Victoria
I entered the lobby of the healthplex and stopped dead in my tracks, arrested by the sight in front of me. Benny caught my eye and waved me over, and I found my feet carrying me closer against my will. Next to the building manager stood a golden-haired man, tall and broad-shouldered. Despite the constrictive suit he wore, the man’s build spoke of power and raw masculinity, his muscular arms and legs straining against the material.
My gaze slid over his chest and up to his angular face. His hair was military short, with just enough on top to run my fingers through the silky strands. Hazel eyes sat over high cheekbones, and a neatly trimmed beard covered the lower half of his jaw. I typically opted for the men I dated to be clean-shaven, but the facial hair on this man seemed appropriate, as if it enhanced his features rather than detracting from them. He was too rugged to be considered traditionally handsome, but the man was gorgeous in a rough sort of way. He looked as if he could bench press me with one arm, and my blood ran hot at the thought of his hands all over me.
I had little experience with men of his caliber—okay, none—but I knew instinctively that he would know exactly how to treat a woman. He exuded confidence, an arrogance I imagined most men of his stature exhibited, and I wondered what it would feel like to have that rapt attention focused on me. The thought simultaneously thrilled me and irked me, because a man like him would sure have a girlfriend who was just as beautiful. A twinge of jealousy curdled in my gut and I clenched my teeth, pushing the useless emotion away and replacing it instead with cool aloofness.
As I approached the duo, the man flashed me a smile, his teeth perfectly straight and white against his deeply tanned cheeks. The action made me self-conscious of my own slightly crooked incisors, and I pressed my lips into a tight line. Irritation flared again at the sight of the insolent grin twisting his lips. It was a smile designed to draw women in and make them lose all sense as they flung themselves at him. Oh, yes. This man was used to getting whatever—and whomever—he wanted.
I gritted my teeth. I couldn’t believe I’d allowed him to get under my skin and undermine my confidence without so much as a word. He meant nothing; he was probably just being interviewed for the security position. Once he left, I’d tell Benny that the man wouldn’t be a good fit. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about seeing him ever again.
Benny spoke up as I came within a couple feet of them. “Dr. Carr, this is Blake Lawson with Quentin Security Group.”
The man held out a hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
I bristled, narrowing my eyes at him as I offered a brief handshake. “Doctor Carr.”
After almost ten years in the South, I still wasn’t used to the precipitous use of the word ma’am. I knew it was supposed to be a sign of respect, but the man’s tone had an almost mocking quality to it. If the faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth was any indication, he clearly found my indignation humorous. I didn’t normally think so highly of myself, but he had me on guard. Better to distance myself now and put him in his place. I steeled my spine and stared him down. His eyes twinkled with mirth but his face remained impassive, stoking my ire. Good thing he wouldn’t be around long, otherwise we were bound to butt heads.
Benny interrupted her thoughts. “Mr. Lawson will resume duties beginning Monday.”
I startled, and my mouth dropped open a fraction. “I’m sorry?”
The building manager nodded. “I’ll get him a set of keys, so you can lock up like normal when you leave for the evening. We’ve been discussing the option of installing cameras at each entrance, as well as in the elevator and on each floor.”
Blake opened his mouth, but I cut in and spoke over him. “Clearly, Mr. Lawson, you are aware of the sensitive nature of my work. It would be an infringement of my patient’s rights to track them all over the building.” Again, his mouth opened to speak, but I continued. “They need to feel comfortable here, not like prisoners.”
I turned to Benny. “I will not consent to cameras. Besides, they seem to be a completely unnecessary expense if Mr. Lawson here”—I gestured to the man to my right—“is truly as competent as he says he is.”
I felt more than saw his look of disdain, and I kept my gaze firmly on Benny as Blake spoke up. “I assure you, ma’am, I am completely capable of securing a single building.” There was no mistaking the derision in his voice this time, and I cut a glare at him as he continued. “However, in my experience, it’s better to have too many precautions in place rather than too few. I was led to believe that a call was made to you from a recent crime scene. Is that correct?”
His hazel eyes burned into mine, and I crossed my arms over my chest. “Yes, but—”
“Then it would appear,” he cut in, “that you could potentially be in danger. I don’t know the how or why of it, Doctor Carr, but I am here to prevent anyone from harming you.”
I notched my chin up a degree. “And what qualifications do you have, exactly?”
Condescension flickered in the hazel depths of his eyes as he regarded me. “I’ve been trained in a range of weapons as well as hand-to-hand combat.”
“That’s—”
“In addition to that,” he barreled over me, “I also completed four tours as a US Marine where I served in the Special Forces. I’ve been to thirty-two countries and am equipped to navigate any terrain and survive in any condition so, yes, I believe I am. Ma’am.”
Infuriating man. I bit my tongue and clenched my hands into tight fists as he tacked on that last parting shot. I refused to let the man rile me. Since Benny had obviously already offered Blake the position, I would just have to suck it up and avoid him at all costs. I lifted my chin and stared at him.
“Fine. I expect you to leave my office alone during business hours unless you are expressly requested to intervene. I will accede to cameras in the elevator and main access points, but none on my floor, nor in my office. Will that be a problem for you, Mr. Lawson?”
His only response was a curt shake of his head, his eyes cold and hard.
“Have a nice day.” Without another word, I strode across the lobby, opting to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Stomping up the five flights of stairs, I willed my anger to abate. Instead, it only grew. I briefly considered calling Benny this afternoon and having him replace Mr. Lawson, but that would appear too suspicious. Better to wait a few days, make a complaint about his behavior or work ethic, then have Blake’s company send a new guard in his stead.
Decision made, I reached the top of the stairs and pushed open the heavy steel door before stepping into the hallway. The door to my office was just to my left, and the soft, calming notes of lavender and vanilla greeted me as I unlocked the door and stepped into the lobby. It was a technique I’d employed shortly after opening my own practice. The subtle scent made patients feel welcome and relaxed before they even stepped foot into my office. For first timers, it was incredibly important for them to feel comfortable. In addition, I wore a light vanilla fragrance to blend harmoniously with the atmosphere. I wanted the office to feel homey, so we replaced the fragrance each week to keep it fresh. I’d also opted for comfy, overstuffed couches and chairs rather than standard, office-issue furniture. Abstract paintings in jewel tones hung on the walls, and the large picture window highlighted the beautiful cityscape of downtown Dallas.
I unlocked the staff door as I passed, then made my way to the end of the hall to my own office. Located in the corner of the building, there were windows on two walls, allowing the bright morning light to filter in. The room itself was a large square, with my desk situated directly across from the door. A couch took up most of the right wall and two large armchairs sat to the left of the desk in a cozy nook, flanking the other window. Bookshelves covered every inch of free wall space, books and journals stacked two-deep in some places. I typically loved coming in here, but even the sight of my perfect little space couldn’t raise my spirits after that altercation in the lobby.
Striding to the desk, I sank into the chair and fired up my computer, tilting the monitor away from the glare of sunlight streaming through the window behind me. Today’s schedule was pretty light, thank goodness, with only two appointments this morning and one this afternoon. After almost two years in my own practice, I was finally getting to the point where I could take cases on a selective basis. My clientele had grown steadily over the past couple of years and through word of mouth, I’d been able to steadily develop my patient list.
Out of college, I’d interned with a local group but had ultimately decided to move on. I learned a lot during my time with the Wellness Group, but I had principles and ideals that I preferred to focus on. I’d begun scouting the outlying areas of Dallas close to the suburbs where real estate was less expensive when I’d found this little gem. A friend of mine, Dr. Kate Winfield, had an office in the same building. Kate and I had met in our second year at the University of Texas, where we shared several of the same classes. We’d become fast friends and, although Kate had ultimately decided on family medicine, we remained close. As soon as one of the offices had opened up in her building, Kate had called and told me to come check it out.
It was love at first sight. The five-story white stucco building was perfect, and the small office on the top floor was the icing on the cake. The space was small since the fifth story was divided into two areas, the other reserved for some use dictated by the owner. It was the perfect size to venture out on my own, and I’d signed the lease less than a week later.
The first six months had been difficult. A handful of patients had followed me, but like most who attended counseling, several stayed for only a few sessions before moving on or giving up. I’d spent the first few months trying to drum up business while running the office alone. I was almost at the end of my rope when I hired Phyllis. A cast off from the building, Phyllis had been let go after fifteen years of service to Dr. William Harbaugh, one of the most pretentious, supercilious men to ever walk the earth. I’d learned of his reputation within days of moving into the building, and I avoided the old curmudgeon at all costs.
I’d met Phyllis only a handful of times before that fateful day when we’d shared the elevator down to the lobby of the building. The older woman had a box of knickknacks tucked under one arm and a small potted palm in the other. Tear tracks marked her cheeks, and I’d offered to buy her lunch at a nearby cafe. Two hours later, I had a new receptionist and the right hand I never knew I was missing. Phyllis ran a tight ship and kept everything running smoothly. She also wasn’t afraid to tell me exactly what she thought, offering her opinions freely and without restraint.
A soft click of the door in the lobby heralded said receptionist’s arrival. I waited patiently for the woman to make her way back and give a rundown of her morning. It didn’t take long.
Phyllis breezed into my office moments later and collapsed on the couch to my left, fanning her face dramatically. “Lordy be, girl, did you see that slice of Heaven disguised as a man downstairs?”
I rolled my eyes, not even bothering to look away from the email I’d opened. “I assume you’re referring to the arrogant jerk the security company sent over this morning?”
“He seemed nice enough to me.” Phyllis lifted a pencil-thin brow my way. “Did you have a run-in with Mr. Sex on a Stick already?”
A flush of embarrassment crept over my skin. “No, he just seems like the type.”
In truth, I really had no idea why Blake Lawson irked me so much. There was no one thing in particular that bothered me; it was just… him. He seemed arrogant, self-assured, and he was definitely more handsome than any man had a right to be—and he knew it. But that wasn’t a crime. The more I thought about it, the more I began to think I was just being extra sensitive. The guy would be here for a few weeks until the cops figured out who had murdered the girl downtown, then he would be on his way. Until then, I would just ignore him… and all of the unwelcome feelings he stirred within me.