Chapter Sixteen
WHEN THEY ENTERED the room, a group of medical professionals attended to Mr. Watkins. Julie stepped in and allowed the doctor to take the lead. It was the first time Doc had seen her follow, and she excelled at not trying to take control during a crisis.
Doc believed she was eager to act and would do so if the doctor made a mistake. That must be why they considered her for chief of surgery—she could lead while knowing when to follow and offer advice. He hoped she would secure the position when it opened next month, as the current chief was retiring.
“He’s stable,” she said with weary eyes and concern.
“What the hell happened?” Dr. Boyd, the doctor in charge, asked. “This man was in recovery and doing well.”
Just when Julie appeared ready to intervene and end the man’s tirade, a nurse stated, “I just administered the medication Dr. Banks prescribed.”
Dr. Boyd approached the pharmacy’s rolling cart. After several keystrokes, he turned to Julie and said, “Everyone leave the room.”
Doc hoped the man wasn’t referring to him since he wasn’t leaving her alone, particularly with someone who looked ready to blow his top.
After everyone left, Dr. Boyd remarked, “His record clearly indicates that he’s allergic to oxycodone. Why did you prescribe it?”
Julie appeared surprised. “I didn’t prescribe it.”
“The computer says you did,” he insisted. “You know I have to report this.”
Doc watched as Julie’s posture stiffened and straightened. “I did not prescribe oxycodone for this patient. I prescribed hydromorphone because of his allergy.”
“You’d better get your story straight because the computer doesn’t lie.”
Julie narrowed her eyes. “Are you implying that I’m lying?”
“What I’m saying,” Dr. Boyd clarified, “is that there’s a contradiction. Since this patient coded, I need to report the discrepancy.”
“I understand,” Julie finally said.
Doc watched her stand tall and strong against the accusation aimed at her. He wondered what would happen next. Come to think of it, he remembered her mentioning what she had prescribed when he was there. “Dr. Boyd,” he began.
“And who the hell are you? You look like some militant guy in all black with a weapon at your side. And the men at the door—what the hell is going on?”
“That’s beside the point,” Doc said. “I heard Ju—Dr. Banks as she entered the medication selection. She acknowledged his aversion to oxycodone and chose another option.”
“Well, what she said and what she entered into the computer are two different things. The pharmacy relies on what is entered in the system.”
Doc didn’t like this guy, but he made a valid point. He couldn’t imagine Julie making such a grave mistake.
“I have other patients to see,” Dr. Boyd said as he left the room, leaving behind the medical cart used to save Mr. Watkins.
Julie turned to the patient and checked his pulse at his wrist. She gently placed it back on the bed and sighed heavily. “I need to see my boss,” she said to him as she slowly walked toward the door.
“What happens next?” Doc asked.
She shrugged. “Now, I’m going to see my boss.”
That didn’t seem fair. She hadn’t done anything wrong. The pharmacy must’ve made a mistake.
They left, and when Doc couldn’t follow her into her boss’s office, he realized this situation was more serious than Julie had implied. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have cared if he heard the facts since he had witnessed them. Could he offer another perspective on what occurred? Now that he thought about it, the students were also with her when she clearly stated that the man was allergic to that specific opioid.
But Doc had to allow her to manage her business. He didn’t know enough about the medical field to discuss the current administrative procedures.
Julie appeared defeated as she left the office. “I’m ready to go.”
Doc nodded and placed his hand on her back, guiding her to stand beside him and between the other agents. They hadn’t encountered any issues with Dr. Garcia today. In fact, he had been especially attentive to her.
Once they got into the vehicle, Doc turned to her. “Do you want to talk about it?”
He could see the tears welling up in her eyes, and he wanted to reach over and wipe them away.
“I’m on leave, waiting for a medical review board at the hospital.” Her voice was strong, but her body language indicated that she worried or disagreed. He leaned toward the latter because he didn’t think she would worry about something she had done correctly.
“How long will that take?” he asked, longing to pull her into his arms and comfort her.
“It’ll only be a few days since the hospital has been short-staffed with surgeons.” She turned and looked out her window, ending his interrogation.
Doc listened through his earpiece as Cowboy declared that the house was clear. They drove the SUVs to the door and hurried Julie inside. He wasn’t taking any more chances with her life.
The one positive outcome of today was that she was put on leave, allowing them to spend time together. He then recalled that court had been rescheduled and they would need to attend when summoned.
“When will you be getting your stitches out?” Doc asked her.
Julie glanced at her arm. “I’ll take them out.”
He hadn’t considered that option, but being a medical professional must be a benefit.
Later, Julie had dinner with the agents, and Doc resented sharing her. He suspected she had come down to eat to avoid a repeat of the previous night. Little did she know there would be many more repeats. In fact, they were just getting started.
After clearing the dishes, Grits headed out for the evening, leaving Pup and Casey as the indoor protectors and Cowboy and Nemo outside. He enjoyed this role because it gave him time to spend with Julie.
“Can I talk to you, Julie?” Doc asked before she could go up the stairs.
She nodded and walked over to him.
With Pup in the living room, Doc didn’t want any witnesses. “Out on the back patio.”
Doc took pride in his small patio. Although well-landscaped, it included a hot tub he would love to enjoy with Julie.
A nearly full moon lit up the otherwise dark area. He cleared his throat after they settled into their stools at a high-top table. “I want to talk about last night.”
Julie nodded. “I figured you might.” She crossed her arms over her chest, effectively closing herself off.
“First, I’m not sorry. I like you, Julie. I want to get to know you better.”
“I—”
“I understand your concerns about ethics, but you shouldn’t worry.”
She snorted. “That’s just what I need—another review board.”
Okay, this wasn’t going well. He had just told the woman that he liked her, but she didn’t respond in kind. He knew she wanted him. No woman would kiss like that if she didn’t at least like the man. At least, no woman he’d commit to.
“Julie,” he said, reaching across the table to take her hand from her chest. He held it gently with his own. “Do you want me?”
Their gazes locked in a blaze of desire and heat. She couldn’t deny what she wanted. He would know.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said.
He looked around for inspiration. How could he reach her? Suddenly, an idea struck him. He met her gaze once more with renewed intensity. “Isn’t there some kind of moonlight exception to this rule?”
When she didn’t respond immediately, he felt anxious. Then she smiled widely. “There just might be.”
With a broad grin, he tugged at her hand. “Then come here.”
Without breaking eye contact, Julie slowly stood and positioned herself between his legs. With the high chairs, they were at eye level, face to face.
Doc wrapped his arms around her waist, and she placed hers around his neck.
“I’m tired of fighting my feelings for you, Rodney. I don’t know where our relationship might go, but I want you.”
That was all he needed. He kissed her fiercely, indifferent to the possibility of bruising their lips. He needed to taste her…to touch her…to have her. This time, they wouldn’t stop except to make their way upstairs.
Doc pulled her closer, spreading his legs to accommodate her entirely. Sitting as he was, his dick was aching, not just with desire for her, but because he needed to adjust himself. Breaking the hungry kiss, he took several deep breaths, then shifted in the seat.
“Julie,” he whispered against her lips.
“Rodney,” she murmured.
He ran his fingers through her hair, gently adjusting the angle of her head. Anticipation surged within him, strengthening his resolve to be with her tonight as he trailed kisses down her soft neck. Her pulse raced, and he knew she was just as aroused as he was.
“Inside,” he said in a gruff voice.
She paused. “What about Pup?”
“What about him?” Doc didn’t intend to invite the kid into the bedroom with them.
“He’ll know what we’re up to,” she said shyly.
What were they, teenagers sneaking around behind their parents’ backs? Doc pressed his forehead to hers, their noses nearly touching. “Honey, with the heat between us, they probably already think we are.”
Even in the moonlight, he could see her charming blush.
“So, are we going upstairs, or am I just going to get you undressed out here?”
Julie chuckled. “Your place or mine?”
“That’s my line,” he said with a playful grin, taking her hand and guiding her into his home.