Warmth spread through her chest. He’d actually remembered the name of it? “I’m a licensed physical therapist, but I also have my LSVT certification.”
“Which tract? Big or Loud?”
“Both, but I’ve dealt more with the Big side of the spectrum as it deals with body movements, rather than the speech element. My father has Parkinson’s—early stage—so I thought I might be able to help him with therapy. Turns out he’s got a great therapist and hasn’t needed me.”
“So what brings you to London?”
This is where it got tricky, and for the first time she wished Luke was here to smooth the way for her. “I have a relative who was a patient here.” Hopefully that would be enough of an explanation.
“Oh, I hope everything went well.”
“It did. He’s finishing up his treatment and should be fine.”
Laisse stopped in front of an older woman, who was using an upper-body ergometer. The machine looked much like a bulky, gray stationary bike that had been turned on its head, and gave a steady whine as the woman pedaled with her hands, warming up her muscles before getting down to whatever therapies she would need. “How are we doing, Mrs. Wheaton?”
“It’s a bit harder than I expected.” Her breath rasped in and out as she struggled to keep pumping.
Laisse bent over and looked at the dial, twisting it to reduce the resistance level. “How’s that? Better? I don’t want to wear you out before our session.”
“Yes, much easier, thank you.”
“Do you think you can manage another two minutes?”
The woman nodded, her hands circling a bit faster.
They continued their tour. “Our LSVT therapist isn’t here today, I’m sorry to say. She’s due in tomorrow, if you’d like to come back.”
“Would it be possible for me to observe her with a patient?”
“I’ll check with the head therapist, but I don’t think it will be a problem. We have relatives in quite a bit, watching as their loved ones have therapy. I’m sure Steffie wouldn’t mind.”
They stopped by the front desk and Laisse scribbled a note on a pad on the counter. “What was your last name again?”
“Bradley.”
“Okay, Kate. I’ve got you down.” She ran a finger down a black scheduling book. “Steffie’s first appointment is at nine tomorrow. Let me check with her before I say yes, but I don’t expect there to be a problem. Why don’t you come in at ten, if that’s all right? She has several patients in a row.”
“Wonderful.” Kate pulled out her wallet and found one of her business cards. She wrote the hotel’s phone number and her room number on the back. “This is where I’m staying. If there’s a problem, would you mind giving me a call?”
“Of course.” The whine of the ergometer slowed and then came to a halt. Laisse glanced over at the machine. “I need to get back to my patient, but I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
“Yes. Thanks again for the tour. You have a beautiful facility.”
Laisse looked around with pride. “Thank you. We’re quite proud of it.”
Shoving her wallet back in her purse, Kate glanced at the glass wall to her right, her fingers fumbling a bit when she spied Luke outside, looking in at her. What did he want? She assumed that once he’d dropped her off at the center, he’d wash his hands of her. Their last joint appearance would be at Nick’s house for dinner and after that they’d each go their own way.
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks again.”
“My pleasure.” Laisse’s voice lowered to almost a purr as she, too, noted who was on the other side of the viewing glass.
Kate squashed the urge to roll her eyes. “Do you know Dr. Blackman?”
“Not well. He introduced himself when he made your appointment. But I’ve heard quite a bit about him.”
What did she mean? “Really?”
“He has quite a reputation with the nurses on the wards.”
The image of all those letters in her mom’s shoebox came back to haunt her, and she bit her lip. Luke certainly knew his way around a bedroom. A flush came over her as she remembered exactly the way he’d taken charge.
At the time she’d thought it was sensual beyond belief, but what if he was just like a male version of her mother? Someone who jumped from person to person, leaving behind a trail of broken hearts? She’d been worried about her own genetic traits after she’d leaped into bed with him, but maybe she wasn’t the person she should be worried about.
Laisse turned away from the window with obvious reluctance and headed for her patient.
That settled it, then. Reputations didn’t materialize out of thin air. And the other physical therapist certainly didn’t seem opposed to having Luke come into the center. But no way did she want to watch Laisse fawn over him.
And Kate definitely didn’t want to wind up as a letter in someone’s shoebox. It was time to steer clear of him actively. It wouldn’t be hard to do because she didn’t work at the hospital and would be going home before too much longer.
She glanced at the window again, only to see him nod at her, his hands shoved into the pockets of his slacks. His white lab coat was nowhere to be seen. Great. Hopefully that didn’t mean he was off duty.
Well, she was going to have to walk through that door some time, especially as Laisse was already working with her patient, although she’d seen the other woman peer in Luke’s direction another time or two.
Making her way across the room, she reached the glass door and pushed through it. Luke met her on the other side. “How did it go?” he asked.
“Pretty well. I’m going to come by and observe the LSVT therapist tomorrow morning.”
“Good.” He took her elbow and started to steer her away from the area. She frowned until she noted that Laisse was watching them.
Why did she get the feeling she was about to be added to the gossip swirling around Luke? She tugged her elbow out of his hold. “Did you need to see me about something?”
“I wanted to let you know that I’ll be able to go to Nick’s.”
What did he expect her to say? That she was thrilled? Ecstatic? Horrified? She settled for none of the above. “Nick will be happy to hear that.”
“I figured.” He paused. “Listen, about what happened at your hotel room, I’d really prefer Nick not know.”
She blinked in surprise and then let out a little laugh. “Oh, how the worm has turned. Wasn’t it me who was worried about that very thing just a few days ago? I remember some doctor letting me stew in my own juices for a few moments before promising he wouldn’t say anything.”
Luke hooked his index finger under her chin, his thumb making a long slow pass over her lower lip. “So, are you going to make me stew in my own juices to get your revenge?”
No, because he’d probably have the last laugh. Somehow.
“Of course not. I’m not about to say anything to anyone. It’s not something I’m likely to brag about.”
His eyes narrowed just a bit. “Meaning?”
She glanced back at the viewing window, but Laisse was busy with her patient. At least, she appeared to be. “It’s just that people around here appear to be inordinately interested in your...nocturnal activities.”
His face cleared. “Ah, I see.” His thumb still rested on her lower lip, and this time, instead of sliding across it, he tugged the center of it down, parting her lips for a heart-stopping second. Then he released her with a smile. “Nick seemed to be worried I might try to take advantage of you.”
So even Nick had the idea that Luke slept around.
Wow. And now she’d been with him twice. No...three times, if you counted the two-in-one-night episode in her hotel room. Insisting on giving him that massage had been the dumbest idea she’d ever had.
“Well, good thing
he was wrong. Isn’t it? About you taking advantage of me, I mean.”
“Definitely. Besides, I seem to remember it being the other way around.”
Her eyes widened. Surely he didn’t think...
“I didn’t take advantage of anyone.”
His smile widened. “No?” He moved in, lowering his head as if to keep their conversation private. “Let’s see. I asked you to meet me down in the parking lot with my car keys. Instead, you invited me up to your hotel room. Hmm...actually invited is kind of a mild word. It might be closer to the truth to say you forced me to come up.”
“I didn’t force you to do anything.” But she had, and she knew it. She’d said she lost the keys and then, when he’d come to her room to get them, she’d manipulated him into a massage.
But Luke was the one who’d initiated that devastating kiss.
And she’d responded like there was no tomorrow.
He was right. Looking at it from his perspective, the evidence did seem pretty damning.
“I was honestly trying to help, Luke. Things just kind of got out of hand.”
“Hey, I was kidding. It was as much my fault as anyone’s.” He gave her hand a quick squeeze. “And all that talk around here? Don’t believe everything you hear.”
“So you haven’t slept with anyone from the hospital?”
Why on earth had she asked that? It was none of her business who he did or didn’t sleep with.
He hesitated, his smile fading. “Would you like me to give you names and dates?”
“No. I really wouldn’t.” She sucked in a quick breath, a shard of hurt burrowing deep. “Well, thanks for letting me know about dinner at Nick’s. I’ll let you get back to work.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
“Oh, no need.” All she wanted to do at the moment was get as far away from him as she could.
“At the risk of sounding like a broken record, you never did get that personal item out of my glove compartment.”
Oh, heavens. With the chaos at the accident scene and having to drive his car back to the hotel afterward, she’d completely forgotten. Which meant her opportunity for a painless transition of bag to purse was long gone. Unlike her, he’d evidently remembered what was in there and had checked to see if she’d taken it with her. Time to put this little piece of history to bed.
She almost groaned aloud at that thought. “Let’s get this over with.”
He slanted her a glance that she couldn’t read then headed for the exit down the hallway. Kate followed him, the physical therapist within her taking over and looking for signs that his leg bothered him.
Right leg. Left leg. Blip. Right leg.
Yep, there it was. If you didn’t know he had a problem, you’d miss it completely. The tiniest limp when his left leg lifted off the ground, transferring his full weight onto his right. He covered it well, but there was almost a forced look to his gait as if he’d learned to compensate. To make things appear normal when they really weren’t.
Not wanting to show weakness.
Before they could make it to the door, a nurse came skidding around the corner and hurried toward them, her shoes squeaking on the polished flooring. “Dr. Blackman! Thank heavens I caught you before you left. Mindy Reynolds is asking to speak with you about her daughter. She’s quite insistent.”
Luke nodded and glanced at Kate. “She’s a patient,” he emphasized in low tones, as if remembering her question a few seconds ago.
“Oh, I never thought...” She swallowed the words, aware the nurse was still waiting there expectantly.
“I’ll be there in just a minute.” As the nurse walked away, he sighed. “Sorry, I have to go. I’ll have to give you back that item we spoke of another time.”
“Don’t worry about them. Really.” It was on the tip of her tongue to say she had plenty where that had come from, but it didn’t seem appropriate.
“I’m not worried, Kate. I just don’t believe in keeping things that don’t belong to me.”
As he turned and strolled in the direction the nurse had gone, his gait careful and even, she couldn’t help but think he was giving her a subtle warning with that last line. He didn’t keep things that didn’t belong to him...including her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
KATE TIGHTENED HER ponytail holder, slinging the towel around her neck as she switched off the treadmill in the hotel’s exercise area, doing some quick calculations to convert kilometers into miles. The guy on the machine next to hers continued to jabber about his work problems—and his all-too-personal problems—seemingly oblivious that she was anxious to leave, despite only getting in two of her normal three miles.
Nothing was more charming than a man using his broken marriage to garner sympathy from other women—and hopefully getting laid in the process.
Kate wasn’t buying a word of it. And she was more than anxious to make her getaway. “Well, have a good run.”
To her irritation, he switched his machine off, as well. “I was just finishing.” He shoved his surfer-blond hair out of his eyes with a muscular forearm. “Would you like to get a drink a little later in the bar?”
“I don’t think your wife would exactly approve of that.” She injected just enough irritation into her tone to show she wasn’t interested in drinks, or anything else.
He swabbed down his face with the hotel towel. “Don’t be like that. It’s just a drink.”
“I don’t think so. I already have other plans.” Like hell she did, but he didn’t need to know that.
Kate headed for the door, the man hot on her heels—still trying to sweet-talk her. If this guy didn’t buzz off pretty soon, those neglected body parts he’d mentioned were going to get some intimate attention—from the sharp edge of her knee.
He might be strong and reasonably attractive, but he made her feel nothing but revulsion. In a way it was a good sign. She really wouldn’t leap into bed with any pretty face.
Just as she rounded the corner to the lobby she spied a familiar form speaking to the receptionist at the front desk.
Luke!
She had no idea what he was doing there, but she had never been so glad to see anyone in her life. He’d just slid a manila envelope across the counter top and turned to leave when his eyes found hers. She gave a wide, delighted smile. “Hey, there, stranger!”
The guy behind her stopped as well, settling in next to her.
Luke’s brows lifted at her enthusiastic greeting then took in her workout gear, sliding up to her face before shifting to the jerk next to her. “Hi, yourself.” He inclined his head toward the desk. “I was just dropping off your...belongings.”
A peeved voice next to her said, “So your plans include this guy?”
She didn’t turn her head to look but gave Luke a pleading glance. “As a matter of fact, they do. So, if you’ll excuse me...”
Thankfully, Luke took the hint and made his way over to her. He gripped the ends of the towel around her neck and used them to draw her close, dropping a soft, lingering kiss on her lips that left her reeling. “Is this a workout buddy?” he murmured, keeping hold of the towel and giving the guy a level look.
Whatever silent communication passed between the two men seemed to work, because the weirdo edged a few steps to the side, putting some distance between them.
“Actually, I was just leaving.” He nodded toward Kate. “Maybe I’ll catch you in the exercise room tomorrow.”
“I don’t think so. I normally run at night.” Which meant that if he tried to join her at night, she’d be free to run in the mornings again. Feeling strangely brave now that Luke was beside her, she glanced at the guy’s zipper area. “Good luck with that little problem of yours.”
The man’s face flushed bright red and anger sizzled in his eyes before he glanced
at Luke again. “Right. See you.”
As soon as he’d stepped into the elevator, Kate sagged. “Sorry to put you in the middle of that. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Can’t say I blame him.” He let go of the towel. “Why didn’t you just leave?”
“I did. I quit at two miles instead of three.”
“You run three miles a day?”
Something in his voice made her look up at him. “Not every day, but most. Why?”
“No reason.” He glanced in the direction of the elevators. “Do you normally wind up with a crew of men following you?”
Wondering if he thought she was being careless about safety, she said, “I used to run with my dad, until his Parkinson’s diagnosis.” She shrugged. “I haven’t found another running partner yet but I don’t purposely try to pick up guys. And since I was using the hotel’s exercise room, I figured it was safe.”
His fingers went to his leg, in an unconscious gesture that Kate found heart-wrenching.
She nodded at it. “How’s it doing?”
“Fine.” He drew in a determined breath. “Well, like I said, I left an envelope for you at the desk. The one from the glove compartment. Figured we needed to settle that account once and for all.”
I don’t believe in keeping things that don’t belong to me.
And if someone wanted to belong to him?
What? She didn’t! Not at all.
“Oh, okay. Well, thank you.”
“I went ahead and washed them.” His eyes held hers for several seconds as her face slowly ignited at the thought of her panties in with the rest of his clothes—mingling and touching parts of him. The slightest smile tipped the corners of his mouth as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. “I’ll see you Tuesday evening, then.”
At Nick’s.
“I guess you will.”
He hesitated, glancing at the elevators as if expecting the other guy to rematerialize at any second. “Would you like a ride? The hotel is right on my way.”
Why did that offer make her heart sit up and blink? “That would be great, if you’re sure.”
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