“Is that the idiot who hit me?” The man came off the table and was headed out of the bay before Elijah could stop him. “Call Security,” he barked at the nurse as he followed the man.
When he got to the next bay terror filled him. Helena stood between his patient and another man of similar size. Either one could swat her out of the way like a fly.
“You need to go back to your room,” Helena was saying as she pushed against Elijah’s patient’s chest in an effort to protect her patient.
“You’ll hear from my lawyer,” her patient was saying.
“Mr. Wojciech, please sit down,” Helena said in a forceful voice.
Elijah rushed to them. Where was Security? “Gentlemen, this isn’t the place to have this discussion.”
Helena gave him a look as if to say, I’ve got this.
“This jerk hit me.” Elijah’s patient pointed a finger over Helena’s head at the other man.
“No, you hit me.” The man leaned toward him.
She gave his patient a pleading look. “Please go back to your room.”
“I’m going to sue you!” Helena’s patient shouted, just before he clutched his chest.
Elijah managed to catch the man before he collapsed on top of Helena. She turned around and grabbed her patient, helping Elijah get him to the floor. As Helen started to check his pulse, Elijah stood and pushed the button on the wall. When the unit secretary answered he said, “Get security in here now.” He told the other man, “Now you go to your room and stay there.”
With the help of the others, he and Helena got her patient back on the bed. He soon woke and was talking. He would be spending a couple of nights in the hospital for tests.
“You okay?” he asked Helena.
“Yeah.”
“Good. I’ve got to go check on my patient now.” What he really wanted to do was forget about his Hippocratic oath and do some bodily harm instead. Helena could have been hurt. Which for some reason bothered him more than it should. Reminding himself strongly that he was a doctor, Elijah entered his patient’s cubicle to find it empty.
He went to the desk and asked where the man had gone.
“He walked out,” Lauren told him.
Elijah nodded. That figured. It was probably just as well. He needed to check on Helena. Lauren handed him a chart. “There’s a patient in Trauma One waiting.”
So much for checking on Helena. “On my way.”
He saw her a few times, going in and out of a room, but they had no time to talk. The shift was ending when he walked up to the desk. Helena was filling out a report. “So have you recovered from the excitement earlier?”
“Yes, but I’d like to speak to you about that.”
She sounded like it was something serious. “Okay. You want to talk here or elsewhere?”
“I’d prefer for this not to be overheard. Let’s do it in an on-call room.”
He nodded. “I’ll meet you as soon as I’ve given my relief person report.”
CHAPTER FOUR
HELENA HAD MADE a mistake. She realized it the instant Elijah stepped through the door of the on-call room. The space was too private, too small, and there was too much of Elijah. Having no choice now, she had to get through it. She’d been sitting in the only chair but stood when he entered.
“You were great out there today. Not that I didn’t expect you to be, but those weren’t easy cases. We made a good team,” Elijah said, sounding like he was coming off an adrenalin high after spending a day dealing with constant life-or-death situations.
“Yeah, it was some day. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I don’t need you micro-managing me. I’m a qualified ER doctor and can handle my cases without you coming to the rescue.”
“Uh?” He cocked his head to one side in disbelief.
Her hands went to her waist. “I can take care of my patients without any interference from you.”
“Like when you were standing between two men twice your size? Or when one of them almost fell on you?”
“I would’ve figured out something. But you were also there when the hemothorax came up. I know what to do without you checking on me. You’ve arranged the schedule so we’ll be working together all week and I want you to let me do my job without any interference from you.”
Elijah lowered his chin. It was covered in five-o’clock shadow, giving him a sexy look that had Helena looking at the door. Unfortunately, he was standing between her and it. “So let me get this correct. You don’t want any help from me?”
“Not unless I ask for it.” And she wouldn’t.
“Even when I know you need it?”
She stood straighter. “Yes. I’m a little surprised you’d be interested in doing so since you told me last night you didn’t believe in fairy tales. So why would you want to ride to my rescue?”
He pursed his lips, crossed his arms over his chest and studied her thoughtfully. “So is this all about punishing me for what you thought was my bad behavior?”
“I don’t like to be manipulated. Your actions today made me feel that way.”
Elijah took a step closer. “I didn’t mean to.”
Helena moved back. Her legs bumped the chair.
With another step he entered her personal space. His gaze held hers as a smile formed on his lips. “What can I do to get you to forgive me?” His hands came to rest on her hips.
She pushed against his shoulders. “I’m not playing.”
His head came toward hers as he spoke softly. “Neither am I. I didn’t realize I was stepping on your toes.” Her eyes dropped to his mouth. “I thought I was helping. As for the schedule, I can’t say that I’m disappointed it worked out like it did.” His lips were almost touching hers. Her heart fluttered in anticipation. “This way I get more chances to do this.”
Elijah’s mouth claimed hers. He pulled her tight against him as his tongue dipped in. She shivered, her hands clutching his scrub shirt. Divine feelings she’d felt during his kiss came rushing back. She wanted to bask in it while she could.
This...she didn’t know what to call it was what had teased, grown, pushed at her all day long when Elijah was around. She wanted another kiss, wanted him. But where was all this madness leading? Elijah wasn’t just the celebrated hospital playboy but his family was important in the city. Why would he have any real interest in a girl not in his social circle, who enjoyed nights by the fire and reading? Who wanted a home and family. She might lose another baby and she needed someone who would stand beside her. She had to have stability.
They weren’t right for each other. He knew where she stood and he made it clear in no uncertain terms that he wanted none of it. He was flash and she was steady flame. This had to stop. Now.
Helena pushed hard against his chest. “We can’t do this.”
Elijah grinned. “But you like it.”
She couldn’t argue with that. “Just because I like something it doesn’t mean I should do it.”
He brushed the back of his hand across her cheek. “Beautiful Helena. Let yourself go.”
Helena almost purred at his touch. “It’s just lust.” She’d experienced that before and it hadn’t ended well.
“Is that a bad thing?” His voice was soothing.
“Yes. My body doesn’t know what my mind knows about you.”
He chuckled low in his throat. “I’m really that bad?”
The whisper of his breath across her lips made her shudder. Why must she be so attracted to him?
“See.” His lips feathered over hers.
She sighed softly. Her body ached to press against his.
“A few kisses...” The tip of his tongue caressed her bottom lip.
She groaned when he pulled away. His confident smile warned her of the plea
sure he could give. Her knees wobbled in response.
“...won’t kill you.” He dared her with a look to agree.
She said nothing, just stared into those sexy blue eyes pulling at her, teasing her. Eyes filled with desire. And that spelled danger.
His look turned sad. “Okay.” He moved to go.
His kisses and touch had every nerve in her body aware of him, of what she’d held back for so long. Elijah had lit a fire she didn’t want to let go out. She grabbed him around the neck and brought her mouth to his fast, hard and with all the passion banked in her soul. Though he was not the kind of man she had been waiting for, or needed, she wanted Elijah. All of him. To feel alive, be desired.
Elijah didn’t back down from her advance. He met it with his own. Turning her around, he walked her backwards to the door. With a click, it was locked. He growled deep in his throat, “I won’t be interrupted this time.”
Helena forgot the hard door pressed against her back when his lips brushed the hollow behind her ear. The hum low in her built to a throb.
“I’ve thought of nothing but having you since I kissed you last night. You’ve put a spell on me, beautiful Helena.” His mouth found hers, seductively caressing her lips, transforming the deep throb within her into a pounding pulse.
Strong masculine hands left her waist to curl under each of her thighs, lifting her. She wrapped her legs around his waist. His manhood, strong and erect, told her how badly he wanted her. There was a power in knowing she’d caused that need. This intelligent, quick-witted, and mouth-wateringly handsome man desired her. She adjusted until her center rested against him.
Tingling in anticipation, she returned his kiss, running her fingers through his hair. Red-hot lust grew to clawing need. She was out of control but couldn’t, or rather didn’t want to, stop it.
“Baby, you have me so hot I’m about to burst.” He nipped at her bottom lip.
Helena planted a kiss on his temple.
Pressing her more securely against the door, Elijah shoved at her scrub shirt and the T-shirt beneath until he found skin. His large warm hand moving across her skin had her quivering as it traveled down her backbone. His fingers followed it to the edge of her pants. All the while he placed kisses along her jawline. “You’re so sweet.”
Her lips scanned his neck before her mouth moved upwards. He jerked when she ran her tongue along the shell of his ear then nipped his lobe. This wasn’t like her. She’d always let the man take the lead, holding back, unsure. Never aggressive. But with Elijah she wanted it all, hard and fast.
His hand slipped across her belly, causing it to ripple, before he found the tie to her pants and pulled. Stepping away slightly, soon his hand was inside. His fingers followed the juncture of her thighs until he found her center. A finger brushed over her. Her eyes widened as she trembled. She shifted to his hip, giving him better access. Elijah didn’t disappoint. He slipped a finger into her then slowly pulled it back. Her fingers dug into his shoulders.
She closed her eyes and rested her head against the door. Elijah lifted her hips and slid an arm under her so that she sat on it. His finger went deeper before he removed it. She moaned her disappointment. Sliding a finger between her folds, he paused as if testing for her reaction. He then teased her sensitive nerves before plunging into her again. The man had amazing skills. Her eyes opened to meet his intense gaze as she bucked. Elijah looked pleased with her response as he continued his ministrations.
She was so close. So aware. Reaching so hard. “I want...”
Elijah continued to skillfully pleasure her. “Tell me what you want.”
Her head rolled from side to side as she silently begged for what she couldn’t grasp.
“More of this?” He flicked her gently and thrust his finger again.
The spring coiled tight within her sprang. It sent her flying to heights she’d never dreamed possible. She pushed against his hand, shuddered and squirmed, taking all he gave. As she crested and slowly floated down Elijah gathered her against his chest. Whirling her around, he plopped her on her back on the twin bed across the narrow room. She bounced on the mattress as he tugged at her pants.
“I have to be in you now,” he ground out.
* * *
Elijah had never been so turned on by a woman in all his life. Had any of them been as responsive to his touch as Helena? He would have destroyed Troy to possess her.
Was he scaring her in his haste? He couldn’t help it. Soon he would explode. He’d always taken pride in his control but he was losing it fast.
She lifted her hips, allowing him to pull her pants to her feet. Seconds later, he had his own down.
“Protection...” she murmured.
Why hadn’t he thought of that? He’d always been so careful.
He found his wallet in the pocket of his scrubs and removed a packet. Despite shaking hands, seconds later he was covered and settling over her. He supported himself with his hands as he lowered his mouth to hers. It was as hot, wet and welcoming as he knew other areas of her were. Fingers kneaded his back as her tongue mated with his, sending his craving almost beyond control. His manhood pulsed with need.
Nudging her opening with his tip, she widened her legs. Elijah slipped partially in and was rewarded with her whimper. This time when she found her bliss he would be there with her, part of her.
Gliding an arm under her waist, he lifted her and slid fully into her tight heat.
“It’s been a long time,” she murmured uncertainly.
Why? Why would a woman so alluring, bright and capable not have had a man in her life? “You should’ve told me.”
“It doesn’t matter. I want you.” She flexed her hips.
He sank into her. With a gentle movement, he took her to the hilt.
A sigh of satisfaction left her partially open lips. It was the sweetest, most erotic sound he’d ever heard. Pulling back, moving in again, he set a pace that had them both panting.
Helena squirmed, mewed then stiffened before she yowled her pleasure. He took her mouth in a bottomless kiss as he thrust again and again, until he found his own release.
They remained joined while he gathered enough strength to stand. What was he doing? He’d never had a quickie in the hospital. He was too much of a professional for that. He’d been propositioned more than once by a staff member but had always gone outside the hospital for his enjoyment. Yet here he was with his pants down around his ankles and having done no better by Helena. What had come over him?
Elijah looked at her with her tousled hair making a small halo around her face. Her dazed eyes were wide and bright. She blinked and did it again. He’d put that stunned look on her face. Him.
He wanted her again.
The doorknob rattled. He felt Helena stiffen. Her eyes were wide as she focused on the door.
“Hey, is someone in there?” a man’s voice called.
“I’m changing clothes. Come back in a minute,” Elijah answered.
Footsteps faded away.
Elijah moved off Helena. She quickly stood, jerked her pants into place and adjusted her top. She wouldn’t look at him.
“Helena—”
She coldly cut him off. “I can’t believe I did that. I’m not a kid any more.”
Elijah wasn’t sure what that last statement referred to, but the way she said it implied more than the obvious. He didn’t want her to regret what they had just experienced. He wanted too much to do it again.
She resisted him at first as he pulled her to him for a gentle kiss. Soon she was returning it. What they had started wasn’t done by a long shot. Just a simple kiss had him burning hot for her again.
“I’ve got to go. This was a bad idea.” Helena’s look was everywhere but on him. “I don’t want to be here when whoever that was comes back.”
Elijah cussed under his breath at the person who’d interrupted them. He couldn’t part from Helena with this tension between them. Taking a clearing breath, he worked at being soothing. “Look, no one knows it was us. If we just act normal no one ever will. I’ve not eaten since we shared that sandwich. I’m hungry. Why don’t we go get a burger?”
Helena started straightening the blanket on the bed as if she were covering up what they had been doing. Was she ashamed of having been with him?
She gave him a hesitant glance. “I think I’d better just head home. It’s been a busy few days.”
“Helena, I don’t want things to be uncomfortable between us. Come on, let’s go have something to eat. I know you have to be hungry.”
She gave him an incredulous look.
“Please.” When had he ever begged a woman to share a meal with him? They were always eager to.
“Okay, but I can’t stay long.” She listened before she opened the door.
“Great. I know a place just a couple of blocks from here.” He clearly saw the relief on her face when she opened the door to find the hallway empty. At least she was giving him a chance to ease the tension between them.
* * *
After grabbing her coat and purse from her locker, Helena walked beside Elijah down the short hall to the staff entrance. She couldn’t reach it fast enough. Even though there was no physical contact between them, she was still warm from his intimate touch. She had encouraged him to fondle her. That was so unlike her. Yet his touch was so wonderful. A pleasant pulsing between her legs wouldn’t let her forget.
Heat filled her cheeks. How was she supposed to conceal her guilt if they met someone on their way out if her face was red? Did the person who had knocked know she’d been in there with Elijah? What they had been doing must be written all over her.
She glanced at Elijah. His shoulders were back and head high, as if he was satisfied with himself. Happy. She’d put that look on his face. Making someone feel good wasn’t something she should be ashamed of.
He grinned. She gave him a weak smile.
Outside it was cold and the wind sharp. Elijah helped her pull the hood of her jacket over her head then zipped his coat.
Christmas with the Best Man Page 6
