Chapter 2: Harbor

My foot tapped almost involuntarily as I waited outside of the administrator’s office at the hospital where I interned. I was supposed to be meeting Dr. Black a half hour ago, but the man was late. I wondered if he’d gotten called into surgery and hoped that there hadn’t been some type of awful emergency that would keep him from showing up. I didn’t have a number to reach him, but I also didn’t have anything else better to do.

I slumped on the lobby sofa and thought I might as well relax and get comfortable. If I fell asleep, I’d have accomplished something in the time I was wasting. I could have been home at my apartment being ignored by my roommate and her boyfriend or been staring at paint waiting for it to dry, but no, instead I got to wait on the most arrogant and impossibly handsome doctors at the hospital.

I wondered if I’d see him at the event and just how often we’d be around one another. Ms. Strong had said she would organize my trip, so I could only imagine that she’d also made preparations for transportation and lodging.

I was more than surprised to see a message from Dr. Black on my phone, but then again I was volunteering for the Ortho-Nouveau study, and he might be the one who was going to assist with the procedure. I could only imagine that our little meeting he was late for was nothing more than a pre-op visit to let me know what the procedure would entail. It wasn’t an operation, but more like an insertion under the skin from what I’d been told, but I couldn’t think of any other reason he would need to see me.

I’d heard many different things about his reputation, some good, some bad, some too crazy to be true, but the number of people who had his name in their mouths and on their minds, weren’t thinking about him for no reason. Rumor had it he was a real player, a bad boy doctor whose life was uprooted when his wife died, leaving him to care for his daughter all alone. Add to that his crazy level of sexy from his dark hair and gorgeous gray eyes, down to his rippling abs and perfect ass—he was a god.

He was a fantasy that I’d not dared let myself have too often because it wasn’t like he’d ever notice me. I wasn’t like most young ladies my age. Most would call me a nerd, and that’s okay. I could pull off geek chic better than most, though today I was a bit more geek than chic, and possibly downright nerdy. I’d barely looked at myself in the mirror this morning, but figured I was acceptable. I’d at least combed my hair and put it up, even though I hadn’t taken the time to put on any makeup.

I didn’t have time for such luxuries. I was too focused on my studies to let my mind stray too far to other hobbies and extra-curricular activities, including men, which was why at twenty years old I was still a virgin. Well, that and because I’d gone through a particularly painful and awkward period in my teens. I’d finally left the baby fat and braces behind, but I couldn’t shake the glasses. They were a part of me.

I was about to doze off and start drooling when he arrived wearing slacks that were perfectly pressed. He straightened his cuffs as he stopped in front of me. “Ms. Moore I presume? I’m Dr. Evan Black. I’ll be your escort for the weekend.” He put out his hand and took me in from head to toe.

I felt my face warm as I took his hand and he continued to study me, his brow lifting as he saw my ratty jeans and a loose-fitting t-shirt. I forced my voice to be heard, “Hello.” I’d seen him around, knew him, and even had spoken to him, but I hadn’t ever been formally introduced.

“Wait, did you say my escort?” The words suddenly sank in.

“Yes, Dr. Strong thought it would be nice for you to have a proper escort, especially considering you’ll be participating in the trial. I’ll be driving us down, so you’ll need to give me your address so I can pick you up.” The thought of him seeing where I lived embarrassed me. I shared a small apartment with my roommate close to the hospital, but it left a lot to be desired.

“I can meet you here. I live just up the road.”

“Nonsense, it’s no trouble. Be sure to pack a few nice dresses. We’ll be having dinner after the event each day, and you’ll want to look your best.” He glanced down at my shoes as panic went through me. I didn’t have but one nice dress and that was because I’d gone to a wedding six months ago. I didn’t have a lot of money to get a bunch of new clothes, but I might be able to borrow something from Courtney, my roommate.

“Okay.” Before I could reach inside my bulky bag for a pen, he placed a hand on my wrist. My body heated and I felt a tingle between my legs as the thought of his moving to other places.

“Text it to me.” His lips twitched in the corners, and for a moment I wondered if he knew the effect he had on me.

“How much money should I bring?” I wanted to make sure I had my costs covered, or I’d have to talk to Dr. Strong about a possible reimbursement. I hadn’t planned on eating at fancy places or spending that kind of money. If I had that kind of money, I wouldn’t be doing the trial in the first place.

I was a bit nervous about it. Being that I wasn’t sexually active made it a bit silly, but at least if I ever decided to have sex, I’d be covered.

“Oh, it will be my treat, of course. But you can bring whatever you want.”

“Thank you, but that’s not necessary.” He was still glaring at me like I needed a bath and even more than that like he wanted to bathe me. I tilted my head, and a loose strand of hair escaped my clip and fell against my cheek.

He brushed it away, his hand grazing my glasses. “It’s totally necessary. I’m a bit particular. I like things my way.” His mouth turned up in the corners again as I adjusted my glasses.

“I was under the impression that Dr. Strong had made all of my arrangements. She was supposed to get my hotel room booked.”

He waves his hand dismissively. “Yes, but I’ve already taken care of that as well. She wanted to make sure you were in good hands, so she sent the best.” He gave a sly smile, and I couldn’t argue. As far as surgeons come, he did have a great pair of hands, but something about the thought of them sent me to blushing again.

He stood too close, his cologne filling my nose and his warmth radiating. I wondered how many of others at the hospital he’d flirted with, but then I caught myself. He wasn’t flirting with me. He was being polite.

“Don’t worry about a thing; we’ll make the most of it.” The way he said that made me wonder what if he’d found himself stuck in this situation with me and no hope to get out of it. Maybe he’d pissed off Dr. Strong one too many times or gotten on her bad side.

I’d been surprised when she offered me the opportunity to make the extra money to help compensate some of my tuition. When I’d first come to the medical university, she’d tried to stop me because of my age. I’d finished high school early and begun my college career early. I’d always had the feeling she didn’t like me very much, but she’d been helpful over the last few weeks that I figured she’d changed. I glanced back up to Dr. Black’s smirk and thought maybe she had someone else to be offended by.

“I’m sure it will be fine. Thanks.”

“It will be more than fine.” His voice had lowered an octave, and he stepped even closer. “I bet we’ll have a good time. I’m looking forward to it.” Chills went up the back of my neck as another throb hit me down to my core.

If he thought for one minute that I’d lose my focus over him, he was sorely mistaken. I’d come too far to let him or anyone else step in the way, and if I could refuse a bunch of silly, horny, high school and college boys, I could hold out on him too.

If he thought for a moment that I was like all the other girls he’d seduced, he had another thing coming. Not only was I not easy, but I had no desire to have a sexual relationship with anyone at this point in my life. Not even a one night stand or a weekend for that matter.

I took a step back, and one more look brought me down to reality. He wasn’t interested in me. How could he be? Men—doctors like him, weren’t interested in some silly, slouchy school girl with glasses.

“Well, I just need you to sign some papers for me, and I’ll let you be on your way.” He walked over to the counter where he placed the papers, and then he reached into the pen cup and handed me one.

I scribbled my name and then when I turned, he held out his hand. I took it, and we shook hands. “I guess I’ll see you in a couple of days.” I forced a warm smile, but he still gave me that steamy gray stare like was picturing me naked.

“I can’t wait.” He gave me another look up and down as I turned to leave and I felt his eyes all over me as I walked away.

As much as I was certain I’d never give in to his temptations, I had to admit he was the sexiest man I’d ever laid eyes on and he’d stirred more inside me in our brief encounter than anyone else I’d ever met.

I’d need a hell of a lot of self-control to get me through the weekend.