by K. C. Crowne
“Mr. O’Conner?”
“Hold on, love,” he said, glancing over for a moment before turning his attention back to the photo. “This thing is amazing – trying to get a shot of it.”
I’d noticed his accent before, of course – how could I not? But being in the room with him made me realize just how deep his voice was. Between that and his accent and the way the sleeves of his T-shirt clung to his thick, powerful biceps; my panties were never going to dry.
He clicked the camera to take a photo before turning back to me. “This is so cool,” he said. “Where’d you pick this up?”
I glanced at the picture, which was some eye care info sheet from what looked to be the fifties. “Not sure,” I said. “I think one of the receptionists got it at an estate sale.”
“It’s grand,” he said. His eyes, brilliant green even in the low light of the exam room, flashed with surprise. “But where are my bleedin’ manners?” He stepped closer to me and extended a huge hand. “Patrick O’Conner.”
His eyes flicked up and down my body. Normally, that would be cause for offense, but something about Patrick was different – I wanted him to look at me.
I regarded his hand with hesitation – not because I was against handshakes, but because I had a feeling that touching his skin would be more intense than I bargained for. But what could I do? Refuse to shake his hand?
I took it and shook, and just like I’d expected, it sent a thrill through my body. His skin was warm and rough, and just standing there holding his palm was enough to make me wonder what those big hands would feel like all over my body.
I cleared my throat and focused. “Dr. Bridges,” I said. “But you can call me Lola.”
I was surprised to hear that last part slip out of my mouth – I normally liked to stay on professional terms with patients.
“Lola?” he asked, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “Lovely name. I’ll be good and not make any jokes about the song.”
I laughed. “You do and we’re already friends. Most people can’t resist.”
He smirked, his eyes flashing again. “Well, I’m not most people.”
I’ll say. It took all the restraint I had not to let the words leave my mouth.
“Anyway,” I said. “I’d normally know a little about what you’re here for, but since your appointment was very last minute…”
“And thanks a million for that,” he said. “It’s my brother – I told him about my issues, and he had me penciled in before I could tell him no.”
“That’s right,” I said, gesturing to the exam chair. “You’re Dr. O’Conner’s brother.”
“I swear, is there anyone in this town who doesn’t know my brother?” The easy smile on his face made it clear he found the whole thing funnier than anything else.
“In the medical profession? Not a chance. Everyone knows Finn, which means—”
“Everyone’s going to know me before too long?”
“That depends. Are you a doctor?”
He shook his head. “Nope. Just a humble international photographer, at your service.”
That would explain his taking pictures of the sheet on the wall.
“That’s a far cry from the medical field,” I commented.
“You bet. And that’s by design.”
His face flashed with confusion for a moment, as if he hadn’t intended to be that revealing. The feeling was mutual – we’d only been talking for a few minutes and I already felt like I’d known the guy for years. It was strange.
Before he said anything else, Patrick slipped into the chair.
“So,” I said. “Tell me about the issues you’ve been having.”
“Ah, it’s nothin’.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” I said with a small smile as I sat down across from him.
“It’s…I don’t know. Been goin’ on for a few years. Believe it or not, I was supposed to have an appointment with you a couple years ago.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah, but this happened and that happened, and I never got around to it. Then I was back in Ireland and on the road soon after.”
“Kind of a risk for a photographer to take with your eyes,” I commented, slipping my flashlight out of my front pocket to take a look.
“Risk taking’s my thing,” he said with another flash of those pearly-white teeth.
I chuckled. “Hard to take risks when your vision’s impaired.” I realized I was getting ahead of myself. “So, what’s the issue?”
“Every now and then I get these blurry spells – don’t know what else to call ‘em.” He shrugged. “My vision goes wonky for a moment, and it usually goes away. It’s been off and on like this for a few, but yesterday something different happened.”
“What’s that?”
He raised two fingers. “Happened twice in the same day. That’s never happened before.”
“Hmm,” I hummed, thinking. “Problem there is that blurry vision is one of those symptoms that’s like headaches. You go see the doctor with headaches and it might be because you’re not drinking enough water, or—”
“It could be because you’ve got a brain tumor the size of a melon about ready to pop out.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his colorful language. “Something like that. Now, let’s get started by running through some basic tests. First, we’re going to test for glaucoma. You ever had that done before?”
He nodded. “That’s the little puff of air, right?”
“Yes. Come on over.” I patted the chair by the machine and indicated for him to sit down. He rose, absolutely towering over me. There was no height chart in the room, but I guessed he had to be around six and a half feet, easy. I was no small fry at five-nine, but I wasn’t used to being around men who loomed over me.
“Always hated this thing,” he grumbled, setting his sculpted chin in the little plastic divot. “It’s not the puff of air that gets me, it’s the anticipation.”
“Yes, the anticipation’s the worst part. But I think you can handle it.”
I flashed him another grin as I wheeled my chair over to the other side of the machine. We did one puff, then two.
“There you go,” I said. “Not so bad, right? Even with the anticipation.”
He blinked a few times then grinned. “Not bad at all. Though I think I deserve a lollipop after the bravery I just showed.”
I chuckled again at his irony. How was he able to make me laugh so much?
“Come back over to the chair,” I said. “I need to do a few more tests.”
He nodded and moved over. Once he was seated, I rose and leaned over him.
“I need you to open your eyes nice and wide.”
Patrick did as I asked, and I leaned in good and close to those stunning green eyes, close enough to make out the flecks of gold among the emerald. And the heat from his body rose up to greet me, the sensation making my heart race.
And he had a smell to him, something fresh and clean and…almost like the mountains. It took a hell of a lot of restraint not to sniff him like some kind of lunatic.
“Alright,” I said when I was done. “So far, so good. Now’s time for the vision test.” The lights were already low, so I got up and went over to the chart. “You know the deal, right?”
“Pick the smallest row I can read and read it. Been a few years, but I think it’s coming back to me.”
“When’s the last time you’ve had an eye exam?” I asked curiously.
He glanced aside, giving the matter some serious thought. “It’s…damn, gotta be over ten years.”
“You haven’t had your eyes checked in a decade?”
He raised his palms. “I know, I know. When you’re jettin’ around from here to there it doesn’t leave you much time for, ah, essentials, you know?”
“Well, I’m thinking there’s a good chance this might be something very simple.” I pressed the switch for the chart, the familiar rows of the Snellen Test appearing on the wall next to me. “
Go for it.”
He squinted – a sign something was up. Then he leaned in as he narrowed his eyes to little slits.
“Wow,” he said. “Alright. This is…ah…”
I said nothing, letting him take his time.
“Ah,” he said, with a nod. “T-O-Z.”
My eyebrows arched in surprise.
“How did I do?” he asked.
Not good was the answer – the man had only been able to read the third row from the top.
I chuckled. “Patrick, it’s time to get you some glasses.”
Chapter 3
Patrick
“Glasses?”
I was so shocked that the news managed to distract me for a moment from what really had my attention – how goddamned gorgeous Dr. Bridges was.
She was unlike any woman I’d ever seen before. She had soft brown eyes that looked sleepy in a sexy sort of way, olive skin that seemed kissed by the sun on the shores of the Mediterranean, and full lips that I couldn’t help but imagine planted on mine…or wrapped around certain parts of my body.
She was crazy curvy, and that I was only given a hint of her gorgeous body through glimpses under her doctor’s coat made her more enticing. Her dark brown hair was tied into a professional braid, her skin soft and radiant.
And her eyes – they were sexy, but there was something about them that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. She wore a serious expression, her eyes narrowed slightly as if she were inspecting me, looking right through me to see what was kicking around in my head. She had the sort of look about her that revealed her intelligence without speaking a word.
“Glasses,” she repeated, watching me.
“Like what a nerd wears?” I asked, sitting up.
She lifted her eyebrow and pursed her lips at my query as she sat down across from me. “Like what a nerd wears?” she repeated with a wry smile. “This isn’t a teen comedy from the eighties. Plenty of people wear glasses, and it’s easy to find stylish pairs.”
I shook my head, trying to focus on the situation at hand and not think about what it would be like to strip Dr. Bridges out of her clothes and have her straddle me in the eye examination chair.
“I can’t,” I said, holding an invisible camera up to my face to make my point. “Glasses will just clunk around my camera. They’re a no go.”
She sat back and crossed her legs. “Alright. We can do contacts – that’d be a separate eye exam, however. Then down the line you can look into Lasik. That’d take care of the problem for good.” She paused briefly, then plainly stated the truth. “To be honest, your vision’s in a bad state. I’m not sure you’d be able to pass a driving test like this.”
I frowned. “It’s been a while since I’ve had to take one. And I guess my eyesight got worse so gradually that I didn’t even notice it.”
“That’s common,” she said with a professional nod. “A little bit at a time and before you know it you’re bumping into walls.”
I sighed, still trying to process this information. “Contacts…does that mean I’d have to put my finger in my eye? Like this?” I mocked jabbing my index fingertip into my eye, exaggerating the gesture.
It didn’t get a full-on laugh out of her, but I managed a slight upward crinkle of those sexy lips. She was a tough one to crack – which only made her more enticing.
“You’ll get used to it. But glasses or contacts, you have to choose one of the two.”
“Is that the reason for my major blurriness problem?”
“Can’t say for sure, but it’d be a good place to start. Right now, you’re putting a huge amount of strain on your eye muscles. It’s the equivalent of walking around carrying a fifty-pound dumbbell in each hand. Sure, you manage it most of the time, but every now and then, you have to set them down and take a break.”
“And that’s what happens when my eyes go blurry? They need a break?”
“That’s my working theory.” She folded her hands on her lap as she spoke, her voice crisp and clear and the tone of someone who knew exactly what she was talking about. Her combination of professional and sexy was outrageously hot. “I’m thinking we get you in some frames or contacts and see how you’re feeling in a month or so.”
I shook my head. “I might be gone in a month or so.”
“Then you’ll have to find another eye doc to follow up with. I can send my notes with you so they know where to pick up.”
“You sure about that?” I asked with a grin. “Can’t I just hire you as my on-call eye doc? Bring your letter chart and set it up while I’m in the field.”
I earned another slightly amused smile. “Sorry – lugging around my glaucoma tester doesn’t exactly sound like my idea of a good time.”
I couldn’t say no to this opening. “Then what does sound like a good time for Dr. Lola Bridges?”
She pursed her lips, understanding my game. “Getting my patients the eye care they need. That’s a really good time for me. Now, let’s get the rest of the exam taken care of so we can have you in some contacts before the morning’s out.”
Lola ran a few more tests, and when we were all done, she rose and flicked the lights back on.
“Alright, I think we’re all set here.” She jotted down some notes on a piece of paper. “I’ll send this info to Sarah up front. She’ll get a prescription printed out and you can take that to a local optometry center and pick out some frames and order contacts.”
I wasn’t about to let her go without another shot. “I suppose I’m warmin’ up to the idea of glasses.”
“That right?” She raised an eyebrow in interest.
“That’s right. Damn shame to be around a woman as gorgeous as you without bein’ able to see her clearly.”
She let out a snort, shaking her head. “Maybe try that line on Sarah on the way out.”
I didn’t get a damn bit of purchase with Dr. Bridges. She wasn’t wearing a ring on her finger, meaning she wasn’t married. Had to admit her lack of amusement with my lines only made me more interested in her.
“Come on,” she said. “I’ll walk you up front.”
I pushed myself out of the seat and we left the exam room. “So,” I said. “Next step is picking out frames.”
“That’s right. And I have your prescription for contacts, too.”
“Well, ain’t that damn decent of you,” I teased. “But I’m still shudderin’ thinkin’ about the whole finger-in-eye thing. What if I slip and skewer myself like a shish kabob?”
My comment finally got the laugh I’d been wanting to hear. Just a slight chuckle that caused her to lift her hand to her mouth and shake her head as if she couldn’t believe she was laughing at so ridiculous.
Her laugh was mesmerizing. I couldn’t get over it.
“Have lunch with me,” I blurted, smiling as charmingly as I could. “Today.”
Whatever amusement was on her face faded as if she’d flipped a switch. Her body tensed, and she went back to business mode. “Sorry,” she said. “I don’t date patients.”
“Is that right?” I asked. “In that case, I might need to find another eye doc.”
The tiny crinkle to her lips returned. “Good luck. Hopefully your brother’s got an in with them, too.”
“You know my brother well?” I asked, changing tactics.
“Not super-well – in a professional context. He’s a great guy, from what I hear.”
“That’s right, he is,” I acknowledged, grinning at her. “But if you think Finn’s the great O’Conner brother, wait until you get to know me.”
The small smile stayed on her lips. “I’ll have to take your word for that, Patrick. Because the only getting-to-know-each-other we’re going to be doing is here at my office.”
“Oh, really? Then how about I swing by with some Chinese for lunch. We can do another exam and have a laugh over some wontons.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m going to pass. And if I were you, I’d spend less time thinking about flirting with the eye do
c and more time thinking about getting some glasses before you accidentally walk into a wall.” She tilted her head toward the reception desk. “Go chat with Sarah – she’ll get you sorted out. And if you have any other needs—”
I opened my mouth, ready to take a shot at yet another easy set-up.
“Eyecare needs,” she corrected, catching herself and lifting a finger at me. “I’d be happy to have you back. Give my best to your brother.”
Without another word, she turned and headed down the hallway, her white doctor’s coat swishing at her hips. I couldn’t do anything but watch her leave, imagining the no-doubt-perfect ass under that coat.
With a sigh, I headed to the front desk where Sarah was waiting for me. She got my prescription taken care of, her eyes wide and eager as I flirted perfunctorily. But my mind was totally locked onto Dr. Bridges.
“What time do your offices close, love?” I asked Sarah on the way out.
“Five,” she said with a smile. “Why – you planning on coming back?”
“I just might,” I said. “So you can see my new specs.”
“I’d love that,” she said with dreamy eyes. “See you then.”
I glanced in the direction Dr. Bridges had disappeared. “Yeah. Until then.”
I headed straight home after the appointment, more interested in getting some work done than running around town trying to find a place to buy frames. To my surprise, Finn was at home for an early lunch.
“Hey!” he said, flagging me down with a wave from the kitchen bar, a sandwich on the plate in front of him. “How’d the appointment go?”
“Not bad,” I said. “Turns out I’m as blind as a bat.”
Finn arched his eyebrows in surprise. “Is that right? Might explain your driving.” He smirked.
“Har-har,” I said as I stepped into the kitchen and poured myself a cup from the last of that morning’s coffee.
“So you’ll be needin’ some glasses? That’s the issue with your eyes?”
“That’s what the doc seems to think. Might be somethin’ else, but it might be as simple as me strainin’ me eyes too much.”
He nodded, dusting his hands of breadcrumbs as he chewed his bite. “And you had no problem gettin’ in to see Dr. Bridges?”