before things had settled down in the E.R. Jaclyn thought it was so quiet the place appeared eerie. Of the thirty-four people who’d been involved in the twelve-car accident, six hadn’t survived and four were still in critical condition. The others had been fortunate to receive minor injuries.
She couldn’t help but be proud of her fellow doctors and how they had handled each patient swiftly, confidently, compassionately. Then there had been the media who had swarmed inside looking for a story. And then the family members who’d come to see for themselves that their loved ones were all right. Through it all, she admired the way Dr. De Winter had handled himself and the entire situation. Now she knew why he was one of the top physicians at the hospital and especially why he was in charge of the interns. They respected him and when it counted they had pulled together to make it happen and had saved lives.
She felt good. Exhausted but good. This was the career she had chosen and helping others gave her a high.
A shiver ran through her when she recalled what had almost taken place in his office, right before the alarm had sounded. She refused to believe she had imagined the heat and the desire she had seen in his eyes. It had been real. And he had come within seconds of kissing her.
She pulled her tired body out of the chair beside a patient’s stretcher. Ten-month-old Stacia Minestrone, the youngest survivor of the multicar accident, had only minor injuries but was waiting for a bed in Pediatrics. Even though she was presently under Tamara’s care, Jaclyn had agreed to observe the precious little girl while Tamara touched base with family services. Stacia’s mother hadn’t survived and the little girl’s father who lived in Wisconsin had been notified and was on his way.
Jaclyn glanced up when Tamara returned. “Thanks for watching her for me. I guess you’re ready to leave this place about now.”
Jaclyn stood, stretched her muscles and glanced at her watch. She was to have gotten off work more than eight hours ago. Tamara had been spared the initial arrival of E.R. patients because she’d been assisting in O.R. But like the others, once she’d arrived she had quickly joined in to do what was needed to be done.
“Yes, I can’t wait to get home to my bed,” Jaclyn said. “I’m going to the locker for my backpack and then I’m out of here.”
It didn’t take her long to gather her things. She was on her way out the hospital’s revolving doors when Dr. De Winter called out, “Dr. Campbell, wait up.”
She turned around and the moment she did so, her pulse quickened at the sight of him jogging toward her. He had removed his lab coat and was wearing jeans and a shirt. She wondered if he was aware of the effect he had on women, especially the effect he had on her.
The man exuded so much raw masculinity that she simply stood there while memories came flooding down on her. She couldn’t help but recall that moment in his office when they’d almost kissed. Now that the crisis in the E.R. was over, she fully understood her predicament. No matter what almost happened in his office, which she still hadn’t gotten over, she was an intern and Dr. De Winter was her boss. She would do well to remember that and not do anything to put her job and her career in jeopardy. That was probably why he was in such a hurry to talk to her.
She knew what he was probably going to say. She’d been crying and he’d only taken her into his arms as a way to comfort her and nothing else. Anything else that she assumed she saw or thought transpired was a figment of her imagination.
When he came to a stop in front of her a lock of hair fell in her face and she pushed it away at the same moment she shifted her backpack to another shoulder. “Yes, Dr. De Winter. Is there something you need me to do before I leave?”
Lucien thought that was a loaded question if ever there was one. He could easily respond by saying yes, there was something he needed her to do before she left. Returning to his office so they could finish what they’d started earlier would be nice.
Then he could take her mouth, make love to it, mate with it without any distractions or interruptions. Or if she didn’t want to go to his office, they could go anywhere. She could name the place and he wouldn’t hesitate to take her there.
“No, there isn’t anything I need for you to do,” he said, studying her features. She looked tired, but exhaustion in no way detracted from her beauty. “You did a hell of a job in there today. I appreciate everything you and the other interns did. The group was awesome.”
One thing Lucien subscribed to was that it didn’t pay to bully his group of interns. He was not one who believed in group spankings. He dealt with those individually who did not pull their weight. On the others he didn’t mind bestowing compliments when they were due. After what had gone down in E.R., praise was certainly called for. He would tell her now and the others when he saw them again.
Although he’d given her a compliment, what was on his mind more now than anything else was the kiss they’d almost shared in his office. A part of him knew in a way he should be grateful it didn’t happen and regret that it almost did. But the truth of the matter was that the memory of holding her in his arms, inhaling her scent, bringing his lips so close to hers sent a flood of heat rushing through his veins and made his breath catch in his throat.
“Thanks,” she said. “You did an outstanding job yourself. It amazes me how well you do what you do and know just when to do it, seemingly without thought.”
He chuckled. “It comes with practice, trust me. Don’t forget I was an intern once and made my share of mistakes. Thankfully none of them cost anyone their life, but still. One day you’ll look back at these years and smile and accept them as your growing period.”
She smiled. “I hope you’re right.”
“I am.” He glanced at his watch. “I can’t believe how late it is—or how early, depending on how you look at it. We never did finish our discussion from earlier today.
I know a coffee shop across the bridge that stays open twenty-four hours. This time of morning there won’t be a lot of people around so we’ll be able to hold a private conversation.”
He paused when she hesitated in accepting his invitation. He didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable and think she had no choice in meeting with him, so he added, “Of course I’ll understand if you prefer going home. You’ve pulled a double today so I’m sure you’re tired.”
Jaclyn couldn’t help but smile. She doubted she could ever be tired enough to not want Lucien’s company, regardless of the reason. “No, I’m fine and yes, we can finish our conversation from earlier.”
In a way finishing up their conversation wasn’t what she really wanted. She believed she had done the right thing in turning Terrence in, and she figured the stress, frustration and all kinds of emotions had gotten the best of her earlier and had driven her to a mental meltdown. The activities in E.R. had revived her, given her an adrenaline rush.
“You sure?” he asked.
She felt her heart slamming against her ribcage with his question. Was she absolutely, positively sure when she didn’t know what he would say to her? For all she knew he might criticize her for giving in to a crying spell earlier today. But she would take her chances. “Yes, I’m sure.”
He smiled. “We can take my car.”
“All right.”
Lucien wasn’t surprised they couldn’t make it out of the hospital and to the parking lot without encountering someone he’d rather not have seen. Nurse Tsang was walking toward them as they were leaving. She stopped, causing them to do the same.
“Good morning, Ms. Tsang,” he said, his tone formal.
“Dr. De Winter.” The woman then glanced over at Jaclyn with a speculative eye. “Dr. Campbell.”
“Good morning,” Jaclyn acknowledged.
“The two of you are leaving?” the woman then asked.
Lucien lifted a brow. “Yes, we’re going to get coffee.