Chapter 50
Martin
“Dr Kane, there’s someone looking for you at reception.”
“Oh, thanks. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“He’s… er… a very handsome fella.”
I bite my lip, my cheeks flushing as I fight a smile.
“Nice one,” the nurse says with a grin before she heads off.
“A handsome fella, is it?” my patient with otitis says, raising an eyebrow.
“Looks like your ears are working just fine,” I say.
“They’re killing me, but I hear perfectly. Don’t keep him waiting. A decent man’s hard to find!”
“True, but we’re almost done. Another minute or two won’t kill him.”
“You just want to keep him on his toes.”
I shake my head, trying not to laugh.
“You can get away with it. You’re the type who could be on one of those calendars, Doctor. I don’t know your fella, but you’re definitely calendar material.”
I burst out laughing as I get up from my stool.
“Thank you, but I’m not that good-looking. As for him,” I sigh, excitement bubbling up, “he’s a proper cover guy. The sort of man you’d want to see every day, not just for one month.”
My patient sighs along with me.
“Then off with you, Doctor. Don’t let him slip away.”
I hand the prescription folder to the nurse and say goodbye to my patient. Outside the examination room, I peel off my gloves, toss them into the bin, straighten my coat, and head down the corridor towards reception.
When I see him at the desk, joking with a nurse, I smile instinctively.
“Are you trying out all your charm on Chloe?” I ask from behind, making him jump.
“Oh… Hi,” he says, half-heartedly.
“Hello to you.”
“I was just telling Chloe I was waiting for my sexy Doctor.”
“Please don’t take the piss out of me in front of my colleagues.”
“He really said that, Doctor,” Chloe whispers.
“What an idiot.”
“Have you a minute?”
I nod. “Come on, I need a coffee.”
I gesture for him to follow me. He waves goodbye to Chloe, one of the hospital’s worst chatterboxes. By the time I’m back from my break, everyone — including the staff on the fourth floor — will know someone came looking for me.
“She looked surprised I’d come for you.
“Of course she did,” I say, feeding coins into the dispenser.
“What do you mean?”
“Who else would you expect to come for me?”
I hand him a cup, then buy one for myself.
“I still don’t get it.”
“Ah, forget it.”
I jerk my head towards the door, nodding for him to follow me out to the fire escape.
“Are you trying to keep me hidden from everyone?” he asks once we’re outside.
“I’m trying to stop you from becoming the hospital’s newest erotic fantasy.”
He steps closer. “Are you jealous, Doctor?”
“More and more arsehole.”
“Do you want to keep me all to yourself?”
“I’d rather not share my fantasies with colleagues, thanks.”
He takes the coffee from my hands, sets it on the step beside his, and catches the edges of my coat, tugging me towards him.
“I hadn’t seen you in the white coat yet.” His voice shivers through my bones, his breath warm on my lips. “You might be one of my fantasies now.”
“I doubt it.”
“If you want, I’ll show you,” he says, voice low and filthy as he presses his body against mine.
“Now I’ve got a very clear idea. Thanks for the clarification.”
“Anytime.” He smiles, then gently presses his mouth to mine. “Fuck, I’ve really wanted to see you, and now that I finally have…” He sighs, kisses me again, then slowly lets me go. “It’s still not enough.”
“I’m working late. I’m sorry.”
“I can wait.”
“I’ve no clue what time I’ll finish, and I don’t want you sitting in the waiting room on your own like an idiot.”
“Do you worry about me?”
“Fuck off.”
“I could wait at your place,” he says hesitantly. “If that’s okay with you.”
“Really?”
He shrugs like it’s nothing, even though the embarrassment is written all over him.
“Come here.” I grab him by the shirt and drag him closer. “I’d really like to find you at home when I get back.” I reach into my pocket, pull out my keys, and press them into his hand.
He studies them for a moment, rolling the metal between his fingers.
“You just gave me the keys to your house.”
Then he lifts his gaze, and suddenly I’m not looking at the Captain anymore, the big man full of pride, ready to take the world by the balls.
What I see in his eyes tells me no one has ever handed this man the keys to their house, and that he has probably received very little in life. My heart just hammers harder, telling me it’s ready to make up for it and give my Captain every last thing he never had.