“Dr. Bennett, what are your thoughts?”
“Dr. Andrews, I’m not sure I should have a say in this. You can guess where I stand and who Claire is to me,” I answer my department head, ignoring the other sets of eyes bearing into me.
“I trust you to take your relationship out of the equation and tell me honestly if she’s a good fit.” He blatantly puts me on the spot.
I take a deep breath, pushing my personal feelings to the side, and speak freely. “Claire Dixon is the only one qualified to attend this training. She came into this specialty because her best friend is a childhood cancer survivor. It hits close to her. Outside of her impeccable continuity of care, she has a dedication to these kids that runs so deep it’s in her soul. She takes her job as a nurse for these children as an honor, treating each one with individualized attention. Even on the worst of days, she can steal their hearts. We’ve all seen how she goes above and beyond when we lose a patient. It cuts her deeply, leaving a scar, but she does it over and over again. She loves her job, takes every opportunity to train, learn, and increase her knowledge in the field. As far as I know, every doctor enjoys working with her.” I scan the room to find six heads nodding. “We almost lost her to Charlotte a few years ago, which would have been a devastating hit to this department. If you’re looking for my opinion or my vote, Claire’s the top choice.”
“Then it’s decided!” Nurse Evie chirps. “Although, we all knew that since she had unanimous references.”
“Evie, aren’t you the one who had to lecture her in Charlotte about shenanigans?” Dr. Andrews points out.
“Hardly anything to worry about. The woman is full of spirit, and together with Lizbeth Hastings, they are a force. Never have I had to discipline Claire, and you know this.”
Dr. Andrews nods and writes something in his notes. “She has my vote as well.”
“She had your vote before you walked in the door, didn’t she?” I ask him emphatically.
“Yes, she’s going to thrive in this training and bring back invaluable knowledge to our department. But, out of respect, I had to get your pass. Since you’re attending the seminar, you had a choice. Over my years, I’ve seen some couples dissolve under this type of pressure. The days are intense and distractions can be a problem.”
“Thanks, but Claire’s never a distraction,” I promise.
“That’s settled. Now onto the next item on the agenda.”
The room remains quiet as he explains there are more supplies going missing all over the hospital. Materials management is working with IT to create a new supply system even more thorough than what’s currently in place. It’s going to be a pain in the ass, but so is the fact that DEA has been informed of what’s happening. By the time he’s finished, the mood is grim, and there are mumblings as we get ready to break up.
Evie follows me to the hallway, pulling me to the side. “I’m going to offer this opportunity to Claire this evening. Can you wait that long to spill the beans?”
“I’m not the one with loose lips. I leave that to Claire.”
This gets me a small grin. “I’m expecting you to control her up in Boston.”
“Can anyone really control Claire?” I joke.
“You know what I mean. Take care of her, watch over her. Dr. Andrews was kind when he used the word intense. These groups can be cut-throat, and any chance they get to outshine the other trainees, they take them. It’s harsh and catty; egos run on high.”
“Evie, you forget how many of these things I’ve attended. You think the nursing side is tough. Try doing rounds with eight doctors whose self-worth is overinflated. Egos so big they don’t fit into the room. I’ve even been close to violence, and I’m the calm one.”
“You’ll take care of her then?” She’s looking for my assurances before she lets this go.
“I’ll always take care of her, and if by some off chance I’m responsible for bailing her out on assault charges, we’ll keep it quiet.”
This earns me a full out smile. “Good boy. I suspect you’ll hear from her around midnight.” She winks and goes in the opposite direction.
When I get to my office, my phone chimes with a text from Claire.
How’d the meeting go?
Me— Same old stuff. Did get some good news. Think it will be public soon.
Claire— Still not able to talk about the bad news?
Me—No, and I don’t want you worried about it. I’m not.
Claire— Will I see you when I arrive?
Me— I’ll be at the nurses’ station waiting for you.
I lie about being concerned because I am getting more frustrated with the fact that the hospital is now looking at every employee as a potential thief. After our first meeting, we were put under strict confidentiality orders not to discuss the missing materials with anyone. That was three weeks ago, and Claire has respected that line in our working relationship. The situation is locked tight with upper-management and nothing has leaked. It sucks dodging her questions, but the fact is I don’t want her worrying about anything.
When I get to my office, I find the message from Dr. Andrews’ assistant asking about travel arrangements for Boston next month. I email her all my and Claire’s information. Then I check our schedules and make a request to be off for two additional days and send the same message to Evie for Claire.
The next few hours, I alternate between clearing my inbox and scanning patient charts. At five ‘til seven, I make my way to meet Claire.
Her loud cackle sounds from the desk before I round the corner. My strides quicken in anticipation; it’s been a long thirteen hours since leaving her this morning. She comes into view, and I stop dead. Her blonde hair is piled on top of her head in a bun with glittery sticks poking out, she’s wearing soft pink scrubs with dancing unicorns, and her face is split into a wide smile. None of this is unusual. What has my blood scorching is the man standing close, gazing at her with unmistakable hunger. His hand moves, crossing into the invisible barrier of personal space. The second he touches her elbow, my feet move.
I slide an arm around her waist, hauling her back to my chest, and skim my lips over the side of her temple. She gives a little yelp, twisting her face to mine.
“Hey, babe.” I speak low but loud enough for him to hear.
“Hi there,” she whispers, sinking into me.
My eyes scan her face, noticing subtle sparkles on her eyes, lips, and cheeks. “You’re glittering.”
“I know. Today is Maggie’s birthday. Her parents are doing something special, and she requested a unicorn theme. I figured I’d go all out.”
The scorching sensation from earlier instantly turns from aggravation to something entirely different. “She’s going to love it.” I picture the twelve-year-old’s face when she sees Claire. The girl already adores Claire, but after tonight, I’d bet that adoration turns to worship.
A throat clears, and she jerks around. “Oh, sorry. Clint, this is Dr. Bennett. Mathis, this is Clint.” She introduces us.
He extends his hand to mine, and I take it with the arm not wrapped around her waist.
“Dr. Mathis Bennett, I’ve heard a lot about you.” His voice is cool, his grip tight.
“Can’t say the same,” I reply gruffly.
Claire elbows me lightly for my bluntness. “Honey, Clint is the new intern.”
It clicks into place. The new guy all the women are going nuts over. I take him in, head to toe, trying to understand the hype. He has player written all over him. When my eyes roam up and lock with his, the hair on the back of my neck prickles. His gaze is dark and hard, almost challenging. In a flash, it’s gone, his expression casual.
She elbows me again, the silence hanging in the air. “Yes, I think I’ve heard we had an intern floating around.”
“Hopefully won’t be floating for long. Put in the paperwork for a more permanent placement.”
“You want to be assigned here?” Claire asks.
“That’s the plan.” He rocks back on his heels, crossing his arms and winking at her.
A low growl rumbles from my chest as Claire tenses. My hand automatically slides to her wrist where her pulse accelerates.
“Well, that should be interesting,” she mutters under her breath.
“I’d better go. See you at Maggie’s birthday. Nice to meet you, Dr. Bennett. I look forward to doing rounds soon.” He gives a half-wave and strolls away.
I stare at his back until he’s turned a corner, my anger setting a fire boiling in my blood.
“Stay away from him,” I bite out.
She steps away, faces me, and takes my hand, yanking me behind the nurses’ station into a small filing area.
“Calm your tits, caveman.”
“That motherfucker eyed you like he wanted to fuck you, touched you, and openly flirted with you in front of me. Not a good combination.”
“Mathis, look at me.”
I do as she asks, my anger simmering to the point of explosion. Her blue eyes are dancing with humor, and she tips up to kiss the underside of my jaw. “It’s hot, it’s sexy, and it’s a huge turn on, but you have to control this possessive act. He’s a flirt, he’s a playboy, and he’s harmless.”
“Not sure any of that quells my rage.”
She begins to giggle, shoving her face in my neck and vibrating against me.
“Not sure what’s fucking funny.”
“You are. For years, I couldn’t get a rise out of you. Now, a man winks at me and you’re acting like a lunatic.”
“First of all, he winked and touched you. Second of all, we’re not talking about those years. Covered that ground, know I was a dick, and have to live with it.”
Her arms circle my middle, and she arches back, her face lit with amusement. “I waited over five years for you. Do you think some player with a killer body and movie star smile is going to turn my head.”
I growl again, this time cupping her ass. “Claire, stop fucking with me.”
“Then stop being ridiculous. His touch was innocent, and I was laughing because one of the kid’s uncles made a pass at him today. I think his masculinity was bruised.”
That does tamper some of the anger, and my lips twitch knowing exactly the uncle she’s referring to.
“You going to behave now? I do have to work with him occasionally, and eventually, you will too.”
“I’ll behave because I know he’ll never get a chance with you, but if he flirts again, I’ll take it to administration.”
She rolls her eyes, and Lora pops her head around the corner looking uncomfortable. “Claire, Maggie’s parents are here, Evie’s looking for you, and Dr. Cross has a question about Jason.”
She tosses her head over her shoulder and smiles at Lora. “No problem, on it. I’ll start with Dr. Cross. Let Evie know I’ll be there soon.”
Lora nods, disappearing.
“I’ll handle Maggie’s parents. What’s the plan?” I ask.
“You’re off. Go home.”
“And miss the unicorn party? Not on your life.”
She frames my face with her hands, kisses me quickly, and scoots away. “Maggie’s parents brought enough for everyone, even for those with dietary restrictions. Set up in the recreation area. All the kids are invited if they feel up to it.”
“I’ll take care of them.”
She shoots me a smile of gratitude and rushes off.
I make a mental note to check out Clint and head to meet Maggie’s family for a unicorn celebration.
The front door opens, and I listen to Claire shuffle quietly to our bedroom. Lighting the candle on our kitchen table, I make the final preparations and lean against the doorway waiting for her. She comes out of the bedroom confused, but when she sees me, her face gives her away. I barely have time to brace until she’s in my arms, her legs locked around my waist and hands framing my face.
“I should kick your ass for not giving me a heads up.”
“If I told you anything, I’d miss this.” I lean in and sweep my lips across hers.
“I can’t believe they chose me! I’m going to Boston!” She squeals, waving her hands in the air and jiggling against me.
“We’re going to Boston,” I correct her.
“We’re going to Boston.”
“It’s quite an opportunity. I’m proud of you.”
“Back at ya, Dr. Bennett.”
“Did Evie give you a rundown on what to expect?”
“Long days on my feet, countless hours in a training room, and team exercises with cut-throat bitches and assholes?”
“Think she covered the essentials, but you’re going to be introduced to some of the most cutting-edge treatments and technology currently being tested.”
“What about you?”
“Exactly the same, except I’ll be with self-absorbed bitches and assholes with entitlement syndromes.”
She scrunches her nose at my description. “That sounds awful.”
“It’s not that bad. I’ve done this a few times and can typically spot the down to earth doctors right away. Seeing as two other pediatricians from our hospital are attending, I’ll know some familiar faces.”
“And you’ll have your protector if anyone gets any ideas.”
“I’ll have my protector.”
Something catches her eye, and she peers over my head, her breath hitching. “Is that Champagne?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t you have to go to work?”
“I’ll have coffee, the champagne is for you.”
“Save the champagne for us.”
I walk to the table and sit, adjusting her in my lap, and hand her an envelope.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.”
She takes out the paperwork and reads through, her eyes growing wide. “We’re staying in a suite?”
“We are.”
“And we’re staying extra days?”
“Seems like someone knows how to read.”
She swats me with the papers. “Don’t be a smartass. I didn’t even know I was going to be allowed to stay with you.”
“Where the hell else would you stay?”
“I figured they’d put me in a room with another nurse or something.”
“First of all, we’re talking about one of the top children’s hospitals in the country. This isn’t a micro-budget trip. You’re a professional, not a college kid on a beach weekend where everyone piles in a room. Second of all, no way in hell would you stay anywhere but with me.”
“Testy, testy.”
“Did you really think I’d let you room alone?”
“Maybe? Remember, this is my first time. You’ve done this plenty.”
“This time, I think it will be much more enjoyable.”
“Once again, you pulled the boyfriend card and went to Evie to request my time off.” She scowls, but it’s hard to take her seriously with the sparkles on her face and glitter now sprinkled in her hair from last night.
“Didn’t go behind your back, just sped up the process of getting it arranged.”
“Very presumptuous of you.”
“Are we going to argue about this?”
She chews on her bottom lip, lowers her eyes back to the itinerary and then to mine. “No, we’re not going to argue.”
“Good because I want a kiss, then I want to fuck you before I leave you in bed and go to work.”
“Presumptuous.” Her voice dips low and raspy.
I skim my hands up her arms, over her shoulders, around her neck, and fist my fingers at the back of her scalp. “If I pull theses sticks out of your hair, are we both going to be covered in unicorn fairy dust?”
Her lips split wide, and she reaches up, yanking them out, and glitter spills down on us. “Oops.” She eyes the mess. “Guess I went a little crazy at the party.”
“You know, it took me almost thirty minutes to wash this off in the shower when I got home earlier.”
“This time, it will take half the time. I’ll help.”
“Let’s go.” I haul her up, knowing I’ll be covered in glitter when I leave.