Born A Hero. Paula Riggs Detmer

get the word,” she told Elliot before saying good-night to Kate.

      “Night, Petra,” Kate replied with a smile. “See you tomorrow.”

      The door was no sooner closed behind her than Kate dropped her feet and sat up. Careful to keep from looking at him, she slipped her feet into her clogs, then stood up.

      Elliot leaned back against the counter and crossed his ankles. He’d heard she’d graduated top of her class at the University of Southern California, and then three years later from med school. His dad had let him know how much he admired her decision to do her internship and residency at San Francisco General instead of the half-dozen other prestigious med centers that had actively recruited her. Last he’d heard she’d started a low-cost clinic for kids.

      Even as a girl there’d been nothing mean or selfish or ugly about Kate. Nothing cruel or vindictive.

      He told himself it was lack of sleep that made him want to wrap his arms around her and hold her close until some of her goodness dulled the pain.

      Shaken, he took a fast mental step backward. He’d been without a woman for a long time. Months? Years? He didn’t care enough to be more precise. Katie had been the only one who had meant anything to him beyond a mild affection.

      “If it makes you feel better, I gave Dad hell for blindsiding you,” he told her as she passed him on her way to toss her cup. “He asked me to apologize on his behalf.”

      She turned to glare at him with hot eyes. “You had no right to do that, Elliot,” she said in a heated rush that had her breasts rising and falling in irate breaths beneath the loose-fitting shirt. “If I have a problem with your father, I’ll handle it myself.”

      Elliot had a sudden impulse to lean on her a little, just to see those fiery sparks shooting out of her eyes again. “He was wrong to put you in such an awkward position.”

      “Don’t be silly. He had other things to think about.” She took another agitated breath. “Besides, he has no idea that you…that we…” Her voice trailed off.

      “Made love?” he prompted, moving closer until only a deep breath separated those sassy little breasts from his chest.

      “Had a brief sexual encounter,” she returned coolly, holding her ground.

      He frowned. Was that how she viewed those frenzied moments when he’d lost himself inside her? His ego stinging, he touched her face, maybe to prove that he could handle physical contact without emotion getting in the way. She stiffened, but still stood her ground. Her skin was warm and resilient and soft. Needs he’d denied for years struggled to break free.

      “Brief, maybe, but definitely memorable,” he said before dropping his hand to his side again.

      “Brief and definitely regrettable,” she countered before turning away, her back straight. Too big for her slender frame, the scrubs she wore only served to stimulate the memory of the cute little butt beneath the loose-fitting pants.

      Halfway to the door, she stopped and turned around. “I got the receipt for the donation to the victim’s fund. Our agreement was for five thousand, not ten.”

      “Call it an act of contrition,” he said with a shrug. “Besides, I can afford it.”

      Her brow furrowed. “It was a stupid bet,” she said in a tight little tone. “We acted like a couple of bickering children.”

      There was sunshine trapped in her hair, he realized. Shiny strands of gold mixed with a half-dozen shades of reddish-blond. It had been soft against his throat. He tried to swallow past a lump as sharp as a chunk of granite. “If I apologize for hurting you that night, will you slam me again?” he said gruffly.

      “Probably,” she returned, looking up at him. “Although I’m thinking of holding out for some serious groveling.”

      It had been a long time since he’d actually felt like laughing. “I really wish you wouldn’t,” he told her in a solemn tone instead.

      Her gaze flickered, but he was pretty sure he saw a smile lurking in those fascinating golden eyes. “I’ll let you know when I decide,” she said before turning to walk out.

      Restless now, he went to the window and looked out at the lighted courtyard below. Though he hadn’t allowed himself to watch any of the news reports, he understood all too well the terrible agonies those waiting for word were suffering. While Candy had been in surgery, he’d prowled the waiting room like a wild animal suddenly shoved into a too-small cage.