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CHAPTER ONE THE hair on Rikki Johansen’s neck prickled. She chalked it up to internal radar as she always knew when a certain doctor came to the orthopedic ward. The fact she had a teeny tiny crush on him was beside the point. Dr. Dane Hendricks didn’t look pleased, and the scowl on his face proved something was wrong. His agitated demeanor flashed a warning, and made her wish she could hide. With his broad shoulders squared, and an IV piggyback in his hand, his intense green eyes scanned the nurses’ station for a victim. He hadn’t spotted her yet. She ducked her head. “Which nurse is taking care of room 416?” Rikki had just started her shift that Thursday morning, and couldn’t avoid him. She glanced at her clipboard. Yep, she was the lucky nurse about to get chewed out. Dr. Henricks’s no-nonsense glare made her wish she could swap patient assignments with someone…anyone. “Over here.” She nonchalantly raised her hand and pretended to be distracted by more important business, thumbing t
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO AFTER a day off on Friday when Rikki rested, rehydrated herself, and spent quality time with Brenden, she arrived at work on Saturday morning invigorated and ready for duty. It was a hell of a way to spend her birthday, but she didn’t have any other plans. The call light in 408 was already on at the nurses’ station—the fractured pelvis lady. Rikki flopped her clipboard on the counter and headed for the room. Her hunch was right and she discovered the usual suspect on the call light. But the woman wore a worried expression, and pointed towards her roommate, the fractured femur in bed B. She rushed to the restless and coughing patient. “What’s up, Mrs. Turner?” The woman squirmed and pulled at her hospital gown. Her left leg, suspended by traction and a splint, had been healing beautifully, considering the hardware sticking out of it. She hadn’t complained of pain the day before yesterday when Rikki had last taken care of her. No one had mentioned any complications with her c
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE AT WORK mid-Sunday morning, Rikki’s radar warned her that Dane was in the vicinity of the orthopedic ward. She’d lain awake half the night trying to figure out why she’d gotten so skittish with him. He’d been kind, attentive, even entertaining, but the restaurant had been completely outside her comfort zone. Her lifetime of being carted from one foster-home to another had taught her to never get too comfortable anywhere. With the few families she’d cared about, she’d had to quickly learn how to let go. After a while it had gotten easy, especially if she never let herself get involved in the first place. And Dane’s kiss had struck like lightning, setting fire to her soul. Just the thought of it made her palms tingle. Out of self-defense she’d never allow herself to get comfortable with a man like him. She couldn’t trust where it might lead. Hearing his footsteps approaching, she dashed into one of her patients’ rooms. How could she ever face Dane again after last night? It
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR FERNWOOD PARK had never looked so good that Saturday morning. Perhaps it was the pristine fall air. Or maybe it was the verdant hills with Chinese elm, sycamore, and those beautiful ancient oak trees. Rikki smiled, content. Then again, maybe it was the company of Dane and his daughters. Above the park in the Los Feliz Hills sat the newly refurbished Griffith Park Observatory, as if a regal reigning queen. In awe, Rikki wondered why she didn’t come to the park more often. It had taken every ounce of courage to pick up the phone and call Dane, even though he’d invited her and Brenden to tag along with him and his girls. As before, he’d lobbed the ball into her court and waited for her return. He’d sounded surprised Friday afternoon when she’d phoned, but pleased when she’d taken him up on his offer. She’d told him it was because she knew of an easy hike and a special cave she sometimes visited on her own, and she’d wanted to show it to Brenden. Dane had been gentleman enough
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE RIKKI straightened her clothes and burst through the door. “Yes, Brenden?” “Can you take the video out?” “Sure.” “I like your friends.” His smile, accented by deep dimples and chocolate-chip smudges, was the single most beautiful sight she’d ever seen. Dane’s taut stomach ran a close second. “Well, since you like us so much,” Dane said, entering from the kitchen, “I’ve got Thursday afternoon off. Maybe we can all go and see a movie since Rikki will need to see a doctor.” After their kiss, her head went spinning with the possibilities. Things would get too complicated if they continued with their infatuation for each other. “Are you sick, Rikki?” Brenden’s face looked worried. “No. I’m going to help someone else get better.” Dane said goodbye to Brenden, bundled up his girls, and sent a meaningful sexy look her way just before he put his glasses back on and opened the door. She fought off the magnetic force of his smile, and stopped herself from rushing over and planting an
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX HAD he crawled into bed with her? His hand rested on her waist and one leg was protectively across her thigh. Fearful of what she might find, Rikki lifted her head and looked over her shoulder. Dane was on top of the covers and fully clothed but, still, how had he wound up there? She hadn’t told him he could share the bed. Would he assume such an intimate notion? She savored the feel of him, just for a second, and almost dozed off again. Under most circumstances she’d never agree to sleep with someone she hardly knew. But hadn’t she thrown herself at him a few days back? Considering the extraordinary circumstances that had cast them together, they’d become close very fast, both professionally and personally. But she’d made up her mind about keeping their relationship strictly professional. She really should do something about Dane sleeping beside her. Soon. An hour later, after she’d dozed off another time or two, she cleared her throat. He gave a deep, contented inhalation
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN JANETTA GLEASON gazed over the top of her reading glasses. “OK, spill. What’s up with you and Dr. Hendricks?” From the doorway of Janetta’s office, Rikki couldn’t suppress a grin. “Nothing. We’re friends, that’s all.” “Every nurse on the ward is talking about how he practically swung in on a vine and saved you from that druggie, Javier.” “I could have handled it. Dr. Hendricks just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Anyone else would have done the same.” “Rubbish.” Janetta motioned for Rikki to close the door and take a seat. “Any other doctor would have called Security and let them do the dirty work.” “Then I’m flattered.” “Are you feeling OK after the bone-marrow donation? You look a little pale. That was outstanding of you, by the way.” “I’m still a little tired.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. The fact that she’d stayed awake into the wee hours thinking about Dane, worrying she was letting the chance of a lifetime slip through her grasp, had left her sleep
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT DANE finished his Monday morning hospital rounds and headed for his office. It had been a week since he’d promised to be Rikki’s friend. His body ached for hers, but he knew he had to back off, give her time to catch up with him. He’d always been impulsive. Want something? Go after it. Something was wrong? Fix it. His life had been one long list of accomplishments. Check. Check. Check. Until his marriage had fallen apart and his brother had gotten leukemia. And then he’d met Rikki. He’d found what he’d wanted in a caring person who was good with his daughters. He was lucky enough to be sexually attracted to her, too. It was supposed to be a win-win situation. He’d gone after her without regard to her needs. He hadn’t come close to thinking things through, with all the possible consequences. Maybe it was time for him to broaden his vision to see the whole picture. Since he’d become a father he’d learned life wasn’t all about him any more. And now that he’d met Rikki, he un
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE RIKKI and Dane didn’t say a single word on the whole fifteen-minute drive to his house. She steered her car with a death clutch from tension, but she was damned if she’d break the ice. So they’d come to a crossroads and neither could compromise. It was crystal clear they couldn’t be together. Finally, they’d gotten it. When she pulled into the high-rise condo driveway, Dane looked like he wanted to say something. He quickly brushed his fingers through his hair, got out without looking at her, but bent back down. “I’ll tell the nurses in ICU you have my permission to visit my brother any time you want.” “Thank you,” she said, staring straight ahead, determined not to even glance at him. He closed the door and walked unsteadily toward the lobby entrance. An urgent need drove her to honk the horn. He turned around, looking confused. She jumped out of the car. “Could you call the hospital now?” She spoke to him over the hood of the car. “I’d like to see Don tonight.” He nodded
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN “WHY do you always insist on carrying me in here?” Rikki asked, nuzzling her head into Dane’s neck, thrilled down to her toes to be swept away by his strong arms and warm chest. “Because you’re so cute and liftable.” “Liftable? Is that even a word?” She giggled and snorted, embarrassing herself. “Yeah, it’s a word. I created it just for you. Liftable makes me feel…uh…Damn horny is what it makes me feel.” He carried her down the hall and into his bedroom. After yanking back the bedspread, he gently placed Rikki in the center of his bed and proceeded to unbutton and remove her dress. She kept perfectly still and, mesmerized by his attention, stared at the passion in his eyes—quickly getting lost. She co-operated when he lifted the dress over her head, and felt a tickling in her belly when he unhooked her bra. Her breathing quickened at his reverent gaze. The look abruptly changed to hunger and need, sending a shiver to her core. Dane peeled down her stockings then swept his h
CHAPTER TEN
EPILOGUE
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