by Sykes, V. K.
“First week of July,” Maddie replied. “This baby is so huge I’d swear there were twins in here if I didn’t know better. But look at my husband and you can see why.”
Holly eyed Jake Miller as they shook hands. Nate found himself clenching his jaw at her appreciative look as she sized up his mountain man of a friend. At six-four and close to two hundred fifty pounds, Jake was a hell of an impressive specimen. Holly gazed seriously for a moment at the two of them standing side by side, as if she were comparing them at a celebrity auction.
Nate put his arm around Jake’s shoulders. “Holly, this gorilla is my best friend in the whole world. He’s actually a lot smarter than he looks, too.”
“Nah,” Jake retorted, “I’m obviously dumb as an ear of corn because I keep putting up with you, Carter.”
Maddie groaned. “Ignore the boys, Holly. They rag each other endlessly, like irritating little brothers. It’s some kind of jock ritual that I’m afraid will never end. You’ll just have to get used to it.”
Holly flinched a bit, but then laughed. She patted Maddie on the shoulder before returning to her seat beside Dr. Fredericks. Nate flagged down a waiter and ordered three bottles of a Sonoma Valley Cabernet and three of a French Sancerre. As the table’s host, he wanted to make sure everyone had a good time.
Especially Dr. Holly Bell. After all, he had plans for her later tonight.
As he took his seat, Holly was already in full-flight conversation with Fredericks. Between Maddie’s easygoing warmth and Fredericks’ collegiality, she seemed at ease right away. Nate took the opportunity to study the contour of her neck and shoulders in the sexy sleeveless dress. She’d draped her glossy, long hair to the side and down over her shoulder, revealing the perfectly smooth skin of her elegant neck. It was all he could do to stop himself from leaning forward and running his tongue and his lips over every square inch of that exposed skin. He was enjoying thinking about what he would do to her later when Holly turned back, catching him unawares.
“I love these cute little snow globes,” she said. She picked up one of the little souvenirs the tournament committee put in front of each place setting. “Philadelphia landmarks. What a great idea.” She turned the globe over and then set it back down upright. As the flakes fell over the miniature Independence Hall, Holly gave him a wide smile, obviously delighted.
“You can take it home,” he said. “Party gift.”
She gave a laugh as smooth and sweet as hot honey.
“You bet I will,” she said.
Her smile was so inviting that he almost leaned in and kissed her right then and there. But Maddie broke in, tapping his arm. She started to say something about the Patriots, then stopped as she craned her very pregnant body to see around him. Nate followed her gaze and saw Martha and Dirk sweep into the room. Martha was a step in front, more or less dragging Dirk by the hand. Poor Dirk looked nervous and uncomfortable, dwarfed and intimidated by Martha’s flamboyant personality. She sashayed around the table planting air kisses on everyone, including the Fredericks, who she’d met at the previous year’s banquet. When she got to Nate and Holly, she took a quick step back, looked the two of them over with arched eyebrows and whistled.
“Hoo-whee,” she said, “will you just look at these two! Isn’t that just a darn magazine cover in the making? Have y’all seen a handsomer couple north of the Mason-Dixon Line?”
Nate sighed. Martha did like to ramp up the Southern Belle routine for first impressions.
Everyone at the table stood except Maddie. Nate glanced at Holly, who had started to blush under Martha’s avid examination. Cursing silently, he moved quickly to intervene.
“Martha, Dirk, you know everyone here except Holly.” Nate put a comforting hand on Holly’s shoulder, and first introduced her to Dirk. “And this often annoying creature,” he said with a fake growl, “is my good friend, the one and only Martha Winston.”
“They broke the mold after they made Martha,” Jake quipped to Holly, obviously trying to make her feel comfortable.
“As a public service,” Nate added.
“Now you jock boys mind your manners,” Martha scolded, shaking her finger at them. “The doctor might just start believing your juvenile hogwash.”
Martha hugged Holly, giving her air kisses on both cheeks. When she whispered a few words in her ear, Holly looked startled for a moment before she broke into a smile.
Nate frowned. Jesus, what trouble is she up to now? As usual, Martha had immediately drawn all the attention to herself. God knew she was a great friend, but her diva qualities sometimes drove him nuts.
When they sat back down, Nate murmured in Holly’s ear. “What lie did she just tell you about me?”
Holly’s eyes danced with amusement. “Mr. Big Ego. Why do you think it was about you?”
He snorted. “Let’s just say Martha and I have a history, and we know each other very well. Too well. She lives to pull my chain.”
“Is that a fact? Well, she seems very nice to me,” Holly said in a teasing voice.
Two could play at that game. “Of course,” he said solemnly, laying a hand over his heart, “I’d never do anything like that to her.”
“I’ll just bet. All right, if you must know, she told me that I look way too sweet for—how did she put it? Oh, an old hound dog like Nate Carter.”
A mischievous little smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “And,” she continued, “I’m inclined to think she could be right.”
“She’s a vixen,” Nate said, trying not to laugh.
Holly poked him, pure joy lighting up her beautiful face.
Yep. The night was getting off to a damn good start.
* * *
The food at the Belfield was a significant cut above the usual fare Holly had experienced at rubber chicken banquets. In fact, the whole evening was wonderful. The Dover sole had been perfect, and the conversation witty and entertaining, no doubt lubricated by the generous amounts of wine Nate had ordered for the table. She was happy to see, though, that he kept his drinking to a level appropriate for someone driving. She liked that he was that disciplined and responsible, even while making sure that everyone else had a good time.
More importantly, despite a lot of joking around with his friends, he’d been incredibly attentive and focused on her for most of the evening. So much for it not being an official date. He made her feel practically like a princess, and it scared her how good that felt.
After the dessert, Maddie leaned into Nate, whispering in his ear. He nodded and rose, pulling his chair out so Maddie could slide across into his seat. Nate then took Maddie’s chair next to Jake.
The pregnant young woman smiled and put her hand on Holly’s arm. “I hope you don’t mind that I asked Nate to move over for a little while. I really wanted to have a chance to talk to you.”
“Not at all. I’m glad you did,” Holly said, meaning it.
“I understand you’re a pediatric surgeon.”
Holly nodded. “I started at PCH a few weeks ago. It’s been quite a change for me from my university job. And I’m still getting used to life in the big city.”
“I can imagine. But practicing in a children’s hospital must bring a lot of satisfaction. Working with kids every day.”
Suddenly, Lance Arnold’s menacing image rushed into Holly’s mind.
Kids, yes. Parent, not always.
She shook it off. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do. But days like today remind me how hard it can sometimes be.”
“Tough day?”
“I’ve had better.” She gave a polite smile, not wanting to elaborate.
Maddie gave a sympathetic nod. “It’s hard to see kids suffering.”
“It sure is. There’s always much to be thankful for, and most of the work is incredibly rewarding. But, you’re right, it’s tough sometimes. We’re taught to keep a tight hold on our emotions and not get invested. But it’s impossible not to get close to your patients, Maddie. Especially ones so you
ng and vulnerable. When you lose one of them, it’s really...”
She let the words trail off as she reached for her wine glass, knowing how inadequate that sounded. But no doctor could explain what it felt like, and it was better not to even try.
“Emotions at a children’s hospital must be incredibly intense,” Maddie said thoughtfully. “I can’t imagine what the parents go through. I don’t envy you having to deal with all that.”
Holly sighed inwardly, wishing she could change the subject. “It’s not easy, but I try my best to put myself in the parents’ shoes. They’re almost all wonderful to work with, and very understanding, even at the worst of times. But occasionally we get some very difficult characters.”
She finished the last quarter inch of wine in her glass. Nate leaned across and instantly refilled it. He gave her a wink, and Holly couldn’t hold down a blush.
Fortunately, Maddie didn’t notice because she was staring longingly at Holly’s wine glass. Holly sympathized. The poor woman probably hadn’t had a drink in months. Their gazes met, and Maddie gave a sheepish laugh.
“Yes, I’m that shallow. I’m thrilled that we’re having a baby, but I can’t wait to get this basketball out of me,” she said. “Anyway, tell me how you met Nate. At the hospital, I presume?”
“Yes, last week.” Holly glanced at Nate over Maddie’s shoulder. He’d turned his back to her after filling her glass, and was now talking to Jake and Martha. His broad, strong shoulders tapered down to a waist that she could only describe as trim for a man of his height. The muscles of his right arm bulged against the fabric of his suit as he rested his elbow on the table.
From their animated conversation, Holly could see they were a trio of best friends. Just watching them together gave her a warm but wistful feeling. She’d always been too absorbed in her work to build and nurture lasting friendships. Rebecca was her closest pal but she only saw her sporadically, and most of Holly’s other university and med school relationships had faded away.
She brought herself back to the conversation. “Nate was there visiting patients. It was just one of those chance meetings.”
“I want to hear more about that, Holly,” Maddie said. “But I’m going to have to excuse myself for a few minutes first. I’m afraid nature’s calling, yet again. One of the joys of late stage pregnancy.” She started to push herself up. “But don’t you dare go away.”
Holly stood. “Wait, Maddie. Let me go with you and help.” The pregnant woman gave her a grateful smile as Holly hauled her up. Jake and Nate both jumped up, too, but she waved them back to their chairs.
She led a waddling Maddie through the maze of tables and out through the main doors of the banquet room. The restrooms were just a few yards down the corridor. As soon as they got inside, Maddie shooed her away and went into a stall.
Holly pulled her gloss out of her bag and freshened up her lips. She forced herself to take extra care since her vision seemed a little less than perfect and her hands were nowhere near surgical-steady. The combination of the before-dinner bourbon and two and a half glasses of white wine had probably put her over the legal limit. She rarely over-indulged, but tonight she’d needed to relax and forget about her gruesome day. And calm her edginess over Nate.
When Maddie emerged, they made easy conversation about babies while Maddie freshened up. Then, the other woman turned around, leaned her butt up against the counter, and fixed Holly with a determined gaze. “Holly, how much do you really know about Nate?”
Holly blinked and almost shook her fuzzy head. Had she missed a transition in the conversation?
“Not very much, I suppose,” she said, wishing now that she hadn’t had that last glass of wine. “Though I did a little research after he asked me to this banquet. Ah, and a friend of mine offered me a little…insight, too.”
Maddie arched a brow. “Insight?”
Oh, crap. “Well, all right, she talked about his reputation with women,” she said with an apologetic smile. She so did not want to talk about Nate’s sexual proclivities with one of his best friends.
Maddie snorted. “I’m not surprised. That’s exactly why I decided to bring this subject up with you.
Holly’s neck muscles went into lockdown. Please don’t let this be anything bad.
“If even half the stuff the tabloids and papers make up about Nate’s love life were true,” Maddie continued, “he’d have probably died of sheer exhaustion years ago.” She wrinkled her nose as if to communicate her distaste before going on. “Just don’t believe everything you read about him, that’s all I’m saying. He’s a really good man, Holly.”
Holly finally let herself breathe out. “The press loves to make stuff up about celebrities. I’m not worried about that.” Well, not exactly true, but better to keep those misgivings to herself.
“Good. I hardly know you yet, Holly, but I can already tell you’re a fine person. And I can see by the way Nate’s been locked onto you all evening that if he has anything to say about it, this isn’t going to be a one date thing.”
A ripple of excitement pulsed through her. “I hope not,” she said.
Maddie opened her mouth but before she could get out another word, Martha burst into the restroom.
“Ha! I was right! I thought you two might be having a secret girl meeting in here. Hon, is Maddie telling you a pack of lies about Nate?
Holly laughed. “On the contrary. She’s been giving me some useful information.”
“Is that a fact? Well, I’ve got some information for you, too.” Martha shook out her honey-blond hair as she pulled a compact from her glittery evening bag. “I believe I know Nate Carter better than any living soul other than his mama and daddy, and I can tell you that the man is totally hot for you. Whew,” she said, pretending to fan herself, “I could feel all that glorious man-heat way across the other side of the table!”
Holly started to laugh, partly out of amusement, but mostly out of embarrassment. “You make me laugh, Martha,” she said. “But you’re exaggerating big-time.”
Martha shook her head sternly. “You can bet that sweet tush of yours I’m not exaggerating one tiny bit. Look, honey, trust me on this. Our boy Nate has been smitten, hasn’t he, Maddie?”
Maddie had been chuckling all the way through Martha’s performance, but she pulled herself together. “We know him pretty well, Holly. Martha’s right, though I don’t think Nate knows quite what to do with you yet.”
Holly suddenly felt overwhelmed. Maddie and Martha were very kind in trying to smooth the way for her, and she didn’t doubt they knew Nate Carter a whole lot better than she did. But this was not a conversation she wanted to have, not until she had a better handle on her own complicated reaction to the man.
“You ladies are so sweet, but you’re making me blush,” she said, taking a step toward the door. “I think we’d better rejoin the gentlemen or they’ll think we’re hatching some kind of plot.”
Martha gave her a conspiratorial wink. “Well, hell, that’s exactly what we’re doing, hon. And nothing works better to whet a man’s appetite than to keep him waiting while we do it.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Nate had enjoyed watching Holly charm the rest of the table with her intelligence and her sweet, slightly retiring manner. He gave himself a pat on the back for having the brains to ask her out tonight, and silently thanked Martha for putting the idea in his head.
But right now he couldn’t wait for the damn speeches and trophy presentations to end. Even at the best of times he found it hard to sit still for so long, but tonight he felt ready to crawl out of his skin. His body hummed with energy, and an overwhelming desire to get Holly Bell alone.
Alone anywhere—as long as he had her all to himself.
Earlier in the evening, she’d spent most of her time talking to Dr. Fredericks. Although Nate had expected that, he didn’t have to like it. But since coming back from the rest room, she’d focused almost completely on him, laughing at all his jokes and asking
questions about baseball. She looked and acted more confident, too. It made him wonder what had gone on in that long trip to the bathroom with the scheming duo of Maddie Leclair Miller and Martha Winston.
Finally, Holly glanced at him, signaling her readiness to leave. As they got up, she wobbled just enough to let him know she could use an arm to steady her. When he slid his arm around her waist as they said their goodbyes, she leaned into him slightly and Nate’s hormones kicked into overdrive.
He kept his arm firmly around her as they strolled down a flagstone path to the parking lot. “Have a good time tonight?” he said softly.
“I sure did,” she murmured. “Your friends are great. I especially liked Maddie and Martha.”
Nate was not interested in talking about his well-meaning but sometimes annoying friends. He wanted Holly’s attention fully on him. “I usually find these banquets boring, but not tonight. It’s obviously because I spent the evening with the most beautiful and interesting woman in the place.”
She hesitated a second longer than he liked. “You’re sweet to say that, but I think that must be the wine talking. And, speaking of wine, I could kick myself for drinking as much as I did. I had a grand plan you know,” she said with a sleepy, sexy smile.
Oh, he had some grand plans too, and he was about to set them in motion. “Hold that thought.”
He opened the passenger door of the DB9 and handed an almost boneless Holly into the seat. After he went around and slid into his own seat, he turned to face her.
“Okay, the grand plan. I’m almost afraid to ask,” he said, deadpan.
The smile shaping her full, sensual mouth drove him crazy with lust.
