Pursuit For Lucidity (Crashing Waves) (14 page)

“
She just barged in again,” Laura began.  “She didn’t call or make an appointment.  I’m beginning to think
she
is the CEO and not Walter,” we both laughed.  “I heard her telling Walter that the surgeons are requesting more OR time and have been talking about operating in other hospitals if they don’t get what they want here.  It’s the same story, I’ve been hearing it for years,” Laura added.

Laura
’s wedding was going to be in the Spring.  We went to lunch together that day and she showed me pictures of flowers and cakes that she liked.

“
You’re invited to my wedding, by the way.  Once I confirm the exact date, I will let you know so you don’t make other plans, okay?” She asked, excitedly.

“
I wouldn’t miss if for the world, Laura,” I assured.

It was getting closer to the weekend and I was getting excited.  I was still undecided a
bout what I would be wearing on Saturday night, but I knew one thing for sure; I needed to borrow one of my mother’s Jimmy Choo shoes because they were very sexy and comfortable enough to dance in for hours.  I called my mother to ask if I could borrow them and would stop by after work to pick them up.  She sounded very excited about my upcoming weekend and couldn’t wait to hear all about it afterwards.

I drove to my parents’
house after work to pick out the shoes.

“
Oh, Claire, these shoes would go so well with your nude dress with the black lace stitching.  You should definitely wear that dress and these shoes to go with it,” my mother reminded me of the perfect dress.

“
That’s a good idea, mom, thanks.  I was still confused about what to wear, but you’ve made it easier now,” I thanked her.

I decided to make
turkey tacos that night, which was another easy item on my menu.  My brothers always loved it when I made that, so I assumed Alex would like it as well.  I called Alex to tell him what I was going to make for dinner and he sounded thrilled.  I couldn’t wait until he arrived, so we could eat together.  A few minutes after I finished making the tacos and chopping everything, Alex knocked on the door.

“
Hi, baby.  Mm, smells good in here,” he said as he kissed me.

“
Hi yourself,” I said as I kissed him back.  We sat down and started eating the tacos.  Alex really loved them. He couldn’t stop complimenting me on how delicious they had turned out.  He must have been really hungry because there were no leftovers.  I told him that I stopped by at my parents’ house to borrow sexy shoes from my mother’s closet. I wasn’t going to show him until he saw the whole outfit on Saturday night.

“
Not even a glimpse? Please, baby,” he pleaded, making a sad face.

“
Nope, sorry.  I think you will like it when it’s all put together with my hair and makeup done,” I explained.

“
Fine.  I will wait.  Good things come to those who wait, right?” he grinned.  “So, I ran into Mark today and he told me all kinds of crap about the rude email you sent him.  He mentioned something about how you would have to ask your boss if you could help the department with work related things.  He went on and on.  I wanted to break his teeth, but I held back, since you don’t want anyone to know about us.  You cannot imagine how badly I wanted to tell that son of a bitch to back off and that you are mine, but I bit my tongue.  I bit my tongue for you, baby,” he added.  “By the way, for such a hot girl, you’ve got some balls.  That’s such a turn on, Claire.  It’s getting harder and harder to keep my hands off of you,” he confessed.

I leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear, “I never asked you to keep your hands off of
me, just as long as they stay on the safe areas of my body,” I clarified.  His taco fell out of his hand and onto his plate.

He started kissing me, “Show me the safe areas,” he commanded.  I took his hand and put it on
my abdomen.

“
Here and above are the safe areas.  Just stay above the waist,” I said.

He smiled, “We are making progress, baby,” he was like a little boy in a ca
ndy store.  Alex was so excited that his hands were all over me, like an octopus.  I had to put an end to his excitement, so we could clean up and go to bed.  He had an early morning surgery scheduled for the next day and I didn’t want him to be distracted.

“
Oh come on, Claire, I was having so much fun,” he said disappointed.

“
I know, Alex. That much fun leads to danger,” I replied.  “Come. Let’s get some sleep,” I said as I kissed him.

<><><>

I was awakened by Alex’s alarm at four in the morning and could not go back to sleep.  I tossed and turned, but I just couldn’t fall asleep to save my life.  Alex kept hitting the snooze and I kept awakening from the next alarm.  He finally got out of bed and jumped in the shower.  I decided I would get out of bed and do an hour of yoga, since I could not sleep.  When Alex came down stairs, he found me in the living room turning on the television.  “Good morning, beautiful.  What are you doing up so early?” he asked.

“
I couldn’t go back to sleep, so I thought I would do yoga before work.  I can’t think of a better way to start my day,” I said.

Alex wrapped his arms around my waist, “I could think of a few great ways to start off my day
, but I know you wouldn’t agree,” he smiled.

I kissed him
, “Goodbye, Alex.  See you tonight,” I replied.

“
Bye, baby.  Miss you already,” he said as he headed out.  After my yoga session, I showered and dressed.  I ate a bowl of oatmeal and began my drive to work.

Walter
called me from his office the minute I made it to my desk, “Good morning, Claire.  Could you please send out another meeting invitation to the surgical team?  Taryn mentioned more of the surgeons would like to meet to discuss more OR time.  Schedule it for next Thursday morning around seven, please,” he said.

“
Sure, I will get right on it,” I replied and began creating the meeting invitation, in high hopes that Mark Kohler and Taryn Simmonds would not be able to make it.  I had such a busy day that I didn’t realize that it was almost one in the afternoon.  I had a text on my phone from Alex.

I’m out of the OR.  Can we meet for lunch at Bradley’s?

Ok, I will head out that way now.

I told Laura I needed to run a personal errand during lunch and drove to the diner.  Alex was sitting at our usual table.  “Hey, beautiful,” he said as he stood up, giving me a kiss.  He looked worn out from the surgery, but very handsome, as usual.

“
Hey, you look a little tired, Alex,” I noted.

“
I am tired.  We had a pretty difficult case today, but we managed to complete the first of many surgeries successfully,” he replied.  “I’m going to Guatemala next week for some pro bono work I do a few times a year over there as part of the Make
Children Smile Foundation
.
  I will be doing some craniofacial plastic surgery and cleft palate repairs on children with such defects.  I’ll be gone for a couple of weeks.  I wish you could come with me, Claire.  Would you come with me?” he pleaded.

“
Alex, I’m very new in my job.  You know I couldn’t just up and leave.  Besides, it’s a part of your job and you will be working most of the time making children smile.  I think it’s great that you are a part of such a wonderful foundation, offering your services for free to those children in need,” I replied.  “I will really miss you, though,” I added.

“
Not even for a week?  Walter will understand, Claire.  Just tell him you have to go see family in another state or something,” he said, trying to convince me.

“
Alex, I really can’t.  Not now anyway.  Maybe later on, when I have been working at the hospital longer and if we’re still together,” I added.

“
If we’re still together?  You don’t see us together in the future, Claire?” he asked.

“
No, Alex, I do.  It just came out wrong.  I’m sorry. I didn’t really mean it that way,” I clarified.  “I miss you already,” I added.

“
Miss you too, baby.  Just promise me one thing, will you?  Please don’t go out with Mark while I’m gone,” he pleaded.

I l
aughed, “Oh God, Alex.  Mark is the last guy I would want to go out with,” I replied.

“
All right, I trust you.  Let’s finish eating so we can head back.  I have a full clinic this afternoon,” he said as we ate quickly and headed back to work.

<><><>

I had quite a few replies in regards to the meeting for the following Thursday morning.  Alex had replied that he would be doing his pro bono work in Guatemala and would be unable to attend, but it was just my luck that Taryn and Mark would be attending.  I sent a text message to Alex.

Too bad you won’t be able to make it to the meeting next Thursday morning.  Your friend Mark will be there with my favorite person, Taryn.

Awww, baby, I’m sorry.  Don’t say I didn’t ask you to go away with me.  I was doing you a favor.

Yeah, I know. I’m hoping Mark and Taryn will hook up and live happily ever after.

That’s not a bad idea.  They’d make a great couple, I think.

See you tonight, Alex.

Chapter 6

Friday came at last and I was very excited about spending the weekend at Alex’s place.  I had packed my bags for the weekend and carpooled with him, so that we could drive directly to Malibu after work.  He had made dinner reservations for the evening at a romantic restaurant near his house.  On the drive home, I observed Alex closely and sensed that he had something on his mind.

“
So, has Mark continued his attempt to seduce you lately?” he asked.

“
Not really.  Perhaps my email set him straight.  Why?  Has he said anything to you about me?” I asked.

“
Let me refresh my memory. Oh yes.  Today, he reminded me of what a hot piece of ass he thinks you are,” he responded, annoyed.  “You can’t imagine how difficult it’s becoming for me to keep quiet, Claire.  Could I please tell him that you’re mine?” He asked.

“
Alex, please, I don’t want anyone to know.  I’m breaking all the rules as it is,” I added.

“
What rules, Claire?  What rules are you talking about?  There are no set of rules that state you cannot date someone from your workplace,” he responded.

“
I know there are no rules against dating in the workplace, but they are my rules.  I just don’t want anything to get in the way of my career, that’s all,” I justified.

“
Oh, I understand.  I’m so sorry for getting in the way.  I didn’t realize I was in your way,” he replied.

I realized what I said had come out
wrong.  “I’m so sorry, Alex. I didn’t mean to say that you’re in the way of my career.  I meant to say that if there are rumors about us and if we don’t work out in the future, it would be so difficult to work at the same place, with everyone knowing about us and all the talk that goes with it,” I clarified.

“
I can just work at another hospital if that would make you feel better, Claire.  I’m really trying to keep things quiet, but it’s very hard when someone like Mark keeps talking about how badly he wants to have sex with you, and which positions he would prefer with you,” he stopped.

“
He says those things to you about me?  Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.

“
I wanted to, but honestly, these are the nicer things that I’m sharing with you. He can get really graphic.  He’s a sick bastard, Claire.  I don’t want him near you,” he said, in an angry tone of voice that I hadn’t heard from him before.  “He has no respect for women at all.  He treats them like shit.  He’s slept with more than half of the recovery unit nurses.  Just be careful with him, baby.  He’s bad news, that’s all,” he added.

“
Okay, I will be more firm with him if he contacts me with those intentions.  Could we stop talking about Mark?  I just want to have a nice, relaxing weekend,” I replied.  Alex took my hand and kissed it, rubbing it against his cheek.

The rest of the drive home was fairly quiet.  Neither one of us said much
, so it was a relief when we finally arrived at his house.  As we headed inside, I was reminded of the first time I was there, the night I told Alex my story.  I changed into my dress for our dinner date and met Alex in the living room.  He was looking out the big windows, admiring the view of the ocean with a drink in his hand.  When he noticed I was in the room, he put his drink down and walked over to me.

“
Baby, I’m really sorry about what happened in the car,” he apologized, wrapping his arms around my waist.