Dr. Perfect on Her Doorstep

by Lucy Clark

  Stacey took some deep breaths and gave her hands a little shake as she headed to the patients’ waiting room. She needed to get her mind off the way Pierce made her feel and on to the job she needed to do—which was to care for her patients. Ever since yesterday morning…when he’d caressed her hair, when he’d gazed into her eyes, when he’d stared longingly at her lips…Stacey had been hard-pressed to think of anything but that.

  Before entering the waiting room she mentally picked up her thoughts of Pierce and shoved them into a box, promising herself she’d take them out later and pore over every nuance and action. For now, though, Nanette and Gary needed her at her best, supporting them and helping them. She entered the waiting room and was surprised when Nanette grabbed her and hugged her close. Stacey gave her old school friend a brief rundown on what was happening to Gary and told her that he’d need surgery.

  ‘So I was right to call you?’ Nanette blubbered as Stacey offered her yet another tissue.

  ‘You were absolutely right. Now Gary can get the treatment he needs.’

  ‘Can I see him?’ Nanette asked.

  ‘Of course. The surgical registrar needs to talk to both of you and Gary needs to sign the consent forms.’

  Nanette grasped Stacey’s hands firmly in her own. ‘You’ll stay with me, won’t you?’

  ‘Of course.’

  At this news Nanette nodded and reached for another tissue, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose. She pasted on a bright smile. ‘How do I look?’

  ‘Like a woman who loves her husband,’ Stacey returned, momentarily envious of the connection Nanette and her husband had.

  Why hadn’t she realised sooner that Robert’s words, his professions of love and his actions, hadn’t exactly matched up? Perhaps it had been because she’d been desperate to make a connection, to try and find the sort of love that her father had found with Letisha. She’d believed in things that hadn’t been there, she’d made excuses for Robert’s behaviour, telling herself that he was stressed from working so hard in his pursuit of becoming the hospital’s next CEO. One thing Nanette and Gary’s easygoing love was showing her was that she was too good to settle for second best. Didn’t she deserve to be with a man who loved her so wholly and completely? With a man who would cherish her for who she was?

  Nanette’s smile brightened naturally at Stacey’s words and she nodded with eagerness. ‘OK. Let me see my gorgeous husband.’

  Stacey stayed with Nanette and Gary while the surgical registrar explained the operation, and after Gary had signed the consent form he was wheeled off to Theatres. Stacey took Nanette to the theatre patients’ waiting room, where there was a tea and coffee machine, comfortable chairs and some up-to-date magazines to read.

  She’d just settled Nanette with a cup of coffee when Pierce walked in.

  ‘OK. Gary is heading into Theatre now. They’ll perform a scan of his abdomen in there and then start the operation. They’re just waiting on the report on the bloods, but for the moment everything is under control.’

  Nanette sighed at this information and visibly relaxed. ‘How much longer will things take? I mean, will he be able to come home later today?’

  ‘No,’ Stacey and Pierce answered in unison.

  ‘He’ll be in hospital for at least a few days,’ Pierce added.

  ‘Are you sure you want to stay and wait?’ Stacey asked, putting a hand on Nanette’s arm, concern in her tone. ‘You could go home, get some rest, and we can call you when—’

  ‘No.’ Nanette cut off her words. ‘I appreciate what you’re saying but I’m staying right here. The kids are all sorted out with my neighbour, and I’m not going home to an empty house only to sit there and wait for my phone to ring.’ She put her hand on Stacey’s and gave it a little squeeze. ‘You don’t have to sit with me, Stacey. I know you need to get back to bed or see other patients or whatever else it is you doctors do during these crazy hours of the morning.’

  ‘She does need to get home and get some more sleep. I may have the morning off, but poor Stacey here will have a plethora of housecalls to make once the sun comes up—and all without her trusty and faithful sidekick.’

  Stacey’s lips twitched at Pierce’s words and she raised one eyebrow. ‘Sidekick, eh?’

  Nanette giggled, and it was good to see the other woman finding a small bit of lightness in her otherwise dark emotions.

  ‘Absolutely. You’re the superhero. I’m just your companion.’

  ‘Companion?’ Both eyebrows shot up this time and the smile increased.

  ‘How about…assistant? Better word?’

  Stacey shook her head slowly from side to side. ‘How about none of the above? I don’t want to be labelled a superhero. Too much pressure.’

  Pierce spread his arms wide, as though she really were passing up a once-in-a-lifetime offer. ‘Suit yourself.’

  Nanette giggled again, then sighed—a long, relaxing type of sigh, indicating that a small part of her tension had been eased. ‘Both of you go. I’ll be more than fine here. I’ve got magazines to read—’ She pointed to the small table. ‘And free tea and coffee and these chairs,’ She patted the armrest of the one she was seated in. ‘Not too bad for a quick kip, and I have no children to bother me, so all in all a few pluses.’

  ‘Now, there’s a real superhero.’ Pierce held out his hand to indicate Nanette.

  The woman smiled and blushed a little beneath his gaze before literally shooing them both from the room.

  ‘She’s a nice lady,’ Pierce commented as they headed back to the Emergency Department. ‘How do you know her?’

  ‘School. She was the year ahead of us.’

  ‘And yet she knows you? I didn’t think teenagers stepped outside their bonds of social hierarchy all that much.’

  At the nurses’ station Pierce sat down and picked up a pen, knowing he should probably stop chatting to Stacey and get back to the mound of case notes Sister had asked him to review. However, if it was a choice between paperwork and chatting with Stacey the decision was a no-brainer. Getting to know Stacey a lot better was presently top of his list of things to do.

  ‘There wasn’t too much hierarchy at our school. And besides, everyone knows us.’ Stacey sat on the edge of the chair next to him and spread her hands wide. ‘We’re the Wilton triplets. Twins often get remarked upon, especially if they’re identical, but triplets—let’s just say we’re used to being something of a novelty.’

  ‘And do you have some psychic connection that lets you read each other’s thoughts? I’ve heard that twins can have a bond like that. Surely it’s greater in triplets?’

  ‘I wouldn’t call it a psychic connection, per se.’ She thought for a moment, then shrugged. ‘It’s difficult to explain. I guess it’s more like sharing an…emotion. I think it would be the same for any people who spend a lot of time together. The three of us have been together since birth, and I guess we…feel that essence of the emotion in each other.’ She shook her head. ‘It’s so difficult to describe.’

  ‘Like intuition?’

  ‘Sort of but…more so.’

  Pierce scratched his head, the corners of his mouth pulling upwards. ‘You’re right. You’re not explaining it well.’

  He tried not to chuckle when she snatched the pen from his hand and shook it at him.

  ‘Listen, buddy. I’ve had very little sleep, so don’t pick on me.’

  Pierce couldn’t stifle his laughter any longer, and the sound of his mirth warmed her through and through. What was it about him that constantly knocked her off balance, regardless of the time of day?

  He held up his hands in surrender. ‘Sorry. You’re right, of course. Time you were off back home so you can get some rest.’ He stood and told the duty sister that he’d be back soon. ‘I’ll walk you out to your car.’

  ‘That’s not necessary. You’re needed here.’

  ‘Not at the moment.’ He indicated the eerily quiet Emergency Department. ‘We’re past the “danger hour”
, and apart from Gary the night hasn’t been too bad. So…’ Pierce crooked his elbow in her direction. ‘If you will allow me, Dr Wilton, I would be most pleased to escort you safely back to your car.’

  Stacey looked around at the staff, wondering if they were all watching Pierce being a little bit silly but also incredibly charming, but most of them were too busy to notice. So as not to hurt his feelings, and feeling quite silly herself, whether due to lack of sleep, the release of tension from the past hour or so, or simply the fact that being around Pierce often made her feel delightfully free of restraint, Stacey curled her fingers around his elbow, resting her hand on his arm.

  ‘Why, thank you, kind sir.’

  He nodded politely in her direction before they headed off towards the doctors’ car park, which was situated right next to the emergency parking bays where the ambulances arrived.

  Neither of them spoke for a few minutes but Stacey didn’t feel uncomfortable. The sky was cloudless, the stars were shining bright in the moonlight, but the breeze was quite chilly and she actually found herself snuggling a little closer to Pierce, drawn towards his natural body warmth.

  ‘Cold?’ he asked, and before she knew what was happening he’d manoeuvred their positions so that instead of offering her his arm in a gentlemanly manner he’d placed his firm, muscled arm about her, his hand resting at her waist, drawing her to him as they walked slowly along the path. ‘Better,’ he stated as he snuggled a little closer.

  Stacey felt highly self-conscious at being embraced by him.

  He breathed in and slowly exhaled. ‘How can you smell so utterly delicious at such a time of the morning? Or perhaps,’ he continued, ‘you always smell this good.’ He breathed in deeply again. ‘Beautiful Stacey,’ he whispered, and his sweet words caused goosebumps to flood her entire body.

  When they reached her car Pierce gently turned to face her, leaning against the driver’s door and bringing his other arm around her. She was now standing firmly in his embrace. Pierce was embracing her openly…here…in the doctors’ car park. Granted it was almost four o’clock in the morning, and there was no one else around, but they were on display for all to see.

  Stacey couldn’t help glancing over her shoulder. She wasn’t used to being demonstrative in public, especially because it had been one of the main things in her relationship with Robert that he’d been adamant would never happen. No public displays of emotion or affection. Pierce was so incredibly different…and she liked it a lot.

  Pierce adjusted his legs, drawing her body closer to his. ‘You are beautiful, Stacey. Do you know that?’

  She lifted her hands to his chest, unsure whether she was trying to draw him close or keep him at bay. ‘I…I’m…I don’t know,’ she replied, shaking her head as though she didn’t believe a word he said.

  ‘Well, I do.’ Pierce looked down at her. ‘Do you have any idea what you’ve done to me?’

  ‘I’m sure I haven’t done anything.’

  He smiled. ‘That’s not what I meant, but when you say things like that, with your tone becoming all hesitant and awkward—well, it just makes it even more difficult for me to resist you.’

  Stacey shook her head and closed her eyes, wanting him to stop saying things like that. Couldn’t he see that they made her feel uncomfortable, that she wasn’t used to receiving compliments?

  ‘Why not?’ he asked, gently brushing his fingers across her cheek, and it was only when he asked the question that she realised she’d spoken her thoughts out loud. ‘What did that jerk of an ex-fiancé do to your self-esteem?’ He cupped her cheek. ‘Open your eyes, Stacey,’ he commanded softly, and to her surprise, she found herself obeying. ‘I don’t care what any man may or may not have told you in the past, please believe me when I say that you are a beautiful, strong, intelligent woman and I would really like to get to know you better.’ He raised his eyebrows.

  She shook her head again. ‘Pierce. Don’t say things like—’

  ‘I’m being honest here, Stacey,’ he interrupted softly. ‘I’m attracted to you and I want to spend some time with you, getting to know you.’

  ‘We spend a lot of time together already.’

  ‘Apart from at work,’ he clarified. ‘I’m happy to have your siblings around, if you feel as though you need a buffer, but I would also like to take you out on a date—just the two of us.’ He was silent for about fifteen seconds, and the atmosphere between them became a little strained when Stacey didn’t immediately respond. ‘What do you think?’ he prompted.

  ‘Um…’ She swallowed, her heart beating wildly against her chest. ‘You’re really serious about this? About this thing—?’

  ‘Can’t you feel it?’ Pierce pressed her hand to his chest. ‘My heart is pounding, Stace. It always does when you’re nearby. I catch a glimpse of your smile as you talk to a patient and I’m swarmed with jealousy because I want you to smile at me. I hear you laugh on the phone when you’re chatting with your sister and the sound relaxes me.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, Stacey. Really.’ There was intent in his words, as though he was desperate to make her believe he wasn’t just feeding her a line. ‘Other men may have put you down, may not have wanted to be seen in public with you—and, yes,’ he continued before she could say a word, ‘I’m aware of how you’re self-conscious about showing even the slightest bit of affection in public. I want you to know that I’m not embarrassed or ashamed to be seen holding your hand, or putting my arms around you or…kissing you in public.’

  As he spoke his gaze dropped to encompass her mouth. Her lips parted at his words, her heart-rate now completely out of control, every fibre in her being trembling with anticipatory delight. He sounded sincere. In fact he almost sounded slightly offended that she didn’t believe him. But somehow he seemed to understand that things had been very different in her past relationships—especially with Robert.

  It was nice to have him say these words to her, to reassure her. And yet she still felt as though something was holding her back…but what? Everything she’d seen of Pierce—his interaction with her family, his concern for Mike and Edna, his devotion to his sister—indicated that he was a good man and, as the old adage went, a good man was hard to find. Perhaps she should stop trying to fight him and instead accept that he was really interested in her. That he honestly did want to spend time with her simply because he liked her.

  The realisation, the sensation of believing Pierce was telling her the truth, made her heart fill with gladness.

  ‘Do you want me to kiss you, Stacey?’

  His words were barely a whisper, but they seemed so loud, echoing around her body in sync with the pounding of her heart.

  ‘Yes.’

  The single word escaped her lips before she could stop it. For a split second she thought Pierce hadn’t heard her at all, but within the next moment his lips curved upwards with delight and his head began its slow descent.

  ‘That, my gorgeous Stacey, is excellent news.’

  And without further ado he captured her willing mouth with his own.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THE FEEL OF his lips on hers made her knees go weak and she slid her arms up and around his neck, clinging to him as he continued to bring her dormant senses to life. Robert had always maintained that kissing wasn’t all that important in a relationship, that intellectual compatibility was far more necessary for a functioning and enduring life together. At the time Stacey had believed him, but now, with the way Pierce was filling her with light from the soft, sweet pressure of his touch, she knew she’d been oh-so wrong.

  There was warmth in his touch, tenderness in the way he held her close. He’d called her beautiful and at the time she hadn’t really believed him. But now, with the way he was pressing his lips to hers, taking his time, not wanting to rush a second of this unique and powerful experience, Stacey was starting to believe he might have actually meant it.

  Pierce thought she was beautiful! Accepting this filled her
with a sense of wonder and confidence and she opened her mouth a little more, deepening the kiss, wanting to create some of the sensations she’d only dreamed about. He was here. This was real. And she was going to enjoy it.

  Pierce’s reaction was a deep, warm groan which signified his approval of the manoeuvre. She was delightful, delectable and utterly delicious. How was it possible he hadn’t experienced such wonderment combined with innocence before? There was a freshness to her reaction, unstudied and raw, and with the way she was exerting control over the situation, showing him exactly what was contained beneath that quiet, calm exterior, he couldn’t help but become even more enamoured with her.

  The way her mouth opened to him, the way she responded to him—it was…giving. It was then that he truly accepted the fact that she’d always been a giver, always putting others before herself, offering to them the things they desired. As he continued to savour the sweetness of her mouth he couldn’t help the thread of confusion which passed through him. Stacey was giving him what he wanted, a heartfelt response, because giving to others was what she knew how to do.

  Well, this time, he wanted her to take, to allow him to make her feel unique and special and cherished. Naturally, as they were standing in a car park, there was no way that things could progress now, but he had the sensation that where Stacey was concerned taking things nice and slow was definitely the way to go.

  He eased back slightly, breaking his lips from hers, not surprised to find both of them breathing heavily from the sensations coursing through them. Good heavens, she was precious. Her eyelids were still closed, her face still angled towards his, her perfectly pink lips parted to allow pent-up air to escape.

  Pierce marvelled in her beauty, and the need to explore her smooth, sweet skin was too much for him to resist. He brushed small butterfly kisses on her eyelids, delighted when she gasped in wonderment. Then he slowly made his way down her cheeks, tasting the freshness of her skin. The subtle scent of her perfume combined with the release of endorphins to provide a heady combination, and it was one he knew he could easily become addicted to.