Prince Charming, M.D.

by Susan Mallery

  Trevor took a drink of his beer. “What was your favorite, Dana?”

  “I’m not sure, because I really enjoyed everything we did. I can’t believe we’ve been here six days already and we go back day after tomorrow. It’s gone by quickly.”

  Bill glanced out the window. They were in the lobby bar, at a table that usually looked out over the manicured gardens. But for the past three days all anyone had been able to see was rain. “Assuming we can get out of here,” he said. “This is the tail end of the storm and it should be gone in the morning, but the flooding has gotten worse. Did you know the instructors have to spend the night here?”

  “Just as well,” Dana said. “I know Shelly swears she’s got another couple of weeks until the baby is due, and first babies are traditionally late, but to me she looks ready to give birth at any second. I would hate to think of her getting trapped somewhere.”

  “Yeah. Lucky for her, if she goes into labor early she’s got a doctor and a nurse right here.”

  Trevor shook his head. “Don’t look at me. I’m not about to deliver a baby.”

  Dana glanced at him and smiled. “But you’re so good with Trevor Junior.”

  Trevor shuddered. “I’m keeping good thoughts that Shelly goes to term.”

  Bill stood up. “Okay. The party is in my room in an hour. We’ve ordered Chinese food. Are you going to be there?”

  Dana opened her mouth to reply, but Trevor beat her to it. “Dana and I have plans for tonight, but thanks for asking.

  “No problem. See you two in the morning.” He sauntered off to join the next table.

  Dana glanced at Trevor. “We have plans?”

  He gave her an apologetic smile. “I hope you don’t mind me saying that. We’ve gone to a different party every night and I’m tired of that I thought it would be nice to order in dinner and spend some time alone together. But if you’d rather join the others, I understand.”

  She had been in the process of taking a sip of her drink and she had to remind herself to swallow. The icy liquid soothed her suddenly tight throat, but it didn’t do a thing for her pounding heart.

  Trevor wanted to have dinner with her? Alone? Panic and anticipation battled it out in her stomach. Over the past six days, she’d gotten to know Trevor. She liked the man he’d become. She enjoyed his company. But...none of that had changed his reputation or her concerns about getting involved with Dr. Love. Still, she couldn’t deny he made her come alive. Would it be so very wrong to spend a couple of hours alone with him? Maybe he would finally kiss her and she could know if it was as wonderful as she remembered. Maybe it was a risk, but could she live with herself if she didn’t take a chance?

  “I’d like to have dinner with you,” she said.

  He flashed her his best smile. “Great. Why don’t you plan to come to my room around seven.”

  Chapter Eight

  Trevor tugged on the collar of his long-sleeved white shirt, told himself it really wasn’t too tight, that he was just suffering from a bad case of nerves, and opened the door. Dana stood in the hallway, her blue eyes wide, her expression half excited, half wary.

  He knew exactly how she was feeling. He’d tried to convince himself he’d simply invited a co-worker over for dinner, but he couldn’t swallow the lie. For one thing, this wasn’t his town house back in Honey grove; this was a hotel room where the largest and most prominent piece of furniture was a bed. For another, he thought of Dana as much more than a colleague. Finally, while his body’s reaction to her was simple and predictable, it more than complicated the situation. He could only try to keep her distracted so she didn’t happen to glance down.

  He took in the white long-sleeved blouse she wore tucked into jeans and grinned. “So you got my memo about the dress code,” he said.

  She laughed. “We’re twins tonight. That’s pretty embarrassing.”

  “Fortunately, no one has to know.” He stepped back to let her into the room. “The wine is here,” he said, motioning to the bottle resting in an ice bucket on the tiny table in front of the sofa by the window. “However, dinner is going to be a while. Apparently a lot of people had the same idea of ordering room service and we’ll have to wait.”

  “I don’t mind.” She walked to the couch and perched on the edge of the far cushion. “I’m not that hungry.”

  He was, but not for food. Get over it, MacAllister, he told himself. He had to find a way to distract himself. If he didn’t, he was going to say or do something they would both regret.

  He sat down next to her. The sofa wasn’t that long, and even though he stayed on “his” side, they were still close. “I see you found a sitter,” he said as he started opening the wine. “I called downstairs, but there wasn’t one available. I don’t think it’ll be a problem, though. T.J. had a pretty busy day and he’s a sound sleeper.”

  He glanced at the small box sitting on top of his dresser. Dana followed his gaze, then laughed. “You’re crazy,” she told him. “No, I didn’t get a sitter. I left my inert egg alone in my room. There, I’ve admitted what a terrible egg mother I am. Do you want to call social services?”

  “I don’t think that will be necessary.” He handed her a glass of wine. “I guess we have different ideas on parenting,” he said, his voice mockingly sad. “I’m a little surprised, but I’ll get over it.”

  “Gee, thanks.” She took a sip. “This is nice.”

  He wasn’t sure if she meant the wine or their being alone together. “Yes* it is.”

  She took another sip and leaned back in her seat. “I can’t believe how quickly the week has gone. It’s been a great experience.”

  “I agree.” He angled toward her. The lamp behind her cast a warm glow over her blond hair. As usual, she’d brushed it away from her face. The short cut barely came below her ears, but still looked feminine on her. He stretched his right arm along the back of the sofa. His fingertips were inches from her shoulder.

  “Are you anxious to get back to work?” she asked.

  “Not anxious, but ready. I have heavy surgery caseloads the first couple of days, then it should slow down a little. Oh, I’ve heard from my architect. He’s drawn up the preliminary plans for my house. If you have some time, I’d really like you to look at them. I’d appreciate a woman’s perspective on things.”

  She flushed. He wondered if it was from pleasure or just the wine.

  “I’d be delighted,” she said. “Although based on our ‘egg’sperience here, you could be more adept at that kind of thing.”

  “I’m willing to risk your opinion.”

  She tilted her head and stared at him as if confused about something.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  “I’m wondering why you’re asking me. There are many other women who would be happy to go over the plans with you. Or do anything else you’d like.”

  He set down his glass and leaned toward her. “Maybe, Dana, but yours is the opinion that matters to me.”

  She blinked slowly. “Trevor, I...” Her voice trailed off.

  Some of his good mood faded. “If I were a masochist, I’d ask you to tell me what the rumors are this time.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  He shrugged. “There are always rumors. You should remember that from high school. People, mostly women, are always talking about me. I’m not sure why. It’s frustrating, to say the least” After working up the courage, he asked, “Have you thought about what I said about Joel? That he was the one who told everyone we’d made love that weekend?”

  She cupped the wineglass in her hands and looked at him. “I’ve thought about it. I don’t know what to believe. You’ve never lied to me. To the best of my knowledge, you’ve never lied to anyone.”

  “But?”

  “But...why would Joel do that?” She shook her head. “I know what you told me, that Joel was interested in me and wanted us to break up. But he and I never went out”

  “Did he ever ask you out?”

/>   She was quiet for a moment “I don’t remember. Those first few days passed in a blur and nothing about them is clear. I know he was always around and I think I told him I appreciated his being a friend to me. At the time I felt pretty alone.”

  Trevor grunted. He wanted to hunt Joel down and beat the life out of him. Damn him for interfering in what was possibly the most wonderful relationship of Trevor’s life. If only he’d been able to explain to Dana at the time. If only she’d been willing to listen. They could have been happy together. Or maybe not. Maybe they’d both been too young.

  “I’m sorry about that,” he said. “I wish I could change things.”

  “I believe you,” she said. “That means a lot to me.”

  He took her wineglass from her and set it on the table. One of his hands remained clasped around hers and he didn’t let her go. “I realize this isn’t going to get me a lot of sympathy, but I’m going to tell you anyway. I’m more than just my reputation. There’s actually a living, breathing person underneath all the hype.” He deliberately made his tone light. “There are even a couple of people who’d be willing to tell you I’m kind of a swell guy.”

  Her hand was small and warm, and her fingers easily laced with his. He held on gently, not squeezing, but determined not to let go. Was it his imagination, or was Dana leaning toward him? Her eyes were faintly dilated. Wine or desire? Did he finally have her attention?

  “I haven’t heard those rumors,” she said. “But I’m willing to bet they might be true. There are times when you’re the worst kind of guy, dating everything in sight Then there are times when you really surprise me. I mean that in a good way.”

  He was torn between annoyance at her first comment and pleasure at her second. “Despite what everyone says, I don’t date.”

  “Uh-huh.” She didn’t sound convinced.

  He tried a different tack. “Are you seeing anyone seriously?”

  “No. Not really. Some of it is career and some of it is that I haven’t been asked.”

  Hope flared, along with desire. “You don’t have to justify yourself to me,” he told her. “You’re bright, beautiful and very desirable. Obviously if you’re not seeing anyone, it’s by choice.”

  This time the blush was unmistakable. “Well, thank you. Plus there’s the matter of the agreement I have with Katie and Lee. Of course, now it’s just Lee, but we’re determined to stick with it”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Oh. When the three of us graduated from nursing school, we promised one another we wouldn’t marry doctors. We saw that they didn’t make good husbands or fathers, so we signed this pact.” She exhaled. ‘‘Then Katie went ahead and got engaged to a doctor. Mike Brennan. You probably remember him from high school. What can we do? They’re in love.” She paused, obviously waiting for him to comment.

  “I guess it was out of your hands.”

  “Exactly. The problem I have is where I work. Who do I meet? Doctors. They’re everywhere. I just can’t escape them.”

  He was more intrigued than annoyed by the thought of her bargain. Maybe it was a mistake to take it as a personal challenge, but that was how it felt. “So if a doctor, such as me, was interested in you, he wouldn’t have a chance?”

  “That’s right.”

  He tugged on her hand, pulling her closer. She slid toward him on the sofa. Her eyes widened. With his free hand, he tucked her hair behind her ear, then let his fingers linger on her soft cheek.

  “There’s nothing I could do to change your mind?”

  “Nothing at all.” Was her voice really breathless, or was it just wishful thinking on his part?

  “You’re not susceptible to temptation?”

  “No,” she answered. “In fact—”

  But he didn’t hear the rest of her sentence. He placed his mouth on hers and cut off her words. As his lips pressed against her sweetness, he couldn’t find it in himself to give a damn about what she was about to say.

  It was one of those moments when time stood still. He’d kissed women before, although not in a long while. He’d even kissed Dana before...in another lifetime, it seemed. So he should have been prepared for the intense heat and desire that filled him. He should have known how much he would want to haul her close and deepen the kiss, plunging inside her, tasting her, feeling her, giving and taking in a sensual exploration designed to carry them to the edge of madness, perhaps even beyond.

  He held back partly because being this close to her was nearly as much as he could bear. She smelled sweetly of herself and some feminine fragrance. One of her hands rested on his shoulder, a warm weight. Her fingers squeezed his muscles in what he hoped was an involuntary reaction to their nearness and the sensation of his mouth on hers.

  He moved slowly, pulling back slightly without breaking the kiss. He explored her lips. He tested different points of contact, savored the quivering response he felt, then lightly touched his tongue to the fullest part of the curve.

  She gasped. A sharp but quiet sound. Her body tightened, as did the hand on his shoulder. Her other arm came up and she hugged him, moving close until her body turned and her knees bumped his thighs. He parted his legs so she could slide closer, then accepted the invitation of her open mouth.

  It was better—she was better—than he remembered. All hot, welcoming sweetness, with her tongue seeking his. They touched and the fire inside him exploded. He crossed the line, reaching the place where wanting became need and needing didn’t begin to describe the pounding hunger rushing through him.

  He pulled her closer and it wasn’t close enough. They had to become the same person; they had to blend. It wasn’t just about their bodies joining; it was more, although he couldn’t begin to describe it.

  He cupped her face, tilting her head slightly and diving in deeper. He explored her mouth, then retreated to let her do the same to him. Their breathing grew more ragged. He told himself they were getting out of control way too fast, but he couldn’t find the strength anywhere. He wanted her and she obviously wanted him.

  He pulled back so he could move his mouth to her cheek, then her jaw. She moaned low in her throat. He licked the sweet spot below her ear, the length of her neck, finally leaving a wet trail down to the base of the open vee of her shirt. Her breasts seemed to swell as he approached them. Tight nipples showed through the layers of her clothing. He reached to stroke her. As his forefinger circled the small bud, someone knocked on the door.

  Trevor froze. “Talk about lousy timing,” he muttered, wondering if he could tell room service they’d changed their mind about eating dinner.

  Dana gave a strangled sound that was more groan than laugh. “I guess they got our meals cooked faster than they thought Just our luck.”

  He raised his head and looked at her. Her skin was flushed, her eyes wide, her mouth damp and parted. She looked ready to fall into his arms. The passion made her glow. “Dana, I—”

  The knocking returned, this time more insistent “Trevor? Are you in there? Is Dana with you? It’s Bill. We need you. There’s a medical emergency.”

  While the passion didn’t turn off instantly, it did fade into the background. They pushed off the sofa at the same moment Trevor headed for the door, while Dana checked to make sure all her clothing was tucked in place.

  He pulled open the door. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  Bill grabbed his arm. “Thank God. We’ve been looking all over for you.”

  “Bill, calm down. Tell me what’s going on.”

  Bill shook his head. “It’s Shelly. She’s gone into labor.”

  *

  Dana followed Trevor down the hall. Her mind raced as she fought to gain control of both her body and her thought processes. The sensual fog was thick, but clearing quickly. She wasn’t sure if she was thrilled or crushed by the interruption. Based on the lethargy still tugging at her and the heat radiating from every part of her, she had been ready to make love with Trevor. Talk about a mistake. But knowing he
was wrong for her and having the strength to resist him were two very different things.

  Let it go, she told herself. Emergency first, personal life second.

  They got into the elevator and headed up two floors. Trevor was oddly silent Dana had been waiting for him to start issuing instructions, but when he continued to say nothing, she turned to Bill.

  “Has anyone called for an ambulance?*’ she asked.

  “Yes, but with the storm it’s going to take them a while to get here.”

  She nodded. “All right After we get to Shelly’s room, you find someone in housekeeping. We’ll need sheets and towels. Have room service send up some basins along with boiling water. Oh, and contact the front desk. The hotel should have a decent first-aid kit We’ll need that, too.*’

  Bill nodded frantically. “She’s going to be all right, isn’t she?”

  “Sure.”

  The elevator doors opened and they hurried to Shelly’s room. Several people from their seminar stood in the hallway. Bill quickly assigned tasks so that the supplies would be delivered more quickly. Trevor pushed past them and hurried inside. Dana was on his heels.

  Shelly lay curled in the center of one of the two double beds. Her long dark hair was tangled, her face pale and sweaty. She clutched her belly.

  “They found you,” she gasped, her voice laced with pain. “I’m really glad.”

  Trevor knelt beside her and touched her face, then took her pulse. “Tell us what’s happening.”

  “My water broke a couple of hours ago.” Shelly managed a slight smile. “I made a really big mess in the restaurant. The contractions have been coming for a couple of days now. I called my doctor yesterday and he said to go home and stay off my feet.”

  Trevor checked her eyes, then placed his hand on her stomach. “Why didn’t you listen?”

  “There was only one day to go. I had a friend who went through this type of thing for nearly a week. I didn’t think it was any big deal.”