The Nurse's Brooding Boss (10 page)

B
ROCK’S
heart soared. Drowning in the taste of her, he slanted his mouth over hers, deepening the kiss. He wanted Elana more than he wanted to breathe.

He could have stayed like this forever. But the heat of her skin beckoned.

Slowly, he slid a hand beneath her scrubs, seeking the softness beneath. She stiffened and drew back, gasping for breath. “Wait.”

Wait? He forced himself to stop, to pull back, even though every nerve in his body wanted more. He lifted his head and gulped desperately needed oxygen into his lungs. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything.” Elana pushed against his chest again, and this time he reluctantly released her. She smoothed a hand through her hair. “I—we can’t do this.”

He tried to gather his scattered thoughts. Had he imagined her response? He didn’t think so.

“I can’t believe I fell asleep,” she continued. “Gosh, it’s later than I thought. I really need to get home.”

He didn’t know what he’d done to cause her to back
away, but there was no denying that, despite her sweet response, she now regretted their kiss.

The way she avoided his gaze bothered him. He put a hand on her arm to keep her from bolting for the door. “Do I need to apologize, Elana? If so, I’m sorry. I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable.”

She tugged from his grasp and leaped to her feet, straightening her clothes. “You didn’t make me uncomfortable,” she said, although the rush of color in her cheeks belied her words. “I just don’t want you to think I stayed—for this.”

“We fell asleep. It’s not a crime.” He stared at her for a moment, quickly figuring out that she hadn’t been awake as long as he’d thought. She’d enjoyed their kiss, but he’d let things get a little too far out of control.

His fault, not hers. But after that kiss, he didn’t want her to leave. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “Would you please stay for breakfast?” Brock slowly rose to his feet. “You’d actually be doing me a favor since I’m going to need a ride back to Children’s Memorial anyway.”

“Oh.” She hesitated, looking like a scared fawn ready to bolt. “I—uh, sure. I guess I can take you back to the hospital; it’s on my way.”

“So you’ll let me make you breakfast?” he asked hopefully, wishing he could do something to help her relax. No matter what she said, he had obviously made her uncomfortable, and for that he was sorry. “The bathroom is right down the hall, and you can help yourself to whatever you need; there’s a new toothbrush in the cabinet.”

“All right, you can make me breakfast,” she ac
quiesced. “And I will borrow your bathroom if you don’t mind.”

“Take all the time you need.” When she disappeared into the bathroom, he scrubbed his hands over his face, grateful for the time to pull himself together.

That kiss had shaken him. Had tied his stomach into knots and left him wanting more.

But Elana wasn’t at ease with him, and, really, could he blame her? She’d barely had time to come to grips with forgiving him, much less understand why he’d kissed her senseless.

He needed to take things slowly. To give her time to get used to him. As a friend and, maybe in time, as something more.

He didn’t feel the same sense of panic he usually did when faced with an attractive woman he’d wanted to get to know better. He usually avoided relationships. But for the first time in his life, he couldn’t make himself back away, even though he knew he didn’t deserve her.

Keeping busy in the kitchen, making omelets for breakfast, helped him stay focused, but when Elana returned, with her face scrubbed free of makeup and her hair brushed, gently framing her face, darned if he didn’t feel another shaft of desire.

She was so beautiful, his gut ached.

“Coffee?” he asked in a low, husky tone.

“Yes, please.”

He pulled another mug out of the cupboard, taking several deep breaths to steady his hands as he poured her a cup. He knew she preferred flavored creamer, but
he didn’t have any. “I’m sorry, but I only have milk,” he said, pushing the container towards her.

“That’s fine.” Again, she avoided his direct gaze, and he wondered what she was thinking. Did she regret the heated kiss they’d shared?

“Are you planning to call the police about Lacey taking your car?” she asked as he slid twin ham-and-cheese omelets on two plates, one for each of them, and set them on the table.

“No. But I might call Rufus, the private investigator,” he said. “I do need to get my car back eventually. But I’d rather give Lacey a chance to return the vehicle on her own. And I’m truly more worried about what might happen to Tucker than about the stupid car.”

“I’m glad,” Elana murmured. She stared at him for a long moment before she turned her attention to her food. Softly she added, “You’re a nice man, Brock.”

The bite of omelet lodged in the back of his throat.

No, he wasn’t a nice man. Because if she knew what erotic thoughts had been going through his mind all morning, Elana would surely turn and run as fast as she could in the opposite direction.

And he wouldn’t blame her one bit.

Elana tried to eat her omelet, anxious to act as if everything was normal, but, in reality, the effects of Brock’s kiss had left her badly shaken.

Brock may have started the kiss, but she’d been more than a willing participant. Until the moment he’d slid his hand beneath her scrubs, reminding her how
long it had been since she’d been naked and vulnerable with a man.

Too long.

Forever.

She shied away from that thought.

“This is great,” she said, forcing enthusiasm into her tone, even though for all she could tell, she might be eating sawdust. She swallowed hard, anxious to finish so she could get out of Brock’s house. Away from the sofa that mocked her.

Her cell phone rang, drawing her gaze back to her purse that was still on the sofa. Odd, she wasn’t expecting a call. “Excuse me,” she murmured.

She went into the living room and fished her phone out from the depths of her purse. The number on the screen indicated the call was from the hospital. Her boss asking her to come in early? She hesitated, tempted to let it go to voice mail.

“Hello?”

“Elana? This is Claire, the manager of the ICU. I received your transfer request from Human Resources. Would you have time this afternoon to stop in for an interview?”

She flashed a guilty glance at Brock, who was watching her. This was the call she’d been waiting for, only now she wasn’t sure she still was interested in transferring out of the ED. Away from Brock. Working with Brock as they’d taken care of Janey had been extremely rewarding.

She didn’t want to leave him.

But she wasn’t going to make a hasty decision. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to find out more about the position before making a final decision. “Ah, sure. I can do that.”

“How about two o’clock?” Claire asked.

“That will be fine.” She turned to reach for a pen and paper from her purse.

“Great. My office is on the fourth floor, right across from the ICU. You can’t miss it.”

She hastily scribbled two o’clock and fourth floor on a scrap piece of paper. “Thanks, I’ll see you then.” She flipped her phone shut and tossed it back in her purse.

“Problems?” Brock asked when she came back to the kitchen table.

“No, just work.” She swallowed her cold omelet, feeling guilty for not telling Brock the truth. But it seemed foolish to bring up the possibility of her transfer when she wasn’t even sure she was going to take it. “I have to go in for a meeting.”

“I see.” She was grateful he let the subject drop.

She finished her food and pushed away her empty plate. “Thanks for breakfast, Brock. You’re a great cook.”

“You’re welcome.” As if sensing how desperately she wanted to leave, he stood and carried their empty dishes to the sink. “Would you give me a few minutes to shower and change before we leave?”

“Of course.” She smiled weakly, thankful when he’d finally left her alone. For a moment she buried her face in her hands, stifling a low groan.

What had she been thinking, kissing Brock like that?
She’d wantonly pressed against him. Had very nearly thrown caution to the wind and begged for more.

Maybe she should consider that transfer. Because now that she’d kissed Brock, she was acutely aware of him. As a man she was attracted to.

She’d opened herself up to a personal relationship during her college years, but that leap of faith had blown up in her face. She’d never trusted anyone like that again.

Yet here she was, considering placing her trust in Brock. The one man who had the power to hurt her worse than she’d ever been hurt before.

Because she cared about him. Too much for her own good.

Elana drove Brock to Children’s Memorial, struggling to maintain the light friendly tone.

“Do you want to come up with me to see Tucker?” Brock asked as she pulled up in front of the hospital.

“Not right now, maybe later,” she hedged.

“If you have time, come over after your meeting,” he suggested. “I’ll be hanging out here for most of the day; I want to talk to the pediatrician when he makes rounds.”

“You’re not working tonight?” Elana asked.

He shook his head. “Are you?”

“No, I’m off too.” Amazing how their schedules seemed to match perfectly. She flashed him a smile. “Take care, Brock. I’ll probably see you later.”

“Thanks for the ride.” He took her hand, gave it a squeeze, and then reluctantly let go and climbed from the car.

“Goodbye.” She waved as she pulled away.

Elana headed home, her thoughts in turmoil as she stepped into the shower. The hot spray didn’t wash away her sudden doubts.

Was she crazy to even think about staying in the emergency department with Brock?

Maybe. She needed to talk to Raine. Or Chloe. Her foster mother had always been there for Elana when she needed someone to talk to. If anyone could make sense of the confused madness that defined her feelings for Brock, Chloe could.

She threw on a sweater and jeans, allowing her hair to air-dry as she hurried back outside.

“Elana! How nice of you to stop by.” Chloe greeted her warmly.

“Oh, Chloe.” Elana closed her eyes and savored her foster mother’s exuberant embrace, returning the tight hug, inhaling the familiar, comforting scent of roses. Over these past few years, Chloe had become synonymous with home. Elana loved and cared about her mother, but it was Chloe’s gentle, no-nonsense attitude that had kept her grounded when times were tough.

Feeling better already, Elana grinned and stepped back from the hug. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.” Chloe waved off Elana’s concern and gestured for her to come into the living room. They sat down on the sofa, which was soft and threadbare from years of use. Elana turned to face her foster mother, seeking any hint of fatigue or lingering pain. “Completely back to normal.”

Reassured that Chloe at least looked well rested, she raised a skeptical brow. “I hope you’re following that low-fat diet Dr Ames recommended.”

“Of course.” Chloe answered so quickly, Elana suspected she was fudging the truth. Chloe loved fried foods and had agreed to try to cut back after her cardiac stent placement. “But enough about my medical issues; I’d rather talk about you. How are you doing? What’s new at work?”

She didn’t bother sidestepping the issue. “Chloe, you’re not going to believe this, but I have two big things to tell you. First of all, my mom started to speak. And secondly, Brock Madison is the new emergency medicine doctor on staff.”

Chloe’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, my. How wonderful for you about your mother. But Brock Madison? Heavens, how are you holding up?”

“It’s been difficult.” Elana lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “At first, it was impossible. I put in for a transfer to critical care. But the more I work with him, the more I realize he’s changed. I don’t hate him, Chloe,” she said in a rush. “I’ve wasted so many years, hating him. Even my mother told me not to hate him.”

“There, now.” Chloe took her hand and squeezed it tight. “You were young. And so full of pain.”

Tears pricked her eyelids, and she blinked them back. “I needed someone to blame, and Brock was the perfect target.”

“And now?” Chloe asked softly.

“I don’t blame him.” She drew a deep breath, anxious
to tell Chloe everything. “I can’t blame him because I’ve seen firsthand how he’s suffered too. He doesn’t deal well with losing patients. And he treats every new patient like a challenge he’s not going to lose.”

“So he’s a good doctor.”

“Yes. He’s a good doctor. And a good man. He’s dedicated his entire life to saving others.” She swallowed hard, determined to tell Chloe everything. “I like him. Too much.”

Chloe’s eyes widened at the implication. “You’re attracted to him.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes.” She couldn’t deny it. “I kissed him. But I have an interview this afternoon with the manager of the ICU.” Elana jammed her fingers through her damp hair. “Chloe, help me. What should I do?”

“I can’t answer that, Elana. Only you can.”

Typical—even when she was young, Chloe had made her face her feelings. “I don’t know,” she whispered helplessly. “I like working with Brock. I think we make a good team.”

“So what’s stopping you?”

“Fear.” Saying it out loud didn’t sound as ridiculous as she’d thought. “I’m afraid. Of caring too much. I kissed him, Chloe. And that kiss could have led to something more. Maybe I should transfer to critical care.”

“So you’re starting this relationship already believing Brock will hurt you?”

“Yes. No.” She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“There are no guarantees in any relationship, Elana.
I don’t think you should leave because you’re thinking the worst.”

Chloe was right: she was already planning for a contingency in case things didn’t work out. “Maybe you’re right,” she agreed.

“Of course I’m right.”

Chloe’s certainty made her chuckle. “I guess it’s just not easy for me to trust him.”

“It could be that he feels the same way. Aren’t you afraid you’ll be the one to hurt him?” Chloe asked.