Sophie vowed to make her mother’s life better. She babysat and took odd jobs around the neighborhood. Sophie worked hard in school, and got straight A’s. Receiving the scholarship offer was the culmination of all her hard work and determination. Sophie was going to make her, and her mom’s dreams, come true.
Leaving her mother and heading to college was one of the hardest things Sophie had to do, even though the campus was only a two and a half hour drive away. But, she knew she had to do it. At the time, Sophie wasn’t sure what she wanted to major in, but she worked hard at her core classes and managed to get straight A’s. She called her mom every day to check in, and sometimes her mom would send cards with a little cash tucked in, even though Sophie insisted she didn’t need it. She was worried her mom would have trouble-making ends meet without her there to help out, especially since her mother had been feeling under the weather lately.
One day, Sophie received a call from their neighbor, Mrs. B.
“Sophie, your mom collapsed in the kitchen. I found her when I arrived for our coffee date. I don’t know how long she’d been unconscious. I called the paramedics. She’s at the hospital right now.”
Sophie ran to her car and drove to the hospital. Mrs. B was in the patient waiting room, weeping.
“Where’s mom?” Sophie asked. “What’s her room number.”
“She’s gone honey,” Mrs. B sobbed. “She woke up for a few minutes and asked me to give this to you.” Mrs. B handed Sophie a sealed envelope. “Your mom closed her eyes and never woke up. She’s gone to a better place.”
Sophie was beside herself. Hours later she remembered the envelope and opened it. In it was a letter from her mother.
Her mom had been sick. Really sick. Since right before Sophie left for school. Medical care was expensive. Sophie’s mother had put off getting checked since they didn’t have insurance. By the time Sophie’s mom went to the doctor, the breast cancer had already spread to her lungs. There was nothing they could do. Sophie’s mom didn’t want to burden her with the knowledge she was dying, especially since Sophie worked so hard to make their dreams come true. She wanted her to study hard. To have a fulfilling life. To be happy.
Sophie decided to become a doctor. Not an oncologist, but a general practitioner. Someone connected to the community, who could help people like her mom get the preventive health care they needed.
****
Cole returned to the bedroom. He smiled at the site of Sophie’s blonde hair peeking out from beneath the covers. He felt the warm glow of true affection spread through his chest. After spending the evening talking with her, Cole realized he really liked Sophie. A lot. So much so that he was certain this wasn’t going to be a one night thing. Sophie was so strong and good. He might be a little rusty at the exclusive relationship thing, but Cole definitely wanted to try it out with her.
He pulled the covers off of her and climbed onto the bed.
“Mmmm, Cole,” she grumbled. “Its cold.”
“I’ll warm you up,” he replied, giving her a playful slap on the ass. Sophie cracked her eyes open and glared at Cole through her tangled hair.
“Why are you dressed like that?” she asked suspiciously, suppressing a giggle. Cole was wearing his lab coat, stethoscope, and a smile.
“I’m here to give you a check-up,” he said with mock seriousness “There’s a six month long wait to get on my clinic schedule, but for you I’m making an exception.
Sophie looked down at Cole’s growing erection, which was perfectly framed by the open coat. “I’m too tired, go away,” she replied before burying her face back in the pillow.
Sophie felt the bed depress as Cole sat down next to her.
“Don’t worry honey, I’ll do all the work,” Cole said. She shivered as he ran the cold head of his stethoscope down her spine. “Just relax and stay on your stomach.”
Sophie gave an amused snort in response. Did the man ever get worn out?
She remained still as Cole explored her body, kneading, caressing, and stroking her flesh until she was awash in pleasure.
As soon as Sophie became acquiescent beneath his hands, Cole stood up and took off his lab coat and stethoscope. He reached inside his bedside drawer, pulling out a bottle of lubricant. Cole poured the liquid into his hand and brought it to his erection, lubing it up.
She felt his warm presence behind her, and then Cole’s slippery fingers caressing her folds. Sophie moistened in response to the stimulation, even though her mind told her she was too tired for another round with Cole. Sophie undulated against questing fingers and moaned softly. Cole placed a firm hand on her ass in response, stilling her movements.
“Stay still Sophie,” he murmured huskily. “You need to save your strength.”
She fisted her hands in sheets and tried to remain motionless while Cole held her down with one hand and explored her with the other. After a couple minutes of pleasurable torture, Sophie was dripping wet and struggling against his hold.
“Shhh. I’ll give you want you want,” Cole said, pulling his fingers from her. He pressed his body against hers, front to back, bracing his weight on his forearms. Sophie turned her head to the side, anticipating his next move. She felt the tip of his erection nudge her core. She groaned in response. Aching for him. Cole seated himself fully with one slow thrust.
“Oh my god, you’re killing me Cole,” Sophie gasped, as he started stroking inside of her. Cole used this knees, which were straddling her thighs, to nudge her legs closer together. “You’re so wet and tight,” he said, breathless. Her core gripped him, the ripples of her inner muscles milking Cole and bringing him closer and closer to orgasm.
He slipped a hand underneath her and found Sophie’s clit. Cole started stroking it in time to his thrusts, throwing her into a more intense state of ecstasy. She thrust back at him as much as she could with his weight on her, wanting him faster and deeper. But Cole kept up his slow steady pace. Stroking and stroking until she couldn’t breathe anymore. And then finally, they both peaked. Sophie’s intense orgasm threw Cole over the edge.
Chapter Nine
Sophie’s temporary reprieve from clinical duty was over. When she arrived at the hospital, her usual line-up of patients awaited her. The morning passed by in a blur of consults, x-rays, throat swabs, and chart readings. Only the grumbling of her stomach reminded Sophie it was past time to eat lunch. Sophie pulled out her phone and texted her friend Osmond, a former classmate who was now working in the Department of Infectious Diseases.
Hey Oz, want to meet up for lunch?
Long time no see, S! Sure thing, see you in the Big C in 10?
Yes! Taco Tuesday!
The Circulata, or Big C, was the hospital’s most centrally located cafeteria. During their medical student days, Sophie and Osmond met there regularly. It was the scene of long study sessions and carb loading on cafeteria fare before their grueling intern shifts. Now, Sophie was immersed in her clinical residency and Oz had shifted his focus to research. With their busy schedules in different sections of the sprawling building, they didn’t get the chance to meet up as often.
As Sophie walked down the long hallway to the Circulata, she couldn’t help but let her mind drift back to the past couple of days with Cole. Cole touching her. Cole kissing her. Cole filling her up. He was unlike anything she’d ever known before. Sophie wasn’t a virgin, but she wasn’t very experienced. Her previous sexual encounters were mostly quick hook ups with fellow students. Sophie’s studies were her life and finding a boyfriend was low on her list of priorities.
Even still, Sophie enjoyed the experiences she’d had. Nice, safe boys her own age that she’d had nice, safe nights with. But those boys didn’t hold a candle to Cole. Sophie started to worry. Was she falling for him? “No. I need to finish my residency. I’ve worked my whole life for it, “ she thought. “Sleeping with the Dean was not part of the plan. I have to be smart.”
As she walked through the cafeteria’s doors Sophie immediately spot
ted Osmond. She broke into a wide grin. Oz was surrounded by three young female undergrads. “Some things never change,” Sophie thought.
Oz was always popular with the ladies. He had an easy, playful charm that women instantly reacted to. Of course his taut, muscled body and long flowing dark brown mane of hair was a big part of his appeal too. Osmond sang and played the guitar in a local band, the “Recombinants,” and he looked every inch the rock star. The contrast between his work persona as a brilliant postdoctoral researcher with a promising career in Infectious Diseases, and his rock and roll persona as a bad boy, tight t-shirt wearing, sexy guitarist, was an irresistible combination to women. Well, most women. For some reason, from the minute Sophie and Osmond met back in Chemistry 101, they knew they were only going to be friends.
They were randomly assigned as partners for a lab experiment. Oz, ever the player, looked her up and down, smiled appreciatively, and declared, “You must be a science major, because I am feeling some amazing chemistry.”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “You must be a History major, because that line is so old.”
They both burst out laughing. From that point on they were study buddies and best friends.
Oz was wicked smart with an innate knowledge of the natural and chemical sciences. It wasn’t surprising he decided to pursue a career in research rather than practice clinical medicine. Once Oz completed his two year postdoctoral appointment in Infectious Diseases, he could apply for big money research grant funding. Sophie knew every research institution in the world would be clamoring to hire him.
“Sorry to break up the love fest girls, but I need my lunch date,” Sophie said, interrupting their fawning. “Noooo,” they moaned in unison.
“Sophie!” Oz exclaimed, turning his attention away from the women. He gave her a warm hug. While in Oz’s embrace, Sophie made a shooing motion with her hand. The three ladies dejectedly wandered off together.
“I see you’re still being hounded by scrubs,” Sophie teased, using their nickname for the young co-eds who hung around the medical center, hoping to score a rich doctor. Or a potentially rich doctor. “Are you ever going to grow up?”
“Grow up?” Oz said in mock horror. “Why would I want to do that? Why would I want to trade in my life of easy women and rock and roll? I’d only give it up if you’ve finally fallen in love with me, like I’ve been secretly dreaming all these years.” Oz clutched his chest and pretended to swoon. “Sophie, you know you’re the only girl who can set me straight.”
“Well, I guess it’s a life of easy women and rock and roll for you,” Sophie laughed. “Let’s get some tacos.”
They got in the long cafeteria line and waited for their greasy, yet awesome, tacos. “How can this place serve food that is so revolting, yet so fulfilling at the same time?” Sophie mused aloud.
“It’s a secret chemical in the food. The Biochemistry Department supplies it to the cafeterias,” Oz said, straight faced.
“Funny,” replied Sophie. “Or, at least I hope you’re being funny. Sometimes I can’t tell with you.”
In short order they purchased their tacos and sat down in the Circulata’s table section. It was a large round room with forty foot columns reaching the domed ceiling.
“What’s new, Soph?” Oz asked before taking a bite of his taco.
“Oh, nothing much,” Sophie replied with feigned nonchalance. “Just getting kicked out of my residency program.”
“What?!” Oz exclaimed, the shock causing him to choke. Sophie pounded Oz on the back until he stopped coughing. He took a sip of water and asked, “How is that possible? You’re the best clinician I know.”
“I know, right?” Sophie said. She knew she was good. “Unfortunately, I got caught moonlighting.”
“Every resident moonlights,” Oz scoffed. “As long as the resident continues to fulfill his or her obligation to the hospital, attendings turn a blind eye. Everyone knows that. Without the extra money residents make moonlighting, they would be homeless, starving, or in debtor’s prison. Do they still have debtor’s prison?”
“I don’t think so,” Sophie answered, hoping Oz wasn’t about to go off on one of his fifteen minute tangents.
“Okay. As I was saying, the measly salary residents make barely covers rent in Seattle! It’s almost as shitty as a post doc’s pay.”
“Well, Dr. Mapleton seemed to care. He punished me by placing me on probation and then, after I worked my butt off for three months trying to prove myself, he decided to terminate me.”
“Mapleton? Bruce Mapleton? The Leprechaun? That’s who’s in charge of your residency program?” Oz laughed. “How can you let a munchkin tell you what to do?”
“Hey, you know he’s more like Napoleon than any other diminutive creature. Dr. Mapleton is also the Director. I have to listen to him. I don’t have a choice.”
“I hear he’s a real bastard. So what happened? You’re still here, so you obviously changed his mind.”
“Well, I didn’t change his mind. Dr. Mapleton moved forward with the termination process. I got called into Crystal Bridges’s office.”
Oz grimaced. “The Iron Giant? This just keeps getting worse. The one and only time I was in a meeting with Crystal Bridges, my balls receded up into my body. That’s how scary she is. Everyone knows getting called into her office for a meeting is the kiss of death.”
“Oh, she’s a real bitch all right,” Sophie continued. “She sat in her pristine office and calmly handed me my termination notice, as if it wasn’t something that would totally destroy my life. She seemed to enjoy it too. When I got upset, she handed me a Sharelink brochure and threatened to call security!”
“Oh my god, she brochured you! Crystal Bridges is the worst. I would have punched her.” Oz looked upset. “How did you save yourself? Did you sell your soul to her?”
“I was considering it, but then Dean Armstrong interrupted the meeting. He told Crystal only he, as the Dean, has the authority to terminate Residents. Dean Armstrong declared he was not authorizing my termination.”
“Wait a minute,” Oz looked confused. “Dean Armstrong? As in “The Dean”? As in the man in charge of this entire medical institute? He personally involved himself in a residency program matter? That doesn't make any sense.”
Sophie blushed. “The evening before I met with Crystal, I made a personal appeal to the Dean. He told me there’s some political wrangling going on between him and Dr. Mapleton. I don’t know the whole story, but I’m caught in the middle of it. Dr. Mapleton targeted me for termination because he’s under the impression that Dean Armstrong’s interest in me isn’t only professional.” Sophie squirmed in her seat, and prayed Oz kept the rest of his questions to himself. Unfortunately, she wasn’t that lucky.
“Like, he’s interested in seeing you naked?” Oz laughed and Sophie blushed beet red. Oz’s laugh turned into a look of stunned surprise. “Sophie, you’re doing the Dean!” Oz stage whispered.
“Shhh,” Sophie said, looking around the Big C to see if anyone was listening. Everyone appeared to be focused on their own conversation and taco platters. “It isn’t like that!” Sophie was silent for a moment while Oz sat on the edge of his seat, anxiously awaiting her next words. She shot him a sharp look. “Okay you pervert, it’s kind of like that, but it isn’t funny and I don’t want anyone to know! It would mean big trouble for me and Cole if anyone found out. Besides, I don’t think we’re going to see each other again. It’s too risky for us both.”
“Don’t worry, Sophie. You know I’d never gossip about you. Have you and Cole actually talked about not seeing each other anymore?”
“No, but we have a silent understanding.”
“Sure Soph,” Oz said with a grin. “Until you actually say the words, you and the Dean are an item. He’s probably thanking his lucky stars you gave him a chance, and I bet he’s willing to take the risk of being with you. I know I wouldn’t let any risk stop me.” Oz returned his full attention to the last taco on his p
late. “Just be careful.”
Sophie was quiet for a minute. "Let's change the subject. Tell me what's new with you? I see you’re still doing the rock god thing and fighting off the women, so what's going on with work? Have you found a research project for your faculty track yet?"
"Actually, I've come across some very interesting work being done in a lab at the University of Scotland. They have a pilot project on mitigating the effects of infectious diseases on babies in utero.”
"Sounds intriguing." Sophie said. “Didn’t you write your PhD thesis on a similar topic?”
"Yes. I’m surprised you remember,” Oz replied. “I’m interested in meeting up with the director of the program, Dr. Liam MacGregor. If we’re on the same page, I want to see what Dr. MacGregor thinks about collaborating.”
The Pleasure of the Dean Page 5
