The Rebel Doc Who Stole Her Heart (6 page)

“I like pancakes. Nothing special there.”

He was beginning to think there were a number of things special about Michelle.

“Still an amazing amount of food for such a shapely woman.”

“Shapely?”

“Don’t try to act like you don’t know you’re a fine-looking woman.”

“Thank you,” she said in a humble-sounding voice.

“How do you stay in such good shape?”

“I swim laps three times a week and I have good genes. My mother…”

She put a bit of pancake in her mouth but he had the feeling she had purposely decided not to say more.

“Interesting. I took you for a gym rat. But on second thoughts that would be far too sociable for you.”

‘That didn’t sound like a compliment. More like an insult. You don’t think I can be sociable?”

“I had no intention of insulting you.” This subject was more like it. Less about him and superficial. “I was just stating fact from what I’ve seen. And, no, I don’t think you are particularly sociable.”

Her eyes drifted away to watch the server pour coffee. Michelle looked up at him again. “So how do you stay in shape?”

“So you think I look good?”

“That isn’t what I said. My arms were around your body just a few minutes ago. I have some idea of your physical fitness.”

He knew all too well how close she’d been. How much he’d enjoyed it. His body had taken far too long to recover from the contact. The ice queen was thawing. Nicely.

“I enjoy rock climbing, wind surfing when I’m stationed close enough to the ocean, and I try to pick up a game of basketball in the local park when I can.”

“Sounds like you stay busy.”

“I try to. Moving from town to town can be lonely so I try to get out where people are.” He forked eggs into his mouth.

She gave him a long look he couldn’t quite read.

“So how did you like your first bike ride?”

“I found it exhilarating.”

His lowered his chin and pierced her with a look. “I thought by the King Kong grip you had on my waist that you might be terrified.”

“I was but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t enjoying it.”

He nodded his head in fascination. “You’re an intriguing woman, Dr. Ross.”

“You never call me Dr. Ross.”

“Yes, I do. In front of patients.”

Michelle huffed. Which she did often, but he found that he liked it. “Why do you insist on calling me Michelle when you know I’d rather you didn’t?”

“At first it was to aggravate you, then it was because ‘Dr. Ross’ sounds so stuffy in the OR and now it’s because I like the feel of it crossing my lips.”

Ty didn’t miss her shiver or the fact that her fork came to rest a little too noisily against her plate. He’d pierced that armor she hid behind. The opposite of cold was hot. Maybe beneath that snowcap attitude was a boiling volcano of emotion ready to erupt. It would be exciting to be there when it did.

“I’d take that as praise but for the fact that the hospital Casanova said it.”

“I’m no Casanova. I just consider myself a friendly person.” He took a sip of his coffee.

“With all the women.”

“Are you just a little jealous, Michelle?”

He made her name sound particularly sexy on purpose. Maybe he could light some fire under that snow. Her eyelids fluttered down and up again. Oh, yes, he was getting to her. But why did he want to? There were plenty of woman at the hospital who had made it clear on a number of occasions that they were more than charmed. But who did he find intriguing? Michelle.

That revelation made him sit back in his seat. He watched Michelle for a moment. She was certainly attractive enough but her standoffish ways were perturbing. He wanted to have fun and nothing about this woman said fun. That wasn’t entirely true, he was having a good time right now. Still, Michelle was definitely the wrong person to be interested in. She cried permanence and that wasn’t in his plans in any form.

“I am not jealous. Why would I be?”

He gave her a thoughtful look. “I don’t know. Maybe because you want me for yourself?”

She glared at him. “Now you’re making things up.”

Minutes later she finished the last bit of pancake and took a slip of coffee. She leaned back in the booth and yawned.

“I’d better get you home to bed,” Ty said, pulling out his wallet.

“Why Doctor, do you say that to every surgeon you work with?”

His heart skipped a beat. “Why, Doctor, are you flirting with me?”

Her eyes went wide and she squared her shoulders. “I’ve never flirted in my life.”

Ty could believe that. “Well, there’s always a first time for everything. And I do believe that you were.”

“It won’t happen again.” Her serious tone returned.

“I sure hope that isn’t true. I enjoyed it. Hey, before we go, draw me a map to your house.”

“I live in a condo.”

“Okay, condo.”

“Ma’am,” Michelle called to the server, “may I have a piece of paper and borrow a pen?”

She looked back at Ty. “I usually have a notepad with me.”

“I’m not surprised.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you’re always prepared.” His tone implied he wasn’t impressed by her thoroughness.

When the server didn’t immediately fulfill her request, he picked up a napkin. “Here, just use this.”

“A napkin?”

“Yeah, you’ve never written on a napkin?

“No.”

“My pockets are full of notes I’ve written on napkins.”

“This time
I’m
not surprised.”

“I guess you wouldn’t expect anything different.” He’d let her believe whatever she wanted. It was just as well she wasn’t impressed by him. Still, it would be nice…

Ty threw a couple of tens on the table. When Michelle started to argue he said, “Don’t say anything about me paying. I’m the one who wanted to stop.”

Outside, beside the motorcycle again, Michelle was determined to show Ty that she could handle the bike. She picked up her helmet before he had a chance to hand it to her. Pulling it into place and snapping the strap, she waited.

His grin gave her a surge of satisfaction. After he climbed on, she joined him, not hesitating to wrap her arms around him.

“I might have to start sabotaging your car every night if I get to have you hug me.”

“I’m too tired to have a pithy comeback.”

He chuckled. It made a wonderful ripple of sensation against her chest. Her nipples hardened in response. The man had a sexuality that called to her on a level she’d never experienced before. Her body hummed with an urge to answer. Maybe just this once. He wouldn’t be here long. For once it could be about her. But she wouldn’t. That road would lead to nothing but heartache. That alone made her determined not to need a ride from him again.

“Michelle, you’re home. You can let go now.” Ty shook his shoulder, jiggling her. His voice held a note of humor.

Oh, no. She had dozed off against Ty’s back. She was so exhausted and he was so large, warm and comfortable she hadn’t been able to keep her eyes from closing.

She jerked upright. “Uh, yeah.”

“You were asleep, weren’t you?”

She slid off the bike. Holding onto him as she went. She would miss not touching those powerful shoulders. “A little maybe. Thanks for the ride.”

Ty put the kickstand down and began to climb off.

She removed her helmet and handed it to him.

“What’re you doing?”

“Making sure you get inside safely.”

“That’s not necessary. I come in at all hours and have done so for years. I can take care of myself.”

“Yes, ma’am. Just trying to be nice. Which one of these stately manors is yours?”

He made it sound like he wasn’t impressed with the brick townhouses with the manicured shrubs. Once again she had the feeling he was scrutinizing her life and finding it lacking.

“The second on the right. Thanks again for the ride.” She left him standing by the bike and headed for her front door. She pulled the key out of her scrub pants pocket, slipped it into the lock and was inside before she heard the roar of the motorcycle going down the road.

She couldn’t remember the last time someone had waited outside her door to make sure she was in safely.

CHAPTER THREE

M
ICHELLE
ROLLED
OVER
and picked up her phone. “Dr. Ross.”

“Good afternoon, Michelle,” Ty’s deep-timbred voice said into her ear. Her treacherous heart leaped.

“Yes?”

“It’s Ty.”

“I know.”

“Is that the best greeting you can give at two in the afternoon?”

“Yes.”

He chuckled. “Not an afternoon person, are you?”

“Is there a problem with a patient?”

“No. I just wanted to let you know that I had Jimmy take care of your car.”

“Jimmy?”

“Yeah, one of the hospital security guys. Fine fellow. He needs the extra money so I had him look at your car.”

She’d worked at the hospital for years and she couldn’t call a single security officer by name, but Ty knew all about one. Suddenly she felt ashamed of herself.

“Your car is running now. He says you shouldn’t have any more problems. Just corroded cables.”

“Uh, great. Thanks.”

“You also left your purse in my bike. I’ve put it under the driver’s seat of your car and locked it. Oh, by the way, I had a look around and I now know your weight and how old you are.”

“You did not!”

His full-bodied laugh covered her like a warm blanket from the dryer.

“I thought that might get a reaction. No, I didn’t. But I did arrange for Jimmy to pick you up when you’re ready. Just call Security and ask for him.”

“I don’t think—”

“Michelle, he needs the money. Let him have his pride.”

Ty was really a good person. He saw a need and acted.

She didn’t say anything for a few seconds.

“Did you go back to sleep on me?”

A picture of her asleep with her head on his broad chest popped into her mind. “No,” came out squeakier than she wished. “Thanks, Ty. I appreciate all you’ve done.”

“No prob. See you soon.”

Between her mother and her patients, she’d spent so much time taking care of others she forgotten just how nice it was to be taken care of. Too nice.

* * *

Four days later, Michelle was preparing to tap on the door of her patient’s room when there was a burst of laughter from inside. Shawn had come through surgery well and after a short visit to CICU he was now in a room on the floor. She knocked.

A couple of deep voices could be heard then one called, “Come in.”

She pushed the door open to find her patient sitting up in bed with a video-game controller in his hand. He didn’t look at her. Instead, his focus remained on the bright animated characters on the TV. She glanced up to see what was happening. Every once in a while there was a white flash and a loud noise of something blowing up. Shaking her head, Michelle turned to her patient again.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Sitting beside Shawn with another controller in his hand was Ty. She’d not seen him the last few days. With a sureness Michelle couldn’t ignore, she admitted she’d missed him. Now he was shifting his body from side to side in an effort to see the TV around her.

“Dr. Ross, do you mind? I’m actually winning this time.” Desperation and frustration filled his voice.

He was glad to see her too. Obviously not. She stepped to one side. Ty’s actions weren’t professional but from what she knew of him she would’ve wondered what was wrong with him if they had been.

“Thanks,” Ty called to her. To Shawn he said, “You’d better move on or I’ll overtake you.” Ty moved his body one way and then the other as if he were the figure in the game.

Glancing at Shawn, she saw that he was making the same body movements. There was also a huge grin on his face. Michelle’s heart lifted to see him enjoying himself. During the days before his surgery and those in CICU he’d been extremely depressed. He’d been so despondent that she’d worried it might affect his recovery. Ty had made the difference. For that she was grateful.

With a whoop of joy that Michelle thought might bring the nurses running the two men raised their hands over their heads.

“Once again you’re the game master. Here I was helping Dr. Ross replace your heart valve and you repay me by beating the socks off me.” Ty raised one hand higher and Shawn slapped it with his open palm.

Ty stood. The space in the room seemed to shrink. He was dressed in a pair of well-worn jeans and a T-shirt, with something ridiculous about “Ride a cycle and find a friend” written across his chest. He came to stand beside her.

“I’d better go and let Dr. Ross check you out. Maybe home will be on her agenda.”

She smiled in agreement when Ty glanced over at her for confirmation. “It’s very possible for tomorrow. Then you can get another game blaster.”

Ty’s laugh was deep and robust and was joined by Shawn’s weaker one.

Warmth moved up her neck. Had she said something wrong?

“It’s a game master.” Ty said the last word carefully.

“Oh, I meant that.”

Ty grinned and looked back at Shawn. “She’s great with hearts but needs to get out more in the game department. You go home and rest up for our next match.”

“I’ll take you on any time, Ty.”

Michelle liked to see that sign of feistiness. Shawn wanted to get well.

Ty smiled at Shawn. “I might not show it but I’m a poor loser. Next time you’re mine, game
master
.” Ty looked at her as if making a point then put out his fist. Shawn bumped it with his.

As he scooted passed her, Ty winked then went out the door. The special warmth that a man generated in a woman flared in her but just as quickly it turned into irritation. She wasn’t some nurse, chasing him. She was the surgeon he worked with. How unprofessional! Suddenly all the positive thoughts she’d had about him went up in flames.

Of all the gall!

* * *

Fifteen minutes later she came out of Shawn’s room pleased with her patient’s progress. He would make a full recovery. Of course, he would always be a heart patient but Shawn had a chance to do and have anything a man his age wanted out of life. As she walked toward the nurses’ station, she saw Ty talking to one of the staff. The woman looked at him as if he were a candy store and she loved sweets. Did every female find him fascinating?