“I won’t keep you long,” Trent said to the attentive crowd. “But we have a situation in the hospital that I have to bring everyone up to speed on. We have identified two patients with Legionnaires’ disease, the same bacterial strain as in New York, but we have a team working to confirm.”
The room broke out in a low murmur of conversation but Griffin kept his eyes on the striking doctor standing next to Trent Green, the one who was trying not to meet his gaze.
“Please, folks, settle down,” Green said. “We’ll try to answer your questions with statements from our specialists.” He gestured to the people who were now on either side of him. “First up, CDC Director Dr. Stacy Gray.” Trent handed her the microphone.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As you know, the CDC is responsible for addressing any medical outbreaks that occur on a state or global level. Our presence today is based solely on the disease that brought us here and nothing that any of you may or may not have done.” Stacy Gray’s eyes scanned the room as though assessing the relief associated with that statement. “Let me introduce the team responsible for helping us get through this situation. Dr. Carl Jeff, Associate Director of Science, Carmen Morris, my chief of staff, and Dr. Felicia Blake, a biochemistry expert on loan from the CIA. With that said, I’d like Dr. Jeff to give you an update on what we know so far.”
Griffin tried to pay attention to what the good doctor was saying, but all he could think about was what role Felicia could possibly play. Her brilliant mind and ability to run a medical team full of different specialties so effortlessly would be a tremendous asset to any hospital. Griffin was struggling to stay forced on her mental capabilities because he wanted her so badly. He loved how sweet her mouth tasted. The way their tongues danced, how good her body felt in his arms. Griffin began to imagine what else she could do with that beautiful mouth of hers and his body began to respond to the idea when he felt a nudge at his side.
“Griffin,” Ida said, nudging him again.
“What?” he asked, meeting her eyes, embarrassed that he let his thoughts get out of control when he clearly needed to focus on the biological breakdown of the disease, treatment and care plan options that could provide resolutions not only for their area but for the country. Griffin was fighting with the idea of how something this dangerous could land in his own backyard. And though he understood it was Felicia’s job to find answers to those types of questions, he was very grateful that her role was limited to the medical and scientific ends of things and not the criminal aspect. That area would put her right in the line of fire when it comes to chasing down and capturing the responsible parties.
“You didn’t fall asleep standing up, now, did you?” she whispered, a tinge of humor in her voice.
“Of course not.”
“Good. I’m sure you don’t want to miss hearing from the woman you’ve been staring at since she hit the door,” she said with a low chuckle.
Griffin’s eyes darted to Felicia, who was being handed the microphone. “Good afternoon, everyone. I’m Dr. Blake.”
Murmurs of curiosity made their way through the audience.
“What we know for sure is that both senior patients are not residents of New York, nor have they traveled outside the state of Georgia within the last six months. Neither of them have any idea how they could have contracted the disease.” Felicia walked to the right side of the room to ensure that they, too, could hear and understand her. “As you know, this disease doesn’t spread from person to person and has to be administered through a coolant system. We are in the process of trying to determine where these patients could’ve inhaled the mist, contracting this disease.”
Felicia made her way to the other side of the room, near Griffin, who was leaning against the wall. “We have teams in place, scouring the city, trying to determine the point of initial contact,” she continued after a brief pause when recognition dawned in her eyes. “Finding that location will help us answer many questions that I can’t answer at this time.”
Felicia handed the microphone back to Stacy Gray and took a step back before her eyes found Griffin, who gave her a tiny wave of acknowledgment.
* * *
It was late afternoon when Felicia exited the elevator onto a secure floor, where she had to announce herself to the person monitoring the camera and wait to be escorted to her destination.
“Dr. Blake, welcome to the CDC. I’m Dr. Samantha Raymond,” a pretty blond woman wearing blue scrubs and a white lab coat said, offering her hand. “Dr. Gray assigned me to assist you.”
“Thank you,” Felicia said, shaking the woman’s hand. “I hate I couldn’t get here any earlier but it’s been a crazy start to the week.”
Between Griffin’s proposal and pretending that his mother trying to push him toward Jia at lunch didn’t bother her, Felicia couldn’t wait to focus on something else for a little while.
“This way,” Samantha directed.
They walked down a long, desolate hallway, passing several doors before they finally stopped in front of a large sliding door with a security pad on the wall next to it. Samantha waved a key card in front of it and the door slid open. Felicia followed the woman into a dark room.
“Dr. Gray thought you’d like an office with easy access to the lab. Just go through that door,” she explained, pointing to the far left corner. “It leads right into the lab.”
“That’s great, thank you.”
Samantha nodded. “Where would you like to start?”
Felicia dropped her bag on the desk and walked over to the small conference table where stacks of legal pads, pens and two electronic tablets sat. She had everything she needed, including two large dry-erase boards that had been set up.
Samantha joined her at the table.
“Let’s break down the groups of infected patients,” she said, sifting through the documents that had a watermark signaling they had come from the FBI. “Our primary objective is to determine where they had been within twenty-four hours of becoming sick.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
They would be working closely and often late, and formality wouldn’t factor in. “It’s Felicia, please.”
“Yes, Felicia.”
Felicia moved over to the whiteboard, where she wrote New York senior center, California San Quentin State prison, Chicago senior center, Atlanta HIV support group. “These are all the current locations where we believe the patients could have been infected. Let’s see if we can confirm that and figure out how they all got sick.”
Samantha reached for the tablets and fired them up. “All the patient records are here. The CIA, FBI and the hospital did a complete history and full assessment on each patient.” Samantha handed Felicia one of the tablets.
“Excellent. Let’s get to work.”
* * *
“Ms. Ellen, you sure this is okay?” Griffin asked, his left hand gingerly supporting Alyia’s back while he bathed her with his right.
Griffin had very skilled hands and was a master under pressure in the operating room, but holding his daughter while she laughed and wiggled made him extremely nervous. His heart overflowed with love for his beautiful Alyia, yet he felt ill-prepared as a father. He still had a lot to learn.
“Of course. See how she’s splashing and giggling? Alyia knows she’s making a mess and that her daddy doesn’t mind. She’s enjoying all those surprised faces you’re making whenever she pushes the water on you,” she said, laughing.
“When Felicia suggested I come have dinner with Alyia, I didn’t realize I would have the opportunity to share bath time responsibilities. Thank you,” he said, keeping his eyes on Alyia.
“Anytime. She is your daughter,” she lovingly reminded.
“I can’t get over how much her eyes are like mine.” Griffin kissed Alyia on her wet head. “You think she’s good now
?”
“I do. Here’s her towel.”
“Thank you.” Griffin tossed it across his shoulder before picking Alyia up out of the water. He quickly wrapped a cooing Alyia in the large towel monogrammed with an A and carried her to the changing table.
“Everything you need is on that first shelf—lotion, powder, diapers and her nightclothes.”
Griffin took extra care drying and dressing Alyia, laughing at her attempts to bring her feet to her mouth. “Are you hungry, my sweet girl?”
“Well, it is about that time,” Ms. Ellen offered, walking toward Griffin with a bottle in hand. “Here you go, Dad.”
“Oh, you want me...okay.” Griffin sat in the rocking chair, adjusted Alyia in his arms and watched in awe as Alyia held and consumed her bottle. “There’s only one more thing that could make this moment perfect.”
Ms. Ellen patted Griffin on the shoulder. “She’ll be home soon,” she said before making her exit.
Griffin looked down at Alyia and said, “Home...”
* * *
It was after midnight when Felicia walked into her dimly lit hotel suite and dropped her purse, keys and cell phone on the bar.
“Man, it’s been a long day,” she whispered as she pulled the rubber band from her hair, freeing the curls that Griffin swore up and down he loved so much. She walked into the kitchen and retrieved a bottle of Chardonnay from the refrigerator. She was pulling a glass from the cabinet when she heard, “Care to share?”
Griffin stepped out of the shadows.
Felicia nearly dropped the glass as she inhaled a sharp intake of breath. “Dammit, Griffin, you scared the hell out of me.” She released that breath slowly. “It’s midnight. What are you doing here?”
“Sorry. I came to have dinner with Alyia, ended up bathing her, too, and I decided to wait for you. Ms. Ellen thought it would be fine. I guess I dozed off.”
Felicia reached for another glass and filled them both. She handed him one and took several sips from her own. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you why I had to cut out at lunch. That’s just how it is at times.”
“I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.” Griffin took a sip of his wine.
“So why did you wait?”
“So we could talk, settle things. Today’s a great example as to why we should get married.”
“How’s that?” Felicia took another sip of her wine.
“Alyia should be with one of her parents at all times.”
“We don’t have to be married for that,” she countered. “Besides, Ms. Ellen has been her nanny all of her life.”
“Ms. Ellen is wonderful, but she’s not her parent. Together we can make sure one of us is always available.”
“We’re both busy doctors. There may be times when neither of us can be available,” she reminded him. “Which is why we need Ms. Ellen.”
“I agree, but as partners we can ensure that those times are rare,” he said.
Felicia placed the glass on the bar and peered at him, wondering at his sudden push for marriage and trying to get a line on where his mind was heading. “I agree, being together is ideal but, like I said, we don’t have to be married for that.”
“Of course we do.” There was an edge of disbelief in his voice. “You can’t deny that we care for each other,” he said, staring into her eyes. “How else do you suggest we accomplish it?”
She drained her wineglass before she spoke. “We can start by simply sharing accommodations.”
“Living together?” Griffin frowned.
“Yes, we can share parenting duties while really getting to know each other again.”
Griffin’s forehead relaxed and he put his glass down next to hers. “Are you committed to trying to really make this work?”
“I sure am,” she replied. “I love Alyia.”
He grimaced and added, “I mean, to seeing where things could lead between the two of us?”
“Now, that’s something totally dif—”
“Stop talking,” Griffin commanded, cupping her face with both hands and devouring her lips. Within moments his left hand was buried in her hair and he was backing Felicia up against the wall of the kitchenette. Griffin raised his head and stared into her eyes.
“I know it sounds crazy but...I missed you,” he whispered.
“I...missed you...too,” she said between breaths.
Griffin kissed Felicia again, only with more reverence this time. His right hand made its way under her scrub top where he unhooked her bra’s front clasp. Griffin sucked Felicia’s tongue as his hands played with her nipples.
“Oh, my, that feels so good,” Felicia cried. “I want... I...”
Griffin removed Felicia’s top, kissing and licking her neck, collarbone and the valley of her breasts before taking her nipples in his mouth. His right hand made its way inside her scrub pants and under her panties, where he massaged her sex. Griffin looked into Felicia’s face and enjoyed the way her pupils dilated and her lips quivered with each stroke of his hand.
“Oh, Griff... Griffin...”
“Damn, baby, I need a taste.” Before Felicia could say otherwise, Griffin dropped to his knees. He lowered her pants and underwear, freed her right leg and placed it over his shoulder. He gripped Felicia’s butt with both hands, holding her in place as he parted the soft folds of flesh and kissed her core. Griffin licked and sucked until he heard Felicia’s muffled screams. He kissed his way back up her body, leaving his mark on both of her breasts.
Felicia stood, shaking, while using both hands to cover her mouth keeping in the sounds of her whimpers. Griffin removed her hands and kissed her. “Oh, Griffin,” she whispered as tears fell from her eyes. “I...need...more...”
“I know, baby. Me, too,” Griffin said, his voice husky. He swept Felicia up into his arms and headed down the hall. “Which one?”
“Last door on the left,” she responded between Griffin’s kisses.
Griffin placed Felicia on the edge of her bed. “You are so beautiful.” Griffin ran the back of his right hand down the side of her face, his thumb paying special attention to her lips. “I know we haven’t had a chance to discuss this yet, but don’t worry, baby, I’m healthy and I have condoms.”
“Good to know. I’m healthy, too, and I’m on the pill,” she shared, staring up at him. Felicia couldn’t believe she was actually sitting with her body so exposed and she didn’t feel in the least bit uncomfortable with Griffin.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment.” Griffin began running his hands through her hair.
“Right back at you,” she whispered, barely recognizing her own voice. “In fact, I think I should tell you how long I waited.”
Griffin got down on his knees in front of Felicia and kissed her gently on the lips, her jaw and neck. Felicia didn’t think he’d heard her, so this time she would take her sister’s advice. “Griffin,” she whispered.
“Yes, baby,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I have an intact hymen.”
Chapter 23
“Wait! Say that again,” Farrah said, laughing, leaning back on the sofa in the family room of Griffin’s house.
“Stop it, Farrah,” Francine ordered, rubbing her stomach.
“Yes, I told the man that I had an intact hymen,” Felicia confirmed, covering her face with both hands and shaking her head.
“And you used those exact words, too?” Farrah asked, not even trying to hide her amusement.
Felicia dropped her hands. “Did you two fly all the way here just to give me a hard time?” she asked the blue-and-green-eyed versions of herself.
Francine raised her hand from the expanding belly and reached over to squeeze Felicia’s forearm. “Of course not, sweetie, especially sin
ce I won’t be able to fly after another week.”
“Speak for yourself,” Farrah teased, winking at Francine.
Francine’s eyes flickered with disappointment, causing Farrah to rein herself in and release a small sigh. “Kidding. Now, did you actually think you could call and tell us two days ago that you’d checked out of the hotel, took Ms. Ellen and our niece and moved in with your baby’s daddy, and we’d just let that go?” Farrah asked.
“You want to tell us what happened?” Francine asked.
Felicia brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs, bracing herself as she offered her sisters a replay...
* * *
Griffin raised his head slowly, scanning Felicia’s face before holding her gaze for a long length of time. “Are you telling me you’re a virgin?”
She tensed, worried about his response. “Yes,” she whispered.
Griffin reached for the silk robe lying on the chair across from Felicia’s bed. He sat next to Felicia on the bed and handed her the garment. “Here, please put this on or I won’t be able to concentrate.”
A flush crept up Felicia’s face as she put her hands through the robe’s sleeves and tightened the belt. “Okay.”
“Now, how is that even possible?”
“We both know how it’s possible.” Felicia acknowledged with a nod, “But if you must hear me say it, I’ve never had sex before.”
“Why? I mean...” He turned his body toward hers. “You’re the most exquisite woman I’ve ever met—mind and body. How could any man...? Unless...”
“Unless what?” Felicia asked, frowning. “Finish your thought.”
“Did something happen to you?” he asked, his forehead creased and jaw clenched.
Felicia cupped Griffin’s face. “No, nothing happened to me.” Griffin’s relief was unmistakable. “It just never happened for me.”
“Why?” Griffin held her hand to his face.
Felicia shrugged and dropped her hand. “Too busy, I guess. It wasn’t a priority when I was an undergrad. And medical school... Let’s just say things never turned out the way I’d hoped.”
Tempting the Heiress Page 14