‘SUSAN’S fiancé?’ Jackson asked ever so politely. He glanced down at Susie, noting how uncomfortable she was with this jerk’s arm about her. His first instinct had been to slog Walter Amery right between the eyes, but his mother had always taught him that violence wasn’t the civilised way to express one’s feelings.
His second instinct was to pluck Susie from the other man’s reach and cradle her protectively within his own arms. That was probably the better option to go with but he was sure she wouldn’t like it, especially as it would bring unwanted attention to the true feelings between them.
His third option was to remain calm and unaffected whilst managing to get Susie as far away from Walter as possible…and he knew just how to do it. Taking in the pristine penguin suit the other man was wearing, noting the perfection of his hair and the shine on his shoes, Jackson had already sized Walter Amery up as a man who liked to be thought prestigious.
Jackson smiled warmly and placed his hand in Walter’s, ensuring his grip was firm and positive. ‘Pleased to meet you, Walter. I’m Jackson Myers.’
‘My goodness,’ Walter said as he peered closer. ‘So you are. I apologise, Professor. I didn’t recognise you.’
Susie’s gaze narrowed. She’d watched Jackson carefully during those first few moments and had seen his ‘official mask’ slip into place.
Jackson took a step around Susie so that he was now facing Walter. ‘Are you an orthopaedic surgeon as well?’
‘Good gracious, no,’ Walter said, as though being labelled an orthopod was a disease. Susie rolled her eyes and sighed, stepping slightly out of Walter’s embrace. Thankfully, he dropped his arm and tugged on his jacket lapels. ‘I’m a plastic surgeon.’
‘I see.’ Jackson nodded. ‘You must be here from interstate, then.’
‘No. no. I’m consulting privately now at the Goldtown Private Hospital.’
Here he goes again, Susie thought as Walter preened openly. She wondered why she hadn’t seen his selfishness from the beginning. It was in the past and she was definitely over him now. When he’d touched her, all she’d felt had been a shuddering revulsion.
‘Oh, but of course you’re not from Brisbane,’ Walter continued when Jackson failed to be impressed by the hospital name. ‘It is the most prestigious private hospital in Queensland. We have people from all over the state and some from interstate coming to our hospital specifically for the first-class treatment they receive.’
Jackson frowned and glanced from Susie to Walter and back to Susie again. Had she lied to him? She’d said that her fiancé, or more correctly her ex-fiancé, had left the state. What type of game was she playing? As Walter continued to drone on about his work, Jackson wondered what she’d seen in him. He was boring. Then again, perhaps Susie liked boring and monotonous men but, he reminded himself, not for the first time, he really didn’t know her that well.
He now had a lot of unanswered questions…questions he was determined to have answered before he left. What game was she playing? She was attracted to him. No one could share a kiss as they had that afternoon and be unaffected by it. He’d asked her directly whether she was seeing someone and she’d said no. That could only mean that Mr Excitement here was lying. Perhaps Walter wanted Susie back? Would she go? After all, he himself would be gone at the end of the week and she’d be alone again.
The thought of leaving Susie in the clutches of a man like Walter Amery chilled him to the bone. A wild longing to kidnap Susie and take her back to Melbourne with him passed fleetingly through his mind.
He looked at her again, only to see her unsuccessfully try to smother a yawn. Then he remembered the hectic day she’d already had and his annoyance turned to compassion. She should be tucked up in bed, sleeping. He’d have to get Walter away from her, then she could escape. They would talk later.
‘Tell me, Walter,’ Jackson said as he stepped around to the man’s other side, thereby leaving Susie as free as a bird, ‘were you involved in setting up this prestigious hospital? I mean, if I wanted to do something like this back in Melbourne, how would I go about it?’
Susie couldn’t believe Jackson was serious. Was that what he wanted to do when he got back to Melbourne? Set up a high-class hospital for high-class people, their only aim being to make loads of money? She felt cheated that he could be so shallow. Then again, she hadn’t seen the trait in Walter until it had been too late.
Walter turned his back to her so he was now facing Jackson, talking animatedly about his precious hospital. Susie was the type of doctor who’d entered the profession because of her great need to help people, not exploit them for money. She shook her head in disgust, unwilling to listen to Walter any longer. She was leaving. She’d had enough.
Not wanting to interrupt their tête-à-tête, she shrugged and slipped quietly away. For an instant she thought she’d felt Jackson’s gaze follow her movements, but when she glanced over her shoulder he was listening intently to Walter.
Not bothering to say goodbye to anyone, she returned to her car and wearily drove home. It was too late for her bubble bath. Once inside, she merely stripped off her glamorous clothes, brushed her teeth and pulled on a pair of boxer shorts and a singlet top before climbing between the sheets.
Susie managed to concentrate during most of Thursday but as the day wore on she started to become more and more nervous. Had Jackson meant what he’d said? Was he still planning to come around to her place that evening to watch the videos of her hand and microsurgery reconstructions?
She’d managed ward round and clinic without a problem, as well as getting a debrief from Kyle on the status of Blade Fargo. So far there had been no complications with his surgery and it looked as though he was going to make an uncomplicated recovery.
‘Apparently,’ Kyle told her, ‘he’s quite impressed with our Patti. He’s asked her to stay on as his private nurse for the rest of the movie shoot.’
‘Good.’ Susie nodded sternly. ‘That way we can be sure his arm won’t be exacerbated. Patti knows what to keep an eye out for.’
‘Good heavens, Susie. Don’t you see the underlying meaning here?’
‘What?’ Susie frowned at her registrar, focusing on his face as his words started to sink in. ‘What’s the underlying meaning?’
‘That Blade Fargo and Patti are a couple.’
‘Really!’ Susie was surprised. ‘So soon? They’ve only known each other a few days.’
‘I think this could be serious,’ Kyle told her. ‘Besides, it doesn’t take more than a few days to fall in love when you meet the right person.’
‘Oh? And so how many times have you been in love, then, Dr Thompson?’
‘Ah…not that I’m speaking from my own experience,’ he clarified quickly. ‘It’s just that seeing them together is so nice. They really care about each other.’ Kyle shook his own head as he mused out loud. ‘You know, I thought Blade would be a stuck-up snob but he’s not. He’s so down to earth. He’s an actor and his job is to act. That’s it.’
‘Wouldn’t Patti get jealous of his leading ladies?’
‘Surprisingly not. The actress he’s in the movie with came by this morning so they could rehearse and Patti didn’t seem at all bothered when the script called for a kiss.’
Susie raised her eyebrows. ‘Well good for her, then.’
‘That’s just what I think.’ Kyle stood up. ‘Are you taking Hilda Kazinski back to Theatre today?’
‘It all depends,’ Susie replied. ‘At the moment, I don’t think so. The surgery I performed yesterday needs a bit more time to heal. I’ll see how she’s looking later on in the day. Chances are, she’s a fast healer.’ It would also give her the excuse to cancel her plans with Jackson.
‘Do you want me to organise further scanning for this afternoon so we can check it out?’
‘Sure. Thanks, Kyle.’ When her registrar didn’t move she looked at him expectantly. ‘Was there anything else?’
‘No. Not really.’ He stood and took a few steps towards the door before pausing. ‘It’s just you.’ He frowned at her. ‘I’m concerned about you. You’re not your usual self today.’
Susie forced a smile. ‘I’m fine. I guess it’s just the added strain of having the VOP here this week, that’s all. Everything will be back to normal next week.’
‘Good.’ Kyle seemed satisfied with her answer and took himself off. Susie worked on her research proposal right through lunchtime and into the afternoon. She refused to allow her mind to dwell on Jackson or the fact that he might walk through her door at any moment.
A few minutes later, there was a brief knock on her door before it opened, the sounds making her jump violently. Her heart thudded wildly against her ribs and her mouth went dry with anticipation. Was this Jackson?
Todd walked in and she sighed with a mixture of relief and disappointment. Todd watched her carefully for a moment before closing the door. ‘Expecting someone else?’ he teased.
‘No,’ she answered quickly, then, unable to fight the strain any longer, she tossed her pen down and raised her hand to massage her temples. ‘He told me last night that he was coming to watch videos at my house tonight.’
‘Really?’ Todd’s eyebrows hit his hairline. ‘Going to book a romantic comedy?’
Susie gave a short hysterical laugh. ‘No. Professor Myers wants to watch the videos on hand surgery.’
‘The ones in the library?’
‘Yes.’
‘Wow! He sure knows how to show a girl a good time. Why are you on edge, then?’
‘Because Jackson is going to be in my home!’ she exclaimed, flinging her hands around wildly.
‘Whoa. Settle down there. Control your agitation. What’s so wrong with Jackson coming around to your house? From where I’m sitting, it’s about time you two got to spend some time alone. Think about it, Susie. In the past few days, you’ve either been at lectures, luncheons, dinners or operating. What time have you had for serious discussions and get-to-know-you conversations? I’ll tell you,’ he continued when she opened her mouth to reply. ‘Absolutely none.’
‘But there’s no point. He’ll be gone on Saturday evening and then what?’
‘I don’t know, Susie.’ Todd’s voice was quiet and sincere. ‘You tell me. How do you feel about him?’
‘I…I…’ She sighed and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. ‘I don’t know,’ she admitted eventually. ‘It’s all happened so quickly that I’m not sure what I think.’
‘I didn’t ask how you think, my dear boss, I asked how you feel.’
She smiled at him and shook her head. ‘To tell you the truth, Todd, it’s something I’ve been trying hard not to focus on.’
‘Why? Because you don’t think Jackson feels the same way? Has the same intense emotions you’re obviously experiencing?’
‘Who are you? What have you done with my secretary?’ Susie laughed before she narrowed her gaze at him. ‘Do you have a part-time job writing a column for a magazine giving out advice to the lovelorn?’
Todd smiled. ‘No, I don’t, and stop changing the subject. Richard told me yesterday that Jackson has bitten his head off more times in Brisbane than anywhere else in the world, and when Richard tried to schedule something for tonight, Jackson firmly insisted that he be permitted his scheduled night off to do whatever he chose. He hasn’t even told Richard where he’s going and has said he would leave his pager and mobile phone at the hotel.’
‘Oh, no,’ Susie groaned and covered her face with her hands. ‘That means he’s coming over.’
‘I’d say that it does.’
‘So Richard doesn’t know what’s going on?’
‘No.’
‘And you’re not going to tell him, are you,’ she stated firmly.
‘What am I supposed to tell him? You don’t even know what’s going on.’ Todd laughed when she groaned again. ‘Listen, Susie, you’ve just got to relax and go with the flow. Live a little. Take a chance and don’t punish him for past mistakes. Remember that Jackson isn’t like Walter or Greg.’
‘Ha. That’s what you think. Jackson was talking quite animatedly with Walter last night about how to set up a private hospital.’
‘Walter was at the dinner last night?’
‘Why?’
‘Who knows?’ Her tone was bored and impersonal. ‘I certainly don’t and I didn’t stick around to find out.’
‘Perhaps Jackson was just being polite.’
Susie had thought about that as well. She couldn’t bring herself to believe that Jackson was the type of doctor who was in the profession solely for the money. Sure, the VOP would have brought him international acclaim and prestige but he’d been so eager to help out with Blade Fargo’s surgery that she had taken that as proof that he was a doctor first and foremost because he wanted to help people. Just like her. He’d explained that the VOP had been his wife’s idea and he’d only gone through with it to carry out her wishes. His tribute to the departed love of his life.
‘I don’t know any more.’ She sighed again and picked up her pen.
‘So what are you going to do?’
Susie shrugged. ‘I’m going to wait. Wait and see if he calls or simply turns up.’
Todd picked up the files in her out-tray and chuckled as he walked to the door. ‘Ah, ain’t love grand?’
‘Love!’ She choked. ‘Who said anything about love?’
Todd merely laughed and walked out.
‘Love?’ she whispered, and then quickly shook her head. ‘No! Not love. Not again. Not this little black duck,’ she said with determination.
She was still telling herself that as she unlocked her front door a few hours later. She’d heard nothing from Jackson so obviously he’d decided not to keep their…their what? Date? She’d hardly call it that.
She hurried to her room and kicked off her shoes, pulling the clip out of her hair at the same time. Now that he wasn’t coming around, perhaps she could have that bubble bath she’d missed out on last night. It felt so good not to have to go out this evening. She glanced at the clock—seven-thirty.
She changed out of her suit into a loose, flowing skirt and top, taking time to brush her hair before heading to the kitchen for a drink. She eyed the choice of soothing herbal teas in her cupboard while she waited for the kettle to boil and eventually chose chamomile. She checked the kitchen clock—seven-thirty-five.
‘Oh, stop it,’ she told herself as she ran a hand through her hair, but it was easier said than done. She was anxious and on edge. Would he come or wouldn’t he? Perhaps she should call him?
When the doorbell rang she jumped in fright. She stood, glued to the spot for a whole minute, wondering what she should do. Was it him? Was it someone else? With her heart pounding rapidly, she smoothed her hands down her skirt, telling herself there was nothing to be concerned about, and forced her legs to carry her towards the door.
The doorbell rang again as she reached for the handle, giving her a fright, and she gave a little scream. She opened the door to see Jackson standing on the other side of the screen door. She knew that the screen mesh shielded her from Jackson’s view but she could certainly see him and he looked…sexy.
He was wearing a navy polo shirt and the same denim jeans she’d seen him in the other night—the ones that fitted him to perfection.
‘Susie? What’s the matter? Open the door. Why did you scream?’ His impatient tone made her fumble with the key for the screen door but finally she managed. He didn’t wait for her to open it but wrenched the handle down the instant he heard the lock click.
He stormed in, almost knocking her over, glancing around the hallway. ‘What’s the matter?’ he asked again.
‘Nothing.’ She concentrated on locking the screen door before closing the wooden door. Unable to delay the inevitable any more, she turned to face him. The look in his eyes was unmistakably raw with repressed desire and involuntarily she parted her lips, her breathing instantly erratic.
His gaze travelled the length of her and her insides spiralled with warmth. Nothing could have made her look away from him at that heart-stopping moment, and before she could utter a word Jackson dropped his bag and hauled her into his arms, his mouth moving hungrily over hers.
In contrast to the kiss they’d shared the previous day, this one was hot and hungry, leaving Susie in little doubt as to just how attracted to her Jackson was. His hands roved over her back as he deepened the kiss. She went with him, eager to keep up, eager to show him just how mutual the desire was.
He groaned and urged her backwards and soon she felt the coolness of the wall against her back. He leaned in, his body pressing against her own, and she felt her breasts crushed against the firmness of his chest.
The smell of raw, unleashed craving mingled between them as the need for more rose urgently in both of them. She dug her fingers into his shoulder blades before sliding them firmly down his back, feeling the flexed muscles beneath. Wanting to touch him, she impatiently tugged his shirt from the waistband of his jeans, her fingers now itching to make contact with his skin.
When the task was finally completed, she moaned with delight when she reached her objective. His skin was hot to her touch just as she’d known it would be. Giving in to the yearning that had been building within her since early Monday morning, she allowed her hands to explore the solid contours of his torso, committing each one to memory.
Jackson groaned against her mouth, unable to believe how this woman could set him on fire. The sensations he was experiencing were all completely foreign but he was definitely enjoying each new one she discovered. The touch of her hands on his body, the way her mouth was responding to his, giving in to every one of his needs, matching them eagerly.
She lifted one leg slightly and coiled it around the back of his before sliding it slowly down to the ground. The action caused a stirring deep within him and he could feel himself losing control of the situation. She repeated the action and he groaned with longing.
Breaking his mouth free, they both gasped in air before he pushed her hair aside and smothered the smoothness of her neck in hot, feverish kisses. He then changed direction and dipped towards the exposed skin above her breasts.
Her hands slid out from his shirt and at the same time she murmured his name. ‘Mmm,’ she sighed, lacing her fingers through his hair. ‘Jackson.’
The way she said his name pierced right to his heart and he realised that things were getting out of control. He worked his way up, not wanting to break the contact immediately but knowing he must—and soon. He nipped at her ear lobe and she giggled. The sound was intensely provocative and the last thing he needed at that moment.
‘Susie.’ With his breathing still out of control, he looked down at her face. Her eyes were closed, her parted lips were dark pink and swollen from his kisses, her breathing as ragged as his own. She was a vision of loveliness. Unable to resist, he brushed his lips against hers, forcing himself not to deepen the kiss.
‘Mmm,’ she murmured again, and when he brushed them a third time, her hands clamped themselves on either side of his head and held his lips where they belonged. Seductively, she ran her tongue over his lips and was thrilled with the shudder that tore through his body.
Ever so slowly, she kissed him again. Teasing and testing, refusing to deepen the kiss.
‘Susie.’ This time her name was torn from his lips and she was satisfied with the response. ‘Honey…’
She kissed him again, not wanting him to speak for she’d already sensed his slow but sure withdrawal. Even though their bodies were still pressed firmly together, Jackson had already mentally distanced himself. She didn’t want to think about things rationally and if they stopped completely, they’d have to talk things through.
Susie just wanted to go on feeling exactly as she was feeling now, not caring about her already bruised heart or the fact that the man in her arms would be leaving within forty-eight hours.
She breathed slowly against his mouth before tasting him once again. Now that she knew how incredible they were together, it was something she knew she’d crave for the rest of her life.
He didn’t break free and he didn’t hurry her. Instead, he took what she was offering but held himself under rigid control, still marvelling at how easily he’d lost his perspective. Perhaps the building resistance they’d been employing for the past four days had increased his drive. Whatever this was between them, Jackson knew he’d never experience anything like it again. This was unique.
Knowing the moment had come where she couldn’t hang onto the physical pull any longer, Susie lowered her hands to his shoulders and slowly opened her eyes. His blue eyes were gazing down into hers, the fire still burning but gradually being doused.
Neither of them spoke but the communication was there. As their breathing steadied to a more normal pace, Jackson reluctantly eased himself away from her. For one fleeting instant, he thought Susie might overrule him and drag his body back where it belonged. Instead, she let her hands fall limply to her sides, her gaze dipping briefly to his lips before she looked down at the floor.
He felt awful. How could he have done what he just had? She was a colleague and, despite how much he was attracted to her, he owed her the respect and common decency he’d show other female colleagues. Guilt started to swamp him and he opened his mouth, an apology on his lips.
‘Don’t.’ Susie held up her hand. ‘Don’t apologise. We both wanted it, we both needed it and we’ll both take responsibility for it.’
‘You’re right, but I was also going to say I’d never meant it to happen.’
‘Liar.’ She crossed her arms defensively over her body, rubbing her bare arms, her body still feeling bereft of his touch. She turned and headed into the living room, leaving him to follow her or stay where he was. She needed to sit down.
‘Why am I a liar?’ He could feel the faint strain of annoyance surge through him at her accusation. He picked up his bag and followed her. She was sitting with her legs tucked beneath her skirt on a large floral chair. Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap and her eyes were momentarily closed.
Susie fought for composure before opening her eyes to look at him. ‘Because you did mean that kiss to happen. You may not have realised it, but it’s been building ever since we met on Monday morning.’ She shrugged, displaying a nonchalance she didn’t feel. ‘It was…inevitable.’
He registered the truth of her words as he slumped down into the matching floral chair. ‘When you opened the door to let me in, I guess everything became too much to control. I was relieved we could see each other without being surrounded by people. I was still trying to resist you because I knew it wasn’t the right thing to do and I was slightly annoyed because of that boring jerk you used to be engaged to.’
‘What’s Walter got to do with this?’
‘How could you have been engaged to someone like that?’ The question had been buzzing around in his brain ever since he’d met the self-centred bore the night before.
‘Don’t you criticise me,’ she replied hotly, feeling her temper begin to rise. She wasn’t that surprised. With all the turbulent emotions still bubbling deep inside, it was little wonder she was reacting so erratically.
‘I wasn’t.’ Jackson eyed her warily and realised she was like a dormant volcano just waiting to explode. Amazingly, he couldn’t think of a time when she’d looked more beautiful. Her eyes were hot with fire, her cheeks were flushed with colour and her shoulders were ramrod straight, showing she was spoiling for a fight. ‘I was surprised to find you’d been engaged to him and I was wondering why you’d lied to me.’
‘What! When did I lie to you? How dare you call me a liar?’
‘Why not? You just called me one.’ He stood and started to pace around the room.
‘That was different and you know it.’ She watched him carefully.
‘You told me your fiancé had moved to Sydney after you’d broken up.’
‘He did.’
‘They why did Walter tell me he’s been in Brisbane for the past few years?’
‘Because he has.’
‘What?’ Jackson’s voice cracked with exasperation.
‘I was engaged twice!’ Susie flung her arms out wide. Her words obviously had a sobering effect on Jackson because he stopped pacing and stared at her in amazement.
‘You’ve been engaged twice?’
‘Yes. First to Walter and then to Greg.’
He exhaled sharply, shoving one hand in his pocket and running the other hand through his hair. ‘No wonder.’ His words were barely audible but Susie caught them.
‘No wonder what?’ she asked instantly, her chin jutting up in defiance.
‘No wonder you’re so afraid of getting hurt again.’ His tone was filled with such compassion that her anger melted away. ‘Did you break off either engagement?’
‘No.’
‘Why did Walter break up with you?’
Susie crossed her arms in front of her chest. ‘Are the twenty questions really necessary?’
‘I think so.’
‘Am I allowed the same courtesy?’
His gaze narrowed marginally but, he realised, it was only fair. ‘Of course.’ He was starting to itch again—itching to touch her. Just to hold her hand in his, to feel her smooth skin against his own, to be close enough to drink in her perfume. She was like a drug and, he was beginning to realise, he was slowly becoming addicted.