine turned to face AJ when he cleared his throat. His patrician, calm face suddenly darkened. Clearly he wasn’t amused by all the attention the host was giving her. His jaw tensed and a muscle twitched in his cheek before he schooled the hard planes of his face into a composed expression, clearly for her benefit.

  “If you don’t mind, is it possible to get a waitress to take our orders?” Katherine said with a pleasant smile.

  “Sure…if you wish.” The man was clearly taken aback by her request. It was obvious he was used to women wanting him around and not sending him away.

  “I wish.”

  The host nodded then spoke in precise clipped tones. “I will send your waitress right over. I hope you enjoy your evening.” With a curt nod he left.

  “That’s what you get for asking a smoking hot girl on a date, out in public.” AJ said with a smile.

  Katherine couldn’t help the sigh of relief escaping her lips. For a second, she thought AJ would assume she had asked for the attention. She had purposefully dressed seductively to please him, and she hoped he knew the only man she wanted to attract was him.

  “I realized you’ve never seen me this made up.” Katherine shrugged as if it didn’t matter. She had spent over three hours trying to look this hot. She was glad AJ and the male population of the restaurant appreciated it. “I just wanted to look hot for you.”

  “I appreciate it.” His smile deepened the grooves framing his mouth.

  Katherine wished he would appreciate the effort in a different way. She hadn’t had sex in two years before running into AJ again. And now all of a sudden it was the only thing she could think about. Her body seemed to hum when AJ was around, her legs weaken and her bud begged to be filled. She wanted AJ in the worst way. But she was going to take her punishment. She only wished AJ’s love for sex would win out in the end and do them both a favor.

  “I hope you understand why we are taking things slowly.” AJ’s voice cut into her thoughts.

  “I do.”

  “I hope so. I can see the wheel of your mind turning. I bet you are thinking and wondering when I will give in to my libido?”

  “I didn’t—” Katherine huffed, but why deny it? Even a blind man could see she was ripe and ready. “I just seemed to be aroused every time I’m with you. But don’t worry. I’ll learn how to tame my desires.”

  “Don’t tame them too much. I still love your passionate side.” AJ’s slow lazy grin was the last straw.

  Katherine changed the topic before her wet panties soaked through her dress. “Do you think the problems between our fathers will interfere with what we have?”

  “Definitely not. I won’t ever let you get away from me, Katherine Henry.” AJ’s hand reached across the table and held onto hers. Katherine watched as her small dainty hand got swallowed into his. That simple gesture made her feel safe, protected and immediately she knew everything would be okay. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  The rest of the night passed without incident. Apart from the waitress who seemed charmed by AJ, she had the perfect date night. The ride home was tense. Katherine still held a sliver of hope that AJ would want to make love to her.

  “I’m telling you, AJ, for a minute there I thought she would come back to the table with just her panties and bra,” Katherine joked as she opened the front door.

  “It wouldn’t have mattered. Do you know why?” AJ reached for her, spun her around and crushed her tiny body to his chest. “I don’t need any other woman because I have you. You complete me.”

  “That means a lot, Jerry Maguire.”

  AJ threw his head back and let out a bark of la
ughter. Katherine pushed the door open and walked into their dark apartment. She reached for the switch to turn the light on, but AJ stopped her. Yes, her hormones broke out in celebration. Her heart beat hard against her chest as AJ led her to her room. But when she went in AJ hung back. Holding onto her hand he pulled her in for a passionate kiss. He rested his forehead on her when he finally pulled back, his breaths turned into short pants. He wanted her. She could feel him grow against her belly. But AJ stepped back, and with a barely audible good night, he retreated to his room. The coward.

  * * * *

  “I had a great time last night.”

  AJ turned around at the sound of her voice, abandoning his patient’s charts and the nurse he was briefing. He hadn’t seen her when he woke that morning. She had left before him for her early surgery. And when he saw on the roster she had a bypass to perform, he knew he wouldn’t see much of her that day. But finally, twelve hours since he had reported for work, Katherine was standing before him. His smile faltered when he noticed the droop of her shoulders, and the exhaustion in her eyes. The surgery must have really taken a lot out of her.

  “How did it go?” He asked cautiously, half expecting her to tell him that the patient didn’t make it.

  “It was great. I practically did it solo. It was a rush,” she said in a broken whisper.

  “I don’t get it. If it you did a great job and your patient is still alive, why do you look like someone stole your lollipop?”

  “I really don’t want to talk about it.” Quiet settled as quiet does before she said. “May I get a hug?”

  “Sure.” AJ tucked her into the comfort of his arms. He felt her lean into him, she was exhausted. A smile tugged at his lips as his heart swelled in pride. Katherine had successfully performed a bypass surgery and her exhaustion was a demonstration of how hard she had fought to keep her patient alive. She was his little warrior.

  “Henry.”

  AJ looked over her head and saw Lyle walk toward them a Cheshire smile on his face. “Good job in there.”

  AJ heard Katherine groan as she unlatched herself from his body. For a second she glanced up at him and he read the guilt in her eyes. She turned to Lyle, her body rigid, her fingers balled into fists by her side.

  “Thanks.” she mumbled begrudgingly.

  “How about we go celebrate? Drinks are on me?”

  Anger sizzled beneath AJ’s skin. Lyle could see him standing there. He had to have seen Katherine in his arms as he walked up to them. But one would never tell, judging by how he behaved as if AJ wasn’t even in the hospital, let alone standing beside Katherine.

  “No.” Katherine spat out. “You and I aren’t dating. We are never going to have drinks together ever again. Besides, I’m exhausted.”

  AJ took in the shock that registered on Lyle’s face. For some reason the man still thought he had a chance with Katherine. Just to add insult to injury, AJ wrapped his arms around Katherine and pulled her back into his embrace.

  “If you want to take off, I’ll cover for you,” AJ offered.

  “What time do you get off?”

  “In two hours.”

  “I’ll wait for you. I’ll take a nap in the on-call room, alone.” Katherine stressed the last word and AJ knew it was for Lyle’s benefit.

  “Rumor is the two of you are an item.” A treacherous smile claimed his lips. “But then again, you were together when we—”

  “I was half asleep, and I thought you were AJ. I should have figured it wasn’t him by the lacking size of your…but not everyone is gifted.”

  AJ let out a mocking chuckle. He didn’t believe in hitting a man below the belt, but Lyle deserved it. AJ knew if he didn’t have Katherine in his arms, he would probably be pounding Lyle into the marble floor. The last thing he needed to be reminded of was that Katherine had let Lyle defile her body, especially now that they were having a fresh start. AJ was relieved when Lyle left. He didn’t know how long he could use Katherine as a buffer.

  “I’m sorry about that.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I can’t blame him for wanting you. Hell, I want you. I can’t wait for our third date.”

  Katherine spun around, her face a mask of disbelief. “Are you trying to say that on our third date we could make love?”

  “That is exactly what I’m saying.”

  “I think we should go out today. Get the second date out of the way.”

  Her eyes shone with excitement. You’d think she was getting an early Christmas present. AJ was pleased by her enthusiasm. However, as much as he wanted her, he wasn’t inhuman. The girl was dead on her feet and he doubted she would be able to stay awake for more than a few minutes.

  “You need to sleep. We can have our date tomorrow.” She stuck out her lower lip. AJ had to take her up on her offer. He leaned down and sucked it into his mouth. “Don’t be sad, you’re breaking my heart. Go sleep and I’ll wake you up and take you home.”

  Katherine nodded and left without saying a word.

  “How cute.”

  AJ groaned as Rose’s voice filled the still air. “I’m afraid to ask what?”

  “You and your little girlfriend,” she spat out scornfully. “I bet you’ll be asking her to marry you next.”

  “If she’ll have me.”

  “What?”

  It was obvious that Rose was shocked by his response. Hell, he was surprised by it. But AJ couldn’t imagine growing old and gray with anyone else. When he pictured his children—something he had never done—he hoped their eyes were as kind as Katherine’s. He also wished they would be as gentle and sweet as their mother, even if that meant having all girls. He could live with a house full of miniature Katherine’s.

  “Hey!” Rose snapped her fingers in front of his face, snapping him out of his dream haze. “What happened to the eternal bachelor, the ‘doctor love them and leave them’, one girl every night.”

  “I don’t want that anymore. I want a relationship and if that leads to marriage, a home and kids, I want that too.”

  “Why couldn’t you want that when you were with me?”

  “All fifteen minutes of our no strings attached, sexual relationship?” AJ winced when he realized how that sounded. He had just said Rose was just good for sex. But she had been the one to approach him with that offer. He didn’t make any promises to her. “Rose, please understand—I love Katherine.”

  “And you couldn’t love me?”

  AJ tripped over his words. His tongue froze in his mouth. What was he supposed to say? Any negative answer would make it seem like Rose was unlovable, but he wasn’t one to dangle false hope before the eyes of someone who did nothing but hope.

  “I waited for you to be finished with all those whores you were sleeping with. I know we have something special. That’s why I’m going to wait for this little thing with Katherine to blow over. You’ll soon realize who the right girl for you is.”

  Rose had begun to walk away, but AJ needed to make sure that he had made himself clear. “I’m going to ask her to marry me.” He saw Rose’s lower lip tremble. “Katherine Henry is the only woman I have fallen in love with. The only one I’ve said the words “I love you” to. She’s the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. Katherine is the mother of my children and my wife, and that is what I believe. She is my future, Rose, you were my past.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Usually when you wake up in the morning, you assume you’d be doing the same mundane thing you did the previous day. As a doctor Katherine knew she had six hours of clinic hours on top of shadowing her attending Lyle. She had to check on the post-op patients and do consultations for other doctors. Ending up on blood-bank duty was nothing out of the ordinary for interns.

  In fact she could only count one intern who hadn’t been on this floor yet. AJ, but that was because he was a surgical superstar and all the department heads were trying to lure him to their department. He didn’t have time to do something as important as draw blood from a donor, r
un screen tests, and picking up donors off the floor who had passed out from the loss of blood. What she did saved lives, not at the time, but in the future.

  “All right, Lacey.” Katherine pulled the curtain back in place and prepared to take the history of her donor. “Do you have any allergies or chronic illnesses?”

  “Not that I know about.” The girl looked like a teenager, but her chart said she was twenty-four. Katherine was twenty-three but her hours at the hospital had made her look forty. She didn’t have that much time to make herself look pretty. Katherine was glad she had already won AJ’s affections, otherwise she wouldn’t be able to keep up with the nurses trying to get his attention.

  “Date of last period?”

  “Two weeks ago, why?”

  “It’s just procedural questions.” Katherine’s mind wondered for a bit. When was the last time she’d had her period? “What’s the date today?”

  “The tenth of May,” the girl said confused. “Do you need the year too?” When Katherine didn’t respond, the girl’s voice hitched with panic. “Are you all right? Are you sure you are a doctor? You seem—your blank expression worries me.”

  “No.” Katherine cleared the cloud of nerves in the throat. “Everything is fine. I’ll just draw that blood.”

  Katherine delivered Lacey’s and her own blood samples to Rose, the charge nurse for the day. She was so deeply in her own little dazed world that anything the redhead nurse had said didn’t sink in. How was she going to deal with this? She ran into the first on-call room she saw. She sat in the darkness and thought about her latest mess and how she was going to get out of it. A mess, that’s what her parents would call it. She had given up her home so that she could continue working at the hospital. And now if she was pregnant—Pregnant—what the hell?

  What exactly was the procedure of telling your boyfriend, whom you cheated on, who was also your roommate with benefits, that you were carrying his baby. His baby. AJ’s baby. What if it wasn’t? She expected him to ask that question. Heck, she was asking herself Lyle had worn a condom, hadn’t he? She paced around the dark room, cold sweats making their way down her spine. She had messed up. If it wasn’t AJ’s baby, how the hell was she going to tell him? Was she going to tell him? Katherine wasn’t ready for a baby, with their schedules she didn’t think AJ or Lyle would be either. Oh, dear God, she needed to make a decision. But first she would get the results, do a scan, talk to the potential fathers and figure out if she was going to keep the baby. Baby—scientifically, depending on how old it was, it was just a fetus. Keep telling yourself that.