What the Heart Wants ; Sealed with a Kiss

by Donna Hill

  She flipped the omelet and adjusted the flame. “One minute I do, the next I don’t.” She picked up the spatula and folded the omelet, then lifted the fluffy confection from the pan and slid it onto a platter. After setting the platter on the counter she took out a prepackaged container of mixed fruit from the fridge—watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple slices and grapes—then took a seat opposite Franklin. She looked right at him. “I’m going to stay until the inquiry is over and you’re back in place.”

  He sliced the omelet in half and slid it onto his plate. “What happens if things go sideways with this inquiry? Would you plan to stay in the position?”

  The fork stopped midway between the plate and her mouth. She put it back down. “What are you asking me—exactly? Because it sounds suspiciously like that BS you were talking about before—me trying to take your job.”

  He turned his head away for a moment, then looked right back at her. He put down his fork, blew out a breath. “Yeah, you’re right. It does. I can’t even say for sure that I don’t mean it.” His brows drew together. “If it came to that—” he rocked his jaw “—I wouldn’t want anyone else in there but you.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “I guess what I’m saying is, if you are presented with the opportunity—take it.”

  “That’s not going to happen. The inquiry is going to prove that the death was not your fault.”

  He snorted a laugh. “You still don’t get it. This is beyond what happened in surgery. This is about replacing me, Dina.”

  “And you don’t get it. I’m not going to be part of dismantling someone’s career.” She looked deep into his eyes. “Especially someone I love.”

  The tight lines around his eyes eased. The beginnings of a smile curved the corner of his mouth. “One of the early lessons in med school is that while we may empathize, as doctors we must think with our heads and not our hearts. We put aside our personal ideologies and make decisions that are in the best interest of the patient.”

  “What are you telling me?”

  “Don’t think with your heart.” He lifted his glass of wine, tipped it toward her, then took a swallow. “Do what’s right for the patient.”

  * * *

  Dina slipped into bed next to Franklin and curved her body against his. Tenderly he kissed the hollow of her neck.

  “This is very easy to get used to,” he whispered, while slowly stroking her hip.

  “Very,” she sighed. She took his hand and raised it to cup her breast. “I want you.”

  “Hmmm,” he murmured. His growing erection pressed against her belly. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

  Their entwined fingers moved from the swell of her breasts, down to the dip in her stomach to between her thighs. With little guidance from her, Franklin gently parted the damp folds and played with her pulsing clit. Dina writhed against his hand, the intense sensation shimmying along her limbs. She sucked in a tight breath when his finger slipped up inside her. She rubbed her derriere against him much to Franklin’s groans of delight.

  “You gonna get yourself in trouble, woman,” he said into her hair.

  “Funny, I was looking for trouble.” She wiggled onto her back. “Think I found it.” She wrapped her fingers around him.

  Franklin sucked in air through his teeth. “Yeah, baby, I think you have.”

  No matter how many times they made love, it always felt like the first time. That first electric shock of having him enter her, fill her, move inside her never lost its power to thrill and surprise. She locked her long legs around his waist, pulling him so close only the faintest stream of air could come between them. She wished that she could absorb him into her pores, make him part of her essence.

  Franklin was intense, complicated, brilliant, an incredible lover and a man who lived by his convictions. He was willing to forgo everything that he’d worked for if it was what she ultimately wanted. After the loss of her parents there was no one to care about her like that—not even close. But now that she’d found unconditional love with a man who should be her rival she wasn’t sure that she could make that leap—to enrich herself at his expense. Her love for him was equally as benevolent. She knew how much his work, his research and what he’d built meant to him, no matter what he told her.

  And that was the impasse.

  She held him tighter, planted hot, fervent kisses on his cheeks, his neck, his lips, felt him swell and stiffen inside her. Her heart raced as her hips rose to meet the rising pace of his thrusts. Her insides quickened. Their breathing escalated, met and exploded in a burst of cries and moans that shook them like petals in the wind.

  * * *

  “There’s coffee,” Dina said when Franklin walked into the kitchen the following morning with only a towel wrapped around his waist.

  “Thanks.” He poured a cup and sat down.

  “I’m going to leave in a few minutes. Rounds. It’s too early for visitors so feel free to hang here if you want.”

  “I need to go home and change, anyway. Check in with Alonzo and Monty. Then I’ll come by.”

  She nodded, but avoided looking at him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Her lashes fluttered. She gave him a quick look and shrugged. “Nothing. Just thinking about Freeman.”

  Franklin poured some French Vanilla creamer in his cup. “I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.”

  Dina pushed away from the table, came around, lifted his chin in her palm and softly kissed him. “See you later?”

  He nodded.

  She turned and walked out.

  Chapter 37

  Franklin tossed his day-worn clothes in the hamper and went through his closet to find something to put on when his cell phone buzzed.

  He padded across the bedroom and picked the phone up from the nightstand. “Lindsay...”

  “Good morning. I hope this isn’t a bad time.”

  “No. I was getting ready to come to the hospital.”

  “Can we meet first?”

  He squeezed his eyes shut and lifted his face toward the ceiling. “Sure. What time?”

  “Actually,” she paused, “I’m about two blocks away from your building.”

  His eyes flew open. He frowned. “Really?”

  “Is it okay if I stopped by? It won’t take long.”

  The last place he needed or wanted Lindsay was in his apartment. “You remember the restaurant downstairs?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll meet you there in twenty minutes.” He heard her stifled sigh.

  “Fine. See you then.”

  “Right.” He disconnected the call, tossed the phone onto the bed. He wanted to give Lindsay the benefit of the doubt. After all, she did provide him with some options and she did say she would go to bat for him. He was going to have to swallow his pride and deal with her until this mess was over.

  He pulled a white cotton dress shirt from the closet, and a pair of gray slacks. Reflexively he reached for his lab coat with his name etched into the pocket and stopped with his hand on the hanging jacket. The jacket represented so much more than a piece of clothing. It was a metaphor for all the work, countless sleepless hours and dedication that it took to earn that coat. Now it reflected everything he stood to lose. He took the shirt and slacks and got dressed.

  Before he left he called both Alonzo and Monty and advised them of his plans to see their mother, then head over to see Dad. He left out the part about Lindsay, knowing how they both felt about her. He didn’t need to hear their grumbling and griping to add to his own.

  He grabbed his lightweight black leather jacket, car and house keys and headed out.

  * * *

  When he pushed through the doors of the restaurant, he was surprised that it was pretty busy with sit-down customers at eight o’clock in the morning. Generally, at this time of the morning he would
be in his office, in surgery or on the floors of the cardiac wing. He shoved out a breath, looked around and spotted Lindsay in a back booth. She was on the phone. He took his time walking down the aisle to where she sat.

  Lindsay lifted her chin in acknowledgement and ended her call. She smiled broadly. “Thanks for coming,” she said, while he slid into the seat opposite her.

  “I didn’t order. If I remember correctly you don’t really do breakfast.”

  His eyebrow flicked.

  The waitress stopped at their table. Franklin ordered coffee. Lindsay did as well along with a toasted bagel.

  “So what was so important?” He leaned back in his seat and waited.

  “I had a talk with the CEO.”

  “And?”

  “He’s willing to go to the board on your behalf, nix the whole idea of you being replaced. We’ll deal with the outcome of the inquiry, but your job is not going to be in jeopardy.”

  Franklin drew in a long breath and let it out slowly. He linked his fingers together on top of the table and leaned forward. “Why are you doing this?”

  “The PC version or the truth?”

  “Your call.”

  “Well, the PC version is that letting you go, with your reputation, would be a nightmare for the hospital, and that will affect the bottom line.”

  “Okay. And the truth?”

  She ran her tongue along her bottom lip. “I owe you, Franklin. What happened with us, the way I handled things was wrong. You didn’t deserve that.”

  He studied her expression looking for any sign that she was doing what she did best, running a game. But that part mattered less than the PC version. If he could get this incident behind him and move on, that was all he wanted—to get back to his patients. Slowly he nodded his head. “And what do I owe you in return?”

  The waitress returned with their orders.

  “Not that you owe me anything, but...dinner would be nice. As friends.”

  Franklin glanced away. Telling her that he was involved with someone was out of the question. Knowing Lindsay she’d ask questions. And he certainly couldn’t tell her about Dina. “Sure. I guess that would be okay. As friends,” he added with emphasis.

  “Perfect.” She stretched her hand across the table and covered his. “How’s tomorrow night?”

  “Uhh, tomorrow.” He eased his hand away. “I’m not sure about that.”

  “Well, think about it.” She lifted the mug to her lips and took a delicate sip.

  Chapter 38

  Dina sat behind her desk and scrolled through the information on the computer screen that detailed the rotation schedule for the day. Thankfully there were no surgeries until later in the week. After her morning rounds she would go up and see Dr. Freeman and give him her decision.

  Her first stop was to check on a patient who had a pacemaker replacement and was listed to be discharged. She signed off on the paperwork with at-home instructions, wished him well, then continued her rounds. Her last stop was to see Ellen Grant.

  She slid open the glass door to Ellen’s room, pumped disinfectant on her hands from the dispenser on the wall, then snapped on a pair of latex gloves.

  Ellen’s eyes fluttered and a haloed smile of recognition lit her light brown eyes.

  “How are you feeling this morning?” Dina asked as she approached the side of the bed, happy to see Ellen sitting up with a light breakfast tray. She set her iPad down on the bedside table. “Making good progress, I see,” Dina said. “How did you sleep?”

  “I’d rather be in my own bed.”

  Dina laughed lightly. “I’m sure you would.” Dina smiled and lifted Ellen’s delicate wrist to check her pulse. “I see they removed the oxygen mask. Are you comfortable with the nostril inserts?”

  Ellen gave a slight shrug. “I won’t complain.”

  “I want to check your incision. Okay?” She parted Ellen’s gown and inspected the bandage. Delicately she peeled back the surgical tape and the gauze covering. She took a few moments for her examination, then replaced the bandage. “Looks good,” she said while taking her stethoscope from around her neck. “Take a deep breath for me.” She listened intently to the life-affirming beat of Ellen’s heart. “Another deep breath,” she said softly. Finally she redraped the stethoscope around her neck. She placed her hand on Ellen’s shoulder. “Everything sounds good, Mrs. Grant. The nurse will be in to run the EKG. As soon as I get the results back we’ll talk about getting you out of bed and into a chair. Hopefully, later today.” She smiled down at Ellen.

  Ellen gripped Dina’s hand with surprising strength. “Where’s Louis?”

  “From what I understand from Franklin, your husband is doing really well. No major injuries, but they were keeping him for a day or two. I’m sure Franklin can tell you more when he comes to see you.”

  “I want to see my husband,” she whispered, taking Dina’s hand. “I need to see him.”

  Dina pressed her lips together in thought. “Let me see what I can do. I’m sure we can work something out.” She was immediately thinking of a FaceTime or Skype visit. She was pretty sure that the doctors at the hospital used iPads. She’d text Franklin and ask him to check. “I’ll be back to see you later.”

  Ellen reached out, and with a surprising grip. “Wait. You and my son...”

  Dina took a quick look over her shoulder toward the door. She stepped closer to the bed. “Yes?”

  “He thinks this relationship between you is only temporary. Is it?”

  Dina lowered her gaze for a moment then looked into Ellen’s eyes. “No. It isn’t temporary. At least I don’t want it to be.”

  “Does he know that?”

  Dina patted Ellen’s hand. “Yes, he does. We talked.”

  Ellen released a sigh. Her eyes darkened. “Franklin is not only a brilliant doctor, and a wonderful son, he is a good man. He doesn’t deserve what is happening and he has to come out of this whole on the other side.”

  “Please, I don’t want you to worry. I’m sure that you know your son can take care of himself, no matter what. Finish your breakfast. I’ll be back later.”

  * * *

  She stopped at the nurse’s station and on her iPad added her notes to Ellen’s instructions, then exported them to the central computer at the nursing station providing the latest updates for any doctor or nurse who came in to treat Ellen. She put in the request for the EKG.

  “I’ll be off the floor for about a half hour. My pager is on if you need to reach me,” Dina said to the head nurse. “As soon as the EKG results come back, let me know.”

  She went to her office for privacy and placed a call to Franklin. She was greeted by his voice mail.

  “Hey, just saw your mom. She’s doing well. Wants to see your dad. So, I was hoping that perhaps when you visit your dad we could set up a Skype or FaceTime so they could at least see each other. Anyway, I’m heading to see Freeman. We’ll talk later.” She disconnected the call and dropped her phone into her pocket. She reviewed two charts and verified the shift schedule before heading off to see Dr. Freeman.

  * * *

  Dina started off down the corridor just as Franklin, Alonzo and Monty stepped off the elevator. She walked right up to them.

  “Good morning,” she said, greeting the chocolate trio of delight. “I just came from your mother’s room.” She looked from one to the other. “She’s doing well. I ordered an EKG, and, depending on the readout, we will try to get her up in a chair later today. Then taking a few steps tomorrow.”

  “Isn’t that too soon?” Monty asked, concern deepening the line of worry between his brows.

  “It’s common practice,” Franklin jumped in. “Patients respond much better the sooner we can get them up and moving. But if I don’t think she’s ready, she’s not ready.”

  Dina’s censoring gaze leaped to Franklin. Wha
t she didn’t need was Franklin riding shotgun on her case, even if the patient was his mother. God forbid anything went wrong, she needed to be assured that she had the confidence of the family. “The test and my assessment will determine if she’s ready,” she said, directing her very clear position at Franklin. “She’s eager to see you all and get an update on your father,” she added before Franklin had a chance for a comeback. “I’ve got a meeting, but I’ll be in to check on her later.” She stepped around the trio and pressed the Up button.

  “Thanks, Doctor,” Alonzo said.

  “Of course.”

  The metal doors swooshed open. She stepped on and faced the brothers. “Check your voice mail,” she directed at Franklin. She stabbed the button for the top floor and the doors slid shut.

  The last thing she wanted to do was walk into Freeman’s office agitated. She needed to be clearheaded for whatever he put in front of her and not have her decisions tainted by emotion. Because right now she felt like snatching Franklin up by the collar. How dare he attempt to undermine her decision right in front of his family? She was Ellen Grant’s doctor. Her decisions about treatment protocol were her decisions to make. Ellen would be in Cardiac ICU for at least another one to two days, and then to a regular room before being discharged, barring any complications or setbacks. And until she signed off on Ellen being released, what she said went. Period. Franklin was simply going to have to understand that, as difficult as it may be.

  She drew in a breath of calm and walked toward the double doors leading to the president’s office.

  “Good morning. I’m here to see Dr. Freeman,” she said to his assistant.

  “Good morning, Dr. Hamilton. Dr. Freeman is expecting you, but he has someone in his office at the moment. If you would have a seat, I’ll let him know you’re here.”

  “Of course. Thank you.” She walked over to the far side of the expansive waiting area and lowered herself down onto the plush lounge chair that felt expensive. On her previous visit she’d been too agitated to pay much attention to her surroundings. Now taking a moment to really look around she was a bit awed. Nothing was overstated but it was clear from the butter-soft off-white carpet to the mocha-toned Italian leather furnishings to the artwork and signed photographs of dignitaries and superstars that hung on pristine walls, that any visitor to the upper echelons of Jameson Memorial’s inner sanctum would believe that this was where the real power resided.