by Carrie Elks
Gloria patted her cheek. “You’re a sweet girl. And I promise I won’t leave it so long next time. Now tell me, what were you and Rich doing in the hall when I came out last night?”
Meghan’s cheeks flushed. “We’d been out to see a couple he knows. We were saying goodnight when you came out.”
The older woman smiled. “Was it a date?”
“No. Just as friends.”
“You two don’t act like you’re just friends.” Her voice was light. “There’s something more there.”
Meghan swallowed, the need to hear Gloria’s thoughts outweighing her natural embarrassment. “What makes you say that?”
“The way he looks at you. There’s a softness there I only see when he talks about his sister. He cares about you, I can see that. And I know you feel the same.”
“Do you?” Meghan’s voice was low.
“Don’t you?” Gloria teased.
Meghan pulled her lip between her teeth. “It’s complicated.”
“It always is. But there are always solutions. Now can you pour me a glass of water please, dear? All this talking about hot doctors is sending my temperature soaring.”
Meghan grinned and did as she was told, changing the subject to tell Gloria how busy the beach had been today. “You could barely see a patch of sand. It’s like everybody’s been cooped up for too long and they can’t wait to get some ocean air.”
“I can’t say I blame them. I’d like to be there myself.”
“Hey.”
Rich was standing in the doorway, looking ridiculously handsome in his green scrubs. A stethoscope was looped around his neck, and his ID card was clipped to the chest pocket. His arms were crossed in front of him, the short sleeves revealing his bulging biceps and strong, sinewed hands.
Meghan blinked as her mind flashed back to the previous night – or rather early this morning. To him bracing himself on the mattress as he came inside her. His muscles tensed, his kisses stilled, and how another wave of pleasure had washed over her.
And now she was blushing. Thanks, brain.
“Here he is now. Talk of the devil and he will appear.” Gloria grinned as he walked in, kissing her cheek. He stared up at the monitor, as though he was studying it. “Aren’t you supposed to be working in the ER?” Gloria teased.
Rich dragged his eyes from the monitor. “I am. It’s just everybody in cardiac keeps complaining about some hellcat causing mayhem in here. I had to see you for myself.”
“He’s very rude,” Gloria said to Meghan. “What happened to his bedside manner?”
Rich’s gaze connected with Meghan’s across the bed, and she had to remember how to breathe. Because she knew exactly how good his bedside manner was. A slow smile curled at his lips.
She found herself grinning stupidly back. Yep, his bedside manner was definitely perfect.
Rich pulled his gaze from Meghan’s and settled it on Gloria. “Have they told you what’s happening tomorrow?”
“I’m having some tests.”
“Yeah. Your rhythm is back to normal, thanks to the drugs, but they want to run an echocardiogram, which is like an ultrasound of your heart, just to make sure all is okay in there. They’ll do a lung x-ray, too. Once they have the results of those and your blood tests, they’ll make a decision on the next step.”
“They said they’ll hopefully release me after that.”
Rich nodded. “If you need any treatment it can be done as an outpatient. But I suspect it’ll mostly be monitoring you, and considering if a pacemaker can help. There are things that can cause atrial fibrillation, so they’ll want to narrow it all down. Plus they can’t wait to get rid of you. Since you’re so demanding and all.”
Gloria giggled, and Meghan bit down a smile. He was so damn good at this.
“And how was your day?” Rich asked, looking at her again.
“Busy. Yours?” She tried – and failed – not to flutter her eyelashes at him.
“It was very, very good.” He grinned. “From start to finish.”
Her skin felt all tingly. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“Not as glad as I am.”
Gloria turned to Meghan, an enquiring look on her face. “So you both had good days.”
Meghan looked down at her fingers, trying not to laugh. “Pretty much.”
“Well I’m glad somebody did,” Gloria huffed.
The doorway to her room darkened as another doctor walked in. This one was older than Rich, wearing a suit and tie beneath his white coat. He looked at Rich with an arched brow. “Are you trying to steal my patient?” he asked, with good humor.
“Nope. Just making sure she isn’t causing mayhem.”
“Rich is my neighbor,” Gloria said, as the doctor walked over to check her monitor. “He’s the one that brought me in.”
“I read about that. Good work.” The other doctor nodded at him. “I’m off for the day, but I’ll be back in the morning,” he said, turning to Gloria. “Do you have any questions before I leave?”
“I should go, too,” Meghan said, standing to kiss Gloria’s cheek. “Isla will be home soon. Do you need anything before I go?”
Gloria shook her head. “I’m all good.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Rich said, standing aside as Meghan made it to the door. She walked out to the hallway, her bare arm brushing against his. She felt his palm press against her lower back as they walked to the elevator and he leaned forward to push the call button.
“Are you okay?” he asked, tipping his head as he looked at her.
“I’m great.” She smiled, because who wouldn’t be great after last night?
“And Isla? Have you heard from her?”
“She called this morning to ask if she could stay with my folks for church and have them drop her home tonight. She’s having a ball.”
The corner of his lip quirked. “That’s good.”
The elevator pinged and they walked inside. An elegant couple were in there, along with a nurse who smiled at Rich. “Hey doc.”
“Hi.” He smiled back.
Nobody said anything else as the elevator descended, stopping a couple of times to pick up more occupants. Meghan had to step back to let them in, her back pushing against Rich’s front. His hand curled around her hip to steady her.
And she felt that tingling all over again.
When they reached the ground floor and everybody spilled out, Rich walked her to the exit, smiling and saying hello to people he knew as they walked past.
“Isn’t the ER that way?” she teased, as he followed her outside.
“I just wanted to make sure you got to your car safely.” He grinned. “And to say thank you for last night.”
She turned to look at him. The sun had caught his face, warming his skin and making his eyes shine. “I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
“We should thank each other. So I guess you’ll have Isla back tonight?”
“Yep.”
“Can I call you when I get home?”
Her heart did a little thud. “Is there something wrong?”
“Nothing at all. I just want to hear your voice.”
Damn, he knew how to make her insides tingle. “I’d like that,” she said softly.
“I guess I should get back.” He didn’t look in any hurry.
“I guess you should.”
They were silent for a moment, staring at each other as the evening sun beat down on them. The parking lot was half empty and for a moment it was just the two of them.
“Are we okay?” she asked him.
“Yeah. Definitely.”
“So you’re not going to ignore me?”
He swallowed, his thick throat undulating. “I’m definitely not going to ignore you. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. Every time I close my eyes I see you behind them.” He leaned down, brushing his lips against her cheek. “I really have to go now.”
“I know.” She nodded. “Goodbye, Rich.”
“I’
ll definitely be calling you later.”
It was crazy how much she liked the sound of that.
“What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?” Rich’s voice was low and lazy. She imagined he was laying in his bed, the way she was lounging in hers. It was almost midnight – Isla was fast asleep, the way she had been every night this week when he’d called.
“I don’t like ice cream,” she told him. Rich spluttered so loud she swore she could hear him through the wall.
“What? How can you not like ice cream? You run a shop for the damn stuff.”
“I’m kidding.” She bit down a grin. “I love ice cream. That’s why I used my grandma’s money to put a deposit on the shop. For the record, I love vanilla. I know it’s boring as hell, but it’s perfection. All creamy and cool and makes my stomach growl with joy.”
“Say creamy again.”
“Stop it.” She shook her head even though he couldn’t see her. “You have a one track mind.”
“Then distract me. Ask me a question.”
She breathed in, leaning her head against the pillow. “What’s your favorite flavor?”
“You are.”
“Rich! You’re supposed to answer sensibly.”
“Okay, okay. I guess I really liked the lemon ice cream you made that one time. But to be honest, ice cream is ice cream. I’ll eat any of it.” He cleared his throat. “What’s your middle name?”
“I don’t have one. My parents don’t see the point in middle names. They don’t like waste or anything like that, and they think middle names are wasteful.”
“Does Isla have a middle name?”
Meghan smiled. “It’s Anya. It means gift from God. They couldn’t really argue with that one.”
Rich laughed. “Even your rebellions are sweet.”
“Shut up. What’s your middle name?”
“That’s not important. Ask me another.”
A smile pulled at her lips. “What is it?” she asked again. “Now I’m intrigued.”
“It’s a stupid name that should be forgotten by everybody. Why don’t you tell me what you’re wearing right now?”
“Quid pro quo. Tell me your middle name first.”
“Ugh. It’s Archibald. After my grandfather. So I’m Richard Archibald Martin, which if you shorten leads to a lifetime of teasing.”
“Ram?” She tried to swallow her laugh. “Is that what they called you at school?”
“Among other things.” She could hear the irony in his voice. “Hot Doc Ram is my favorite.”
“You poor thing. It must be awful being called the Hot Doc,” she teased.
“You wouldn’t even believe it. Now, what are you wearing?”
“My usual pajamas. A tank and shorts.”
“Take them off.” His voice was lower. Thicker.
“What?”
“Please?” There was a little inflection at the end of the drawn out word. It sent a shiver down her spine.
“Are we doing this?” she asked him. “Because I haven’t shaved my legs today.”
He chuckled. “In my mind you have.”
“Have you shaved?”
“Not since last night. I’m dark and dangerous right now, so take your pajamas off before I climb over the balcony to persuade you.”
She grinned because she knew he’d do no such thing, even though he’d admitted to scoping it out. His balcony wrapped around the side of the building, but stopped ten feet short of where hers started.
“You take yours off first,” she suggested.
“I’m already naked, Meghan.”
Her thighs clenched at his words. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“You want me to video call you?”
Her cheeks flamed at his offer. “No,” she squeaked. It was one thing dirty talking to him when she couldn’t see his face, another to look into his eyes while doing it. “I’m still learning how to do this stuff.”
“Well you’re doing pretty damn well at it. I’m hard as a fucking rock right now.”
Her breath caught in her throat.
“Are you touching yourself?” she asked him.
“Not yet. I want you to come first.”
“Always a gentleman.”
He laughed. “The thoughts I’m having right now are as far from being a gentleman as you could get.”
“What are they?” she asked, her voice low.
“I thought you weren’t good at this.”
“I’m getting better.” She smiled.
“Yeah, you are. And for the record, I’m thinking about how amazing you tasted when I had my face between your legs. And those tiny little gasps you make when you’re turned on.”
She exhaled, sliding her hand between the waistband of her shorts and her body.
“Are you touching yourself now?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“Mommy!”
Meghan sat up, pulling her hand out of her shorts at the speed of light.
“That’s Isla.”
Rich started to laugh. “I can hear her.”
“Through the wall?” she asked.
“No, on the phone.”
“Mommy! I need you!” Isla called out again.
Meghan’s cheeks flamed. “I have to go.”
“Yes you do. We’ll get back to this discussion another time.”
“Talk to you later.” Her heart was thudding against her ribcage.
“Oh, and Meghan?” His voice was thick.
“Yes?” she asked, breathless.
“You were wrong. You’re really, really good at this thing.”
19
“Look at this guest list,” Belle said, passing Rich a printout. He scanned the names and smiled at Belle. Her face was radiant in the afternoon sun. “Carlyn really came through. There are some huge names in the L.A. art scene coming. And she hasn’t listed them yet, but she thinks she can get a couple of celebrities, too. That should be fantastic for publicity – she’s got a lot of media connections that are interested in attending.” Belle grinned at him. “How amazing is that?”
“It’s fantastic.” Relief rushed through him. Carlyn was holding up her end of the bargain, as they’d agreed. Sure, he’d have to spend a night in her gallery as a result, but it was a small price to pay to see his sister’s beaming smile.
“You haven’t given me your guest list yet. I put six tickets aside for you, but I need to know who they are. Carlyn’s arranging for a security guard at the entrance, and he’ll need names.”
“Well there’s me…”
Belle rolled her eyes. “I know that, dummy. But what about the rest?” She gave him a sly glance. “You’re bringing Meghan, right?”
“I hope so. I need to double check with her.” They’d been too busy, and it had slipped out of his mind.
“I hope she can come. She could bring her daughter, too, if she likes.”
“It’s not a good idea.” There was no way he was having Isla anywhere near Carlyn. And he was almost certain Meghan wouldn’t want to go either. “Isla won’t be coming.”
“Why not?”
He hadn’t told Belle exactly what went down between Carlyn and Isla. He hadn’t wanted to worry her. Or have her cancel her show because of something he’d done.
“Because she’s too young. And there’s a lot of expensive stuff in that gallery, I’d hate for her to pick them up or something.”
“Most of the expensive stuff will be stored while my show is going on.” Belle gave him a strange look. “What’s going on? You haven’t messed things up with her already, have you?”
“What do you mean?” Rich frowned.
“I guess your track record with relationships isn’t great.” Belle gave him a soft smile. “As in you can’t keep one going for love or money.”
“I’m a doctor. I work crazy hours and a lot of women can’t live with that.”
“Can Meghan?” Belle tipped her head to the side.
“Yeah. I think she can.�
� He blew out a mouthful of air. This wasn’t the conversation he wanted to have with his baby sister. “I’ll come back to you on the list, okay?”
Belle pressed her lips together. There was a strange look on her face, as though she couldn’t decide whether to voice her thoughts or not. The voice finally won. “You’ve been different since you two started dating.”
Now he knew that was bullshit. Because they hadn’t been dating at all when Belle first met Meghan. It was all a lie and only the two of them knew it. “Have I?” he said lightly, sending a silent message for Belle to change the subject.
“Yes. And I saw the way you looked at her when we were at the gallery. You two were so at ease with each other. She’s special, Rich. I know she is. Please don’t mess this up. You deserve to be happy.”
“I am happy.” He winked at her. “How could I not be with a genius in the family? I’m counting down the time until you sell your first million dollar work and I can retire.”
“Ha. You’ll never retire. I swear you’ll be the oldest doc in the ER. What would you do if you didn’t have work?”
“I’d…” Rich frowned. “Sleep, I guess.”
“And then?”
His lips twitched. “Then I’d call the ER and ask if they had any extra shifts for me.”
Belle laughed. “At least you know yourself. But that’s sad, isn’t it? There has to be more than work.”
He shrugged. “It’s the one thing I’m good at.”
“You could be good at relationships, too, if you weren’t so scared.”
Her words were like a cold bucket of water. “What?” He frowned.
“You like work because you know what you’re doing. Things go wrong, sure, but you’ve learned to live with that. But relationships scare you to death because you can’t control them. Because you’re afraid you’re gonna mess them up, so you avoid them all together. But the stupid thing is, it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. So you retreat because that’s the only thing you know.”
Rich blinked at her. Her words felt like a rebuke, and they hurt more than he knew she intended. “When did you learn so much about relationships?” he asked, trying to ignore the tightening in his chest.
“I’ve had boyfriends.” Belle shrugged. “I know how these things work. You don’t need to worry about me.”
