by Jaci Burton
Luke shrugged, tamping down the disappointment. At a glance, she didn’t strike him as a one-night-stand kind of woman, although considering the way she let him grind against her on the dance floor, who knew where the night would have ended if they hadn’t been interrupted.
Unfortunately, he’d never know.
He set a twenty on the counter and waited for the bartender to make his way back to his end of the bar, which took a while since the place did a steady business.
Finally, Luke got his change, left a tip, and started for the door at the same time someone ran inside shouting. “Alexa! Get out back now. Cara needs a doctor!”
To Luke’s surprise, his onetime dance partner turned and bolted toward the rear exit.
A doctor. Something about the information made him grin.
Luke couldn’t stop the impulse to follow the crowd out back. Alexa—he knew her name now—knelt by her friend, the woman she’d been so protective of.
“What happened?” he asked the man next to him.
“Cara was attacked.” The guy, who appeared about the same age as Luke’s almost thirty, suddenly eyed him warily. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
He hailed from a small town himself, where everyone knew everyone else, so this man’s distrust didn’t surprise him.
Luke shook his head. “No, sir. Here to stay with a friend.” He wasn’t about to mention Sawyer’s name, not wanting to draw any attention to himself as a pro athlete while he was here. “But I was dancing with Alexa earlier,” Luke said, more to reassure the man that he wasn’t a part of whatever had gone down here.
“I see.” The man nodded slowly, seeming to take Luke at his word. “Well, she’s the best doctor we have. She’ll be running University Hospital one day when her father steps down.” Before the man could continue, a siren sounded in the distance, the noise growing closer and making it impossible to continue the conversation.
The paramedics arrived and things got even more hectic. They loaded Cara onto a stretcher and Alexa went in the ambulance, after insisting the ex-boyfriend meet her there with his car. Alexa had been too preoccupied to even realize Luke was in the group of people surrounding them, and soon the ambulance doors slammed shut and the vehicle sped away. The crowd slowly dispersed, the fun gone from the night.
Luke climbed into his car and turned on the engine. The directions to Sawyer’s place were in his GPS, yet instead of turning it on, he picked up the southern route on the highway he’d taken here, and exited at signs for the hospital. The same exit he’d passed on his way to Serendipity.
He parked near the emergency entrance and scratched his head, asking himself what the hell he thought he was doing. The woman was a stranger to him but she intrigued him on a level no woman ever had. And that was saying something, considering the smorgasbord of choices laid out for him over the years. He’d enjoyed it when he was younger, but he’d be thirty next month and he was over the lifestyle that came with the fame. The booze, the women, the occasional bar fight. So. Over. It. His teammates called him an old man. So be it. Luke knew he could take each one in a fight and still have energy left over. He just knew there was more to life than partying and he was ready to find it. Whatever it was.
Right now, it was Alexa.
He’d first seen her as a sexy woman with haunting green eyes and a hot body that Luke was damned attracted to. She’d transformed into a loyal friend who’d given up a sure thing—since Luke couldn’t see himself turning her down if she’d wanted to hook up—in order to look out for a pal. Then later, she’d morphed again, this time into an in-control doctor, capable of putting away her emotions and treating her unconscious friend.
In the span of thirty minutes, Luke discovered Alexa was not just beautiful but multifaceted, and as a result, she’d captivated him completely. He couldn’t leave without finding out if her friend was okay and how she was doing after the night’s crazy events.
Although, as he walked through the sliding ER doors, Luke had to ask himself if he wasn’t a little crazy himself, pursuing a perfect stranger he’d never really met.
CHAPTER TWO
Once Alexa checked Cara over and had tests run, she diagnosed her friend with a concussion and a bruised trachea. The abusive bastard who’d attacked Cara had done so because he’d blamed her for his wife leaving him, not only because Cara was a police officer but because she was a human being who’d cared enough to take the woman under her wing. Now he was behind bars and denied bail, so Cara was safe from the man. As for Mike, Alexa had stuck around to make sure his presence didn’t upset Cara, but with the sedative, she was out cold. And Mike had sat by her bedside all night, never leaving. Alexa snoozed in the on-call room, waking up to check on things before allowing herself more sleep time. By the time eight A.M. rolled around, she’d all but forgiven Mike, knowing he would do anything to repair his relationship with Cara. Alexa had no more reason to stay.
She stopped by the nurses’ station and wrote down discharge instructions, then ran through them with the nurse assigned to Cara’s room. “And now, I’m leaving. Call me if something urgent comes up, otherwise I’m indisposed.”
She stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “I need a good meal and a couple of solid hours of uninterrupted sleep.” Though at this point, she didn’t know which would happen first. She might fall facedown before she ever ate.
Emily, an older nurse who’d been on staff when Alexa’s father was first starting out, shook her head. “Honey, you need more than that if you’re going to get a glow back in those cheeks. Do you even know what the word vacation means?”
Alexa laughed. “Not really. The chief of staff here drives me pretty hard, you know.”
Emily frowned. “That father of yours is going to work you into an early grave, and for what? To keep a Collins in charge of this hospital?” A buzzer sounded, distracting the older woman, and she glanced down. “That’ll be Mrs. Evans in two eleven. I swear she better need more than her pillow fluffed or I’m going to scream.”
Alexa laughed as Emily walked away, but her words lingered. During these weeks of Alexa’s discontent, there had been many issues she couldn’t verbalize, even to herself. There were simple things in life that other people took for granted, things that Alexa just didn’t have time for, like a regular social life, dating, or even a relaxing night with a friend.
She gathered her jacket and purse, and headed for the elevator. With her mind clear of worry about Cara, Alexa’s thoughts immediately strayed to the sexy stranger who’d danced with her last night. The man who’d given her more in thirty minutes of dancing than she’d had in years. Her body tightened at the reminder of that too short carefree moment. Serendipity didn’t get many strangers passing through, so chances were she’d never see him again. The sad fact was, even if they did cross paths, Alexa had no time for sex. But if their chemistry was any indication, he’d be so worth her making the time for.
Which brought her thoughts full circle. No time for sex, no time for a future. That was what she’d been trying so hard not to dwell on. But the sad truth was, the longer she accepted her father’s mantra, that a Collins puts work first always, along with his plans for her future, the less likelihood there would be of her ever getting married. Having children, a family. And Emily was right about working herself to death, even if the other woman didn’t mean it literally.
There were some days Alexa barely remembered crawling into bed at night because she was so exhausted from being on her feet at the ER.
Exactly how she was feeling now.
She stepped out of the elevator and pushed through the doors of the waiting room that led to the exit, when she heard her name spoken in a sexy drawl that could only belong to one person.
One man.
“Alexa,” he repeated.
She turned to stare into a pair of golden brown eyes, which were once again focused on her. “You’re here,” she said, sounding as shocked as she felt. “Are you sick?”
He shook his head. “Just waitin’ for you.”
She blinked in surprise.
He grinned. “I was beginning to think you’d gone out another door but the guard there assured me you’d have to pass this way.” He folded his arms across his broad chest. “So I waited.”
“You’re here for me?” A wave of pleasure rolled through her that was so strong and unique, she almost didn’t recognize it.
“Are you the pretty lady who danced with me last night?” he asked with a wink.
A hot flush rose to her cheeks and she managed a nod.
“Same one who ditched me in favor of a friend?” he continued teasing her. Before she could reply he added, “I admire loyalty, by the way.”
“I—”
“I’ll take that as a yes, that was you. And by your scrubs, I’d say you’re the same woman who turned out to be one hot doctor. Which means, yes, I’m here for you.”
Alexa felt flattered and steamrolled all at the same time. “Why?” Why would he stick around all night and wait for her this morning?
“Been asking myself that same question in between Z’s. The best I can come up with is that you intrigued me, we clicked, I wanted to know if your friend was okay—”
“She is.” And he was sweeping her off her feet with very little effort. “You cared about my friend?”
“I cared about you.” He shook his head. “Yeah, I know. Short time, crazy thing. I’m guessing after pulling an all-nighter you need breakfast?”
Whatever exhaustion she’d been experiencing had since disappeared. “That would be great,” she said. “Breakfast, I mean.”
He grinned, obviously pleased. “Since I’m not from around here, you’re going to have to recommend someplace.”
There was only one diner in Serendipity. “There’s a place called The Family Restaurant on the edge of town.” Unfortunately, she’d left her car at Joe’s, and though she wanted to have breakfast with this man, she didn’t think getting into a car with a stranger was all that smart. “Listen, I don’t really know you so I’m not going to get into your car.”
He immediately extended his hand. “Luke Thompson.”
“Alexa Collins,” she said, noticing how much smaller her hand was as she placed her palm against his. Instant awareness sizzled along her nerve endings at their handshake, telling her that last night’s electricity hadn’t been a fluke.
They were chemically compatible. Now, if she could make sure he wasn’t a serial killer or stalker, she’d be all set, she thought wryly.
“I’m a friend of Sawyer Rhodes. Does that help?” he asked.
A small town was a small town. “The football player,” Alexa said, nodding.
“I’m staying with him for a couple of days to help clean out his father’s house.”
She recalled her father mentioning something about recommending retirement homes. “Did Mr. Rhodes move to assisted living?”
“Yesterday,” Luke confirmed. “So you know them?”
“I know the family,” she murmured.
“Good enough of a reference for me to drive you to breakfast?” he asked.
She couldn’t stop the smile he inspired. “Well if you’re a friend of the Rhodeses, I guess you’re safe enough.”
He let out a laugh. “Darlin’, I don’t know many people who’d call me safe.”
And with the way his hot gaze devoured hers, she couldn’t say she felt safe, either. The Alexa she’d become didn’t take chances, didn’t date, and she certainly didn’t give up sleep for a meal. She didn’t crook her finger and invite a sexy stranger to grind with her on the dance floor, either. But the Alexa she was around this man apparently did all those things…and looked forward to doing even more.
* * *
Luke liked a woman with a healthy appetite, something he rarely saw unless he was home with his mother and sisters. Alexa ordered a serious meal: scrambled eggs, two pancakes, bacon, a large glass of orange juice, and coffee. He wasn’t sure what he enjoyed more, eating his omelette or watching her devour her breakfast. She didn’t seem the least bit concerned about what he might think, and by the time they’d finished their food, he had yet another reason to like this woman.
“Oh my God, I was starving,” she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin and finally coming up for air.
He grinned. “Feeling better?”
She nodded, eyes sparkling. “Definitely got my second wind.”
Her words hit him in the gut. He could think of a lot of things they could do to make use of that newfound energy. Instead, he did the unexpected, even to himself, and settled in to get to know her better. “So your friend’s okay?”
Alexa’s gaze softened. “Yes, thank God.”
“And things better with her guy?”
“Probably not yet, but if Mike has his way they will be.” Alexa spent the next few minutes explaining to him how Mike had what she called “sticking” issues, but that she’d never seen him so intent on making things right. “So I’ll give him that chance. But if he hurts her again, I’ll remind him I’m an expert with a scalpel.”
Luke made a mental note to remember that, too. “Bloodthirsty?” he asked.
“Just not squeamish. I’ve been around medicine since I was born. My father’s a doctor, too.”
He nodded, enjoying this glimpse into who she was. “And you followed in his footsteps?”
“It was mandatory,” she said, taking a sip of her freshly refilled coffee. “Especially after mom died and I had no one to stick up for what I might want,” she admitted.
“How old were you?”
“Ten.”
He winced, unable to imagine his sisters getting through their teenage years without their mother’s steadying influence. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. How about you?” she asked, clearly deflecting. “Parents? Siblings?”
“Hmm. Both parents still alive and married, and three sisters.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it again. “And you came out a jock anyway?” she asked, laughing.
He grinned. “My dad was the high school football coach and I was the oldest. All pretty much worked in my favor.” His mom got her girls to fuss over and his dad worked hard kicking Luke’s butt and nurturing his talent.
“You were lucky,” she murmured.
“Yeah, I was.”
“Did you always know you wanted to play football?” she asked, leaning closer, clearly interested in his answer. Interested in him.
He nodded. “Pretty much. It came naturally and I always loved it. Still do. Not just the playing but everything about the life. How about you, Doctor?”
“The idea of being a doctor? Yeah, that I wanted. A lot. The reality?” She shrugged. “It’s been a lot tougher than I thought.”
“The actual work? The hours? Or what?”
She leaned back in her seat with a full-blown sigh. “I love medicine. I love to treat people, kids especially. But my path hasn’t been pediatrics. Ever since I came back to town, my dad pulled me into his practice, his hospital, grooming me to be his successor as chief of staff. So I work the ER, I help out with the administrative duties, I oversee doctors and nurses and shifts and OR schedules. And because I don’t want to lose touch with medicine, I keep hours at the office with patients.”
“Doesn’t sound like you have much time left for you.”
“You caught that, huh?” She laughed.
Even knowing her less than twenty-four hours, Luke knew the sound was forced. “You were out dancing last night.”
“That was an effort to get Cara out of the house so she’d stop thinking about Mike. I had to get someone to cover for me in order to do it.”
“Doesn’t the hospital have enough doctors to give you more normal hours?” he asked, understanding that the weariness in her expression obviously came from more than being up all last night with her friend.
“Not if I don’t want someone else to usurp the position my father’s been grooming me for.
”
He noted she didn’t say it was the position she wanted. But it wasn’t his place to point that out. She was a big girl and if her life made her unhappy, she’d change it. “You looked like you were enjoying yourself last night. Before the excitement went down,” he amended.
“I made time to go out for Cara’s sake but once I hit the dance floor, I realized how much I needed the break. And then I caught sight of you.” Her voice dropped, the slightly breathless hitch catching him off guard, in some ways as reassuring as it was sexy.
She studied him intently, making Luke wonder what was going on in that beautiful head of hers. And she was beautiful. Even without much sleep, little makeup, and in hospital scrubs, Alexa Collins, with her gleaming chestnut hair, creamy skin, and intelligent eyes, stood out. But it was more than her looks, though he liked staring at her. He enjoyed talking to her, too. And thinking back on their dancing had him itching to get his hands on the body he’d barely touched the night before.
“What happened when you caught sight of me?” He pressed her to continue because she’d invited him onto the dance floor with her. Because she’d let him get close enough to turn them both on. And because she’d agreed to have breakfast with him this morning.
The waitress had just set the check on the table and Luke knew where he wanted them to end up next. He just wasn’t sure she’d be on board. Then again, she’d been staring at him on and off throughout the meal, her interest as obvious as his. The chemistry was still there, alive and brewing with an intensity he’d never experienced, not in an ordinary setting like this diner. Hell, not in any place at any time. Something different was happening between them, and he wondered if she felt it, too.
She bit into her lower lip, making him wonder if that fleshy portion was as soft as it looked. If she’d taste sweet like the maple syrup on her pancakes.