Ellison

Long hours and exhaustion were the norm in a surgeon’s life, but they were hell on relationships. Even when both people were doctors apparently. Jack and I had spent so many hours at the hospital since Heather’s emergency surgery that we hadn’t been able to revisit the whole ‘trying to knock me up’ conversation. Not that it had stopped him from giving his pregnancy plan another go or two—or twelve. I’d taken to putting condoms in my purse, lab coat pockets, his pockets, both our cars… pretty much everywhere. Not that it had done a lick of good. In the heat of the moment, I never remembered to ask him to put one on, and he sure as hell never offered. I was beginning to wonder if it was my subconscious trying to tell me I actually wanted the smug bastard to knock me up.

The timing was horrible, though, with the offer of my dream job dropping in my lap. A decision I’d successfully avoided thinking about over the last week, too. Judging by the increasing frequency of the calls coming from Declan, time was running out. The ringing of my phone pulled me out of my thoughts. I glanced down and recognized the number on the display.

Speak of the devil.

“Hey, Declan,” I answered. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to get back to you with a response yet.”

“No apology needed, Ellison,” he assured me. “I expect my call caught you unaware after we went with a different candidate initially.”

“It definitely was unexpected,” I confirmed.

“The board and I want to make it clear how committed we are to having you on our team.”

He was telling me exactly what I would have given almost anything to hear a year ago. “I appreciate that, Declan, and you know how excited I was by the prospect of working for you when I interviewed last year.”

“Why do I hear a but in there somewhere?”

“I’m just not sure I want to make the move right now,” I sighed.

“Give me a chance to convince you otherwise. Let me take you to lunch so we can talk it through face-to-face.”

“Lunch?” I repeated. How would that even work with him in Minneapolis and me in Rock Springs? “When?”

“Today.”

His answer shocked me, stopping me in my tracks as I walked through the hospital corridor. “Are you in Nebraska?”

“I told you the board and I wanted to convince you of how serious we are about you taking this job.”

“So you hopped on a plane to come to me? For lunch?” I sputtered, feeling flattered by the lengths to which they were willing to go to talk to me about the job. It helped soothe some of the sting from when they’d not selected me for it previously.

“I will if you tell me you’re available for lunch today.”

My stomach growled, reminding me I’d skipped breakfast. Turning down a free lunch was silly. “Sure, I can do lunch.”

“Great! I’ll pick you up at the hospital?”

“Sure,” I drawled, thinking about how I could make sure we didn’t run into Jack while he was here. Not only hadn’t we talked about the condom situation, I still hadn’t mentioned the job offer either.

* * *

“Mmmm,” I murmured, savoring the flavor of my bacon wrapped filet. Declan had gone all out, picking me up in a town car and taking me to one of the best steakhouses in town. It was a good thing I didn’t have a heavy case load this afternoon, because I could easily see a nap in the sleep room in my near future.

“Smart, successful, gorgeous, and you actually eat real food instead of weeds.” Declan’s tone was filled with masculine approval.

My eyes popped open in surprise. I’d been enjoying my food so much, I’d kind of forgotten he was there for a minute. I ducked my head in embarrassment and set my fork down on my almost empty plate. Skipping breakfast hadn’t been a smart idea since I’d been hungry enough to devour my entire steak in a matter of minutes. “I definitely enjoyed my food,” I mumbled.

Declan reached out to grab my hand and squeeze it. I slid my hand away and dropped it onto my lap. Awkward.

“I meant it as a compliment, Ellison.”

“Thanks,” I whispered.

“You done?”

“Yeah,” I confirmed, fidgeting in my seat, suddenly aware of how we’d been seated together in a corner booth.

He waved the waiter over, and he cleared the table, leaving the check behind for Declan.

“I’ve already given you my pitch.” And he had, both the last time I’d interviewed and during our lunch. “Not to sound conceited, but I know we have a lot to offer at Children’s Minneapolis.”

“You do,” I replied, nodding in understanding.

“When we spoke last week, you mentioned your situation had changed.” His gaze dropped to where my hands were folded in my lap before rising to meet mine again. “I can only assume it’s your personal life since our research hadn’t indicated anything different in your current position.”

“It is.” I kept my answer short because I didn’t really want to get into it with him.

Declan cocked his head to the side, his gaze speculative as he scanned my face. “I hope you don’t mind if I get a little personal with you for a moment.”

I waved a hand in a circular motion, giving him permission to continue since I was curious where he was going to take this.

“I’d hate to see you pass up an opportunity like this because of a guy, especially when there will be opportunities for romance in Minneapolis for you.”

“Erm...” I sputtered, completely flustered and unsure how to respond.

“Let me be blunt.” Like he wasn’t already? “I didn’t see a ring on your finger, so I’ve got to think this guy probably isn’t worth the sacrifice. Not when you can take the job with us and let me take you out on a date after you get settled in up there.”

Oh, for criminy’s sake. Was I putting off irresistible pheromones or something? First, Richard got all weird when I tried to let him down easily, and then here was Declan trying to lure me into the job in Minneapolis, using himself as bait. Not to mention, Jack doing his best to knock me up.

“That’s incredibly kind of you to offer,” I murmured, glancing down at my phone as it vibrated in my hand. “And as much as I’d love to discuss this further,” —not—“they need me back at the hospital.”

“They” was really Jack since he was the one trying to reach me. I sent him a quick text, letting him know I was on my way back and chuckled softly at the series of rapid-fire texts which followed.

Damn that man! The ride back to the hospital couldn’t go fast enough since it was already awkward, and that was before I was blushing wildly and my panties were damp from the images Jack had put in my head. I stayed super quiet, not wanting to do anything to make Declan think the visible signs of arousal were due to him.

When the car pulled up in front of the hospital, I practically leapt from the vehicle. Unfortunately, Declan followed behind me and insisted on walking me back inside. And my bad luck turned worse as I caught sight of Jack through the glass doors. He didn’t give us a chance to make it inside before he stormed through the doors to meet me on the sidewalk and stake his claim.

“Ellie,” he growled, his mouth crashing down on mine in a kiss which screamed possessiveness. When he lifted his head, my knees were weak and I was holding on to his arms for dear life.

Declan cleared his throat, drawing my attention to him, right along with Jack’s.

“Dr. Jack Halston,” he announced, holding his hand out to shake Declan’s. “Ellie’s fiancé.”

Say what now? Had I completely missed his proposal at some point this week?

Declan’s gaze dropped to my ringless finger before he chuckled softly. “Dr. Declan McGowan from Children’s Minneapolis. I was in town trying to tempt Ellison into joining our team. Considering how things went down last year, I figured a little bit of wooing was in order.”

Jack’s jaw twitched and he practically growled out his response. “Thanks for treating my girl to lunch, but I’ve got her from here.” I shivered at the hint of sensual threat in his words. I had a feeling he was going to make me pay for not talking to him about the job offer soon.