I Like 'Em Pretty

by Triad Literary

  I Like ‘Em Pretty

  Rawiya

  Copyright © 2012 by Sharita Lira writing as Rawiya

  Published by Triad Literary Books at Smashwords

  I Like ‘Em Pretty

  Rawiya

  Edited by Julie Lynn Hayes

  Cover Art Sara York

  ISBN 9781301229208

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Your non-refundable purchase allows you to one legal copy of this work for your own personal use. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload, or for a fee.

  Disclaimer: This book may contain explicit sexual content, graphic, adult language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable which might include: male/male sexual practices and multiple partner sexual practices.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, businesses, and incidents are from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual places, people, or events is purely coincidental. Any trademarks mentioned herein are not authorized by the trademark owners and do not in any way mean the work is sponsored by or associated with the trademark owners. Any trademarks used are specifically in a descriptive capacity.

  Trademarks mentioned in the story

  Murder She Wrote: TV Show CBS Television 1984-1996 Universal Productions

  Top Gear: TV Show BBC Worldwide

  Duran Duran: Songs “Hungry Like the Wolf” and “Bedroom Toys”

  Record companies HLTW Capitol EMI from Rio Bedroom Toys Epic Music from Astronaut

  Depeche Mode: British Band record companies: Mute, EMI, Sire, WMG

  Heineken: Beer - Heineken International B.V.

  E.L James: Author of 50 Shades of Grey Trilogy

  Blurb: Men come in all forms; big, small, manly and not so much. Rhoda Maire likes em' on the pretty side and won't settle for anything less. Dr. Nicholas Fairlight might be just what she needs. He's looking for a woman to settle down with after years of putting his career first. Time for both of these lonely medical professionals to find true love!

  Dedication: For my good friend Wendi. You got your happy ending!

  I Like ‘Em Pretty

  Rawiya

  Chapter One

  “Rhoda? Rhoda, are you listenin’ to me?” Nurse Rhoda Maire’s mother called to her repeatedly through the handset.

  “Hmm? Oh sorry, Ma, I was—”

  “Just driftin’ off to dreamy land, right? It’s a wonder you made it through nursing school with high marks, child. Your teachers mentioned how you loved to daydream.”

  Rhoda grimaced and sighed inwardly. She switched her cellular from one shoulder to the other while preparing her morning hazelnut blend. The best pick-me-up in the world. She wouldn’t have it any other way. “Sorry, Momma, I was thinkin’ about a patient at the clinic,” she lied.

  “Hmph. Well, I wish you’d stop thinkin’ so much about work and concentrate on gettin’ a man. You’re not any younger, baby. You’re pushin’ forty!”

  “Mom, I’m thirty-eight, okay? I still got time before I hit the big four O. Besides, haven’t I told ya I’m not into settlin’ for just any kind of man?”

  “Yeah you have but…” Mom went silent.

  “What?”

  “Well, darnit, girl, I’m just worried, that’s all. I remember when your sister Moira fixed you up with that nice man she works with.”

  Rhoda rolled her eyes, pondering that moment.

  Yep, he was pretty, but unfortunately he didn’t play for my team.

  She smiled to herself, knowing she couldn’t mention that to her mom. They had a great time on their second date until the man spotted a good-looking brother at the bar, checked him out, and promptly excused himself from the table.

  Still, he had the right look. Very handsome man, light skin the color of her favorite latte with black wavy hair and eyes; oh, his eyes were hazel. Unforgettable. She could get lost in them. But he didn’t like the girls as much as he did the boys.

  If only he did, I wouldn’t be havin’ this conversation with Momma right now.

  “He sounded like a fine man, Rhoda! What did you say or do to him?”

  “Nothin’,” she scoffed and glanced up at the ceiling. “Mom, can I call you back? I know how you love to talk with me on Sunday mornin’ before you go to church but I wanna finish my coffee, eat breakfast, and sleep in. I’ve got three eleven hour shifts to pull at the hospital this week.”

  “Okay, Rhoda. I’ll let you go. For now. I wish you’d join me in church sometime. All the sisters there miss you. Haven’t seen ya since you were a young girl.”

  “Mhmm,” she smirked, putting down her mug that read, ‘I’m not over the hill…yet.’ “Maybe next weekend, Momma. I actually have a Saturday night off for once.”

  “Good, then I’ll tell ‘em—”

  “No, no, no, please, don’t have ‘em expectin’ me to be there. If I go out with Sharnette, I might not be able to make it past my bed that mornin’.”

  “Mmm…mmm… you still talk to her? She’s such a bad influence!”

  “Ma, she’s my best friend. Just because she writes smut doesn’t mean she’s bad, m’kay? Now lemme let you go.” Rhoda really wanted to hang up now with her mom talking about her best buddy from high school. Sharnette was a prolific author and party girl who Lorna Maire had taken issue with for years. After all, this was the young lady who took Rhoda to her first club when they were clearly underage.

  “Okay, baby. Make me happy and go find a man. Stay away from that character you call a friend and don’t drink too much,” she warned.

  “Uh, okay.” Rhoda wasn’t quite sure where that came from. She only sipped wine when her and Sharnette went to the bars and actually that wasn’t often.

  Rhoda barely had time to think after working some of the shifts she’d been scheduled, but she knew that before she took the job.

  Nothing brought her joy like helping other people who were sick and in need of care. Nursing meant the personal life came second so she could satisfy everyone who needed her help.

  After she told her mom goodbye, she pushed the disconnect and propped her feet up on the table in front of her. Rhoda truly loved mornings like this when she didn’t have to do anything but lounge around in her pink house robe and fuzzy bunny slippers. Still, it was really disheartening to know there was no one but the dog, Spearmint, to come home to. Her brown and lovable Yorkshire Terrier had been the only steady male in her life for the past three years.

  Jesus.

  When was the last time I went out on a date with a man other than Mike, who liked the other side of the fence? She had to think about it a moment and, unfortunately, her brain hurt just attempting to remember.

  “Arf!” Spearmint sprinted from the bedroom and immediately jumped in her lap, asking for attention. To show his affection, he licked her face repeatedly.

  “Ooh okay, I’ll feed you and yes, good mornin’.” She laughed and nuzzled his cold, wet nose. She lifted her cup and made her way into the small kitchen of her two bedroom apartment. No, it wasn’t a palace, but it was clean and only steps away from the Duke University hospital where she worked. You can’t beat not needing a car except to run errands or go out for the evening. It was convenience she paid for handsomely.

  “Oka
y, there you go.” Rhoda gave Spearmint his favorite breakfast and watched him eat on the counter while finishing her coffee. Yep, mornings like this were great. If only she had someone to share them with.

  * * * *

  “Dr. Fairlight…Dr. Fairlight, you’re needed in ICU. Dr. Fairlight?” Nicholas joked while he sat at the table with his fellow physicians. Not that he didn’t take his job seriously, but a little humor was good to take the edge off after a long night.

  “That nurse has the hots for you, Doc. She loves callin’ your name. Her and Mrs. Mackenby might have a plan for you.” One of the doctors laughed.

  “Yeah, I’m sure they do.” Nicholas heard his phone go off, signaling a patient needed his assistance. When he noticed the caller ID, he groaned and slipped his cell back in his hip compartment. “Well, I’ve been summoned once again.”

  “Ah, that would be the sixth call in the last fourteen hours, right?” With a smirk, his good friend, Dr. Alexander Carthington, cocked an eyebrow.

  “Yes, it would, Doctor. She’s never going to give up, is she? Making excuses for me to come see her so she can convince me to get hitched.” Nicholas shook his head.

  “Yep, you know it. Hey, you wanna go out with me and my girl next Saturday night? We’re heading to this new club in the city called Enigma.”

  Nicholas nodded, knowing a night out on the town might do him some good. “Maybe. I do need to get out more, especially when we have days off. These thirteen hours are killin’ me.” Nicholas frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. “Let me go see what my dear patient wants and I’ll get back to you on that.”

  “‘Kay. I’ll be here. All my patients aren’t as needy as yours.”

  “Piss off, you wanker,” Nicholas snarled as he walked swiftly across the cafeteria to try making the next elevator. He knew this wasn’t a clear emergency since they hadn’t added stat to the message.

  Mrs. Mackenby was a nice lady but really not his type. With grown children and plenty of ailments to last her a lifetime, Nicholas considered her to be a momma more than a woman he’d want to get involved with.

  Regardless, she still tried, telling him she’d make the perfect wife for him. The young lonely doctor who didn’t have many marriage prospects on the horizon.

  Despite this, Nicholas wasn’t ready to become the other half in a cougar relationship. Older women just didn’t do it for him.

  Not in their seventies, anyway.

  The warm air hit him as the elevator doors opened. Nicholas made his way to Mrs. Mackenberg’s room. When he passed the nurses’ desk, they all smiled at him, knowing this wasn’t very important but he answered her anyway, as long as he wasn’t in surgery.

  “Hi, Doc Nicky, come on in.” She waved. Her blue eyes twinkled and she smiled wide.

  “Hello again, Mrs. Mackenberg. What can I do for you today? How’s everything going?”

  “Oh, about well as it could, I suppose. The ol’ bones aren’t up to par after the last stroke. I can barely get out of bed.” She patted her grey bun on top of her head and curled the loose ends around her ears.

  “Well, it takes time to recover, Mrs. Mackenberg. You’ll be out of the hospital in no time and back at home soon.”

  Thank goodness!

  “Yes, I know, Nicky. And please, I dunno how many times I have to tell ya to call me Janet. We’ve known one ‘nother for the last six months.”

  Nicholas nodded in agreement and forced a smile while he pulled up a chair from the other side of the room. “Yes ma’am. Okay, why did you summon me? Something hurts…or—?”

  “No, no, not right now, I just wanted to see ya. I hate when ya not here, Nicky. The other doctors, except for Alex, don’t pay me much attention.” Her Southern drawl came out in her voice.

  “Well, I’m sure they don’t mean to ignore you, Mrs.… Er, Janet. We do get very busy here sometimes.”

  “I know but—” She stopped and her face softened when she met his gaze. “You’re such a great doctor, ya know, because you really give a damn about yer patients. Ya treat ‘em like family.”

  Nicholas appreciated the comment and crossed his legs while he relaxed. The end of his shift was coming soon but, he had to admit, he loved coming in here, listening to Janet Mackenberg tell one of her stories. “Thank you, Janet. I try, I really do. It’s part of the reason I decided to become a Doctor.” Nicholas sat up straight for fear he might get too comfortable and fall asleep in the chair. It had been a long night here at Methodist; two emergency surgeries, head trauma, and gunshot wounds. Just a normal night in the life of a doctor who worked a thirteen hour shift.

  “I’m glad ya did, honey. We pay y’all pretty well to take care of us ol’ folk. You might as well earn that cash. I know you and Alexander do.”

  “Yes, but that isn’t why we work here, Janet.”

  “I know, I know.” She sighed and flashed him a wry grin. She reached across and patted his hand. “You two are good ol’ British boys, not like some of them others I seen on TV. These American medics can take a cue from the both of ya.”

  “We have a fine staff here, Janet, regardless of where we come from. Well…” Nicholas straightened and rose from his chair. “If everything’s okay, let me leave you to get rest and I must get some too since I have to be here late tonight for a ten hour shift. If there are any more melees in the inner city, I might be here longer.”

  “Aw, I wish ya didn’t hafta leave, sugah. I love talkin’ with ya, but I know ya need sleep to keep up that pretty face of yours.” The old lady winked at him. “You sure are a handsome devil, Nicky. Ya sure you don’t wanna make an old woman happy until she leaves this earth?”

  Nicholas’ eyes widened. His lips curled into a half smile. “Um, Janet, I already told you. I’m very taken. My lady and I have been dating for years and I just haven’t popped the question,” he lied. There hadn’t been anyone serious since his last girlfriend left him in his second year of med school.

  “I need to meet her one day and tell ‘er she took away my dream man.” She laughed. “All right, baby. You getcha self some rest and come see me in the mornin’, right?”

  “I sure will.” Nicholas patted her shoulder and attempted to turn in the direction of the door when she grabbed his hand.

  “Go home and getcha self some lovin’, Nicky. You look like ya need it.”

  Nicholas bowed his head and grinned at Janet.

  If only there were someone waiting there to give it to me.

  * * * *

  “Girl, please! How old are you again?” Sharnette Bixby wailed in her ear while Rhoda attempted to finish up her pedicure.

  “Please what? You know how my momma is. She don’t wanna hear anything about about me goin’ on no swingers cruise. Besides, you and your man are into that, not me.”

  Silence. “Well, you just might meet someone on it. Hell, you never know. Alex and I met at a swinger’s party. Neither of us had been with anyone the whole entire night…and then…” Sharnette trailed off. The smile could be heard in her tone.

  “Um, yeah, I know. You met Prince Charming in the most unlikely place. Good for you,” she chided and flicked out her tongue.

  “Don’t hate the playa’, girl.”

  “I know, hate the game.” Rhoda finished the statement.

  “No, no, I wasn’t sayin’ that, Rho. It just kinda happened. Lord knows I wasn’t even lookin’ for someone that night, at least not for anything long-term, and there he was, Doctor Carthington, fine ass with a great smile, muscular in all the right places.”

  “Yes and the perfect muse for your next novel, right?” Rhoda couldn’t help but be envious. Sharnette and Alex had been dating for almost a year now. Still, it didn’t make her jump at the chance to meet the man of her wildest dreams at a place where people hooked up and talked about their sexcapades so openly.

  “Yep. I’m gonna call it, Sweet Medical Emergency. Hmph. The heroine will be on the verge of death and hunky doctor Alexander comes to save her. It’ll be a
hit!”

  “Yes, I know it will be. You know I love your stuff. When are ya gonna write one for me, hmm? If I’m not gonna live a happy ever after at least I can read about one,” she joked while putting the finishing touches on her pinky toe.

  “Oh you stop that right now, girl. Even though I will be writing you in a book real soon, but I know there’s somebody out there for ya, Rho. You’re a gorgeous woman!”

  Rhoda sighed and turned the top on the polish to close it. She shifted on the sofa and slapped her knee to invite Spearmint onto her lap. “When will I find him, Nettie? When? I’ve been prayin’ for him to come take me away from everything. Perhaps it’ll be some hot doctor who whisks me off to faraway Africa to take care of sick patients while I’m pregnant with twins.”

  “Hmph, now that’s a storyline. Lemme write that down.”

  “Are ya crediting me with the idea?” Rhoda stroked Spearmint’s head and he licked her fingers.

  “You know I will, babe. How many of my stories have I dedicated to my Rho, my homegirl?”

  Rhoda laughed and kissed the top of her dog’s head. “Good, and when you get rich and famous, don’t forget me, all right?”

  “Of course not,” Sharnette squealed, making Rhoda pull the phone away from her ear. “So, you goin’ out with us next Saturday? Alex is bringin’ a friend along you might be interested in. I’ve been askin’ him to try gettin’ the man to join us, but he said he didn’t want to be a matchmaker for fear somethin’ might go wrong.”

  “I guess, as long as they don’t call me in for an emergency in maternity. Tell me, Nettie, how do you and Alex do it? I mean, he works at Methodist for hours and you sit at home and write all day. When the hell do ya have time for one another?”

  “We make time, Rho. Sometimes when he comes in, I’m in the hot tub waiting for him with a chilled bottle of wine, the loofah, and soft music to relax him. And lemme tell ya, the man is never out of energy. Despite the long shifts he puts in, he’s always ready for sex.”

  “Really?” She turned up her lip and her eyes widened. How could that be possible when he’d been on his feet all day with patients? Energy drinks? Uppers? He didn’t seem like the type for the latter.