Necessary Medicine

by M. K. York

  Necessary Medicine

  By M.K. York

  With intelligence and humor, debut male/male author M.K. York delivers an emotionally charged slow-burn romance set in a prestigious Bay Area teaching hospital

  In the high-intensity world of hospital residency programs, there’s no room for romance. So it’s a good thing for first-year surgical resident Neil Carmona that his crush on the gorgeous cardiologist Eli Newcombe is sheer fantasy. Not only is the sexy doctor Neil’s superior, he’s also recently divorced.

  As Neil’s skill as a surgeon grows, so does his friendship with Eli, and his silent, hopeless longing for more. It isn’t until Neil’s final year that Eli at last admits his own deepest desires. But Neil’s joy is short-lived: Eli has no intention of pursuing a relationship. Their positions in the hospital would make it unethical, even if he was emotionally ready for someone new.

  Wounded and furious, Neil is determined to forget about Eli once and for all. But when a near-tragedy strikes, a new question arises: Is a life without love—without Neil—a greater risk than laying his heart on the line?

  This book is approximately 78,000 words

  One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise! Find out more at CarinaPress.com/RomancePromise

  Carina Press acknowledges the editorial services of Anne Scott

  Dear Reader,

  It’s hard to write about April when it’s the day before New Year’s Eve as I’m writing this. I’m still full of good intentions and big plans for 2017, with my head full of ideas and goals. One thing I’m excited about is my new 2017 reading journal that I’ve created in a 4x6 planner I was gifted. I decided to try tracking my reading a little differently this year and go old-school tracking it on paper versus electronically. I’ve completely decorated it and tricked it out with a reading challenge, TBR lists and so much more. I wonder if I’ll still be using it when you’re reading this! Hit me up on Twitter or Instagram (links at the bottom of this letter) and ask me how that’s going—I’ll show you pictures, too, if you want!

  This April, there are plenty of good reads to go in your own reading journal, starting with bestselling author duo Alexa Riley’s next full-length novel, His Alone, which features secondary characters from reader-favorite Everything for Her. A seemingly perfect hero has secrets only Paige can uncover, and his obsession with her becomes her greatest weakness. This sexy, romantic read is available in ebook, audio and print!

  Rhenna Morgan’s first book in the Haven Brotherhood series, Rough & Tumble, received many reviews like this one: “Holy Hell what a great book this is! My first read from Rhenna Morgan and won’t be the last.” And now it’s time for Zeke’s story in Wild & Sweet. He doesn’t always play by the rules, and he’ll do anything for the woman he loves. Available in digital, audio and print at online retailers.

  We have four fantastic male/male contemporary romance titles this month. Author K.A. Mitchell concludes the sweet but sexy story of Ethan & Wyatt in Relationship Status. As a couple, Ethan and Wyatt have faced jealous exes and disapproving parents, but now they face one of the scariest relationship tests ever: living together. Unfortunately, there’s no syllabus for real life. The first two novellas in this trilogy, Getting Him Back and Boyfriend Material, are now available. You can also buy the trilogy as one bundle in audio and print formats in June 2017.

  Sidney Bell, author of Bad Judgment, begins a new series, The Woodbury Boys. In Loose Cannon, Edgar-Allen Church’s violent past is about to catch up with him, and it’s going to put his best friend—aka the man he’s secretly in love with—squarely in the crosshairs.

  When a hard-nosed SEAL lieutenant and widower relies on his best friend’s little brother for child-care help, unexpected sparks fly—but will passion be enough to keep them together after the summer? Pick up At Attention by Annabeth Albert, the follow-up to the book readers raved about, Off Base. Both are available in digital and print at online retailers.

  For fans of romance author Mariana Zapata comes a long-lasting male/male tale of slow-burn romance from debut author M.K. York. In the high-intensity hospital world, there’s no room for romance between surgical resident Neil and his gorgeous superior, cardiologist Eli, but when a near-tragedy strikes, a new question arises: Is a life without love a greater risk than laying their hearts on the line? Necessary Medicine will captivate you from first word to last.

  Science fiction romance fans will be glad to see the start of a new series from Robyn Bachar. In Relaunch Mission, the first in The Galactic Cold War series, Privateer Captain Lindana Nyota faces her most dangerous mission yet, but to succeed she must rely on the one agent in the galaxy she trusts the least—Lieutenant Gabriel Steele, the man who betrayed her and broke her heart. This is a stand-alone romance, but look for the next book featuring secondary characters later in the year!

  Maybe you’re craving something a little more kinky and erotic. Debut author Brianna Hale’s Little Dancer can help with that. Abby thought attracting the ire of the theater owner was going to get her fired, but Mr. Kingsolver has other ideas—he wants to be her dom, wants her to call him daddy and will bring her face-to-face with her darkest fears.

  Last but not least is the rerelease of paranormal romance Bonded Pair from award-winning author Lauren Dane’s much beloved Cascadia Wolves series. Cade would do anything for his pack family, but his life isn’t complete without someone to share it with—only, he didn’t expect to find his reason for being in the heart and soul of the sister of his greatest enemy. Previously rereleased titles in this series include Wolves’ Triad, Wolf Unbound and Alpha’s Challenge, all now available in digital and print at online retailers.

  That’s all for this month, but we’ve given you quite the lineup of romance genres for your April reading! If you’re interested in hearing more about my 2017 reading journal (now I’ll feel like I have to keep it up so I don’t embarrass myself!) you can Tweet me @angelajames or find me on Instagram @angelajameseditor.

  Coming next month: two anthologies of paranormal romance, plus much, much more.

  Once again, until next month, my fellow book lovers, here’s wishing you a wonderful month of books you’ll love, remember and recommend.

  Happy reading!

  Angela James

  Editorial Director, Carina Press

  Dedication

  To my live-in legal counsel, who makes sure I eat; to my best friend, who reads my stories; and to my academic medical institution, which is a bottomless well of bureaucratic nonsense and ham-handed slapstick comedy among the tragedies large and small.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Loos
e Cannon by Sidney Bell

  Acknowledgments

  Coming Soon from M.K. York

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  The line at the coffee stand was long enough that he was going to be late getting back to class. Great. He fumbled in his jacket pocket, pulling out his phone to check the time—yes, definitely, he had two minutes to make it through at least four minutes of halting coffee orders from the people ahead of him. Just order, he willed them. Drip coffee. That’s all you need. No small talk, no creamer, no extra shots.

  He hadn’t developed telepathic powers since the last time he tried, though, and the line inched forward.

  When he finally, finally made it to the counter, he said, “Sixteen-ounce drip, please,” and had his exact change ready for speed. The barista smiled politely and turned to get the coffee for him.

  He was trying not to drum his fingers on the counter with anxiety when he glanced back and saw the man in line behind him. Jesus Christ. He was—he was like a Renaissance portrait, the light glowing off his silver hair in an unreal halo, face calm and handsome. Powerful shoulders under his suit. Neil jerked his eyes front again, painfully aware that he was wearing a ragged hoodie he’d had since undergrad and baggy jeans with holes.

  The barista said, “Sir?” and held out his cup.

  “Yeah, thanks.” He escaped, forgetting to grab a little cardboard sleeve and then having to juggle it to avoid burning his hands.

  * * *

  He settled back into his chair (third row, right of center, perfect for the acoustics) in the classroom he’d be stuck in for the rest of the afternoon with the other second-year medical students. The lecture hadn’t started, thank God.

  “Which lecture is this one?” he asked Bobby.

  “Cardio.” Bobby jiggled one foot in time with an imaginary melody. “Guest lecture on transplantation.”

  “Oh, fun,” he said, sincerely. “I thought it was going to be Urinary.”

  “No, that’s in two hours.”

  “Okay, good.” He shuffled through his copy of the syllabus to find the lecture, and paused. Great. Now if he could find a pen—

  The doors at the front opened, and their guest lecturer arrived, three minutes late. Neil didn’t look up from his hunt for a writing utensil until their course chair said, “In this lecture we’ll be hearing about cardiac transplantation and postsurgical management from Dr. Newcombe, who’s here today from McGill.”

  He glanced up—and it was the man from the coffee line, bending over to the microphone, adjusting it up an inch or two.

  “Hello,” said Dr. Newcombe, smiling out at them. He sounded like pure class. “It’s my pleasure to speak to you today about this topic, which is near and dear to my heart, if you’ll pardon the pun.”

  A faint groan rippled through the room, but everyone settled down quickly enough. He had them laughing more than once, handled questions gracefully, talked about patients as if they were people.

  At the hour break, Bobby nudged Neil sharply and muttered, “Silver fox. Your type?”

  “Shut up, Bobby.”

  “Make me.”

  “You wish.”

  “And his slides are so well organized. It’s very sexy.”

  “I am going to go do literally anything but listen to you right now.”

  Bobby snorted as Neil stood up and ducked behind the seats to get out of their row, water bottle in hand. His route out of the classroom took him about a foot away from where Dr. Newcombe was talking to another student. His voice was low, pleasant, like bass that would reverberate in Neil’s chest.

  “—well, I have to recommend McGill, obviously,” he was saying. His eyes caught Neil’s as he passed, and their gaze held for a moment. “It’s a world-class institution, and I was very lucky—”

  The door shut behind him, and he waited in line at the water fountain until he could refill his bottle and get back to his seat, willing the ridiculous heat in his cheeks to subside.

  * * *

  He spent the second hour like the first, staring at Dr. Newcombe, watching the spotlights gleam on his hair and the glitter of the wedding ring on his finger, his high cheekbones like polished bronze.

  “To sum up, transplantation is a difficult field,” Dr. Newcombe said, leaning forward over the podium like he was telling them a secret, “not just technically, although it is very technically challenging. It’s difficult because there is so much weight attached to it, the patients’ expectations, their needs, their hopes. There’s the weight not just of what’s been but what they hope will still be. Managing those expectations—helping patients to understand what the true benefits of transplantation are for them—is the first step to helping them lead richer, more rewarding lives afterward. And in some cases, even before.”

  Then he smiled, and Neil would have sworn he looked right at Neil as he added, “So I hope you’ll consider a career in cardiology. It really is the best. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.”

  Chapter Two

  Neil passed the boards that summer, started clinical rotations, passed them too—with honors, mostly. He got used to the raw-edged feeling of sleep deprivation, and the way reality slowly slipped away on nights on call. Fourth year he picked up a sub-intern slot in General Surgery, and he felt pretty good about that, even though it meant weekends were a distant memory and he was living on caffeine and the breakfast sandwiches they sold in the hospital cafeteria.

  “I can’t believe you eat that.” His attending always brought healthy lunches from home.

  He smiled at her with his mouth full. After he swallowed he said, “Some of us don’t have loving husbands who make us lunches.”

  “Well, you should try it. It’s great.”

  He made a face at her, and she laughed out loud.

  “Seriously, though,” she added, more contemplatively, “relationships in med school are tough. It’s okay if you just don’t have time for that right now. Don’t push yourself to try to be too many things for too many people.”

  “Thanks, life coach.”

  “No sassing me, I’m your elder and your better.”

  It was the diametric opposite of the life advice he’d gotten from the Dean of Student Affairs, at a talk when they’d started out—the Dean had gone on and on about how important it was not to lose contact with the rest of the world, to carve out time for personal activities and relationships. You didn’t want to end up dying at your desk at fifty without ever having had a meaningful personal relationship, he heavily implied.

  Neil wiped off his hands as he finished. “When are we seeing the patient?”

  “Soon as I finish this.” His attending took a hasty gulp of her water.

  They were evaluating the patient for health prior to transplant. Bits and pieces of the lecture from two years before came back to Neil, memories going soft-focus: a candidate for transplant can have a difficult time acknowledging that, even with a transplant, their life will not be the same as the life they had before their illness. It’s our responsibility to help them make the most of the life they have, while validating their feelings, their grief for the life that they lost.

  “Hi, I’m Dr. Mendez, I’ll be assisting the primary surgeon on your case. This is Neil Carmona, our sub-intern.”

  The patient looked up, smiling. His face was worn and thin. At his temples the muscles had thinned—cachexia, wasting—making him look like he’d lived through a famine, and his skin was yellowed.

  “It’s good to meet you,” said the patient, putting out his hand. Dr. Mendez shook it, and then Neil, the slight weight of it warm against his palm.

  Neil ended up getting to watch the surgery—from the far back corner, without a stool, which meant he’d never been so grateful to be tall. Afterward he had to pee
like a racehorse and drink about a gallon of water. His feet hurt with a bone-deep ache that barely eased even when he sat down and propped them up.

  “Well, kid.” Dr. Mendez dropped into the chair next to him. “What do you think?”

  “I think you’re nuts.”

  She laughed. It was tired, just a shadow of her usual laugh, but it was still joyful. “Most of us are. If you want to go into surgery, I bet you are too.”

  * * *

  His suit for residency interviews was a little tight around the thighs and ass, but otherwise it fit pretty well. He just had to be careful to sit down slowly. He combed his fingers through his hair in the men’s room, trying to get the wayward dark waves to lie flat, and told himself, You’ll do fine, mouthing it into the mirror.

  He was on interview number eight, getting toward the end—he’d probably rank this one high on his list. It had some of the happier interns he’d met, a great reputation, and a regular supply of complex cases. (Plus, it was sunny a semi-reasonable proportion of the year, and unlike the New England hospitals, snow wasn’t an ever-present calamity waiting to happen in the winter.)

  The resident who was taking him out to lunch (at the hospital cafeteria, of course) looked relaxed and at ease. She was leaning forward to say something to him when he caught a glimpse of someone over her shoulder.

  He must have done something—stiffened up, maybe, or just looked too obviously—because she turned around, glancing back. “Oh, do you know Dr. Newcombe?” she asked brightly.

  “Uh, sort of. He did a lecture for our class.”

  “Oh, that must have been great! He’s on the Cardiology service here, so we don’t see him much down in Gen Surg, but I went to a Grand Rounds talk he gave on managing heart failure in cases where transplant isn’t viable. Very good.”

  “Yeah,” said Neil.

  He ended up ranking them second, and tried not to think too much about how Dr. Newcombe had ended up at Kingsland Medical Center from McGill just a couple of years before. Missing a wedding ring. Maybe he’d just taken it off while he was on duty. Maybe.