Dr. Feelgood (12 page)

“Yes, that hard.” My eyes were still closed.

“How’s this?” he asked, doing two full hand slaps and pressing his hand into my cheek as he hit it.

I fucking erupted. I popped my eyes open as I gushed in a fast rush, jerking my butt up and back to get through it. “Dammit, Makkai. Oh, yeah.” I sighed and lowered my hips to the mattress while he still grinded up against my butt as quiet as a mouse. And all of a sudden, he grunted, extended his head up toward the pine headboard and pressed all up through me, and then he jerked over and over again.

“Is it good?” I asked him, turning back to look over my shoulder at him. His sweaty face rested on my back.

“It is the best,” he said as his throb subsided.

I said, still panting, “That’s how it should be. Now, I’m going to take a shower so we can get to that jewelry store.” He slowly rolled off me and I stood up.

“You are a hard one to figure out. It’s all about what you can get out of it, right?”

“And you should know. I’m not sweating you or stressing you, so, I think you need to get dressed, too, and keep your word.” I stepped into my bright red panties and walked toward the bathroom door.

He surrendered. “I’m right behind you. Damn, that ass is pretty,” I heard him say.

I
had an account at the blingity-bling 14Karats store in Beverly Hills on Beverly Drive. Usually, I get my gold watches and sterling diamond-cut chains there. And I have a ring, almost looks like a bowl ring, but it has the medical community insignia in raised gold. It cost me an arm and a leg.

The store’s private second level had smoked-glass and plush black casings. The owner, an older gentleman with white hair, approached while extending his hand. “Dr. Worthy, it’s great to see you. To what do we owe this pleasure?”

“Just want to pick up a little something for Ms. Askins, here. She’s looking for a bracelet.”

“Hello, Ms. Askins. The pleasure is all mine. What type of bracelet, if I may ask?”

“A tennis bracelet,” Monday said, peering from behind me, wearing her white tinted shades while holding my hand.

I had no problem correcting her immediately. “No, a gold bracelet.”

“How about a bangle?” the manager asked.

Monday acquiesced with less of a twinkle in her eyes. “Okay, a bangle.”

“Can you show us what you’ve got?” I asked.

“Sure. Right this way.”

A tall, trim, tanned, brunette female salesperson walked up. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“No thanks,” I replied.

Monday inquired further. “Like, what do you have? Like water?”

“Water and whatever you’d like.”

“Whatever I’d like?” She removed her sunglasses.

I looked at her like she’d better not say Dom P.

“Whatever you’d like,” the salesperson assured her.

“Well, actually, I’d love a dirty martini.”

“Dirty martini it is. I’ll be right back.”

Monday beamed, lagging behind. “I love this store. I’ve got to hang out with you more often.”

I pointed in the direction of the owner. “Monday, do you want to look at the selections or not?”

“Yes. I’m coming.” She flung hair about and secured her red purse strap along her shoulder.

The owner said, standing behind a glass case, “I think this would look nice on your wrist, especially with your beautiful complexion. It’s a yellow and white gold swirl. We call it a rope of gold. It’s brand new. We just got it in yesterday.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“That’s a lot of gold.” First thing I did was ask, “How much?”

“Only fourteen hundred dollars.”

“That’s not bad,” Monday said as she held out her hand. He gave her the piece.

“What else do you have?” I inquired.

“We have solid gold bangles that are polished, and some others that would possibly fall a little under a thousand, or maybe a Figaro style.”

The lady returned with Monday’s drink. It was in a lead crystal martini glass with two, toothpick-speared olives.

“He’ll hold it,” she told the lady, nodding in my direction with her eyes on the jewelry.

“I want this one.” She secured the first bracelet on her wrist and clasped it as if to stake her claim. She then took her glass from me. “Thanks.”

She posed for me while she took a sip. She licked the rim of the glass and batted her eyelashes. She then took one of the green olives into her mouth, and bit down with her sexy gapped teeth, while the liquid squirted from the meat of the olive. She chewed and smiled.

The owner cleared his throat. “Will you be taking the rope of gold, sir?”

“Yes, we’ll be taking the rope of gold.”

Monday shook her hips and giggled but did not spill a drop. She kicked up her heel behind her as she hugged me, sipping from behind my back, raising her glass to the owner.

“Great job, sir,” she said. “We’ll be coming back.”

Her sentence was premature. But, I really didn’t mind that little arrangement. Fourteen hundred wasn’t a bad price. Monday was good, and she was right; she minded her own business, and once she got what she wanted, she ran off back to her life until I called again. She was no drama and no headache. And to be so damn fine, I wasn’t about to complain.

We exited the store. Monday wore the bracelet and carried the black and silver 14Karats designer bag in her hand.

She admired her new gift. “You are way too good to me.”

“You are way too good, period.”

She slipped her arm in mine, strutting like America’s next top model. “When we get back to the hotel, what do you say to celebrating?”

“Not today, Monday. I’ve gotta get going after I drop you off.”

“I understand. I’ll just make a hair appointment. You know that’ll take all day.”

“I’m sure.”

“Well, you let me know when you’re available again. I’ll be around.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“And Makkai, I’ll cherish this gift forever. You are very generous.”

“No problem.”

She squeezed my arm and moved in closer. “Makkai. Do you think you can give me like one-hundred cash? I left my credit cards and debit card at home. I don’t want to drive that far after you drop me off. Besides, my hairdresser is near the hotel.”

“I’ve got it.” I pulled out my wallet and a bill in one fell swoop. “Here.”

She took the money and folded it into quarters. “Thanks. I’ll give it back to you.” She stopped as we approached the car and gave me a quick kiss.

“No need.”

She tucked the bill into her purse. “You are the best. I appreciate it.”

I smiled as she stepped toward the passenger seat and sat down. I closed the door and walked around the back of the car. As I opened the driver side door and stepped inside, a young white man walked by and stared all through Monday’s very being. She noticed, and I noticed.

She looked stunned. “That’s rude.”

“He has good eyesight.” I started up the car.

The man even looked back twice.

I told her, “I can’t say that I blame him.”

I pulled off while she rested her right arm along the open window. The eighteen-carat gold, gleaming bracelet was blinding under the rays of the sun. Her left hand was resting along my lap, making its way toward my crotch, then rubbing in between my legs. I reached over and squeezed her thigh just above her knee. This woman deserved whatever she wanted. My hard-on lasted the entire way back to the hotel.

I’ll call her next week.

I
flipped open my cell as I stood in the hallway on the eighth floor. “This is Nurse Cherry.”

“I just love that name, Cherry.”

Carlos Jenkins is Dr. Worthy’s best friend. He comes around the hospital every now and then. He’s bright and he’s charming, but he’s Makkai’s friend and that bothers me, even though it doesn’t seem to bother either one of them. Heck, forget Makkai anyway. He basically kicked me to the curb.

I crossed my arms with the phone between my chin and shoulder. “Let me guess, this is Carlos.”

“The one and only.”

“And what makes you the one and only?”

“I suppose you’d have to talk to a few of my ex-lovers to find out.”

“Ex-lovers, huh? So do you have any ex-wives or ex-girlfriends?”

“Oh, no, never been married before. But, of course I’ve been in relationships.”

“Well, that’s good, at least.”

On his end, I heard the sound of a door closing.

He said, “So, enough talk about my legendary status. That was back in the day, anyway. I’m different now.”

“Oh, you are?”

“Oh, yes. I’m looking for a good woman to settle down with.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“And you, Nurse Cherry, in my opinion, fit the bill in every way.” He spoke in a voice that reminded me of Mack Daddy Mack.

“How do you know that?”

“Well, I see virtue in you. And you know that’s what men fall for when they’re ready to say goodbye to their bachelorhood … virtue.”

“And when they’re not ready, what do they require?”

“A pulse. No, just kidding.” He chuckled all by himself.

“There’s probably a lot of truth to that, I’m sure.”

“Nothing further on that one.”

“Smart move. So to what do I owe this call?”

“I was just hoping I could catch you on this number to see if you wanted to have lunch with me.”

“Lunch when?”

“Today.”

I noticed the male nurse taking a peek at me from his station. I turned my back. “I can’t today. I’ll barely have a chance to run down to the cafeteria and grab some yogurt the way this day is going.”

“That’s too bad. So is that how you keep your gorgeous figure, by eating yogurt?”

“Oh, that’s not even my usual, so don’t get me wrong. I eat ribs, and smothered anything.”

“I see. I’ll remember that when I take you to dinner one day. There’s this great rib joint in Santa Monica called Dem Bones. You’d love it.”

“Sounds like a possibility.”

“So you’ll come?”

“We can talk about it.”

“Just say you’ll come.”

“I will say I can’t make lunch today. But, we’ll see what happens. I might be able to come with you.”

“Coming with me is exactly what I want. Once you come with me, you’ll never want to come with anyone else.”

“Carlos, excuse me, but, I get the feeling you’re taking this conversation to a place where I’m not comfortable. Please don’t do that.”

“Oh, woman, I’m just kidding.”

“I’ve always thought of kidding as a way to excuse the truth. I’m not feeling respected when you do that.”

“Enough said. It’ll never happen again.”

“Good. I’d appreciate it.”

“A lady of virtue you are.”

I glanced down at my watch. “Carlos, I’m going to have to go and assist a doctor down the hall. Thanks again for the lunch invitation.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll be in touch. That you can count on.”

“Okay. Take care now.”

That man is fine as wine, kinda looks like Eric
Benet, with his twisted hair and fine features. But, he’s as crass as a dirty old man. I know he’s dying to get in my pants and nothing else. For that reason alone, I’m bound and determined that will never happen. He’ll treat me like a lady yet, that is if I don’t cuss him out before we even have a chance to have a first date.

I walked into a patient’s room. The doctor walked in behind me.

He spoke my way in a whisper. “You were down there chatting on your cell phone like this is some social gathering.”

I didn’t even look back at him, releasing words from the corner of my mouth. “Why are you all in my business, Dr. Worthy?”

“One doesn’t need to be in your business to see you talking on the phone all sneaky like you’re making an illegal crack deal.”

I turned to face him. “I was not.” I cleared my throat and gave him the eye to stop.

“All hunched over like you were speaking in code.” He actually imitated me as we walked over to the patient.

I said, “Hello, Mrs. Reynolds. This is Dr. Worthy. He’ll be giving you a quick once-over today.”

She nodded to him with a slight smile.

“Hello, Mrs. Reynolds. Your regular doctor, Dr. Pratt, asked me to see you today. He had an emergency and I told him I would be glad to stop by and see if we can figure out what’s going on. Nurse Cherry is here to assist me with your exam. Now, how long have you been having chest pain?”

I told him, “Doctor, she’s also coughing up blood, and has shortness of breath, and her temperature is 100.6.”

“Okay, thanks, Nurse,” Makkai said with a tinge of sarcasm. “I see that right here in her paperwork.” He looked at Mrs. Reynolds.

Her voice was raspy. “My chest has been bothering me for about a couple weeks or so. But, I just started coughing up blood this morning.”

“I see. Well, let me ask you this. Have you been exposed to any hazardous substances that you know of?”

“No. I don’t think so.”

“How long have you been hoarse, and had the wheezing?”

She cleared her throat. “For a few months, I guess.”

“Any weight loss?”

“Yes, but believe me, I’ve welcomed that,” she joked with a smile.

I replied, placing one hand on her back. “You look good, Mrs. Reynolds.”

“Yes, you do. Do you smoke?” he asked.

She nodded. “Oh yes, I’ve been smoking for about twenty years now, Doctor.”

“Okay.”

I watched this beautiful, educated, well-achieved, wealthy, generous, empowering man do his thing. That alone was a major turn-on for me. The way he wore his white coat, the way the starched collar of his white shirt stood stiff and proud around his muscular neck, the way he held that lucky pen when he wrote. I wondered what it would be like to excuse ourselves for five minutes
and take him into that bathroom so he could pull my skirt up to my ass and work his expertise while banging me up against that bathroom sink, and then he could get down on his knees, and kiss me from the top of my white thigh-highs to the middle of my girlie split, and …”

“Nurse Cherry, did you hear me?”

“Yes. I mean, sorry, Dr. Worthy. What did you need?”

“I need you to order a helical, low-dose CT scan of her lungs.” He handed me her chart.