Christmas with the Best Man

by Susan Carlisle

  Her heart sank. “I’m sorry. I spoke without thinking.” She had, but her heart tightened at his unemotional statement. It was hard to accept they were having an affair after what they’d shared over the last couple of days. Their relationship felt more real. She’d done things to Elijah, and with him, she’d never done before. Giving a man a come-hither invitation to her bed then undressing him was new to her. More than that, she’d touched Elijah, caressed him, and kissed him in places she’d never dreamed she’d have the nerve to.

  She turned her back, putting her bowl and mug in the sink. “I’d really rather we not be the talk of the hospital so I’ll take the subway and see you in the ER.”

  Elijah had moved to stand right behind her. “No.” His hands came to rest on her waist, bringing her back against him. He pushed her hair away, placing a kiss on her neck. “We’ll go by taxi. We can stop a block early if you don’t want us to be seen getting out of the same cab. We’ve shown up at work at the same time before, after all.”

  She turned to face him. “I know you don’t care for talk and neither do I.”

  He put a finger under her chin and raised it. “You do know people are going to talk, no matter what we do. We can’t control that. I hope you aren’t ashamed to be seen with me.”

  Elijah looked so hurt that she cupped his face and kissed him. “Not at all. But if this is supposed to be short-lived between us, I don’t want you to be pegged as the bad guy and me the broken-hearted woman when it’s over, or vice-versa. Let’s just keep it between ourselves as much as possible.”

  “Agreed.” He gave her a kiss that had her thinking about anything but what people would say about them.

  As he’d suggested, they got out of the cab before getting to the hospital. Elijah didn’t try to hold her hand or touch her in any way as they approached the huge building.

  Nerves got the better of her and she started to chatter. “I love this building. The nineteen-hundreds architecture is amazing. The stonework, the arches at the front.”

  “I’ve never really thought about it. I’ve been coming here all my life.” Elijah was looking up. “Now you mention it, it is a nice building. My father used to bring Charles and me in with him on weekends when he was checking on things. The highlight was to go to the roof.” His voice sounded a little strained, as if he couldn’t believe he’d made that statement.

  She looked up as well. “That sounds like fun. I bet you can see forever.”

  “We thought it was a big deal. And, yes, the view is amazing.”

  He didn’t offer to take her. Couples who were having an affair apparently didn’t do that sort of thing. It was more about going to bed. She wasn’t completely comfortable with the concept. After all, they had spent the day together yesterday as if they were a real couple.

  They entered through the staff entrance. To anyone they would appear as two colleagues arriving at work at the same time. Helena stored her personal belongings in her locker while Elijah changed into scrubs. It wasn’t until they were ready to go that Elijah pulled her into his arms, giving her a kiss that promised more when they were alone again. “I just wanted you to remember me.”

  Like there was a chance she wouldn’t. “You do know we work in the same department?”

  “I’m afraid that I’m going to be far too aware of that today.” Elijah opened the door, letting her leave ahead of him.

  One of the other ER doctors was just entering. He gave them both a curious look before Elijah said in an innocent voice, “Good morning.”

  “Good morning,” the man as he continued into the room.

  When they were down the hall far enough that Helena couldn’t be overheard, she said, “He gave us a funny look. Do you think he was the one who knocked?”

  “Honey, he probably can tell just by looking at you you’ve just been thoroughly kissed.”

  She stopped. “What?”

  He chuckled, then leaned down and looked her in the eyes. “You do know you have a glow about you that every male within a mile would recognize as a woman who has been satisfied?”

  Heat rose in her. “I do not!”

  “If you don’t, then I’ve not been doing my job. Are you saying I haven’t?” He gave her a look that implied that if she didn’t answer correctly they would return to the on-call room.

  She gave him a shy grin. “No, I wouldn’t say that at all.”

  A self-satisfied smile came over his face. “That’s what I thought.”

  “On that note, and so I don’t feed your ego further, I’m going to work. See you around, Dr. Davenport.”

  She held her head high as she continued down the hall, with Elijah’s low chortle following her.

  * * *

  The rest of the day consisted of a steady stream of patients. Nothing difficult or out of the ordinary. She passed Elijah a couple of times and each time he winked at her. She tried not to react but regardless of her efforts a tingle of awareness ran through her. Then despair swamped her. She was getting in deeper and deeper.

  Their shift was about to end when she sat down at the unit desk. Lauren said, “Dr. Davenport said to let you know he needs to see you in the office when you have a moment.”

  “Great. And this is one of the few times I’ve gotten to sit down all day.” Helena pushed her way out of the chair. “Off to see the boss.”

  The secretary smiled then turned her attention back to the computer screen.

  With a flutter that felt like a thousand wings in her stomach, Helena knocked on the inconspicuous door that concealed the ER chief’s office. What did Elijah want? At his muffled, “Come in,” she opened the door.

  “Hey, I was told you wanted to see me.”

  Elijah sat behind a metal desk piled high with papers and magazines. He immediately stood and came toward her. “Close the door.”

  It had hardly clicked shut before Elijah had her in his arms. One of his hands cupped her behind, bringing her intimately against him, before his hungry mouth met hers. A long, very delicious minute later his lips left hers. “I’ve been wanting to do that every time I saw you today.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t,” she said, a little breathless. She pushed against his chest, putting space between them. “I hope you called me in here for more than a kiss.”

  Elijah looked around the tiny room where there was nothing more than one uncomfortable chair and the desk. “I only wish. I wanted to let you know I’m working over tonight.”

  “I appreciate you telling me but you know you don’t have to explain your life to me.” It wasn’t like they were a couple. He’d made that clear this morning.

  Hurt appeared in his eyes for a second. “I realize that but I thought you might wonder what happened to me.”

  He sounded a little disappointed. Was he downcast because she was acting as if it didn’t matter to her that they wouldn’t be seeing each other that evening? “Thanks for letting me know. I would’ve wondered.”

  Elijah looked pleased with her response. His desk phone rang and he nodded its direction. “I need to get this.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you later.”

  Elijah’s attention was already focused on the conversation over the phone by the time she opened the door.

  An hour later, Helena was putting the finishing remarks on the chart for her last patient for the day when laughter drew her attention. She looked down the hall to see a young nurse who was new to the ER and Elijah standing close. He was holding a chart and the nurse had one of her hands on his forearm. A sour taste rose in Helena’s throat. It looked like they were having a cozy conversation. Was the nurse why Elijah was working late? Was he already looking for his next fling participant?

  His look met hers for a second, held. There was a question there. Bewilderment? Concern?

  Helena had seen enough. Quickly
finishing her charting, she said goodbye to Lauren and headed to the locker room. Why had she ever believed she could have an affair with Elijah and not become emotionally engaged? Already she couldn’t handle another woman speaking to him. What had made her think she’d be able to let him go when the time came?

  Entering the room, she quickly pulled her belongings from her locker and made her way out the side door of the hospital into the cold night air. The blast felt good, helping to clear her mind. All she wanted to do was go home, curl up in her warm bed and sleep, if she could. Her fear was that all she was going to do was miss being in Elijah’s arms.

  * * *

  For the third time, Elijah listened to the phone ring through to voicemail. Helena should pick up regardless of the late hour. Was she not doing so because it was his number calling?

  He tried her number again. Relief washed over him when her sleepy voice said, “Dr. Tate.”

  “Helena, it’s Elijah.”

  “Is something wrong? Where are you?” Her voice cleared some.

  “Outside your door. Let me in,” he answered impatiently.

  “In?”

  “Honey, let me in before someone calls the police,” he said as quietly as he could into the phone. “Nothing’s wrong, other than I’m tired.”

  A moment later the click of locks let him know Helena was finally at the door.

  She looked blurry-eyed, confused and totally adorable dressed in a long T-shirt with a picture of a big black and white cow on the front. The thought of going home to his cold bed when he could be in one with a warm, willing woman had had him telling the cab driver her address without thinking. He didn’t want to miss any remaining time he had with her. The week was getting shorter by the minute. He hoped she felt the same way.

  “Why’re you here?” Helena asked with a muddled look on her face as she stepped back to let him in.

  “Aren’t you glad to see me?” Everything in him wanted her to be. He closed the door and locked it.

  “I just didn’t think I would.”

  Ignoring her puzzled response, he took her into his arms and kissed her. “I missed you.”

  She pushed him away and stepped back. “It’s late, Elijah. I’m tired. I know you must be too.”

  What was going on? This wasn’t the warm welcome he’d imagined. He could soften her up but he needed to clean up first. “Do you mind if I use your shower?”

  She waved a hand toward the hall. “Help yourself. You would anyway.”

  He grinned. “Probably. I need a hot one and then I need you.”

  “I thought maybe you’d already been entertained for the evening.” Her beautiful face showed no humor and her voice was flat.

  “Uh?” He studied her. What was she talking about? “I don’t know how to respond to that.”

  “I saw you talking to the new nurse. I’ll understand if you want to cut the week short.”

  Elijah couldn’t have been more shocked if he had been hit on the head by a rock. Was Helena that insecure? He wasn’t going anywhere until he had to. Just thinking about Helena had his body doing things that were inappropriate outside a bedroom. It suddenly became clear. He threw back his head and laughed. “I get it now. You’re jealous!”

  Helena’s chin rose. Her back went ramrod straight and her hair flipped around her shoulders as she marched down the hall. “I am not! Lock the door behind you on your way out.”

  Elijah watched as the material of her nightshirt shifted across her behind. She had such a lovely behind. Normally he didn’t like a woman being jealous where he was concerned. It implied there was more between them than he wanted. But he enjoyed the idea of Helena feeling some kind of ownership about him.

  By the time he made it to her room, she’d already climbed into bed with her back to the door.

  “May I take a shower before I go?” he asked quietly, working to keep the humor out of his voice.

  “Guess so,” came her muffled answer.

  Elijah put his hands on the mattress and leaned over to nuzzle her neck. “She’s the niece of one of my friends from school. We were laughing over something stupid he and I did.”

  “You don’t have to answer to me,” Helena said in a testy tone, not looking at him.

  “No, I don’t, but I can promise you this. I’d never cheat on you. I’m loyal to the woman I’m with as long as I’m with her.” He kissed her temple. “You’re stuck with me until the end of the week. I’m going to get that shower now then I’ll be back to show you just how much I want you.”

  He felt her look on him as he strolled to the bathroom.

  With his shower taken, Elijah slipped beneath the covers and up next to the warmth of Helena. She rolled toward him. Her breathing was soft and even. She was asleep. As much as he wanted her, he was aware they’d had several full days as well as nights. They both needed rest. Elijah gathered her to him, relishing the pleasure of holding her. Just spending the night with Helena was a bad step in the wrong direction but one he couldn’t resist taking.

  He kissed her forehead and she sighed as he drifted off to sleep.

  * * *

  Half–asleep, Helena huddled closer to the heat of the body next to her. Elijah. Her hand ran over his muscled chest. He’d stayed even after she’d gone to sleep. Had said there’d be only her until their week was done. Even if it was for a little while, she wanted to be wanted. To be enough.

  “Mmm. You’d better watch it or you’ll have more than you bargained for,” Elijah said in a low, raspy voice.

  Her hand slid further south as she teased, “Maybe I want more.”

  Before she knew it she was flipped onto her back and Elijah loomed over her. His eyes were dark with intent. “Then you shall have it.” His mouth found hers as his hand pushed under her shirt to palm one of her breasts.

  Some time later, Helena giggled as Elijah brushed the bottom of one of her feet with the tip of a finger. His head was at the end of the bed and hers still on a pillow at the top.

  He grinned, his look holding hers. “You’re so responsive in so many ways.”

  “That sounds like a compliment.”

  Elijah kissed the top of her foot. “It was.”

  The buzz of the alarm surrounded them. She pulled her foot from Elijah’s hand and swung her legs over the side of the bed, silencing the noise. “Time to go to work.”

  “I guess we can’t call in sick.” Elijah stood up in all his glory, and he was glorious.

  She looked back over her shoulder. “I’d think since you’re the boss this week that might look bad on your record. It wouldn’t help mine to encourage you.”

  “Well, there’s nothing like having a practical woman in your life.”

  He was teasing her but what she heard wasn’t humorous. She wasn’t really in his life. They were just playing at it. Helena looked at her bare feet, then back at Elijah. It had taken such a short time for her to get used to having him around. She liked it too much. Was starting to want something beyond great sex. She wanted more both in and out of bed. But that wasn’t the deal she’d agreed to.

  Helena snatched up her nightshirt off the floor from where Elijah had flung it. Pulling it to her chest, she hurried to the shower. “I’ll be only a few minutes. Make yourself at home in the kitchen. I bought a couple of muffins on my way home last night.”

  She was in the process of drying off when Elijah entered the bathroom with two mugs in one hand and a plate with muffins on it in the other. He placed them on the counter. “I brought you some breakfast.”

  Helena quickly wrapped the towel under her arms and tucked the end in securely. “You’d better watch it, I could get used to this kind of service.” The words were out before she caught them. “Uh, make that while it lasts.” She tried for a smile but she was pretty sure it came off more as a
grimace. “Thanks for breakfast. I’m going to eat it while I dress and let you have the bath.” She took a mug and snatched a muffin before slipping past him into the bedroom.

  Space was what she needed. Just some space. Helena looked at the bed with the covers pooled on the floor and the sheet hanging more off than on. How was she supposed to maintain distance when all she could think about was how soon she could be in Elijah’s arms again?

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THE TWO O’CLOCK afternoon lag had just begun when Helena had an opportunity to sit for a minute. Patients had been coming in at a steady pace all day. She liked being busy, it made the day go by faster, and for once in her life she was looking forward to something more than a hot shower and bed. Just the thought of being with Elijah again had her glancing at the clock too often.

  Helena picked through the Christmas goodies on the table. There were always plenty of sweets to have at this time of the year. She bought a diet soda out of the machine before taking one of the chairs in the break room. Yawning, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes for a minute. She was beginning to burn the candle at both ends. Working long hours and spending her free time with Elijah was something she wasn’t used to. She smiled. It was a lifestyle she could adjust to if given half a chance.

  Elijah hadn’t been around much that morning. It had been slow enough that he’d had time to work in the office. She had caught a glimpse of him seeing patients a few times but each time she’d had to stop herself from staring until he’d disappeared into an exam room. Once a nurse had needed to ask her a question twice.

  Only heaven could help her. She was infatuated with Elijah Davenport.

  “Hey, are you hiding from someone?”

  It was that voice she knew without opening her eyes. Loved to hear it whisper in her ear. Keeping her eyes closed, she said, “I hear there’s a slave driver as a boss around here and if you want a break you’d better hide.”

  Elijah’s soft chuckle sent a stream of warmth through her. “You know slave drivers can be bought off at a price.”