One Night in New York

by Amy Ruttan

  That’s what had hurt the most. Dean knew everything she’d told Owen.

  “You look angry all of a sudden. Are you okay?” Sam asked, breaking her out of her thoughts.

  “I’m fine.” Well, she wasn’t. Not really. She was still letting Dean and Owen get to her. Even though it had been a year since her divorce had been finalized.

  Dean and Owen had moved on and were in the process of adopting a child.

  A child. Mindy had wanted a child for five years, but Dean had never been ready and Owen had told her not to push Dean on the matter.

  “I’m fine,” she said again, and swigged back the last of her Merlot. “Just. Fine.”

  So many years of her life wasted. Too many.

  “I don’t think you are.” Sam got up. “Do you want me to walk you home?”

  “You can do more than walk me home.” She wasn’t sure if it was the wine or what, but she grabbed the collar of Sam’s sweater, or where there would’ve been a collar if he wasn’t wearing a V-neck, and pulled him close to her, planting a kiss on his lips because she had to see for herself if those lips against hers would be just as thrilling as when they’d brushed against her knuckles.

  And God help her. They were.

  Stop. Stop. Stop.

  Only she couldn’t. His arms went around her, his strong hands on her back as their bodies pressed together. The kiss deepened, so even if she wanted to turn back now she couldn’t. It had been so long since she’d had this kind of human contact.

  So long that she’d forgotten what it was like and maybe even forgotten that she craved it, to have a man be aroused by her and not by her best friend.

  Just her.

  Sam broke off the kiss. “If you continue to do that I don’t think I’ll be able to stop.”

  “What if I don’t want you to stop?”

  Sam’s blue eyes twinkled. “Well, then, that’s a whole different story.”

  “My apartment is next door.”

  He grinned. “Oh, aye?”

  “Yeah.” Mindy grabbed her copious layers and took his hand, leading him out of the bar. She was going to be impulsive. Even if it was just this once in her life. She was going to live a little and she was going to do it with this dishy Scottish laird heir, or whoever he claimed to be.

  She just needed this.

  She badly needed to wipe the slate clean.

  “Hold on. I just need to get my jacket. I may be more used to the winters than you, but I don’t want to freeze out there.”

  “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

  He grinned and winked at her. “It’s okay. For a moment I wasn’t thinking either. I was just thinking about kissing you again.” Then he leaned in, brushing his knuckles down the side of her face, which made her knees go weak, just before he kissed her. A light kiss that made her whole body tingle with anticipation.

  Mindy watched the dishy Scot go to the coat check and slip on his jacket.

  She couldn’t believe that she was actually doing this, that she was taking a strange man home to her apartment to have sex with. A younger man to boot.

  In all her thirty-seven years she’d never done anything like this. She’d never lived dangerously. She was always too afraid to take the chance, to take the risk. Except when it came to surgery. When she was in the OR it gave her a whole different kind of rush. When she was in the OR and a mother and her baby’s lives were in jeopardy she went with her gut instinct. It was the same instinct she was using now.

  Mindy was trying to listen to her gut more often, especially about non-medical situations. She’d been terrified about leaving California, which was safe and what she knew, but she’d listened to her gut and made the decision to travel across country.

  So when she’d seen Sam and spoken with him, her gut had told her to take a chance, to live a little. She hadn’t been with anyone since Dean and even then that had been some time ago.

  It was time to start afresh.

  She could do this and, more importantly, she wanted to do this.

  He joined her. “Lead the way.”

  Mindy’s cheeks flushed with heat and she knew she was blushing, but she didn’t care as she took his hand. They walked across the street to her condo. The doorman let her in and didn’t even bat an eyelash over the fact that she had gone to the bar alone less than an hour ago and was returning with a man.

  They got into the elevator and she hit the button to her floor.

  “Penthouse?” he remarked.

  “It’s the best.”

  The elevator stopped and they walked down the hall to her apartment. She was shaking. She was very nervous about what was going to happen, but she wanted it to happen.

  “Here it is,” she said, hoping that her voice didn’t wobble too much.

  Get a grip on yourself, Mindy! You’re not some inexperienced virgin. You’ve done this before.

  “Are you nervous, Mindy?” he asked.

  “A bit.”

  “Look, we don’t have to do this. I won’t be mad.”

  He was being a gentleman. He was giving her a way out, but she didn’t want a way out. She wanted this. She needed this night. Tomorrow she was going to start her new job and she wouldn’t have time for moments like this.

  As of tomorrow she planned to focus solely on building her career and her patient list at West Manhattan Saints. There would be no time for dating, gorgeous men or trysts. It was now or never.

  “No, I want this. It’s just that I’ve… I’ve never done this before.”

  He smiled at her tenderly, stroking her face. “I have a confession.”

  “Oh, yes?”

  “I haven’t done this for a very long time, and if you want to stop at any moment, I’ll stop. I won’t force you, I won’t pressure you.”

  Mindy smiled and then kissed him, just like she had in the bar. His arms came around her, their bodies pressed together.

  “I want this.” She unlocked the door to her apartment and pulled him inside.

  There was no turning back now for her.

  CHAPTER TWO

  SAM HURRIED DOWN the hall of West Manhattan Saints at a quick pace, but considering he was late it was a pace that wasn’t quick enough for his liking. He’d been reluctant to leave that temptress’s bed this morning, but he had and before she’d woken up.

  Which was good. He didn’t want to deal with any aftermath. At least her apartment was close to the hospital, but he was still late. He was never late and people would notice. It wasn’t good.

  Not when today was the day the new head of maternal-fetal medicine was being introduced to the peds floor. He’d barely made it to the hospital in time for a shower and a fresh set of scrubs. His sweater, currently hanging in his locker, still smelled strongly of Scotch. He straightened the collar of his white lab coat and slung his stethoscope around his neck without missing a beat.

  “Holly said you didn’t make it home last night,” Rebecca, their new roommate, teased as she fell into step beside him.

  “Since when did you become my keeper?”

  “You’re tetchy this morning. What happened last night?”

  “Nothing. Look, shouldn’t you be on the trauma floor?” Sam asked, trying to get rid of Rebecca before she pried too much deeper. His roommate didn’t need to know that he’d had a one-night stand. He didn’t know her well enough yet and she seemed to report everything back to Holly, Tessa or Kimberlyn. And those three were always purporting to know nice girls to set him up with. The three of them were in cahoots.

  Sam figured it had something to do with the fact that he had been the only male in the brownstone for some time. Not to mention that they were all loved up themselves and seemed determined to push soulmatedom on everyone else.

  “Heading there now. Just wanted to wish you good luck with the new head. I hear she’s tough.”

  Sam grunted his thanks as Rebecca headed down another hallway that led back to Trauma and he kept on his course to Peds. Before he pushed open the rainb
ow-colored double doors that led into the pediatric department, he straightened his hair in the reflection of the mirror.

  There was already a crowd gathering in the main thoroughfare of the department, right in front of the main charge desk. Sam could see Dr. Amelia Chang talking calmly to the group of surgeons who were all vying for the two coveted fellowship positions in Peds.

  As he moved into the group he caught Dr. Chang’s gaze and could see she was quite aware that he was late. Her quiet disapproval and disappointment was hard to miss.

  Mother would not be impressed.

  At least Dr. Chang wouldn’t humiliate him and call him out on the carpet for being late. His mother’s way of teaching her residents was shaming them so they didn’t do it again. Dr. Chang would probably put him on scut duty. Labs and charting he could deal with.

  “Now that we’re all here, we can finally get down to business. As you are all aware, this pediatric fellowship is one of the top five on the eastern seaboard, and we can only open this fellowship to two worthy residents. Because of that, the hospital has always felt that those two positions should not be decided solely by the pediatric head. That’s why the head of Neonatology, Dr. Hall, taking over from Dr. Powers, the head of Obstetrics, Dr. Finn, and also the new head of Maternal-Fetal Medicine will all have a say in who gets those two spots.” Dr. Chang leaned against the charge desk, her eyes scanning the crowd, silently assessing them in that unnerving way she had before continuing.

  “I know some of you have questioned the need for Maternal-Fetal Medicine to have an impact on your career as a pediatric fellow at West Manhattan Saints. We don’t see a lot of births that require a need for that, but that is changing. West Manhattan Saints hopes to become an innovative leader in maternal-fetal medicine and high-risk pregnancies. We will be expanding our birthing center to accommodate high-risk pregnancies.”

  Sam was stunned, but pleased that this new head wasn’t a waste of resources and he could see the potential of Labor and Delivery, Neonatology and Pediatrics hand in hand to become one of the best hospitals on the eastern seaboard. Still, how many high-risk pregnancies could they possibly see?

  “As you know, Dr. Powers retired, and after many years of excellent service we wish her the best. Thankfully, Professor Langley was able to find a replacement for the maternal-fetal role, which means the selection for fellowship won’t be delayed any longer. Dr. Walker is one of the top maternal-fetal surgeons from California.”

  A knot of dread formed in Sam’s stomach and he quickly scanned the room and then saw Dr. Walker approaching the group. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

  Mindy.

  The vixen from last night, the bumbling yeti who had spilled his Scotch and then seduced him, was walking with Dr. Finn. She looked so different from last night. All that glorious, silken mahogany hair was tied back and she wore black square glasses with only light lip gloss. Her look was demure, professional, but as Sam let his gaze rove over her, her appearance didn’t fool him. He knew what was lurking under the surface and just the thought of her in his arms and under him caused his blood to boil.

  This was not good. Not the sex, that had been beyond good, but the fact that it had been with one of his new bosses was not good. If he had known that, he would’ve walked away from her. He refused to follow the same path as his mother. She’d used sex to get what she wanted when she’d been a young surgeon and he’d seen how that had broken his father’s heart.

  He wanted to get the fellowship on his own merits, because he had talent. He wanted to prove to his mother that he had what it took to be the very best, to get where he was without sleeping his way there. He’d show her.

  Mindy’s appearance was bad.

  Very bad.

  He tried to move to the back of the crowd, but it was too late. She looked out over the crowd, and that bright smile faded, wavering slightly as their gazes locked.

  “Without further ado I would like to introduce the new head of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Dr. Mindy Walker.”

  Mindy blushed slightly and broke the visual connection as she came up beside Dr. Chang, shaking her hand as everyone applauded her politely.

  Sam tried to swallow the lump in his throat as he pretended that he didn’t know her. Even though no one else had seemed to notice the interplay between the two of them, he felt singled out.

  Why did it have to be her? Why did his only one-night stand in the last three years have to be someone who was responsible for the fate of his career?

  Bloody fates.

  He slid his attention back to Mindy, who was now addressing the crowd.

  “I want to thank everyone here. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my specialty. I don’t tolerate a lot of things when it comes to my surgical practice. Fragile lives are in our hands. There is no time for mistakes and because I’m new to this hospital and have yet to get to know all of you, I’ll be requesting each one of you to work on my rotation for at least a week or more before I make any decisions about who will be getting a fellowship. My department is not large by any means yet. I’m also one of the top IVF and fertility doctors in the country. I’m a board certified OB/GYN. Pregnancy and the safe of arrival of babies and their mothers are my passion. One I take seriously.” She paused, her gaze penetrating him, and it was then Sam knew he was in trouble. Deep trouble.

  “I look forward to working with all of you.” She turned and began to chat with Dr. Chang and the other heads.

  Everyone clapped politely as the crowd dispersed to start their rounds. What else could they do? The committee had the control over the fellowship. He just had to make sure he kept his nose down and worked hard.

  And keep his distance.

  Sam tried to slip away with the crowd.

  “Dr. Napier, could you come here a moment, please?” Dr. Chang called out.

  So much for slinking off and going unnoticed today.

  He turned around and walked over to Dr. Chang and Dr. Walker. Mindy’s face was expressionless as he approached them.

  “Yes, Dr. Chang?” He said his words carefully, because he didn’t want his Scottish accent to bubble up. He’d told Mindy that it surfaced when his emotions weren’t in check.

  “You were late this morning. Are you okay?” Dr. Chang asked.

  “I…” He tried not to make eye contact with Mindy, who had a pink tinge to her cheeks. “I overslept, that’s all. It won’t happen again.”

  Dr. Chang nodded, assessing him. He hated disappointing her. She embodied everything great in pediatric surgery and he wanted one of the fellowship spots. It’s why he had been willing to come to West Manhattan Saints and work in a hospital that had ties to his mother and ties to Professor Langley, who was the first man his mother had had an affair with.

  Sam detested Langley, but having a chance to work and learn beside Dr. Amelia Chang? He could put aside all his animosity for that.

  “See that it doesn’t,” Dr. Chang said.

  “I’ll make sure of it, Dr. Chang.”

  “Dr. Walker has requested you join her service for the first rotation.”

  Sam cringed inwardly. “Of course.”

  “It’s a great honor to learn from her. The skills you’ll learn from her will be invaluable.” Dr. Chang didn’t say any more as she walked away, presumably to start her rounds. The only people around the charge station now were him and Mindy.

  No. Not Mindy. Dr. Walker.

  Well, whoever she was. She looked none too pleased to see him.

  “Dr. Napier?” Her eyes were positively flinty, her arms crossed and her lips pursed together in a thin line. Sam wasn’t exactly sure how she got the words out.

  “Dr. Walker,” he acknowledged. He wanted to ask her why she hadn’t told him what her job was, but, then, the conversation last night had never really stretched to that.

  “Well, I hope you have a good understanding of high-risk pregnancies and have clocked some hours in OB/GYN and genetics. My caseload here is heavy. I have mother
s coming in from a lot of different hospitals, some as far west as California, to seek my professional help. I don’t want an inept surgeon bumbling around in my OR.”

  She was clearly angry.

  “I can assure you I’m one of the top residents in this program, Dr. Walker.”

  Mindy snorted. “That remains to be seen.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Sam asked.

  “You know what I mean,” she snapped under her breath. “Don’t think sleeping with me gains you any extra footing here, Dr. Napier. In fact, it’s detrimental to your position in this program. I don’t play favorites.”

  Sam vibrated with anger and without thinking he grabbed Mindy by her arm and dragged her to the nearest empty exam room, not caring who saw them. Which was saying a whole lot. He hated drawing attention to himself, but suggesting he’d slept with her to get ahead? That was taking it too far.

  He was here to work hard for himself. He needed to nip this in the bud. He didn’t want any rumors flying around.

  And he wasn’t going to allow a rumor to destroy his career, his reputation.

  He pushed her into the exam room, flicked on the light, shut the door and stood in front of it, stopping her only means of escape.

  “Do you think I slept with you to gain footing? If that’s what you think, you had better change your opinion right now.” His brogue was coming out very thickly, but he couldn’t control it.

  He was angry.

  Very angry.

  Mindy was shaking with a mixture of anger and betrayal.

  Dammit.

  Of course the one time she had a one-night stand it had to be with a surgical resident and one she was going to have direct involvement with. The day before she’d slept with Sam, she’d been going over the residents’ files, reading over notes from other attendings, reports from other doctors and patients.