by Gina Kincade
“Hello,” Ty greeted. He took the empty bench across from the couple.
With a small wavering smile the man greeted him back, “You have someone in the operating room, son?”
“No, sir. You?”
“Our son. Only one. Seventeen. He’s a great football player. And real healthy. As far as we know.” The man looked over at his wife. “He’ll be okay.”
“What’s his name?”
“Stephen. Stephen Williams.”
“Strong name.” Ty’s heart bled when he noticed the woman crying quietly. “I don’t know the condition your son is in, but I heard that the head doctor in-charge is the one of the best in the country.”
“Let’s hope she brings our son back to us.”
Ty nodded. He stretched his legs in front of him then crossed his arms over his chest. He’d read Shayne’s files. Every person she’d operated on, survived. He hoped Stephen would too. Not one to pray, he closed his eyes and started asking for divine help.
For hours, Ty watched doctors and nurses walk by. He listened to different conversations when Stephen’s family, friends and coaches came. At two in the morning, he removed his jacket then walked over to the coffee shop to stretch his legs. He was about to get up and go for the third cup when the metal double doors opened.
A male nurse came out. He slowed his pace when he saw Ty. His eyes focused on the gun strapped at his side.
Ty nodded at him.
The nurse walked toward Stephen’s parents and asked for their name.
Ty listened as the nurse explained that the doctor would be out in a minute, then left.
Sure enough, Shayne came out still in her light green scrubs. Bright red color painted her cheeks, her hair was piled high while she still clutched a stethoscope. She looked tired, but amazingly perfect. A man, also wearing scrubs, followed her. Shayne met his stare then went straight to the couple. She knelt in front of them and took their hands.
When he saw her smile, he knew the operation was successful. Damn. He wanted to go to her and give her a hug.
Both Stephen’s parents let out a loud sob followed by a string of thank you’s for Shayne. The three of them cried and laughed at the same time.
Ty walked away from the trio to give them more privacy. He’d just turned around the corner when he felt someone tug at his shirt.
“Don’t you want to hear the news?”
“I’m sure it’s good.” He stopped walking, otherwise Shayne would’ve stretched his shirt. “Heard you guys laugh.” He turned around and felt surprised when Shayne wrapped her arms around his waist. Her face buried on his chest. Ty didn’t have to ask what was going on. Shayne’s warm tears soaking his shirt said it all. “Hey, hey, love. Everything went well, right?”
Shayne didn’t say anything.
“You gave those parents a wonderful news. You’re an angel, you know.”
“He could have died.”
“He didn’t.”
In between sobs, Shayne replied, “B-but he could have. Sometimes I—wished I’m not a doctor. Not an easy job having someone’s life in my hands.”
“I know, love.” He planted kisses on top of her head.
“His heart was beautiful. I wondered if he plays the guitar or if he’s got a girlfriend. He’s a good looking boy, you know. And young. So young. He should be out there goofing around with his friends.”
Ty just listened as Shayne rambled on.
“Glad to see, Doctor Monaghan has found someone with a nice shirt to wipe her tears with. You okay, Shayne?”
Shayne let go of his hold on Ty, then turned around. “Yeah. Thank you for your help in the operating room, Les. I didn’t get a chance to thank you.”
“It’s all right. So who’s the new hankie?”
“This is Agent Cartwright.”
Ty studied man also wearing scrubs with a stethoscope hanging around his neck. While meeting the doctor’s stare, he slowly released his hold on Shayne. The man was the same height as him. Blond, with blue eyes and a dimple on the left cheek. Fucking hell. This doctor was absurdly close to being beautiful. His smile, however, didn’t seem genuine to Ty. Something about the doctor gave him a swift punch in the stomach. Instant dislike. That’s what it was.
“Hi, I’m Doctor Schnall, but you can call me Les.”
Ty nodded.
“Ty, Les is also a cardiothoracic surgeon. A very good one.”
“This hospital is lucky to have you both here.”
“Thank you,” Les replied. To Shayne, he said, “Alright. Call me if you need anything.”
“Will do. Les, thanks again.”
“You’re always welcome.” Les gave Shayne a hug. “Girl, you’ll be operating on who knows how many hearts. Get used to this or you’ll run out of tears.”
“I know.”
“We are not gods. There will be a time when we can’t…we can’t make a heart beat again.” Les waved at the nurse who hovered a few feet away. “Anyway, join us at the lounge when you can. Bring the handsome hankie.”
Ty noticed Les stared at him longer than necessary. He heard everything Les said. The doctor looked sincere, but for some reason, he didn’t feel sincerity in his words. What the fuck was that about? Something dawned on him seconds later. He was jealous of the doctor and what? Something else. Ty placed a hand around Shayne’s shoulders. “He’s really a package.”
“I know. But he prefers someone like Andy.”
“Andy?”
“The O.R. nurse. They’re an item here.”
“Ah.” Somehow, this tidbit of info made Ty smile. Although a heavy knot sat in his belly. Later, he would call Grady and have him check up on both men. “To your office?”
“Yes.”
****
Doctors, nurses, and staff members stared at them as they walked by. How could they not? Ty held her so close. Not to mention, he looked so deliciously good in his wrinkled buttoned up white shirt and hip-hugger faded jeans.
Shayne walked inside her office. Behind her, Ty followed. The first time she’d operated on a patient, she hid here right after and cried for hours, thinking about all the wrong things that could have happened. Since then, she’d operated on numerous patients and each time, this office witnessed her crumble. Today though, Ty was here.
Ty. The man whom she just made love with in her apartment, who pleasured her as if they’d been lovers for a long time. He tasted her until she burst into a million pieces. And—oh, lord. She wanted a repeat of that bliss.
She turned around to look at him. For the first time, she realized how wonderful it was to have someone here—to listen, to share her thoughts with. No. She shouldn’t get used to this. Ty was only here because he had to be. He would leave as soon as her shooting case was over. And when that happened, she would be here again…Alone.
Damn it. Her emotions were all in a jumble.
Her vision blurred, she tried to stare at Ty. Then he opened his arms. Shayne ran to him and sighed as she felt his hands around her.
“You saved another life.”
“Yes, but I was so scared. Do you know how hard it is to work on someone’s heart knowing that one mistake, if something failed, more hearts would break?”
“No. But I know how it felt like to take someone’s life to save another. Don’t torment yourself with could’ve beens, love. You are one great doctor, but there are things that you won’t and cannot do. And guess what? I’m sure that very idea is what keeps your hand steady while operating.” Ty tightened his hold on her. “You’re a stubborn woman who refuses to get beaten, that’s why you’re the best at what you do.”
“But there will probably come a time when someone will die on my operating table. That idea—”
“Don’t entertain it. Look at me. Even if you weren’t able to make a heartbeat again, it is not failure on your part, love. And face it, when it’s in front of you, but not sooner. Look at me.” Ty placed a finger beneath her chin. “You’ve made lots of people happy.”
“Anytime.” He planted a soft kiss on Shayne’s lips. “And you can cry on me whenever you need a hankie. At least Les didn’t compare me to a wet wipe.”
“Les is nice. And smart. He’s been a resident doctor here for two years before I came and the first one who recognized my weaknesses. When Doctor Wallace announced her retirement, I thought Les would get promoted to an admin position.”
“The hospital gave you the position instead?”
“Yeah. But I turned it down. I think Les should get it.”
“Isn’t that an opportunity for you? A better position, don’t you think? You won’t have to spend lots of time in the operating room, playing god.”
“Right, but…I don’t know. I feel that I owe my life to the doctors who saved me when I was a baby. So I want to give back. I know, I sound crazy, but sitting behind the desk is not what I want.”
“I say, do whatever you want. Be a masseuse if it makes you happy.”
Ty’s comment made her smile. “I don’t want to bypass other doctors who’d been here longer than me. I’ll talk to the Dean again. Maybe she’ll change her mind and offer the position to Les.”
Still holding her hand, Ty stood in the middle of the room. “So, this is your office. A table, laptop, two chairs in front of it and a couch in the corner. You’re not into furniture, are you?”
“I like my work area free of clutter. Besides, this is not my place to decorate. And I don’t spend much time here. Only when I have to answer emails, create documents, and—”
“Cry?”
“Yeah, that.”
“There’s nothing wrong with crying. You look cute with a red nose anyway.”
“Very funny.” Sighing, Shayne stared at Ty. She’d met a lot of people from all walks of life, men who looked like gods from Olympus. But she never felt anything like this toward them. With him, she felt so close, attracted, and bordering on falling in love. So crazy, really. But this was nothing but an intense infatuation. And Ty…for all she know, he must have done this more than a handful of times. Once the case was over, he would move on and flirt with another woman. And where would she be? She must end whatever silliness this was between them. No repeat of what happened earlier. She needed make sure of that.
“What’s up with the deep frown, love?”
“Nothing. I’m just drained.”
“You know, you should take a week long vacation, a break from this place.”
Shayne remembered her conversation with her dad. “Can I leave the state if you’re with me?”
”Where are you planning on going?”
“Seattle. To attend my stepsister’s wedding.”
“As long as I’m with you, yes.”
As long as I’m with you. Good lord. She knew what he meant, but why did his words caress her? “Thank you.”
Chapter Six
Days went by so fast while living with a man who showed her a fantastic time in and out of bed, and whom she quickly fell in love with. At one point, she even felt glad that Grady got called to work on a special case in Oregon, leaving Ty and her alone.
They’d settled into an easy routine. She cooked, he cleaned. They shopped together and he drove her to the hospital. And each time she came out of the operating room, he was there waiting with his lopsided grin and open arms.
Tomorrow, they would fly to Seattle. She wasn’t looking forward to it. If it weren’t for her dad, she wouldn’t even go. Besides, she loved what she had right now—work, home, and Ty. She knew the situation was temporary, but she would take it. Deal with consequences later. She’d always been a square, a straight arrow really. This time, she would enjoy what landed on her lap. Walk on the wild side as they say. Later, she would have to play doctor to her own heart. Yeah, she could sew together her own broken and wounded heart, right?
“All packed?” Ty stood just inside her bedroom door.
Shayne took in her fill. Starting from his still wet hair all the way down to his toes.
He’d showered already and wore nothing but his cargo shorts that hung around his hips. They looked old and the pockets had holes where he used to keep his golf tees, he’d told her once. But on him—he just looked so scrumptious.
Oh, dear. She shouldn’t stare. They just had fantastic sex, which she vowed shouldn’t happen again, and yet she felt like she’d never been touched by a man for years. Shoot! She should take it easy. They were happening too fast. Too many things were bouncing inside her head and she couldn’t think straight—and staring at Ty’s delicious body wasn’t helping. Sighing, Shayne closed her suitcase then zipped it. “Yeah.”
“You don’t look excited.” As if he had all the time in the world, he strolled toward her. He didn’t stop until she was forced to back up.
Shayne felt the back of her knees touching the bed. It made her wet. Oh, crap. “I’m not. Can you help me make up excuses, so we can just stay here?”
“Baby, I want nothing but to stay here with you and not leave this apartment.”
“Really? And do what?”
Ty grinned. Slowly, he snaked his hands inside her boxer shorts. “Lots of things. One of which would be to make you moan my name.” He began nibbling her ear.
That familiar ache quickly built inside her. Crap, who was she fooling? She wanted him, hungered for him.
“Baby, I want you.” His voice was raspy.
What about her? What did she want? Oh, hell. Of course, she knew. Shayne licked her lip as she unbuttoned Ty’s cargo shorts. His mouth sucking on her neck hard made her stomach clench. “I want you, too,” she whispered, then sat down on the bed.
Ty’s blue eyes darkened with desire. “Shayne…”
“Let me.”
Ty’s only response was a short nod.
Lust unlike anything assaulted her. Never in her life had she done this. She dated and slept with her boyfriends but she refused to give them a blowjob. However, with Ty, she wanted to do everything. Love, she realized could enslave anyone to make them surrender everything…anything. Shayne held Ty’s cock in her hand. She could see his jaw clenching. “I’ve never done this before. Tell me what you want.”
“Lick my balls, love. And suck them gently. That’s it. Just like that.”
Her eyes on him, she slowly licked him. Her tongue swirled around his balls. She loved it that her pussy throbbed fiercely.
“Oh, god, Shayne. Open your mouth, baby. Take me in. Come on.”
Shayne let Ty move the tip of his cock around her lips like a lipstick. She licked him then curled her tongue around the rim. “You taste good.”
He hissed. “You, too. Now, put me inside your mouth.”
Slow and easy, Shayne put Ty’s cock in her mouth. She began sucking. The movement was so arousing. It felt wicked and so intimate. Ty’s breathing was getting faster, his hips moving pushing a little deeper. Oh, she loved it.
“Shayne…” Ty drew back, then pulled her up only to push her down on the bed. “Naughty doctor.”
“Did I do I good job?”
“Yes, very good. Now it’s my turn.” It didn’t take long before Ty had her naked and open for him. His lips and hands were all over her body.
Shayne felt like a drunk. Overpowering emotions filled her head and body. “Ty…”
“Spread your legs, baby. Oh, yeah. I want your flavor in my mouth. Always. Don’t disappear on me, love, because you’re an addiction.”
Shayne shrieked out Ty’s name when his tongue ran up and down her wet seams, flicked her clit, and moved down to her opening. He devoured her. Licking and sucking over and over until everything around her faded except for the sound of Ty’s breathing and his magical tongue. “So good, Ty. So good.” She touched her nipples and gasped as the sensation shot flames of pleasure down to her clit. Oh, lord. She was unraveling, breaking, turning into a million stars.
Ty rasped at her clit. Shayne instinctively opened her thighs even more as she moaned from the intense pleasu
re. “Ty…Ty!” Ecstasy like she’d never known washed over her. She was still gasping from it when Ty positioned himself above her then thrust deep inside her. His hands gripped her hips, pulling her as he pounded hard into her pussy. She could feel the rush in him, the urgency in his strokes. Seconds later, he shouted her name.
Shayne felt her second orgasm wash over her as she gasped and held on tight. Then while trying to catch her breath, she stared at the ceiling, drained.
“You okay?” Ty licked her still hard nipple then lay down beside her.
“More than okay.”
“Was I really your first?”
Shayne knew what Ty was referring to. “Yes.”
“Glad to hear that. Now, do you want to know more about it?”
Shayne laughed.
Chapter Seven
The drive to The Highlands was quiet. Most of the time, Shayne looked out the window. She’d been eighteen when she left home and had never been back.
She’d told Ty this. He understood if she were a bit nervous seeing her family again. He took the street toward the Seattle Golf Course.
One of the very few exclusive courses in Washington, it was so exclusive in fact, they even denied on of Seattle’s billionaire membership, because his views weren’t very discreet. Plus, the members didn’t want bodyguards to loiter around the course.
Ty slowed down and stopped in front of the guardhouse.
“Hello, sir. Who are you visiting?” A young security asked. However, when he recognized Shayne, he came out to walk around her side. “Princess? You’re back?”
“Hi, Rolly.” Shayne laughed. “So good to see you. How are you? Staying out of trouble, I hope.”
Rolly spread his arms. “Still working here. Got married seven months ago. My wife is pregnant with our first.”
“Really? I’d better meet her, you devil.”
“Of course. Edith would kill me if I didn’t introduce you two. Heard you’re a big time doctor in North Carolina.”
“Nah. I just walk around with my stethoscope around my neck.”
