Hot Single Docs: Meeting His Match. Susan Carlisle

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СКАЧАТЬ name “—is doing quite well now. He did have a setback in ICU but he didn’t require additional surgery. His recovery has been slower than I originally estimated but he’s coming along fine nonetheless. Why? Is there a problem?”

      “All I’m doing is asking the question that was put to me. I’m not accusing you of anything. In order to have a solid, top-notch neuro department, I need to know what’s going on. It’s my job to protect my staff but also make modifications when necessary in patient care.”

      Ryan wasn’t sure how he was supposed to respond to those statements. He glared at Alex. He didn’t appreciate the implication that he couldn’t manage the case or manage his job in general. He needed to get a handle on his ire if he didn’t want to create a problem. Like it or not, Alex was his superior. Antagonizing him wouldn’t be to his own advantage. “What exactly are you insinuating?”

      “I’m not insinuating anything. I’m just voicing a concern.”

      “Just for the record, you should know that I’ve done my homework. I know about you and your malpractice case.”

      Alex leaned forward. The only visible sign that Ryan had hit a sore spot was the tic in Alex’s jaw.

      Ryan received a small amount of perverse pleasure from the other man’s reaction. “I haven’t shared this information with anyone else. I’ll admit that I wanted your job but not if I had to act underhandedly to get it. I wanted it based on my merit and skill. The committee voted for you. You’re a talented doctor and no matter how much I’d like to have your position; I can’t fault your skills as a surgeon.”

      “I appreciate that,” Alex said. “Thank you for clearing the air. It’ll be my job to see that you are left alone to care for your patients. You can count on me standing behind you. If there’s a problem regarding administration then we’ll discuss it behind closed doors.” Alex stood and offered his hand.

      “Agreed.” Ryan shook the other man’s hand. He was pleased with the tentative plan he and Alex had established to stay out of each other’s way based on mutual respect. Ryan still wanted the position of head of Neuro and one day he would have it.

      Long hours later he found Lucy sitting in the surgery waiting room with the family of his most recent surgery patient. He’d stopped being surprised at the consideration she gave to parents.

      Lucy looked up at him from under half-lowered eyelids as he finished speaking to the family. She really was a lovely woman. Her hair was pulled back, making him wish he could take it down and feel its silkiness one more time.

      That evening, she showed up for rounds, adding information as necessary. He was hyper-conscious of every move she made. She held a clipboard against her chest like a breastplate, as if preparing to go to war for her patients. The free tentacle of hair she pushed at impatiently when she spoke intrigued him. Her lips captivated him the most. The urge to create an excuse to see her in his office was so tempting. Only because he respected her enough not to make her feel cheap or self-conscious had he not let his baser instincts run wild.

      The woman had gotten to him. First it had been her gentle ways, then her strong backbone as she’d told him off, then her sexy looks and tasty lips last night.

      “I think Miguel might be well enough to go home early next week. Ms. Edwards, will everything be in place on your end for that to happen?” he asked. Did the others notice her cute, shy ways? What was he going to be doing next, spouting poetry? He had the hots for the leggy family counselor and if he wasn’t careful it was going to show.

      “I have everything lined up. All it needs is your signature on the orders.”

      “Good. I’ll take care of that. I understand there was some concern that the family might have difficulty getting him back here for the post-surgery check-ups.”

      “There’s a group called Care Ride that helps patients with transportation to and from appointments. They either send a car or see that the family has a subway pass for X number of times. I’ve already signed up Miguel’s family and they have been approved.”

      “Excellent.” Ryan smiled at her. “Then I think we’ll send the young man home the better for his visit to Angel’s.”

      The group standing around him chuckled and he winked at her.

      * * *

      Lucy’s heart leaped and did a somersault. He’d included her. A warm feeling washed over her. She was starting to belong somewhere, even if it was just at her job. She was a part of Ryan’s team.

      Twenty minutes later, with purse in hand, she was on her way to meet Nancy in the lobby. Her co-worker needed to deliver some paperwork to a different department so they had decided to meet downstairs. Lucy circled by the nurses’ station on her way out. Ryan sat behind the desk.

      He rolled the chair back when he saw her and smiled. “Hi.”

      She tingled all over at the sight of him. It happened so often around Ryan she’d begun to think of it as her body’s normal reaction. She’d given up fighting it and settled for not letting it be on display.

      “It’s more like bye. See you next week.” She kept walking.

      He stood and met her at the end of the long nurses’ desk. “Hey.” He scanned the area as if looking to see if anyone was paying attention to them. His blue gaze met hers. “How about we have some Volpentesta’s pizza together tonight?”

      She wasn’t sure she could handle being alone with him again after last night. He was well aware of her loneliness and vulnerabilities. Would he take advantage of that? Could she trust him? She certainly couldn’t rely on herself to stop him if he kissed her. Wanting to belong so badly, would she recognize it if Ryan didn’t feel the same? Could she survive if he treated her like he had before? She was a basket of nerves.

      With a sense of relief she said, “I’ve got plans.”

      His look of surprise, then disappointment, made her heart flip. Ryan didn’t get turned down.

      “I want someone to be interested in eating with me for me, not for the pizza my landlord makes.”

      “That has nothing to do with it. I... I—”

      “I’m kidding Ryan. You’re not the only one who can make a joke.”

      He looked around again before his gaze came back to bore into hers. This time the crystal blue held a sauna-warm intensity. “I thought I proved last night that I like you. You taste better than any pizza I’ve ever had.” His voice had softened.

      Heat filled her and she looked away.

      “What’re you doing tonight?”

      “Hey, Lucy, I thought you were going to meet me in the lobby?” Nancy said as she approached them.

      “I was on my way. Sorry you had to come back up.”

      Nancy looked from her to Ryan and grinned. “Ryan, we’re on our way to O’Malley’s for a drink. Want to join us?”

      Only with supreme self-control did Lucy suppress a groan. No way would she ever relax with Ryan in the group. It was all she could do not to act like she had a schoolgirl crush around him as it was. She certainly didn’t СКАЧАТЬ