by Lucy Clark
There was no denying to herself that she found George…intriguing, which made him a man to be avoided at all costs. The last man who had ‘intrigued’ her, Emir, had broken her heart into tiny pieces and discarded her as though she was nothing more than an inconvenient diversion. One broken engagement was more than enough for Melody, so the last thing she should be doing right now was ogling a married man.
Then again, the irrational side of her mind pointed out, there was no harm in looking, right? She closed her eyes to block out the image of George and concentrated on controlling her warring psyche. Professor Wilmont would be gone at the end of the week, finishing the rest of his tour. He’d be gone and she’d be here, still trying to focus on the duties of being acting head of department. Their worlds were miles apart and the only thing they had in common was that they were both orthopaedic surgeons.
Someone sat in the chair next to her, bringing her out of her reverie. Was it time for people to start arriving for George’s first lecture already? She opened her eyes, only to find she was face to face with the man himself. ‘Sleeping? I’m not boring you already, am I?’ George’s deep baritone washed over her.
Melody smiled. ‘Not sleeping, just thinking.’
‘You were right. This is a great lecture room. One of the better ones.’
‘I’m glad.’
‘When I visited Bangladesh, I did this same talk in a small annexe next to the hospital. Dirt floors, tin roof, more like a lean-to, and everyone who came huddled around my computer to watch the slides and short recordings I showed.’ He nodded. ‘It was one of my best talks because I was so relaxed.’
‘You’re not relaxed today?’
He shrugged one shoulder and checked his tie was securely in place. ‘I didn’t have to wear a suit there either. Far too hot. How anyone can be completely relaxed whilst wearing a suit, I don’t know.’
‘You don’t like wearing a suit?’ There was a hint of incredulity in her words. ‘Surely, on this tour, you’ve had to wear one most days.’
‘Yep.’
‘Then why do the tour in the first place?’
For the first time since she’d met him she saw a hint of sadness in his eyes but he quickly looked away, checking his watch. ‘People should start arriving soon.’
‘Yes.’ A strange awkwardness seemed to settle over them, although Melody had no idea why. She’d asked what she had thought to be a general question and George’s whole demeanour had changed from light-hearted to sad to professional. She wanted to ask why, not to pry but because she was genuinely concerned, but, then, the visiting professor’s psyche was none of her business. ‘Er…you certainly have a great team,’ she stated, taking her lead from him and keeping their conversation to a strictly professional line. ‘A well-oiled machine.’
‘They certainly are. At first it was all rather strange, having people ordering me about every step of the way, but now, after months of travelling and lecturing, I’ve learned to trust them. They’re all extremely good at their jobs, and if we each do our own thing and avoid getting in each other’s way, then things generally run smoothly.’
‘I guess that’s the name of the game when you’re on one of these visiting professorships.’
‘Absolutely. Besides, in spending so much time together, we’ve also become friends.’ He gestured to where Carmel was discussing something with Diana, one of the administrative assistants. ‘Carmel’s amazing. How she keeps all the schedules and travel details and names of people correct, I’ll never know.’
‘It’s definitely a skill.’ Melody was equally impressed. ‘My PA, Rick, has the same knack. Give me a scalpel over a mound of paperwork any day.’ She chuckled. People were starting to arrive and take their seats.
‘Making friends with your work colleagues can be an advantage. Of course, when you’re a small group, it can sometimes be dangerous.’ George sighed as he continued to watch Carmel and Diana.
‘Dangerous?’ She followed his gaze, picking up on the wistfulness of his tone. Was George involved with Carmel or Diana? Relationships were bound to happen in such a small group that spent so much time together.
‘Carmel and Diana.’ George shrugged one shoulder. ‘They’ve been on and off again for most of the trip, I can’t keep up any more.’ As the two women smiled warmly at each other, George nodded. ‘Definitely on again at the moment.’ Carmel finished talking to Diana, then turned and beckoned to George. ‘I’m being summoned.’
‘Off to work, Professor,’ Melody said with a smile, and as George stood, he returned her smile—a bright, happy smile that made her feel all fluttery and feminine. Why? Why would she feel like that because a handsome man smiled at her?
*
George listened to what Carmel had to say but his thoughts were still with the delightful Melody Janeway. It wasn’t often he met people he instantly connected with, so when it happened it took him by surprise. He glanced once more at Melody, who was now talking with Rick.
‘George?’ Carmel snapped her fingers at him and he immediately returned his attention to his PA. ‘Focus.’
‘I’m focused, Carmel.’ He chuckled at the way she’d snapped her fingers at him. That usually meant she was in organisational mode. ‘I like relaxed, chatty Carmel better than Ms Hospital Corners.’
‘Tough.’ She handed him the laser pointer then walked over to Melody. George watched as Melody chatted with both PAs before standing and heading to the podium. She moved with grace and ease, smoothing a hand down her skirt before adjusting her papers. She held herself perfectly, her back straight, her shoulders square as she read from the notes, glancing up to look at the assembled crowd. Her voice was clear and her words well modulated. He liked listening to her talk.
Before too long, she was turning to face him, smiling at him, and he realised he hadn’t heard a word she’d said. He’d been so captivated by this new acquaintance that he really had drifted off into la-la land. What was wrong with him? It wasn’t like him to behave in such a fashion, and especially not when he was standing in front of a large crowd of people—people who were all looking at him expectantly.
He needed to pull on his professionalism, to brush aside any intriguing thoughts he had about Melody Janeway, and do the job he’d been sent to do. He was Professor George Wilmont, orthopaedic surgeon, and widower. He was not a man who experienced an instant attraction towards a colleague, or acted on it.
This time, when he politely shook her hand to thank her for introducing him, he exuded a cool reserve. This time there was no jolt of awareness. This time he was the consummate professional and he was determined to remain so for the rest of his stay in Sydney.
CHAPTER TWO
LUNCH WAS A lavish affair for a ‘few’ special guests—all fifty of them. Thankfully, as St Aloysius Hospital was situated in the heart of Sydney, there were a plethora of delightful restaurants in the vicinity, and Melody knew Rick had booked several of them for lunches and dinners throughout the week.
When she’d arrived, she’d discovered that she was seated next to George. The scent of his spicy aftershave teased at her senses, making her aware of his nearness. Closing her eyes for a moment, Melody composed herself, needing to remain polite but professional.
She’d never had the greatest luck with men, as her older brothers, David and Ethan, would attest. After her last break-up, one that had fed the hospital gossips for a good six months at least, she’d decided to focus on her career. Two years later, she was now where she wanted to be, but she was also lonely, spending more and more hours at the hospital in order to curtail the emotion.
When would it be her turn to find an honest man? A man who wanted to settle down and start a family? A man who wasn’t already married, or who believed in monogamy? Probably when you become brave enough to date again, her head answered her heart. She had been shy, not wanting to put herself out there again, hoping that fate would simply bring the right man to her doorstep.
She glanced at George Wilmont, watching
as he chatted animatedly with the doctor seated on the other side of him. She liked the way his lips curved into a smile, the way his deep, rich tones could wash over her and ease away her tensions. No man had ever turned her head, made her laugh and captured her interest as quickly as George Wilmont.
Melody forced herself to look away. She needed to rein in her crazy romantic notions and her desperation to find the man who was her soul mate, because George Wilmont was definitely not that man. At the moment she should view him as nothing more than a handsome diversion who would leave at the end of the week.
When the time came for George to say a few words, Melody accepted her notes from Rick, who was really earning the title of ‘right-hand man’, and headed to the podium. After she’d once again introduced George, he’d thanked her but this time when he’d smiled her way, it hadn’t been the polite professional mask he’d had in the lecture theatre. No, this time, while she’d been standing at the podium in a room full of her peers, George had decided to hit her with a one hundred percent, full-watt smile.
The pep-talk she’d just given herself vanished from her mind as she allowed herself to be dazzled by him. She might have even gasped at the sight but her mind hadn’t been functioning properly, given his enigmatic presence, so she wasn’t certain.
What she was certain about, however, was the way her body seemed to be tuning itself to George’s frequency without her permission. In fact, once he’d given his short talk and returned to sit beside her, his spicy cologne once more started to wind its way around her, causing a devastating effect on her equilibrium. She didn’t want to be so aware of him, yet she was.
She focused on the conversation taking place about the latest medical breakthrough, listening intently to George’s opinion on the subject. During their entrée and main course, George answered many questions. It was a rare opportunity to have access to someone who was travelling the world, hearing and seeing at first-hand new innovations in the ever-changing orthopaedic world, and her colleagues were making the most of it.
Just as their desserts were being brought around, George stood and removed his suit jacket. Melody found her gaze drawn to his movements and she watched from 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.
Melody spluttered and started to cough. George patted her on the back and everyone at their table stopped talking and watched her.
‘You all right, Melody?’ George asked as he sat down again.
His concern was touching and she looked at him with an embarrassed grin. 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. Melody cleared her throat. ‘Fine,’ she reiterated more strongly. Everyone resumed their conversations and she’d half expected George to continue talking to Carmel. 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 touching—just for an instant. It was enough to spread a deep warmth throughout her body, causing her to gasp quietly. She was so aware of him it was ridiculous. Why couldn’t she control these sensations?
Her smile faded but she did as he suggested, conscious of the way he watched her actions. Their gazes held and Melody 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 brown eyes were intense. Melody felt momentarily hypnotised. Within an instant George had somehow made her feel…desirable.
‘George will know.’ Carmel’s voice intruded into the little bubble that surrounded them.
*
George tried desperately to listen to what Carmel was asking, all the while trying to figure out what had just happened with Melody Janeway. He’d been mesmerised by her again. Was it the way her lips had trembled ever so slightly as she’d rested the glass on her lip? Or the way they’d parted to allow the liquid to pass between them. He swallowed convulsively and pushed thoughts of her from his mind, even though he seemed conscious of her every move.
Carmel was still talking and although George could see her 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.
Melody rose to her feet and quietly excused herself. George 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 wondered if it meant she was nervous. Not that he was objecting to the action, for each time she did it, it drew attention to her gorgeous legs.
Why was she nervous? Had she felt that unmistakable pull of attraction between them? Or was she always this jittery? He wouldn’t know. He didn’t know the woman and yet the sensations he felt when around her had occurred several times during their very short acquaintance. It was like nothing he’d experienced before but he’d assumed the sensations were solely on his side. Did she feel it? The question kept reverberating around at the back of his mind as he tried to concentrate on the discussion at their table.
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.
‘Are you all right?’ Carmel asked quietly, leaning closer to him to ensure her words didn’t carry to the other people around them.
‘Fine. Why?’
‘Because you can’t seem to stop staring at our hostess for this week.’
George was stunned at his friend’s words. ‘What? I wasn’t staring at her,’ he whispered vehemently.
‘It’s OK, George. It just means you’re normal and Melody is a very attractive woman, but not my type. Definitely more your type.’
‘I don’t have a type. I’m in mourning.’
‘You can’t stay in mourning for ever, George. You and I both know that’s not the life Veronique would have wanted for you. Besides,’ Carmel continued quickly before he could say anything, ‘it’s not every day a woman really captures your attention. Melody’s the first I’ve noticed you taking an interest in throughout the entire tour.’
‘That doesn’t mean to say I’m going to act on it.’
‘Aha. You do like her. I knew it.’
‘Shh.’ George glanced around them but no one seemed to be paying them much attention. They would just think that he and Carmel were discussing aspects of the schedule. ‘Whether I like her or not is irrelevant. We have a hectic schedule to get through and then we’ll be gone at the end of the week.’
‘We’re off to Perth.’
‘Perth, Adelaide or anywhere in between, I don’t care. The point is that I have a life waiting for me in Melbourne.’
‘What life?’
‘I have a house. A job.’
‘Things you couldn’t wait to leave behind when the fellowship began,’ she reminded him.
George pursed his lips, knowing she had a point. When the tour had started, he couldn’t wait to leave Melbourne, to leave the grief of his life without Veronique behind. Although he was looking forward to a less hectic pace of life, he wasn’t sure Melbourne would hold the same charms for him as it had before. He knew that with everything he’d seen and experienced on this tour, he was a very different man from the one who had left, eager to escape his grief.
Carmel glanced momentarily down at her phone, which had buzzed with a message. ‘It’s the little things in life that mean the most,’ Carmel stated a moment later, a soft smile on her lips.
‘Message from Diana?’ he asked, gesturing to her phone.
Carmel’s smile increased. ‘Yes.’
‘You’ve managed to sort things ou
t, then?’
‘Yes. Diana was jealous of that redhead we met in Darwin but I’ve assured her there was nothing going on between us. We just had to work closely together, just like this week I’m working closely with Rick and Melody.’
‘I’m glad you’re back together. It’s more harmonious for the rest of us,’ George couldn’t help but tease. He was glad Carmel was the one who had come on the tour with him. The fact that she’d been the director for other travelling fellowships and had been helping Veronique to organise this one when tragedy had struck—well—George was glad it was Carmel who had come, especially as she and Veronique had been good friends. Carmel had known his wife, had known how happy the two of them had been together, so to hear her now say that it was OK not to deny his instant connection with Melody Janeway was almost a relief.
Carmel chuckled at his words, then noticed Melody walking back towards their table. ‘Finding harmony in your life is a good thing, George.’
George followed Carmel’s gaze, his whole being mesmerised by the way Melody walked. She was so graceful, like a dancer, hovering momentarily to talk to someone before continuing her way back to him. ‘You haven’t been captivated by anyone since Veronique, which definitely means there’s something about Melody that has caught your attention.’
Carmel’s words floated over him in the background as George noticed that the small auburn curl that had escaped the bonds of the clip was now securely back in place. He wondered if her hair colour was natural. Either way, he knew it suited her and made the green of her eyes seem more intense.
He forced himself to look away as she sat back down, trying his best not to be affected by the allure of the floral scent she wore. He was intrigued by her, interested to get to know her better and the knowledge troubled him. Carmel had been right when she’d said that no other woman had captivated him, not the way Melody Janeway had. What was it about his new colleague that was causing him to behave in such a way?
‘Feeling better?’ he asked, and she smiled politely in his direction, the smile causing his gut to tighten with a need he’d thought repressed.