Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Oaklee
I take a deep, calming breath and enter my code into the back entrance of the clinic. I’m here before Allison, which is surprising, but I’m arriving a few extra minutes earlier than normal. I’ve been up since before the sun, my mind already dreading my workday.
I let the door close loudly behind me and note the light already on in the front office.
I’m sure Fiona is already here, usually beginning her day at seven thirty.
The light is also on in Dr. Houston’s office.
Normally, that wouldn’t strike me as odd, but since Allison isn’t here yet, not a physician, it catches my attention.
Setting my coffee down on my workstation and placing my purse in the cabinet, I turn around to see if a light was left on and yelp. “Jesus,” I practically holler, covering my heart with my hand.
“Didn’t mean to scare you,” Lance replies, a knowing smirk on his smug face.
“Oaklee, are you all right?”
I turn to the voice and smile. “Yeah, sorry, Fiona. Dr. Williams startled me, that’s all.”
She looks back and forth between us and nods. “Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will, thanks. And good morning,” I reply, pasting a big fake smile on my face.
“Good morning to you,” she says before disappearing back into the office to continue her work.
“May I speak with you?” Lance asks.
“About work?” I inquire, turning my attention to my computer and pressing the on button.
“Sure.”
I sigh, knowing it’s not about work at all. Grabbing my iced coffee, I spin around, leaving plenty of space between us. He takes a step closer, but I hold up my hand. “That’s close enough. We are working together on a professional basis. That’s it.”
His eyebrows shoot up and a smirk falls across his lips. His hands move to his starch-pressed white lab coat. “You think I want something from you? Awfully full of yourself, aren’t we?”
“No, but I know your game, Lance. You may be the physician two days a week at the clinic where I work, but that’s it. We’re not friends. We’re not anything.”
He steps closer, his eyes softening as he approaches. “We used to be a lot of things, Oaklee.”
“Used to be is the key phrase there. Not anymore.”
He opens his mouth to say something, but we’re interrupted by the back entrance door opening. “Good morning,” I hear Allison say as she enters the building.
Lance takes a small step back but is still blocking the doorway. Allison steps around the corner, entering the nurses’ station and stops dead in her tracks. “Hi.” Her eyes move from Lance to me, a look of worry crossing her features.
“Good morning, Allison. This is Dr. Williams,” I say politely, hoping to keep any tightness out of my voice.
“Ahh, Dr. Williams,” Allison says, extending her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I have to bite my bottom lip to keep from smiling.
“All positive, I’m sure,” he replies with a warm smile as he shakes her hand.
Allison chuckles. That’s her only reply.
“Well, I’ll let you two get your day started. I came in early to learn the layout of the facility and meet the staff. I’m happy to be able to help in Dr. Houston’s absence,” he says, returning to his usual, charming self.
I don’t reply, but Allison does.
“Listen, Dr. Williams, I know it might be a bit uncomfortable working here, given your previous relationship status with Oaklee, but I’m sure everyone can keep it professional, right?”
“Of course.” There’s a tightness around his mouth I notice immediately. He definitely doesn’t appreciate being called out by Allison.
“I thought so, but I wanted to say something regardless,” she adds with a warm smile that’s too big and clearly fake.
“I can understand your concern, but I have no intention of causing Oaklee or anyone here any extra stress. I want this to be a comfortable working environment.” He flashes his own fake smile, making me want to roll my eyes.
“Excellent,” she replies, pushing past him and entering our space. “If you need anything, let me know. I’ll be right here,” she adds, leaving a heaviness hanging in her statement. She’s telling him she’s watching him without saying the words.
Man, I love this woman.
“Nice to meet you, Allison,” he replies before turning and exiting our small work area.
When we know he’s across the hall, she turns her attention to me. “I hate him,” she murmurs softly as to not be overheard.
I can’t help but smile. “Something else we have in common.”
She snorts. “What did the parasite say?”
“Nothing, really, but I’m sure if you hadn’t walked in, he would have. We had only just started talking.”
“Well, the offer still stands, if he gives you problems, let Fiona know and I’ll trade you. Specialty services aren’t much different than our regular clinic procedures. I’m certain you can pick it up quickly.”
I exhale and take a sip of my iced coffee.
“Thank you for the offer, but I’m sure we’ll be fine.
Lance is a lot of things, but when it comes to his career, he’s always been one-hundred-percent dedicated.
That was part of our problem,” I say, recalling all the times he put himself, his career, and schooling above everything else, including me.
“If you say so.” Shoving her purse in the cabinet, she turns to me and adds, “I’ll still junk-punch him if you want.”
I grin. “Not necessary, but thank you for the offer.”
Nodding, she moves over to her computer and turns it on. “Anything happen with you-know-who since we last spoke?” She glances at me, sipping her own iced drink.
I feel my face heat. “Maybe…”
Her eyes widen. “Tell me everything,” she whisper-yells.
“Nothing much to tell, but he came over again after work and brought sandwiches from the deli.”
“He’s such a sweetheart. Did he bring you anything else?” she asks.
When I don’t reply, she spins in her chair and gasps. “Did he bring…the D?” she asks quietly.
“No! I mean, well, no, but kinda.”
She looks concerned as she tries to understand. “Honey, usually there isn’t any question about whether he brought it or not, especially if he’s using it right.”
I shake my head and chuckle. “We didn’t…you know, but we did fool around a little.”
“Yeah? And?”
“And…it was…”
“The blush says it all, honey. Good for you.”
We don’t talk about Cade or what happened last night again, mostly because the moment the clinic opens, we’re being pulled in every which direction.
Dr. Liu, the gastroenterologist, arrives and from the first moment I met her, I can tell she’s a delight.
She’s young and energetic, and even though I’m not her nurse directly, I can tell her patients connect and respect her.
I remain in complete professional mode the entire morning, speaking politely to Lance, but refusing to engage any further than what is deemed necessary.
When he steps in a little too closely in the hallway, I do my best to sidestep away, always keeping as much distance as possible.
He realizes his nearness is a problem for me, I’m sure of it, because he always wears a faint smirk on his smug-ass face. It makes me want to punch it off him.
Or let Allison kick him in the balls.
Just before noon, Allison catches me at the nurses’ station while I’m sending in a prescription. “Everything going okay?”
“Yep,” I reply, eyes on my screen while I complete the refill request.
“I’m ordering a sandwich from Mario’s. Do you want anything?”
I instantly recall the deliciousness Cade and I had when he took me to the pizza joint, and my stomach growls. “I’d love something from there,” I tell her.
She slides a notepad to me. “Write down your order and I’ll call it in. I have to stop by the pharmacy and grab something, so I’ll pick them all up.”
“Sounds good,” I reply, reaching for the notepad and scratching down what I want.
I opt for a personal pan pizza with veggies and a side salad, even though I would much rather have Mario’s freshly baked breadsticks.
I skip a drink, knowing I have a few cans of something caffeinated, as well as some bottled water, in the mini fridge behind me.
“Oaklee, you have a delivery,” Becky says from the doorway, catching my attention.
There’s a little extra spring in my step as I head to the front office to see what Cade sent. Because, if I know anything, it’s that whatever has arrived is from the man I’ve been spending my free time with.
When I reach the office, I spot a vase sitting on the counter with a single flower inside.
It’s a gorgeous pink lily that smells amazing and draws a smile to my lips.
Collecting the vase, I return to my workstation quickly without asking any questions once more, despite the fact Becky was staring at me, waiting on me to comment.
Setting the vase by my computer, I grab the card wrapped around the vase.
Just a simple hello. Hope your day is as beautiful as you. ~C
Warmth spreads through my body, landing firmly between my legs.
I’ve replayed everything that happened last night over and over again, remembering what it felt like to have his fingers rubbing against my clit.
Even through my panties, it felt better than almost every other sexual encounter I’ve ever had.
It makes me wonder how amazing it would be without all the clothing barriers.
What if we were both naked? What if he was hovering above me, slowly sliding that big cock of his inside me for the first time?
My nipples tingle with desire, and I can practically feel his thumb rubbing across each hard bud.
“Oaklee?”
I spin toward the entryway, startled by the sudden appearance of Lance. “What?”
He glances at the flower first before slowly meeting my gaze. “Delivery?”
Clearing my throat, I nod. “Yes.”
He doesn’t say anything for a few seconds, making those seconds feel much longer than they are. “Are you seeing someone?” he finally asks, crossing his arms over his chest and taking a defensive stance.