Deliver Me (7 page)

“Sorry,” Eli said. “I was just wondering why you’re even here. Weren’t
you on your way out when I nearly ran you down this afternoon?” he asked with a
grin.

Monica returned his smile with a saccharine one of her own. “So nice to
know you find attempted vehicular homicide so amusing.”

“That was a joke.” He grabbed a towel from the rack against the wall and
wiped his face. Monica took the opportunity to glance at his chest.

She had to get away. Fast. It had been way too long since she’d had a
man, and she was scant seconds from tackling him. The gym floor may not be as
comfortable as a bed, but at least it was padded. It would work.

“So, what are you doing back at the hospital?” he asked. “I assumed your
shift was over.”

“I didn’t realize this facility was only for on-duty personnel.”

“It’s not. You know that’s not what I was getting at. Why are you giving
me such a hard time?”

“You said it yourself, we didn’t get off on the right foot.”

“And I’m currently trying to correct that, but you won’t give me a
chance.”

“Maybe I don’t want to.”

“Why not? What did I do to you?” She opened her mouth. “Besides the near
miss with the car,” he continued. She gave him a pointed look. “And the
punching bag.”

“Need I say more?” Monica asked.

“Come on, you know they were accidents.”

“That’s my point, I think you’re a hazard to my health, Dr. Holmes.”

“It’s a good thing I’m a doctor then.” He winked. He was entirely too
sexy for his own good. And he was definitely too sexy for a woman who had vowed
to stay man-free for at least a year.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get to my workout,” she said, trying to
edge past him.

“That’s it? You’re not even going to give me a chance?”

Did his voice have to sound so sensuous? A girl could resist only up to a
certain point.

“I think it’s best our acquaintance be regulated to a friendly wave in
the hospital corridor.”

The corner of his mouth tipped up in a knowing grin, but he simply
shrugged his shoulders and said, “It’s your call, Dr. Gardner. I’ll let you get
back to your workout.”

Monica nodded her head in acknowledgement and walked past him on to the
butterfly press. She had to fight the urge to bypass the exercise equipment all
together and head straight for the locker room. She was suddenly in dire need
of a cold shower.

“Dr. Holmes?”

Eli stopped mid-step and turned. “Yes?” he bit out.

The nurse shoved a metal clipboard at him. “You forgot to sign off on
Mrs. Donaldson’s chart,” she said, clearly offended by his tone.

“Thank you.” Eli accepted the proffered pen and scribbled his name. “I’m
sorry for snapping, Stacey.”

“Don’t mention it,” she smiled, satisfied.

“If anyone needs me, I’ll be upstairs.”

Taking the stairs two at a time, Eli realized he was more messed up than
he thought. Forgetting to sign off on a patient’s chart? Just a testament to
the crap on his mind today.

Alicia was not taking the news that their fling was over as well as Eli
had hoped she would. He’d been forced to sleep at Alex’s house last night after
he spotted her car in his driveway again. Something had told him to cut her
loose the minute she started getting all clingy. If she had not pulled out that
can of whipped cream, Eli would have kicked her fine ass straight to the curb.

Alex had warned him that the player lifestyle would eventually catch up
with him, but Eli would be damned if he admitted to his older brother that he’d
been right.

By the time Eli arrived at the administrative offices on the sixth floor,
he could hear a barrage of voices coming from the conference room.
 
He didn’t feel like dealing with the
charity board today. He peered through the door’s slim rectangular window. Most
were seated around the oval cherry-wood conference table, but a few pockets of
people mingled in different areas around the room.

The door creaked slightly as Eli pushed it open.

“Dr. Holmes.” Slessinger waved him in. “Good, now we can get started.”

Eli went for his usual seat at the conference table, but stopped short.
His breath caught in his throat.

Monica Gardner.

There she was, sitting in his chair, like a Nubian queen upon her throne.

Every time he saw this woman—and it seemed to be turning into a
regular occurrence—Eli reevaluated his long ago decision never to date
doctors. It was a rule he’d held steadfast since the incident back in med
school that had jeopardized his credibility and nearly ruined his career before
it had a chance to start. Getting caught with his head under his professor’s
skirt was not the smartest thing he’d ever done. But as Eli stared at Monica
Gardner’s deep-set eyes and perfectly shaped lips, he found two good reasons to
say to hell with his rule.

The tinkling of silverware hitting glass disrupted Eli’s train of
thought. He rounded the table and took a seat next to Dr. Collins with Monica
directly across from him.

“I’m sure all of you are anxious to get this meeting under way,”
Slessinger said. “I promise it won’t be long. If I happen to run over at the
mouth, everyone in this room has my permission to tell me to shut up.” His
statement garnered the obligatory chuckles.

The chief of staff allowed the laughter to subside before speaking. “Before
we get down to business, I would like to introduce Dr. Millgram’s replacement
in the ER. Everyone, meet Dr. Monica Gardner.”

Polite applause fluttered around the table as Monica pushed her seat back
and stood.

“Thank you,” she said.

That voice. Eli was tempted to close his eyes in order to hear it better.
She had a voice as smooth as soft-brushed velvet, more suited to a nighttime
radio deejay than an ER doc.

“I want to thank Dr. Slessigner for that warm introduction, and for
hiring me in the first place.” Again, chuckles sounded around the table. “I
also want to express how happy I am to join the staff here at Methodist
Memorial. It is an honor to be part of such an outstanding group of
professionals. I look forward to working with all of you,” she finished, taking
her seat.

“We are all pleased to have you as part of our team, Dr. Gardner,”
Slessinger said. “Although she asked me not to say so, I think it’s important
to note that Dr. Gardner graduated in the top five percent of her class from
Saint Louis University School of Medicine. The year she completed her
internship, she was recruited more heavily than the Heisman Trophy winner.”

Slessinger paused for more, laughs then looked over at Monica.

“I cannot think of a better replacement for Dr. Millgram. Your
exceptional talent will only add to this hospital’s impeccable reputation.”

She accepted his praise with a nod of her lovely head before Slessinger
continued, though Eli thought he saw a flash of uncertainty in her eyes. That
was interesting.

Slessinger guided the board through the agenda. At the last bulleted item
he said, “As I stated before, Dr. Millgram was very active on the board, and we
all know his favorite activity was heading the annual charity banquet. Now that
he’s no longer with us, I’ll need another dedicated board member to step up to
the plate.”

The room became so quiet you could hear a grasshopper break wind. Just
when Eli thought crickets were about to start chirping, a smooth, confident, “I’ll
do it,” came from across the table.

Monica Gardner sat even straighter in her chair, a swirl of determination
encompassing the air around her.

“Wonderful!” Slessinger looked excited enough to do cartwheels. “I trust
those of you who have played an active role in the banquet will provide your
services once again.”

Eli’s heart gave an extra thump. He’d been Millgram’s co-chair for the
past three years. He didn’t know whether to get down on his knees and say a
prayer of thanks, or run out of the room and look for another job. Getting the
chance to work this closely with Monica Gardner could be either a blessing or a
curse.

“Monica, could you stay a few minutes over to flesh out a few of the
preliminary details?” Slessinger turned to address the others at the table. “That
pretty much covers it, folks. I’m sure all of you have duties you should be
getting back to. Thanks for coming, and gang, let’s start thinking of ways to
make this year’s charity efforts a hole in one.”

A racket ensued as the majority of the room’s occupants pushed their
chairs back and nosily rose from the table. On their way out, many of them made
their way to Methodist Memorial’s new emergency room doctor. Eli sat back and
observed as Dr. Gardner greeted them all with a warm smile.

He waited for the line of well wishers to dissipate before he rose from
his seat and made his way to where she stood at the large windows that ran the
span of the left wall. Although he knew she could see his reflection in the
window, she didn’t acknowledge him. Eli smiled, tapping her on the shoulder.

She turned.

The woman had the most beautiful eyes. Deep brown rimmed in a lighter
hazel color.

Eli extended his hand. “Although we’ve run into each other a few times
already, I don’t think we’ve ever been officially introduced.” She clasped his
hand in a firm shake. Goodness, her palm was softer than silk.

“Actually, Dr. Holmes, you’re the one who has nearly run into me several
times. And, one of the ER nurses did introduce us.”

He acknowledged her barb with a smile. “You can call me Elijah, or Eli.”

She nodded, but Eli noted she didn’t give him permission to call her
Monica. He sensed she was about to walk away, but he was determined to keep the
conversation afloat.

“So, how do you like Methodist Memorial so far?” he asked as he leaned
against the window.

“I’ve been very pleased, for the most part. There have been a few
situations that leave much to be desired.” The look on her face left no doubt
as to what she was referring.

He was sinking. Fast.

“I do apologize about the near accident in the parking lot.”

“Both of them?”

Eli bit his tongue, took a breath. “Yes, even the one I don’t remember.”

“I remember it.”

“I’m sure you—”

She held up her hand, sufficiently halting his rebuttal. “Before you go
any further, Dr. Holmes, I should let you know I’ve heard about you.”

That tone didn’t sound good at all. Eli decided to play dumb.

“Really? After only a few days?” he asked. He hit her with a full
megawatt smile.

“Yes, your reputation precedes you, both the professional and the
personal one.”

His smile dimmed a few watts.

“I can only hope you’ve heard good things.” Eli tried to keep the caution
out of his voice. He knew there was nothing untoward that could be said about
his work as an OB. He couldn’t be all that sure about the personal side.

“Excuse me, Monica” Dr. Slessingler called, capturing their attention. “Apparently,
this conference room is booked for another meeting. If you could meet me in my
office in twenty minutes, that’d be great.”

Monica turned her attention back to Eli, sending him a half-hearted
smile. “Sorry, but I have to go.”

Elijah caught her by the forearm. “Hold up. You can’t just leave me
hanging like that. So, have you heard good things, or do I need to seek some
people out for sullying my name?”

She shook free of his hold and took a step back, folding her arms over
her chest. There was a playful gleam in her eyes as she looked him up and down.
“I hear you’re an exceptional doctor who has a knack for delivering babies in
the most unusual places.”

“I’ve had a couple of adventurous births, but they turned out okay,” he
said with a modest shrug.

“Yes, well, I also spoke with Dr. Johnson in Cardiology, and he says with
the trail of broken hearts you leave behind, they get more business from you
than from the nursing home down the street.”

Ouch.

Eli leaned in close. “This may come as a shock, but there’s something you
should know.” In a conspiring whisper, he said, “Dr. Johnson drinks. Heavily.
You can’t trust a thing that man says.”

“Is that right?” Her mouth tipped up in a smile. It was about the sexiest
thing Eli had seen in all his life.

“Very sad, but true,” he answered with feigned sorrow.

“Well, since I know neither of you all that well, I can’t be sure whom to
believe.”

“Between an upstanding obstetrician and a drunk like Johnson?”

“Stop that,” she said with a teasing smile. She looked as if she were
about to comment further, then something changed. Her silky brown eyes became
lackluster. She checked her watch and said, “I want to look in on a patient we
sent up to the OR before I go to Dr. Slessinger’s office.”