by Robin Kaye
He listened to her heart and then moved behind her. “Lift up your shirt in the back for me.”
“Like you can’t do that yourself.” She humphed but finally did as he asked. She was still wheezing, and after a half-dozen deep breaths, she went on a coughing jag.
“You sound better than you did two weeks ago, but you’re still not up for running. Try pretreating, and let’s keep it down to a walk.”
He looked in her ear.
“I don’t remember asking for advice about laundry.” She turned her head so he could look in her other ear.
Mike rolled his eyes. “You know what I’m talking about. I want you to use your inhaler fifteen minutes before exercise and again just before you begin. Open your mouth and say, ‘Ah.’”
Lisa did. Her throat looked fine. “I hate those inhalers.”
“Dr. Flynn, phone call on line two. Dr. Mike Flynn, phone call line two.”
“I know you do. But if you ever want to run again, you’ll try it.” Mike set Lisa’s chart on the counter. “Would you excuse me for a minute?”
“Do I have a choice?” She picked up her book, smiled, and waved him away.
Mike stepped into the hall. Millie stood by the desk and motioned him over.
“What’s the deal? You know I don’t like to take calls when I’m with patients.”
She held the phone. “It’s someone from Eastern Heart Specialists calling for you. You need to take it.”
He grumbled but took the call anyway. “Hello, this is Dr. Flynn.”
“Dr. Flynn, this is Timothy Boyd. I’m the senior vice president in charge of human resources at Eastern Heart Specialists. In case you’re not familiar with Eastern Heart Specialists, we are among the top ten cardiology practices in the country.”
“Yes, Mr. Boyd. I’m familiar with EHS.”
“Very good. We are expanding the practice, and we’re looking to hire another pulmonologist, someone board certified in pulmonology as well as critical care. You came highly recommended. I’m hoping we can talk you into an interview.”
“Yes, I’m very interested, but unfortunately, I’m not available until…” Mike scrolled through the calendar on his phone looking for a day he could get out until mid-afternoon. “How does the Wednesday after Memorial Day sound?” Millie practically jumped up and down next to him.
“Let’s see, that would work. How does the morning look for you?”
“Morning is good. The earlier, the better.”
“Nine o’clock all right?”
“Yes.” Mike added it to his calendar.
“Good. I’ll send you some information on the practice and directions to our office.”
“That sounds great, Mr. Boyd. I’ll put my nurse on the phone to give you my address and whatever else you need. I’m sorry I have to run, but I have a patient waiting.”
“I understand. I look forward to meeting you. Have a nice holiday.”
“Thank you. You do the same. I’ll see you then on Wednesday, May thirtieth.”
Mike handed the phone and his driver’s license to Millie. “Could you please give Mr. Boyd my address and whatever else he needs? I have to get back to my patient.”
Millie smiled so wide, her face split in two. “Yes, Doctor, it’s my pleasure.”
When he returned, he checked to make sure Lisa’s prescriptions were all up-to-date before he took a seat beside her. “So, how are things?”
“Ah, let’s see. What’s happened over the last two weeks in my wild and wacky life?” She thought for a moment and then broke out into a full grin. “My son shaved half his eyebrow off and blamed it on his sisters. He said they went into his room and shaved it off while he slept. Do you believe he actually thought I’d fall for that? When I finally got him to admit he lied, he said he did it because he was always getting into trouble and the girls never did.”
Mike laughed. “How old is Trevor now?”
“Twelve. And now he’s walking around with one-and-a-half eyebrows. I told him the reason he’s always in trouble is because he’s always doing bad stuff. Fortunately, the girls haven’t started with that yet.”
Mike sat back. “Just give them time. Jodi is going to be a handful.”
Lisa’s eyes brightened. “She already is. She spent the whole school year talking about a little girl named Ceekay. I was really concerned about this kid because in one year, she’d broken both her arm and her leg. I was also curious about what kind of name Ceekay was. Jodi said she had red hair, so I figured she wasn’t Asian. So there I was at Jodi’s school for the year-end picnic, and I asked her teacher which girl Ceekay was. The woman looked at me funny and said there was no Ceekay in the class.” Lisa rolled her eyes. “Ceekay turned out to be Jodi’s imaginary friend. And to think I fell for it for the whole year. Either she’s really good, or I’m really dumb.”
Mike busted out laughing. “Jodi’s really good.”
Mike always booked Lisa’s appointments for an extra ten minutes. He’d been seeing her since he first started at the practice. He’d gotten to know her and even her kids really well since sometimes she’d bring them in with her. “What about Sarah?”
Lisa waved her hand. “She’s fine. Just dancing her little heart out. I had to take her for shots the other day, and she screamed and carried on. I had her on my lap with one leg crossed over both of hers and my arms wrapped around her so she couldn’t move, and the little witch tried to bite my face!”
Sarah’s dislike of needles was legendary, but Mike had thought by the time a kid hit the age of seven she’d have gotten over it. Mike tried to keep from laughing; that kid was too much.
Lisa gave Mike a dirty look. “I was in the middle of scolding her, and telling her to apologize to the doctor, when he said it was okay.” She shook her head. “Do you believe that? Like hell it’s okay! The girl is an animal.”
Lisa stood and grabbed her bag. She was definitely one of his challenging patients, but she was also one of his favorites. He walked her to the appointment desk and put her paperwork on the desk for Millie. Before he left, he turned back to Lisa. “You take care, and if I don’t see you before, I’ll see you in four weeks.”
Lisa put her purse on the desk and turned to Millie. “He misses me when I’m healthy.”
Millie beamed back at her. “We all do.”
Mike went through the rest of the day with a smug smile on his face. He didn’t let Dr. Meyer’s behavior bother him or the closed-door meeting the partners held. If this position came through, he’d be able to work like a normal doctor. Sure, a doctor’s hours varied, but they weren’t supposed to be insane.
He felt as if he’d been living the life of a perpetual resident. If his interview turned into an offer, he might actually have time to spend with Annabelle. A position with EHS would not only solve his social problem, it might also solve his financial difficulties and give him the possibility to change the minds of the partners concerning the Dr. Meyer situation. He’d have more leverage if he had a signed contract with a practice out of the area. The partners would be more apt to do whatever it took to ensure he wouldn’t talk behind anyone’s back.
In between patients, Mike text messaged Annabelle a dinner invitation. He was with his next patient when his phone vibrated. He couldn’t wait until he could get away and check her reply.
Annabelle’s phone buzzed, interrupting her work on the plans for the next big show. “Annabelle, you have a visitor.”
She checked the clock and wondered where the time had gone. It was as if she’d lost at least an hour. She gave the sketches and plans a once-over and took one last sip of her cold coffee before buzzing her assistant back. “Kerri, could you please send him up?”
She thunked her way over to the mirror, checked her makeup, and as she finished with her lipstick, she turned and caught Mike standing in the doorway, a huge smile on his face. “What happened? Did you win the lottery?”
He kicked the door shut and walked toward her with a lightness about
him she’d never seen. “How do you know something happened?”
“I don’t know. I just do.”
He kissed her, picked her up, and spun her around.
After she stopped screaming and clinging to him, she found her feet back on the floor and kissed him again. “Now tell me the good news.”
“I was going to tell you over dinner.”
“Why wait?”
“Because I thought we’d get a bottle of wine or champagne.”
“We still can, but I want to hear it now.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re impatient?”
“Yeah. Come on, spill.”
He walked around the desk and checked behind the screens she’d set up to hide the supplies. “I was just offered an interview with one of the top cardiology practices in the country.”
“But you’re a pulmonologist. What would you be doing in a cardiology practice?”
“Cardiologists and pulmonologists work closely together, especially since I’m board certified in both critical care and pulmonology.”
She’d followed and threw her arms around him. “Wow, I didn’t know you were board certified. This is great! I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks. The interview isn’t for a couple more weeks, but they said I had been highly recommended, and they’ve already called asking about my performance. Millie, one of the nurses I work with, mentioned it. Thank God they spoke to the one person who still likes me. The head of HR already had references from outside the practice. Since I’m pretty sure I’m not going to get good references from them, it’s a stroke of luck.”
“Have you told your mother yet?”
“No, I barely had time to call you. I’ll tell her tomorrow.”
Annabelle stepped out of his arms. “She called me today and said she wants to come by the gallery next week to look around, have lunch, and get to know each other.”
“Why do you sound as if you’re preparing to be tortured?”
She turned and looked out the window. “I’ve never had a boyfriend whose parents liked me. They either hated me or barely tolerated me.”
He took her in his arms. “I love you, and my mother will love you, too.”
“I’d be happy with like. I think love is too much to hope for.” She rested her head on his shoulder and enjoyed the feeling of his arms around her. It had been so long since he’d held her. She’d missed him so much that it scared her.
“Annabelle?”
“Yeah?”
“What’s up with the screens?”
“Nothing. I was just sick of looking at all the art supplies.”
“But you’re an artist.”
“No, I was an artist. I’m not anymore. Ben put all the supplies up here to bother me, but I took care of that. So, where do you want to celebrate? My place or yours?”
Mike pulled away a little and looked into her eyes in that way he had that made her feel as if he could read her mind. “I thought you’d want to go out.”
She loosened his tie and slid open the top two buttons of his shirt while nibbling on his ear. “I think we should pick up a bottle of champagne and takeout on the way home and celebrate in bed. Sound good to you?”
Mike’s kiss answered the question.
He kissed her gently, wanting the slow, steady build of desire, but Annabelle wasn’t having any of that. It seemed as if it had been ages since he’d held her, touched her, and tasted her. The frantic way her hands slid down the front of his pants, squeezing his erection through the fabric, had him locking his knees to keep from falling down. She touched him as if she couldn’t get enough of him, driving him higher because he couldn’t get enough of her either. Sometimes you had to go at it hot, hard, and fast—the first time at least. He had all night to make love to her, right now, though, there was nothing gentle about what she wanted, and that was just fine with him.
He’d been hard ever since he walked through the door and saw Annabelle wearing her short-sleeved, double-breasted coatdress made of a noisy material in an iridescent navy blue that matched her eyes. Since that moment, all he could think of was taking it off her. Mike’s fingers itched to unhook the wide belt at her waist and unbutton the four buttons holding the dress closed to see what she wore beneath. He’d love to fulfill that fantasy of her showing up in nothing but a trench coat and this was close enough.
Mike had closed the door when he came in, but for what he wanted to do, he needed it locked. Straightening to his full height, he pulled her closer, the imprint of her body hot and soft against his. Slowly, he backed her into the door. With one hand, he engaged the lock, as the other slid up her thigh, raising the hem of the short dress until he hit the soft skin of her bottom. When he slid his hand up her to her hip, he discovered the lace of a thong. He swallowed hard, raised her leg to his hip, and pressed his erection against her. The scent of orange, vanilla, and Annabelle became stronger as her body heated. Breaking the kiss, he moved lower, kissing her neck as he took care of the top two buttons and wide belt. The dress slid down, and she freed her arms so it hung at her hips. A sheer white demi bra offered her breasts to him like a gift. Her dusky nipples showed through the sheer fabric. He opened his mouth over it and sucked her hard nipple deep into his mouth.
Annabelle released his belt, slid open his trousers, and shoved her hand beneath the waistband of his jockeys. A groan ripped from deep in his throat when her hand wrapped around his dick.
“No.” He was in grave danger of losing it before he got inside her, and that was out of the question. He extracted her hand from his pants, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and drugged him with a long, hot kiss that almost made him change his mind. Almost.
“Mike, I don’t think I can wait any longer. Please. Now.”
He turned her around, drew her back to his front, and as he pulled her long hair to the side and feasted on her neck, he took the few steps to the first flat surface he saw. Her desk. Not taking the time to move the mess of papers, he leaned her over, yanked his wallet out of his pants, and removed the condom before sliding her thong down. He freed himself from his briefs, pushing them out of his way, and sheathed himself as his slacks slid down his legs. The belt buckle hit the wood floor with a thunk. She pulled her dress up as he slid his hands over her bottom and around, his fingers brushing over her clitoris, parting her, and teasing the hot, wet folds. She moaned as he parted her legs to accommodate him and arched her back. He slid in and, grasping her hips, held her still. She was tight, wet, hot, and gripping him with her body. The phone rang. “Shit.”
“It’s Ben. I have to answer it. He knows I’m here.”
She looked over her shoulder, and he nodded, took a deep breath, and held it as she picked up the phone.
“Yes?”
Mike leaned forward, moving deeper within her, and heard Ben’s voice. “Are you leaving now? Or do you want me to lock up?”
“No. I’m in the middle of something. I’m going to be a while, so lock up.”
“All work and no play makes Annabelle a dull girl. Why don’t you join me?”
“No, thanks. I’m in the middle of something, and I’m waiting for Mike to come. Once he does, we’ll take off.”
“Do you want me to come and keep you company until he gets here?”
Mike took advantage of the fact she was leaning on her elbows to slip his hands up and snap open the front clasp of her bra. She coughed when he moved the cups aside and palmed her breasts.
“No… um, no thanks. I’m good.”
“Is everything okay? You sound funny.”
“I’m fine. Just a little… distracted. I’m, um, in the middle of something, like I said.”
“Okay. If you’re sure you don’t need me to come. I can help with whatever you’re doing. The two of us can make fast work of it. Then you’ll be ready for Mike when he comes. Are you sure you don’t want my help?”
Mike whispered in her ear. “Over my dead body.”
“Yes, I mean, no, thanks. I’
ve got it under control. See you tomorrow. Bye.” She hit the end button, tossed the phone away, and groaned as Mike pulled almost all the way out and sank back in. His arms banded around her, and she pushed back against him.
“More.”
Mike’s opened mouth slid up the side of her throat to her ear. “This might take a while. I hope you don’t expect me to come anytime soon.”
“No… no rush. Just don’t stop.”
There was no chance of that. He kept a leisurely pace, while his hands teased, tempted, and tantalized. He loved this position. It gave his hands the freedom to caress his favorite parts of her body. He kept one hand brushing her clitoris, one hand teasing her breasts, and his mouth on her neck, ear, and shoulder, nibbling, sucking, or just telling her how much he loved making love to her. His hands kept her on the edge without allowing her to go over. She was trapped beneath him, surrounded by him, controlled by him, and pleased by him.
“Mine.” A wave of possessiveness so strong exploded in his mind and flew out his mouth before he could stop it, shocking him.
“Yes.”
Her assent broke the tight rein of control he held on his more primitive side, a side that, until now, had never reared its head.
“Please. Now.” She moaned, her breathing choppy, her movement frantic, until she was straining for release and begging. “Please…”
He lost the battle for control entirely as he thrust hard and fast, holding her, driving her and himself to the brink. His blood pounded through his ears with every beat of his heart, his breathing hot and heavy against her neck. When the first wave of her orgasm pulsed, he bit her bare shoulder as her body drew him in, milking him. She reared up, gasping, changing the angle, increasing the depth, and he thrust in again and again. He plunged hard and deep, pistoning his hips while she screamed his name. His vision grayed as his release was dragged from the pit of his stomach, the pit of his soul. He thrust again and again until she’d milked him dry. He collapsed against her, his legs shaking, unable to move as aftershocks from her orgasm pulsed around him.
