Blurred Lines by KD Williamson (14 page)

“Well, yeah, but doesn’t everybody? Name one person who doesn’t think she’s weird. I swear the woman has no human emotions.”

“That’s true. We could be completely wrong, though. Fuller says some nasty stuff about Rader too. The guy’s a pervert. I don’t blame her. He gives me the creeps, and have you seen the way he slobbers all over her? He needs to be reported.”

The nurses laughed.

“Or maybe Dr. Gagne got a complaint about Fuller. You never know.”

Nora tuned them out. The conversation was idle gossip, just like everything else concerning her. Taylor Fuller didn’t have the audacity to report a lie to administration. There was no way.

Nora reached for a chart, and that’s when she became aware of other hospital staff in the vicinity watching her. It was a tad disconcerting. The staring wasn’t a new occurrence, but through Kelli, Nora had almost gotten used to being treated like a normal person.

Her pager vibrated. Nora fished it from her pocket and saw the number for the chief of surgery’s office.

Nora glanced up at one of the nurses who was now facing her only to have her look away a second later. It was a bit irritating. “May I have the phone, please?”

The nurse blinked in response.

“The…phone. Please,” Nora said slowly.

A second later, the nurse handed it to her.

She punched in the three-number extension and waited for the ring. “This is Dr. Whitmore for Dr. Gagne.”

“She would like to see you,” her personal assistant said pleasantly.

“I have a surgery sche—”

“Immediately, Dr. Whitmore.” Her pleasant tone shifted and became firm.

“Yes, right away.” Nora’s stomach twisted in apprehension. Internally, she shuffled through several scenarios that might explain this impromptu and apparently urgent meeting but found none. Maybe the gossip wasn’t as idle as she thought.

Nora placed the phone back on the counter and tried to brush all speculation aside. There was only one way to find out. Nora glanced up to find that she was being studied by the nurse behind the desk. Nora held her gaze until the woman took the phone and looked away. Nora stood at the nurses’ station for a few more seconds to collect herself. No, she couldn’t allow any of this to disrupt her day. She turned and made her way down the hall toward the elevator. Several seconds later, Nora pressed the down button and waited.

The elevator dinged and the doors released a metallic groan as they opened to the administrative floor. Nora stepped out and walked toward her destination. The hall was quiet, empty. There was something ominous about it. For a moment, her initial trepidation returned. Nora entered the office anyway.

“Go right in, Dr. Whitmore.”

Even the personal assistant watched her as she strolled past. The door was open. Dr. Lisa Gagne sat behind her desk. She was leaning forward and talking with the two men sitting in the chairs in front of her. The conversation stopped as Nora entered.

“Good afternoon, Nora.” Dr. Gagne smiled slightly. “Come on in and close the door.” She spoke with a thick Southern accent.

Nora did as she was told. They stared at her. Nora gave them all a perfunctory nod.

“Have a seat, Nora.”

The use of her first name set her on edge. Something was very wrong here. “I’d prefer to stand.”

Dr. Gagne nodded. “Suit yourself.” She turned to her visitors and pointed at the one with the garish lime-green tie. “This is one of the hospital’s lawyers, Mr. Post, and this is—”

“Mr. Lane from Human Resources.” Nora interrupted coolly.

“Would you like to sit down now, Nora?” Lisa asked.

“No, but I would like to be called Dr. Whitmore.”

Gagne nodded. “Fair enough.”

“Thank you.” Nora responded. “Should I assume that a complaint of some type was filed against me?” She was tired of the subterfuge. It was time to see if the rumors were actually true.

Dr. Gagne leaned forward and rested her elbows on her desk. “Yes, but it goes a bit deeper than that I’m afraid. You’re valued here, but the hospital must be protected at all costs.”

Dazed, Nora asked, “Would you care to clarify?”

“There has been an accusation lodged against you regardin’ sexual harassment of a female resident.”

As Nora processed what she heard, she became lightheaded and her stomach roiled painfully. She didn’t sit down but sank her fingers into the plush back of the closest chair. Even after what she’d overheard at the nurses’ station, it was still the last thing she expected. “You must be joking.” This had to be some elaborate attempt at a practical joke even though there was nothing remotely funny about it.

“Afraid not, Dr. Whitmore.”

There was no need to ask who was responsible. “Taylor Fuller,” Nora said it as a statement, not a question.

“Need I remind you that retaliation is extremely inappropriate and can lead to harsher measures?” Mr. Post asked.

“I’m aware.” Nora nodded. Her movements felt stifled, almost disjointed.

“You are well within your rights to know about your accuser. You are correct, it’s Dr. Fuller.”

The fury that swept through Nora was acute, cloying, and aimed directly at the man no doubt responsible for this farce—James Rader. “This is ridiculous. How could you even entertain—”

Lisa interrupted. “Because we have to, no matter how much of a hindrance it is. You should think about hirin’ an attorney. Things like this don’t usually just go away. She’s gonna come out guns blazin’. People always do in this type of situation.”

Finally, Nora sank down into the chair. She focused on the firm pillows that still managed to provide the utmost comfort. It was an odd fixation, but necessary. She tensed her muscles and relaxed them in hopes it would help to alleviate the stress that was rapidly building inside her. Nora turned her thoughts to Kelli. She cycled through their interactions from amusing to intense. The memories provided warmth but offered little solace against this accusation.

“That’s not all I’m afraid,” Lisa added.

Nora looked up. What could possibly be worse than this? This hospital was her life, and her reputation provided the buffer to make each day more meaningful than the last. Without it, she felt instantly exposed and vulnerable.

“You’re a great asset, Dr. Whitmore, but the board has agreed that you should take paid leave to protect yourself, as well as the hospital,” Mr. Post said.

Nora’s gaze swept toward him as he finished speaking. It landed on his tie. The color really was awful. His words crushed her. Nora willed herself to calm down, but her body refused to listen. Bile rose up her esophagus. It left a fetid taste in her mouth.

“You had a Whipple and a colon resection scheduled. They have already been reassigned, as have your patients.” Dr. Gagne informed Nora.

Nora closed her eyes and turned away. Each word sank into her psyche and shredded her.

“Despite what’s goin’ on, you still have this hospital’s respect. And mine. Leave under your own steam, but leave immediately. Can I trust you with that?” Dr. Gagne’s voice softened.

“Yes.” Nora swallowed down the acid in her throat and stood slowly. If it was Rader’s and Taylor’s plan to shatter her, for now, they’d succeeded.

Lisa nodded. “Take care, Dr. Whitmore.”

Nora dipped her head in acknowledgement. The men were strangely quiet, but she figured that there was nothing else to say. When she re-entered the hallway, it was still eerily empty. Nora stepped into the elevator and checked her watch. It was well past one o’clock. Kelli would be wondering where she was. A lump formed in her throat and inched its way down into her stomach. Nora leaned heavily against the railing, which was the only thing holding her up. The thought of not seeing Kelli again left her bereft. It was irrational to feel that way, but then again this entire situation was beyond reason.

* * *

Kelli checked the clock. The only thing that ever made Nora late was an emergency. She thought about Travis, and naturally feared the worst. Kelli sat up in bed and reached for the button to call a nurse.

“Is there something I can help you with Ms. McCabe?” Dr. Rader hovered in the door for a few seconds before walking in.

Kelli stared at him instead of answering. Nora didn’t like him, but he would know where she was. Kelli decided to take a chance. “Nora’s not here, and I wanted to check on Travis.”

“He’s resting comfortably.”

Kelli relaxed a little. “Okay, good, but what about—”

Rader interrupted. “And Dr. Whitmore won’t be here for the foreseeable future.”

Her guts twisted and she actually got a chill. There was a glint in his eye, and Kelli saw the beginnings of a smug shit-eating grin. “What the fuck does that mean?”

“I’m not at liberty to say.” His tone was teasing.

Son of a bitch. Kelli knew there was something rotten about him. She always could smell asshole a mile away. “You make my fucking skin crawl.”

Rader’s face reddened, but he still smiled. He looked even more douchey. “Well, I—”

“Shut up. I’m not done. Guys like you get what’s coming to them. Remember that.” Kelli growled and stared at him intently. He would be the first one to look away, dammit. Kelli wasn’t disappointed.

Dr. Rader took a step back. “I’m not a nurse, Ms. McCabe—”

“No, you’re a smug bastard who can get the fuck out of my room.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “You can always request a different doctor if you are unsatisfied.”

That was exactly what he wanted, she was sure, and she refused to give him the satisfaction. “I think it’s a little late in the game for that. I’m outta here in a couple days. I think I’ll stick with you.” She bared her teeth in a pseudo-grin. After all, sometimes it was a really good idea to keep enemies close, especially the new, unpredictable ones.

Rader’s expression hardened.

Kelli scoffed. “You can wipe that look off your face. You don’t scare me.”

He reddened even more.

“What are you waiting for? Get the fuck out.”

Without another word, he did.

For a long time, she stared at the empty doorway, hoping Nora would breeze through it and prove him wrong. But it was past two o’clock. Obviously, she wasn’t coming. This was complete bullshit, but the reality of the situation left her empty. More than that, though, Nora was in trouble. Kelli could feel it in her bones. She reached for the phone and dialed quickly. Kelli huffed with impatience when it rang for the fourth time.

Finally, he picked up. “Williams.”

“I need you to get some information for me.”

There was a noticeable pause before he responded. “McCabe? For a second, it sounded like you were on the job.”

“Williams!” Kelli said in warning.

“Yeah, what do you need?”

“Address and phone number for Nora Whitmore.”

CHAPTER 10

Nora woke unexpectedly. She blinked rapidly to give her eyes a chance to adjust to the morning light and looked around, bewildered. Within a few seconds, she realized she was in one of her guest rooms. Nora felt something heavy covering part of her torso. It was alarming to wake up with someone wrapped around her. She wasn’t the cuddling type especially…no she just wasn’t the cuddling type. Nora glanced down to see an arm draped across her stomach. Just like the person it belonged to, the limb was well formed and muscular. His chiseled good looks hinted at coiled strength and power, and he’d appeared more than capable of the challenge Nora had in mind when she’d brought him home last night. Unfortunately, he’d failed miserably.

Annoyed by his presence and his stilted performance the previous night, Nora brushed his arm aside, along with the possessiveness the embrace implied. She was stunned by her ability to sleep through the night with such an unwanted visitor. Nora glared at him. She couldn’t remember his name, but decided quickly that it didn’t matter.

Last night, she’d wanted to be decimated by the powerful, thrusting hips of someone secure enough to give orders and to take them. Nora needed to be quivering and broken in order to rebuild herself into someone stronger, someone completely resistant to the chaos creeping in through the freshly formed cracks of her armor. When he failed to deliver what she craved, Nora tried to take what she needed, but that hadn’t worked either. She continued to stare at him as countless emotions assaulted her, ranging from anger to helplessness. Over the past couple of days, this barrage of feelings had become a normal occurrence, and Nora didn’t know how to make it stop. So, she resorted to old habits, such as the man in her bed. It was easy…so very easy and yet quite dissatisfying.

The stranger blinked and opened his eyes. They were green, and she immediately thought of Kelli. Even that didn’t improve matters. She wanted her mind blank, not filled with someone who could make the situation even more unbalanced. The man smiled, his lips curled upward in a way that probably made other women swoon.

“Nikki,” he whispered.

“Please go,” Nora said flatly.

His eyes widened, then softened. “You don’t mean that.”

“I do, and don’t leave anything behind. There’s no need for you to return.”

He sat up and threw the covers away from his body. He smirked as he sat there fully exposed. Nora cringed at the sight.

“You’re the one who’s missing out, lady. I’m more potent in the morning.”

“So you’re acknowledging that was not the case last night?” Nora was unsure why she was wasting precious energy on him when she just wanted him to leave.

“I had too much wine!” His voice cracked.

“I’ll call you a cab.” Nora eased out of the bed, aware that his gaze followed her. He showed obvious signs of arousal. In keeping with her erratic emotional state, Nora changed her mind about his departure.

Slowly, she walked toward him and stopped barely an inch away. Nora refused to let Rader take everything, and pleasure was always her key to oblivion. She pulled him into a bruising kiss.

He moaned. Nora’s thoughts jumbled and flashed on a different set of green eyes—Kelli’s. Arousal slammed through her, and panic followed right behind it. She gasped at the feeling. She wrenched away and stepped back. Her heart raced, and her breathing was ragged. Nora took a few more steps back to compose herself. She needed to file these events away for later.