“Right up until my date stomped off, making me look like a jackass.”
“Yes,” Nathan chuckled. “That was entertaining.”
Doug lifted his cup and took a sip of the black brew.
“You look good, Douglas.”
Why did Nathan always insist on calling him Douglas? Was it a quirk of the elite? Nathan was polished in a way that other men envied. He was esteemed, held in high regard by his colleagues as well as important, wealthy men who valued their own worth. Living in the spotlight required him to move and behave in a certain way. Nathan exuded charm and dignity with pomp and splendor that came to him with a natural talent.
Doug once thought he wanted that. He had the knowledge, there was no doubt that he was competent enough, and he had the right social connections to help him with his academic achievements. Though for him, living in the limelight took a back seat. His integrity beyond reproach, he grew tired of being measured by his prestige and his wealth. He’d rather be admired for his accomplishments. He’d earned the respect deserving of his profession.
“Did I lose you?”
Doug met Nathan’s eyes. “Not at all. I’m just wondering how you do it. How do you deal with the constant attention, the pressure? Posing and preening comes natural to you. You must be a damn robot.”
“I’m not a robot,” Nathan said.
“Aren’t you?”
“Because I don’t allow the continuous pressure from demanding assholes to persuade me to do something I don’t want to do. Many have tried to intimidate me. Coerce me. What appears aloof to you, is me considering my options before I react.”
“Options, huh? You do take your time answering, you’ve got that monotony down to perfection.
“I don’t give in to stress. I go to the gym, eat right, and I take leisure time for myself. Something you never did.”
Driven.
Exhaustion.
“The need to succeed.” Doug took another sip and wished he had something stronger to drink.
“We both had that need. Once I achieved success, I enjoyed it.”
“Like everything else in your life.”
“I’ve worked hard to achieve my particular lifestyle.”
So did I. To the point of exhaustion.
Hours upon hours spent at the hospital.
On one particular night, his brain fried, Doug had been about to go home. He’d been at the hospital since six AM. His eyes burned, his throat dry, his body dehydrated, he finally closed his office.
Funny how certain things remained in your mind. He remembered the key remote in his hand. The beep. His car lights blinked. Then the siren.
A rescue squad came roaring through the parking lot to the emergency entrance. An accident victim had been trapped in a car. Then her father came, begging him to save her life.
There had been no one else. And no time to refuse once Doug saw the young woman. She needed surgery, and he’d been the only one who could do it.
He had been tired, worn out. Still, a new surge of adrenaline shot through his system. He performed the surgery.
Exhaustion.
He’d slept the next two days until a parade of concerned doctors showed up at his door, thinking him dead. He hadn’t answered his phone or showed up for work. What other conclusion could there be?
Caught up in a world of his own making, he’d gone without food, gone without sleep, to the point his body had given out. Daily, he’d drank tons of coffee, refusing any drugs to keep him awake. He was a doctor, for Christ’s sake. He would not jeopardize his body—or his patients’ health—by succumbing to substance abuse.
Instead, he drove himself hard, forcing himself to do more. Just keep going. He was completely unaware of the perils to his physical and mental state.
After that fiasco, the chief of staff suggested Doug take a leave of absence. He’d ended up under a physician’s care. His prescribed treatment: rest.
No discussion. No negotiation.
Doug had to face some hard facts.
What did he want for his future?
“If looking at you is anything to go by, you made the right decision.” Nathan’s voice snatched Doug from his memories.
“Yes, I did.”
“No doubts?”
Doug shook his head. “None.” He stared at the black liquid in his cup. “I like it here. I’m a partner in Sheldon’s practice, and I have no desire to go back to the big city or that way of life ever again.”
“We miss you. Although, I can say it’s a relief not to hear someone singing your praises on a daily basis.”
Doug grinned. “No competition for you anymore?”
“There are a few young bucks who might want to try in a few years.”
“You probably scare the shit out of them.”
Nathan gave what some would consider a smirk. “What about Sandi?”
Hearing her name delivered a kick to his gut, the jerk reaction sending every nerve in his body on alert. “What about her?”
“Don’t be an ass. This is me.”
Nathan and Doug may have aggravated each other upon occasion, but he’d been as close to Nathan as he had Sheldon. Nathan knew everything there was to know about him: his broken love affair, his exhaustion, his forced leave of absence. They had performed so many surgeries together, they even knew each other’s moves before they made them.
“Well, I have my answer.”
Doug lifted his gaze, locking eyes with Nathan. “What answer?”
“You’re in love with her.”
“Not damn likely.” Frustration drove Doug from the chair. He paced to the large glass windows, staring out into the dark. Jealousy was new to him. He didn’t like it one bit. Especially with a woman who—
“She’s quite a woman.”
“How would you know?” Doug said sharply, spinning around. “You see a pretty woman, and five minutes later you know all about her?”
“I know she’s crazy about you.” Nathan held his gaze with steadfast precision.
“She’s crazy about my checkbook.”
Nathan handed Doug a fresh glass of auburn liquor. He took a gulp and gritted his teeth, willing the burn to erase Sandi from his mind.
“Admit it. You’ve got it bad.”
Doug gave him his best glare. “Good scotch.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you trying to sober me up or get me drunk?”
Ignoring him, Nathan turned and strode back to the chair. “I like her. She’s beautiful. And smart.”
“Smart enough to trap a man like you, evidently.” Doug tilted the glass and took another gulp.
“She doesn’t want me.”
That knocked him for a loop. “What do you mean by that remark?”
“The entire time we were dancing, she kept me at a distance. I’d hoped to steal her away from you, but she wouldn’t budge.”
“She’s pretending to be my girlfriend.”
“Pretending?”
“Yes. We made a bargain.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he wanted to call them back.
Nathan pierced him with his intense gaze. “I’d like to hear about this bargain.”
Shit. There was no getting around this. He stepped toward the couch, wondering where to start.
“There was this woman,” he began, thrusting a hand through his hair. “A real barracuda. She was all over me. Like a damn blood hound. The only way I could get her off my back was to pretend I was interested in Sandi.”
“You had to pretend? Sandi is a beautiful woman.”
Doug took another gulp of scotch to keep from blowing up. Damn that green-eyed monster.
“Are you saying Sandi was pretending too?”
Doug glared at the skeptical expression on his friend’s face.
“That’s the look,” Nathan accused in a low tone. “The one you had while we were dancing. Then you told me to remove my hands from your girl. Didn’t look like acting to me.”
“She’s a gold digger.”
Nathan took a moment to answer. “I think you’re wrong.”
Doug wanted to believe her. Damn, how badly he wanted to believe Sandi was innocent and loving. Money. All females wanted money. He took another drink. “Trust me. I’m not wrong.”
“You’re an asshole. A blind one at that,” Nathan said with a mocking grin. Doug wanted to punch it off his narcissistic face.
“Did you forget I’ve been down this road before?”
“Different female. Different road.”
“Same story. A woman with the same purpose.”
Nathan studied him. Doug felt like a bug under a microscope.
“Is that why you told me to stay away from her? Or was there another reason?”
Nathan’s perception was dead on. Doug had told Nathan to stay away from Sandi.
The reason? He wanted her for himself.
Chapter 21
Even though Sandi had come to her best friend, hoping Regina would make her feel better, Sandi knew nothing would help the mess she found herself in.
She’d fallen for the Doc.
Why she wanted to tell him how she felt was beyond any logic. She’d obviously lost her mind. He was mean. Conceited. Egotistical. Condescending. Sexy. Loving, in his own jackass way. He made her feel things she’d never known she could feel. He just had this hang-up about money. Did he really think that was the reason she fell into bed with him?
The answer hurt more than she could bear. What if she told him? What if she scared him off? She echoed a lout snort. It was stupid for her to hope that he might feel the same way.
Knowing he did not return her sentiment, she’d kept her feelings to herself, tucking them away, burying them deep. She’d known the bargain was a mistake even before she agreed. A pretend girlfriend—what a joke. But she’d jumped in with both feet and went falling for a man she didn’t like, who didn’t like her either.
When did all that change?
Of course, she regretted her decision. That’s what happened when one ignored good sense. She knew the risks, ignored the dangers, and still fell under his spell. Being deliriously happy meant nothing. Snuggled up in a cocoon of bliss meant nothing when the person you shared it with cared not a wit.
No matter now. He broke off their pretend relationship.
I’m not through with you yet.
Had he changed his mind? It didn’t matter. Their association was over.
Only now, her heart was involved. Her silly heart had gone and fallen in love with a man who didn’t want her.
Well, hell.
He did, but he didn’t. The whole mess was just too confusing.
“Here you go, kiddo.” Regina placed a steaming cup of coffee on the table.
Just what Sandi needed. More caffeine.
“I knew you two were up to something,” Regina said, her expression filled with sympathy.
“What am I going to do?”
“Talk to him.” Regina lifted her mug and blew across the coffee’s surface.
“Yeah, right.” Sandi poured milk, then instinctively picked up a spoon and stirred. Good thing her body was going through its normal routine motions. Her mind couldn’t function at all. Doug had taken residence and didn’t play well with other thoughts. Her heart ached, her head hurt, she had no idea love could be so painful.
“Sandi, I mean it. Talk to him. He’s such a good listener.”
“To you, maybe. All we do is ignite sparks off each other.”
“Like I told you before, those sparks can lead to other things.” Regina wiggled her brows in a naughty, suggestive way.
“I know that too,” Sandi replied.
Coffee shot from Regina’s mouth.
“Oh my God. Really?” Sandi was covered with brown spit. A complete mess, just like her life.
“Sorry.” Regina jumped up to snatch a cloth and wiped at the liquid on the table.
“How about me?”
“Oh.” She grabbed some paper towels and hurried back. “Here. Are you saying you and Doug . . .?”
“Thought you knew everything,” Sandi said sarcastically.
“I knew something was off. You didn’t act like a couple. So, when did you . . . you know?”
“Before the charity gala.” Was it desecrating a memory if she had sex after a funeral? Emotions were running high, and Doug had needed her. They had needed each other.
“Before? Not after? He left the gala, and I thought he followed you home? Was he drunk?”
“No. He was angry.” Sandi shoved her hair behind one ear. How could she explain what happened when she wasn’t entirely sure herself? “Regina, I don’t know what to think. He wants me, then he doesn’t. We’ve been pretending to be a couple. I’m sorry, I know I should have told you—”
Regina held up a hand. “I forgive you. Get over it and move on to the next part. There must not have been pretending at some point. Deets, girlfriend.”
Sandi hung her head, wrapping her hands around her mug. “It hurts to think about it. It was wonderful.”
“Spectacular?”
“Remarkable,” she breathed. “He . . .” Her eyes welled and the first tear fell. Then another.
“Aw, honey.” Regina’s arms came around her, and the dam burst.
Why in the world was she crying? Once she started, she couldn’t stop. Big gulping sobs filled the air. Minutes, hours passed until finally there was nothing left.
“Good Lord. You must be in love.” Regina shoved more paper towels at her.
“I’m a mess. I’ve never cried like that before.”
“You may have some grief left over from your parents, there.”
“Yeah. I suppose so.”
“Or, it could be love.” Regina cooed, smoothing Sandi’s hair back from her face.
Sandi blew her nose. There was no need to disagree.
“Are you okay?”
“Of course. I’m not helpless, even if I look pathetic right now.”
“No, you don’t look—” When Sandi glared, Regina halted. “All right, you do. But hey, don’t you feel better? A good cry is supposed to make you feel better.”
“Honestly, I do. I feel a lot better,” she lied.
“Good, now toughen up that backbone. Life does not end when a guy breaks up with you.”
“It wasn’t real. The whole thing was fake.”
I’m not through with you.
“I knew it had to end.” Although she said the words, her heart had still hoped.
“The way you stomped out of the gala, I just . . .” Regina wavered.
“Just what?”
“I figured you had a lover’s quarrel. But at the same time, I knew you guys were trying to fool somebody. I think you were just fooling yourselves.”
“What are you talking about?”
Regina motioned to Sandi. “Look at you. You’re in love with Doug. Who’s to say he isn’t in love with you?”
“You’re nuts.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. He sure behaved like an enraged, jealous boyfriend to a tee. I don’t think he was acting.”
“He was furious. He thinks I'm after Nathan because he has money.”
“That’s just silly. I think he was jealous.”
“You’ve got it wrong, Regina. I flirted with Nathan. Pretending or not, I only proved his low opinion of me. It was a betrayal in Doug’s eyes.”
“That’s ludicrous . Still, if you have f
eelings for the guy, this has to hurt.”
“He regretted it.”
“He did? You’ve talked to him?”
“Not last night. I mean, the sex. Afterwards . . . Oh, God, it was so obvious. He couldn’t leave me fast enough.”
“Sandi,” Regina crooned while patting her hand. “Maybe that’s not why he left.”
“I guess he figured out I’m not a one-night-stand woman.”
“Of course you aren’t, and he should have realized that. I’ve always liked Doug. I never pegged him the type to hurt someone. But he hurt my girl. He’s starting to piss me off.”
“I can’t explain it, Regina. The way he touched me . . . He treated me like something precious when he held me. I’ve never felt so . . . loved.” Had she imagined it all? Was she so in love with the guy that she had created his caring affection in her mind?
“Maybe he panicked. Doug doesn’t seem the type, but I can’t think of another reason for him to run off.”
“He didn’t panic. He changed. Cold. Hard. He said it shouldn’t have happened and not to expect it to happen again.”
“Not to— The asshole. What did you say to that?”
“You know me. Normally, my mouth overrides my brain. I wanted to tell him not to flatter himself, that I’d had better. But I was in a daze. Still caught up in the magic of the night. So I sat there, and the entire time he was speaking I kept reliving those moments. I hurt, Regina. And he kept talking. It was like a bad movie I couldn’t look away from. I didn’t know what to say.” She gripped her cup with both hands. “It’s kind of a blur now.”
“Sandi. We’ve been friends most all of our lives. I’m with you, no matter what you decide or want to do. Even though he’s Sheldon’s friend, I won’t give him the time of day.”
“You don’t have to do that. He’s Sheldon’s partner.”
“Sheldon will side with me.”
“I’m not about to cause trouble between the two of you.”
Regina chewed on her lip. “This just doesn’t feel right. I saw the way he hovered around you at the AMH dance, and yeah, he drank too much. According to Sheldon, that’s something he never does. He was rude. Also something out of character. He watched you the whole time you danced with Nathan and couldn’t take his eyes off you. I swear, that jealousy was real.”
The Doctor's Bargain Page 17
