by Lucy Clark
Just as their desserts were being brought around, Jackson stood and removed his suit jacket. Susie found her gaze drawn to his movements and she watched beneath her lashes, mesmerised by the way his triceps flexed beneath the material of his shirt. It almost made her hyperventilate. She took a sip from her water glass, breathing in as she swallowed.
Susie spluttered and started to cough. Jackson patted her on the back and everyone at their table stopped talking and watched her.
‘You all right, Susie?’ Jackson asked as he sat down again.
His concern was touching and she turned to look at him, an embarrassed smile on her face. She coughed again and nodded. ‘I’m…’ Another cough. ‘Fine.’ She didn’t sound fine, even to her own ears, as the word had come out like a tiny squeak. Susie cleared her throat. ‘Fine,’ she reiterated more strongly.
Everyone resumed their conversations and she’d half expected Jackson to continue talking to Richard. Instead, he leaned over and refilled her water glass.
‘Try it again.’ He held the glass out to her and she took it. Their fingertips touched—just for an instant. It was enough to spread a deep warmth right throughout her body, causing her to gasp quietly. She was so aware of him it was ridiculous. Why couldn’t she control herself?
Her smiled faded but she did as he’d suggested, conscious of the way he watched her actions. Their gazes held and Susie found herself powerless to look away. She rested the glass on her lower lip. As she tilted the liquid towards her mouth, she exhaled slowly, her breath steaming up the glass. She sipped and swallowed, replacing the glass on the table before her trembling fingers dropped it.
‘There,’ he whispered, but didn’t smile. ‘All better.’ His gorgeous blue eyes were intense. Susie felt momentarily hypnotised. Within an instant, Jackson had somehow made her feel…desirable.
‘Jackson will know.’ Richard’s voice intruded into the little bubble that surrounded them.
Jackson turned to face his right-hand man, a questioning look on his face. He tried desperately to listen to what Richard was asking, all the while trying to figure out what had just happened with Susie Monahan.
He’d been mesmerised by her. Had it been the way her lips had trembled ever so slightly as she’d rested the glass on her lips? Or the way they’d parted to allow the liquid to pass through? He swallowed convulsively and pushed thoughts of her from his mind, even though he was conscious of her every move.
Richard was still talking and, although Jackson could see his lips moving, he was having great difficulty in concentrating. Thankfully, the last few words sank in and he was able to answer the question in an authoritative and controlled manner.
Susie rose to her feet and quietly excused herself. Jackson glanced at her, noticing the way she smoothed her skirt down over her thighs. It wasn’t the first time she’d done it and he’d realised earlier it was a display of uneasiness. Not that he was objecting, for each time she did it, it drew attention to her gorgeous legs.
Why was she uneasy? Had she felt that unmistakable pull of attraction between them? It had happened a number of times since he’d met her just a few short hours ago. There was definitely something between them and it was pulling them in like the vortex of a cyclone.
A mouth-watering chocolate dessert was placed before him but he pushed it away, not interested. He’d had enough of food…for the moment. He continued his discussion with Richard and other members of his table, forcing thoughts of Susie from his mind. He was a forty-one-year-old professional yet he was acting more like a hormonal teenager.
Just as he thought he’d succeeded, Susie returned to the table. He felt rather than saw her every move. Why was he so conscious of this woman? Of when she sat down. Of how her perfume teased at his senses, making him feel…intrigued and interested to know her better. It was ludicrous. He’d never felt such an instant attraction to a woman before and the knowledge troubled him.
Jackson turned slightly in his chair to face her and found her in discussion with Todd. Her hair was the most stunning colour and he wondered for a moment whether it was natural. Jackson found himself growing impatient for her to finish speaking so he could have her attention. He shook his head slightly. What was wrong with him today?
Finally, Susie turned to look at him. ‘Feeling better?’ His tone was soft and intimate. How had that happened?
‘Yes, thank you.’ She was touched by his concern. ‘It was, um, silly of me…to choke on my water like that. Then again,’ she said with a small chuckle, ‘I’m usually the person who drops their knife on the floor and that sort of thing.’
Jackson smiled at her confession. ‘Were you clumsy as a child?’
Susie thought for a moment. ‘Not that I can remember, but I’m sure my parents would have a different answer. My mother has the most amazing memory, and as I’m number four out of ten that’s quite a memory.’
‘Ten children?’ Jackson was astounded. ‘You have nine brothers and sisters?’
‘Yes.’ Susie was used to this sort of reaction and smiled. ‘It was fantastic, growing up in a large family. The only downside is shopping for Christmas. All of those nieces and nephews!’ She chuckled and Jackson joined in. ‘How about you?’ Even as she heard the words come out of her mouth, seemingly of their own volition, Susie found she couldn’t stop herself. She wanted to know more about him. ‘Any siblings?’
He nodded. ‘I have younger twin sisters who even now can’t resist sticking their noses into my life.’
‘You can’t keep anything from my family, either. Nothing at all,’ Susie agreed. ‘The only time I think we’ve successfully kept a secret was two years ago when we all banded together and gave my parents a surprise forty-fifth wedding anniversary party.’
‘That would have been a party to remember.’
‘It was.’ Their gazes held again and she felt her smile begin to fade. That underlying tug of attraction was starting to wind its way around them and she desperately fought for something to say that would break the moment. ‘You haven’t touched your dessert. Don’t you have a sweet tooth?’
‘Not really. I used to before I started this tour but I’ve had so many working dinners and lunches—even breakfasts—that my sweet tooth has definitely disappeared.’
‘That’s a lot of food.’
‘Absolutely.’ He smiled. ‘But it gives me the opportunity to speak to more people and that’s one of the main aims of visiting professorships.’
‘Excuse me, Susie,’ Todd interrupted, ‘I’ve just had a call from Mr Petunia’s office.’
‘Problem?’
‘One of his private patients is having complications.’
‘He’s gone to Theatre,’ Susie stated, and automatically checked her watch. Todd nodded.
‘Something wrong?’ Richard asked, his radar ears picking up the conversation.
‘Mr Petunia, the surgeon who was scheduled to assist Jackson in Theatre this afternoon, has been called to an emergency.’
‘He can’t make it!’ Richard’s tone rose rapidly.
‘Relax, Richard,’ Jackson said as he watched his aide stand up and start pacing.
‘I’m sure we can find someone else to assist,’ Susie added quickly. ‘The viewing gallery will be filled with orthopaedic surgeons who would give anything to work alongside the VOP.’ She turned to find Jackson eyeing her carefully.
‘Susie will do it,’ he told Richard.
‘Me?’ Susie shook her head. The last thing she wanted was to be by his side in Theatre, with people watching her. ‘But I’m an upper-limb specialist.’
‘So? You’re more than capable. I’ve read the dossier on Dr Susan Monahan, MBBS, FRACS, Ph.D, MD. It stated that your sub-speciality is upper limb with an interest in microsurgery. Admirable, I must say,’ he added.
‘Don’t try and flatter me, Jackson.’ She worked hard to control her rising anger at his blatant manipulation. She needed to be diplomatic. ‘There are plenty of other orthopods who’d be more than willi
ng to assist you.’
‘That may be but I choose you. I’m sure you’ve already studied the procedure as you seem like the type of person who doesn’t leave anything to chance.’ He rubbed his hands together and stood before she could say another word. ‘All fixed, then. Richard…’
Susie watched him as he talked with his aide. ‘But I’m an upper-limb specialist,’ she reiterated, her voice rising slightly.
Jackson merely smiled and nodded. She didn’t want to cause a scene and as this was his first day here, she knew she was bound to do whatever she could to facilitate things. Damn politics! She hated them.
‘You OK, Susie?’ Todd asked as he sank down into the seat Jackson had just vacated. ‘You’re looking a little pale.’
‘I have to assist him.’ She said the words slowly and shook her head in annoyance.
‘Wow. You’re going great guns today. For someone who doesn’t like being the centre of attention, you’re certainly having your fair share of it.’
‘I didn’t choose to do it. I was told to do it,’ she said between clenched teeth.
‘Ah…politics.’ Todd chuckled.
‘I’m glad you find this so amusing,’ she grumbled.
‘Don’t you feel confident?’
‘About the actual surgery? Yes. Having everyone watch me? Not really, but I’m sure I’ll get by.’
‘I’ll go now and make sure everyone who needs to know about the change does. It’s almost time for Jackson to head back so I’ll see you over there soon.’
She watched Todd as he stopped and spoke to both Jackson and Richard before continuing out the door. Richard followed him and soon Jackson was standing there by himself. Susie was about to get up and walk over to tell the VOP that she didn’t like other people making decisions for her but he turned and walked out a side door.
Accepting her fate, Susie reached for her water glass again and drank the contents. That would be her last drink until she came out of Theatre, which would be around five-thirty that afternoon.
Jackson stood looking up at the blue sky that was littered with white fluffy clouds. He’d never been to Brisbane before and it looked as though this time all he’d be seeing would be the inside of lecture rooms and operating theatres. That was how it had been for most of his tour.
He’d seen and operated with some of the best surgeons in the world and now he’d asked Susie to assist him. He was in two minds at the moment. He was interested in seeing her skills, but from his experience of this morning his libido seemed to run away without his permission whenever she got within speaking distance of him.
It worried him a little. All right, it worried him a lot. Even with Alison, he’d never felt that strong pull of attraction—the unwanted attraction that made him so aware of every move Susie made. Sitting next to her at lunch had been…disastrous, as well as pleasurable.
Jackson closed his eyes, picturing Alison. Sweet, vivacious Alison who’d urged him to do this professorship in the first place. He missed her so much. Yet here he was, feeling an attraction to Susie that he seemed unable to stop.
What was he going to do?
CHAPTER TWO
‘SUCTION,’ Jackson ordered, and Susie complied. They’d been in Theatre for almost four hours now and Jackson looked as fresh as when he’d first walked in. At the beginning, Susie had been very conscious of the packed viewing gallery, but once the operation had begun she’d pushed it to the back of her mind. She had a job to do and she was going to do it.
They still had an hour left to go for this procedure, which was a pelvic reconstruction. Jackson’s research in this field had led him to invent a device that made certain aspects of the surgery more manageable. He’d been extensively published in several of the world’s leading orthopaedic journals, which was one of the reasons why he’d been chosen for this visiting professorship. And here she was, operating alongside him!
In some ways, she felt as though she should have refused him in order to let a lower-limb specialist assist, but the rarity of the opportunity had struck a chord with her. Besides, when Jackson had asked, she’d been immediately flattered. Flattered that he thought she was worth asking. His gaze had encompassed her so completely, as though the two of them had been the only ones in the room.
‘Good,’ he said. ‘Now, we’ll start reducing the posterior aspect of the fracture. I’ll be fixing a one, eight-hole, three-and-a-half-millimetre reconstruction plate, securing it in place with two screws at either end.’ Jackson spoke in his normal tone, knowing his words would be picked up on the microphone that was situated within the theatre.
When the viewing gallery had been built, the actual operating room had undergone a transformation as well. Small cameras had been installed, enabling everyone to see the procedure being performed. Apart from general teaching, this was the first time the theatre had been used for a visiting specialist.
‘I’ll need an interfragmentary screw as well to keep that acetabular margin firmly in place,’ Jackson said once the reconstruction plate had been affixed. He’d already used two interfragmentary screws on the iliac crest during the anterior fixation of the pelvis.
As with all operations, it was necessary to have everything the surgeon might require sterilised and ready to go, rather than have the operation come to a standstill in the middle of the procedure. That would never do—especially with a visiting surgeon.
It had only happened to Susie once before, but as she’d been in a Third World country, where medical supplies and equipment had been scarce, it hadn’t been such a big surprise.
‘Swab.’ A few moments later, Jackson glanced at Susie and she read the satisfaction in his gaze. The look made her feel as though they were sharing a special secret. ‘I’m happy with that. Check X-ray, please.’ While they waited for the radiographer to come and take the X-ray, Jackson looked up at the viewing gallery and explained some of the finer points of the surgery he’d just performed.
Susie allowed herself a brief glance up, only to see several heads in the gallery bowed as students, interns and registrars alike furiously took notes. Thanks to the cameras, though, it meant a permanent record would be kept of this procedure so anyone who had missed it could hire the video from the library.
Susie had never been more glad to walk out of Theatre and into the changing rooms. She sat down in a chair and let her arms hang limp by her side. Closing her eyes, she rested her head back and took a deep, relaxing breath.
Operating with Jackson had been a wonderful experience career-wise, but during the first few minutes of the procedure she’d been so acutely aware of him that her heart had been beating a wild tattoo against her ribs. Forcing her professionalism to the front, Susie had pretended he’d been just like anyone else she’d operated with. She’d been able to anticipate his needs, which had been another thing she’d been concerned about.
Although she hadn’t been the centre of attention, Susie had still felt as though she’d been trapped like a mouse in a cage. All those people, watching everything they’d done. Relax, she told herself. It’s over. Everything had gone fine. There had been no complications, no awkward moments. Jackson had been very explicit in what he’d wanted each member of theatre staff to do, and Susie realised he was used to operating with unfamiliar staff.
She opened her eyes and shook her head. No way in the world would she ever be able to cope with the pressures of a visiting professorship. She was a good surgeon, and that was enough for her. The opportunity to do further research into microsurgical techniques of the hand and fingers was definitely enough to keep her occupied for quite some time. She started to get changed and was just tucking in her shirt when a few of the nurses came in.
‘Wow!’ one of them said, fanning her face. ‘He is one gorgeous man. Pity he’s married.’
‘No.’ Another nurse shook her head emphatically. ‘He’s divorced, at least that’s what I heard.’
Susie clenched her jaw and tried not to listen.
‘Uh-uh,’ a third n
urse added. ‘His wife died.’
‘His dossier said he was married,’ the first nurse reiterated. ‘Have you heard anything, Susie?’
‘About what?’ Susie pulled the pins out of the bun in which she’d secured her hair for Theatre and started to brush it out. She hated gossip.
‘About Professor Myers!’ the nurse exclaimed. ‘Honestly, Susie. You should get out from behind that desk or operating table or whatever it is you hide behind more often because that man is so hot.’
Susie clipped her hair back in its usual style and looked at them. ‘He’s certainly a great surgeon,’ she replied, and the nurses groaned. There was no way she was going to tell them that he set her blood pumping, made her knees go weak and took her breath away all with one smouldering, sexy look!
‘Is that all you can see?’
‘What’s wrong with admiring a man for his brains and his skill, as well as his looks?’
‘So you think he is good-looking?’
‘I didn’t dispute the fact,’ she pointed out as she closed her locker. ‘Right now, though, I need to go home and change before this evening’s event.’
‘Lucky thing. You get to sit next to him and everything,’ one of the nurses complained. ‘While we’ll be at the back of the room…’
‘Admiring him from afar,’ another one finished. They sighed in unison.
‘See you tonight, ladies.’ Susie walked out of the room and headed back to her office. She needed to check her in-tray and make sure everything was up to date. She opened her office door and jumped in fright when she saw Jackson sitting next to her desk.
‘Jackson! What are…? I thought you’d gone.’ Her stomach lurched in delight. She told herself off and forced her legs to work, walking over to her desk where she quickly sat down.