Hotblooded (11 page)

No matter what her mother had taught her to the contrary.

She put her hands on her hips, trying to think of something scathing to say.

“Why do you wear that damn thing?” he asked suddenly, gesturing toward her jacket.

She glanced down at her clothing. She didn’t have to explain anything to him. “Because it’s…professional.”

“It makes you look uptight,” he told her bluntly. “Uncomfortable.”

He reached for her hair, grasped the large clip and opened it. Her long hair cascaded from the top of her head, settling around her shoulders.

“Hey!” Her hand flew to her head.

“Doesn’t this thing give you a headache?” he asked, holding the clip up in front of her face.

“No.” Well, it did sometimes, but… She was so…flustered with him touching her that every thought vacated her mind. She wanted more. All he did was unfasten her hair and she wanted his hands all over her.

Good God. She’d been attracted to men before. But never like this.

“You need to loosen up. You need to seem more approachable.”

“I’m approachable,” she said, knowing that she was lying at least a little. Generally speaking, she didn’t want the people in Honey Creek approaching her. Living her little hermit life—except for the people who accepted her and sought out her medical care—was working for her. A little less than a year to go.

But Jack certainly had no trouble approaching her. And she welcomed it, even when he was driving her crazy.

Her gaze dropped to his lips and she swallowed hard.

“Brooke.” His voice had dropped to a husky rasp and he lifted a hand to run his thumb over her bottom lip. “You’re hot and sexy and passionate one minute and the next you’re cool and crabby. What the hell is going on with you and this clinic?”

This clinic. Those two words succeeded in breaking through the hot fog that surrounded her when he was this close. This clinic was the last place she could give in to any type of temptation. The entire town was watching now that Jack was here, coming to the clinic, so obviously gorgeous and sexy and yummy. They were expecting her to jump into bed with him—or rather pull him into bed with her. And though she really wanted to do it, she couldn’t. The sex would be amazing, she was sure, but proving the town of Honey Creek wrong would be more so.

Probably.

Well, maybe.

No, it wouldn’t. But it would be worth it.

“You’ve been here for two days. How can you tell if I’m approachable, or not?” she asked him, pulling away and letting her exasperation show, hoping it covered the desire that had to be easy to read on her face.

Donovan women were known for being hotblooded—and blatant about it.

“Karen told me that Christopher is scared of you,” he said.

“Christopher?” she repeated, thoughts of the sick little boy effectively cooling her off for the time being. “He’s scared of me? Why?”

“Karen just said you’re so businesslike when you come in. And the coat and everything. He’s intimidated. Frankly, I would be too.”

“I’m wearing the coat now and you don’t seem very fucking intimidated,” she said.

Jack’s eyes widened at her language and, if she wasn’t mistaken, the corner of his mouth curled up. “No, intimidated isn’t what I’m feeling for you, you’re right. But I do hate that coat.”

She took a deep breath in through her nose, focusing only on the irritation she felt and not the tingles. “So, why are you here again?” Her tone was calm, but she knew he was aware of the temper she was trying to keep in check.

“To help you.”

“And insulting me is helpful how exactly?”

“I’m going to help you make this clinic successful.”

Oh, no he wasn’t. Hell no.

For one thing, she didn’t want anyone’s help with anything. Second of all she didn’t want this clinic to be successful. She was here temporarily to fulfill her contract. Period. She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “I don’t need your help.”

“So you’ve been telling me since I got to town.”

“When are you going to start listening?”

“When you don’t need help anymore.”

She stared at him for several ticks of the clock. Then she said tightly, “I am perfectly capable of seeing the patients scheduled today. That’s the nice thing about having a small caseload.”

“That’s why you should let me help. Let’s build this up, do some renovations maybe, get some—”

“You think we should renovate.” Really? He wanted to put up curtains or something? That’s what all of this was about?

He lifted a shoulder. “Just make it feel a little warmer and friendlier.”

“You think people aren’t coming in because of how we painted the waiting room?” Not that she loved the waiting room either. It was boring and, okay, cold. But that wasn’t why she could hear crickets up there.

“New paint can’t hurt, can it?”

“We’re not repainting.”

He waited until she’d brushed past him.

When her hand was on the swinging door he said, “Fine. But that still leaves one issue un-attended to.”

Don’t ask. Keep walking. Leave. But she asked, “What issue?” anyway.

“The issue of you needing a supervising physician as of…let’s see…oh, yes. Today. Right now.”

She stood stock still at the door for several long seconds. Then she turned.

Even once she faced him again, she didn’t speak right away. Finally she asked simply, “You?”

He grinned, clearly pleased in spite of her lack of enthusiasm. “Yes. Me. You need a supervising physician to practice as a physician’s assistant. I’m a physician. It works perfectly.”

She frowned at him. “How did you know I needed a supervisor?” But she held up a hand as the answer came to her. “Carla.” Clearly her nurse—and
former
friend—had filled Jack in on the fact that Dr. Cunningham was retiring and that there was no replacement yet. The patients on the schedule today were the last ones she could see until someone stepped up to supervise her.

She hadn’t been exactly pushing for that supervisor. All she had to do in this clinic was show up. Patients or not. Supervising physician or not.

So what if that bugged her a little? So what if she was a little bored, knew she was wasting her time and knew there were patients she could be helping? It wasn’t like they were going without medical care entirely. They had to drive an hour but no one was dying. And she didn’t want to get attached. She’d gotten attached in San Antonio and then had to leave. It had been hard on her patients and on her. She wasn’t going through that again. Especially here. She wasn’t staying even if she did get attached and that was that. Better not to have to say any tearful goodbyes.

He nodded. “She confirmed it.”

Brooke rolled her eyes. “It’s amazing the topics that come up over cups of cappuccino. I’m so glad we got that machine.”

He smiled widely. “Anyway, you need me.”

He shouldn’t seem so pleased by that. And she needed to get her imagination in check. She couldn’t go off on pornographic daydreams every time he said the word
need
or
help
or
take
or…

She shook her head and asked, “So you think you’re going to be my supervising physician?”

“Yes.”

“What about your real job?”

“Leave of absence.”

“Indefinitely?”

“No.” But he didn’t elaborate.

She studied him for a moment, considering the information.

“You don’t know what you’re getting into,” she finally said, simply, but honestly.

“I’m not worried.”

She sighed. “I know. But you probably should be.”

Brooke felt as if she’d been frowning for a week. Actually, it had only been six days. Six days since Jack Silver had inserted himself into her business, in more ways than one.

He’d also inserted himself in her dreams. But at least in those he was naked and quiet—pretty much—and did what she told him to.

In the clinic, not so much.

She stepped into the hallway on her way to her office just in time to see Jack duck into an exam room and shut the door. She immediately turned on her heel and went to find Carla.

“Who’s Dr. Silver with?”

Carla looked up from the copy machine. “Mrs. Perkins came in early. She said her head was killing her and Dr. Silver offered to take her. I didn’t think it would be a problem.” Carla stood and watched Brooke for a moment before adding, “Is it?”

Brooke wanted to shout,
Yes! Of course it is!

Jack was great with the patients. Really great. And there were more and more of them to be great with all the time. He was actually increasing their business. Dammit.

But she kept her professional poise, as she had for the past week, and shook her head slowly, lest she look insecure. “Of course not. I just wanted to follow up on her new medication. Maybe I’ll stick my head in…”

“I gave him her entire history and he reviewed her meds before he went in with her. I’m sure Jack’s got it under control.”

Brooke bristled slightly at Carla’s defense of the man she had known only for a short time. “You just met him. And Mrs. Perkins doesn’t know him. I hope she’s comfortable with him seeing her.”

“She’s female and not dead. I’m sure she’s enjoying him quite a lot. In fact,” Carla went on, “
my
head is starting to hurt a little.” She put her hand against her forehead and grinned.

“Very funny.” Brooke glanced down the hall at the closed exam room door that hid Jack and one of her favorite patients from her view. Fine. “I’ll be in my office doing paperwork.”

She knew that she could not pull off a smile at the moment but she could feign indifference and disappear into her office until her next patient came in. She held herself tall and tight as she passed exam room three.
Do not give it a second thought. Walk on past. Do not stop and listen at the door.

But the exam room door opened just then and Brooke could hear Thelma chatting with Jack about her prize-winning cherry jam that came from her very own, beloved cherry trees.

Brooke stopped and pasted on a smile. “Thelma, how are you?”

The older woman gave her a warm smile in return. “Oh, Brooke, I must say that you did a good job.”

Brooke was pleased. “The medication is working?”

“Oh, yes, that too. I meant you did a good job in picking Dr. Silver…I mean, Jack.” The woman turned to pat his arm affectionately. “He’s just wonderful.”

Brooke forced her smile to remain for her patient’s benefit. But it was tough when she really wanted to glare at Jack. This wasn’t about bringing patients into the clinic or making her look bad. This was about him stealing one of the very few people she actually enjoyed in this damned town. “I’m glad to hear that. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to see you, though.” She shot a glance toward Jack, but he was busy giving Thelma one of his charming smiles.

“Oh, honey, don’t you worry about that. Jack is wonderful.”

You already said that
. Brooke gritted her teeth as she took the older woman’s arm and began escorting her to the front. “I’m sure that all the compliments are making him feel right at home.” Unfortunately.

“Well, I hope so. I would really love to see him stick around too.”

“Too?” Brooke echoed.

“Oh, everyone in town is talking about him and what to do to keep him here,” Thelma told her.

Of course they were.

They came to the front desk and Brooke patted Thelma on the shoulder. “You take care. Please call me if you need anything at all.” She resolutely stood between her patient and Jack, childishly thinking that by separating them physically she could help dissolve the bond that had clearly already formed between them.

Jack ruined that idea instantly. Leaning around Brooke, he squeezed the woman’s arm. “Bye, Thelma.”

“Bye, Jack.” The seventy-six-year-old’s voice sounded as enamored as a teenager with a crush.

Brooke held her smile for Thelma even though she could feel warmth emanating from Jack, who still stood close behind her. If she jerked her elbow back suddenly she would connect directly with his ribs.

“What a nice lady.” Jack’s voice was so close to her ear that Brooke jumped.

She turned immediately, taking a step back to put some space between them. “Yes, she’s very nice.”

“She thinks a lot of you.”

He was not simply looking at her—he was studying her. Why? What was he looking at or for?

“I’ve known Thelma for years. We have a very nice relationship.” She studied him right back. Would he pick up on her not-so-subtle hint that he was butting in where he was not welcome?

He didn’t even blink.

Those big, gorgeous chocolate-brown eyes just watched her. And her skin started getting warm. And tingly.

How did he do that? It had to be intentional. Because when he did it she got all distracted. Which worked well for him considering he was generally distracting her when she was mad at him. And when he did it she wanted to kiss him. Which also seemed to work well for him since he had yet to push her away when she did it.

Finally he spoke, though his voice was husky when he did. “Well, then you’ll be glad to know that she’s doing much better. I adjusted her medication a bit and she’s coming back to follow up with me next week but I think she’ll do fine after that.”

Husky, sexy voice or not, Brooke felt her eyes narrow. Dammit. Thelma was coming back in to see him. He had adjusted the prescription Brooke had given Thelma without consulting her. Was he really this dense or this rude or this arrogant? Or all three? Brooke opened her mouth just as the bell above the front door tinkled.

“Oh, Brooke, I almost forgot these.” Thelma was panting slightly as if she’d just walked from her car very rapidly. “I had a feeling today would be a good day.”

Brooke groaned inwardly. Not in front of Jack. “Thanks, Thelma.”

“What do you have there?” he asked, leaning around Brooke again to peek at the plate Thelma held.

Brooke barely resisting the urge to stomp on his toes.

“Sweet Blessings,” the older woman said with delight.

He was so close his sleeve brushed Brooke’s and she pulled away, shooting another glare in his direction. He calmly ignored both the irritated look and her obvious adverse reaction to his nearness. Probably because of all the previous proof she’d given of how much she liked his nearness.