by Eve Langlais
At nine that night his cell phone rang and he picked it up, glancing at the caller ID. “So you decided to speak to me? Should I feel honored?” He’d built up a head of steam waiting all damn day for her to give him the time of day and he wasn’t about to let her off the hook easily, much as he knew coming on too strong would only drive her away.
“I know I should’ve called earlier. I’m sorry.”
“Why did you walk out on me?” He heard Val’s breath catch a little.
“I just…I needed time.”
Nate grabbed his hair in his free hand. This woman was driving him to distraction. “Time for what?”
“Time to figure out what I want, why I did what I did–”
“Why you slept with me?” Nate was starting to wonder if the top of his head was going to pop off just to release the steam. No woman had ever gotten to him like this.
He could picture her biting her lip as she debated how to respond. “Yes.”
“Are you ashamed of what we did? If you are, I don’t get why. We’re both adults.”
“I realize that, Nate, but I don’t just fall into bed with every man I find attractive.”
Well, at least there’s that. Not that he’d expected Val to be a virgin, but the thought of her with someone else… He blew out a breath. “I don’t need to know about any other guys.”
“There haven’t been many,” she insisted. “I’m not a one-night-stand kinda girl. You have to understand–”
“Understand what? That you’re freaking out over something that isn’t that big a deal?”
Pot and kettle, dude…
“It is a big deal to me, Nate. I don’t have sex lightly. When I sleep with a man, it means something to me.”
“So what did it mean that you slept with me?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure, and that’s why I’m so confused. I think it would be best if we forget this ever happened.”
Nate couldn’t keep the incredulous note out of his voice. “Forget it happened? Are you serious with this?”
“Yes. We’ll just go back to being co-workers.”
“Honey, we haven’t been just co-workers since I kissed you after we had dinner that first night, and we’re certainly not ‘just co-workers’ now.”
“Please. This isn’t easy for me.”
“What’s not easy for you? Blowing me off? Doesn’t seem all that difficult to me.”
“Just respect my wishes. Treat me no different than everybody else. It’s better this way.”
“Like hell.”
“See you tomorrow.” Before Nate could get in another word, she’d hung up.
Picking up the television remote, he threw it against the wall, where it splintered and fell into several pieces on the floor. He sighed. Nate had never felt so out of control. His life was orderly and, for the most part, happened as he wished it to. Scrubbing his hands down his face, he dropped onto the bed. Divine intervention might be the only way he could leave Val alone. Now that he’d tasted her, he was like an addict—he wanted more and more.
Nate wasn’t taking any chances. Rising early, he showered and headed into the hospital. Planting himself in front of Val’s office door, he waited for her to come in. When Val opened the door to the department and saw him she did a quick double-take, but then seemed to regain her composure. “What are you doing?” she asked, as she opened her door. He followed her inside, closing the door behind him. She glanced at it for a moment and then turned to face him. “Do we have a meeting this morning that I didn’t know about?” The urge to kiss her was overwhelming as her chin rose in defiance and Nate held on to his control with every ounce of restraint he possessed.
“You know damn well why I’m here.” Val crossed her arms over her breasts and Nate followed the movement, remembering how those breasts had filled his mouth. His groin tightened but he ruthlessly tamped down his desire. He wanted answers. “Why did you leave yesterday morning?”
“I told you–”
Nate slashed his hand through the air. “I know what you told me. Now I want to know the real reason. What are you so scared of?”
“We can’t do this.”
“Why? And don’t try to repeat the excuses you tried to bury me in last night.”
“I have too much going on in my life to worry about a relationship right now, if that’s what you would even call this, considering you’re leaving soon. Look, I really need to go through a mountain of email and do a ton of other stuff. My other projects have suffered because of this crisis and that’s the last thing the hospital needs. It’s imperative to get some of these moving again to re-establish CCC’s good name. So I’m begging you, let me work.”
“Fine,” he got out through clenched teeth. “But before I go, I want you to remember one thing.”
“What?”
“This.” He grabbed her and swept her into his arms, his mouth descending on hers. Moaning into her mouth, he soaked up her taste, a mixture of coffee and a hint of mint. His arms tightened around her of their own accord and she sighed, melting into him. Pushing her backward, he sat her on her desk and moved in between her thighs, pressing his hardness into her belly. He wanted her again, wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life.
Reaching underneath her skirt, he searched for her wetness. When he made contact she flinched and grabbed his hand. Wrenching her mouth away, she said, “We can’t. Not here.”
“Where? When?” She pushed again and he moved back, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. What was he doing? He’d never forced himself on a woman and, no matter how tempting Val was, he wasn’t about to start. You need to calm the hell down, pronto, or she’s gone, you idiot.
“I don’t know. Give me some time.”
“We don’t have time. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be around.” Shit, why did I just go there?
His suspicion that was the wrong tack to take proved correct, because she nodded. “All the more reason to nip this in the bud.”
“Dammit, Val!”
“Don’t yell at me,” she whispered.
He blew out a frustrated breath. “I apologize. I’m just frustrated right now and I don’t know what to do. Let me know when you’re ready to explore what we have together.” Turning, he stalked to the door and flung it open. When he entered his own office, he slammed his door shut behind him. In truth, he wasn’t even sure why he was so angry. Normally if a woman reacted like this he was happy to sever ties, but the very thought of doing that now left a sour taste in his mouth.
Things on the work front worsened later when they got wind some of the doctors were going after Doug personally. Apparently several had called or stopped by Doug’s office, threatening to ask the Board of Directors to intervene because their reputations were taking a hit with the crisis. Nate called Doug to see if he and Val were needed, but his friend wanted them to keep working on finding a solution to the situation, so that’s what Nate did. Without any guidance from Val, and he didn’t think any was coming based on her behavior that morning, it was really all he could do. You could work on your own stuff. Nate sighed. “His stuff” seemed so remote right now and he had little interest in it at the moment.
Mid-afternoon Val burst into his office. “Doug said the FBI called. He’s calling them back and wants us up there. They have news.”
Nate sprang out of his chair, surprised at how excited he was about a new development. He’d spent his entire working life in crisis management, but this seemed so much more “real” than trying to stop some celeb’s sex tape from making it onto Entertainment Tonight. Val and Nate hurried to Doug’s office, not speaking. He glanced over at her from time to time, but she appeared to be lost in thought.
They arrived and took seats, each pulling out a pad and pen. Doug simply nodded at them and picked up the phone to ask his secretary to get the FBI for him. Nate took a moment to survey his old friend’s appearance. His normally dapper suit and tie combo were there, but
the suit jacket was wrinkled and the tie askew. Doug’s face was ashen, and Nate worried briefly about the long-term physical and psychological effects something like this could have on a man. He hoped Doug was up to the task.
Doug put the phone on speaker. “This is Doug Benning from CCC, with Val Chase and Nate O’Halloran. What have you got for us?”
The line was tinny, and Nate and Val both leaned forward as the agent spoke. “Hello, yes, we think we might have a lead.”
The agent told them they’d been tracking Dr. Godlowski via his cell phone records and a few credit card transactions. It sounded like the doctor was getting lazy and sloppy already, which boded well for their case. Nate was shocked to learn the man was still using a traceable cell phone, and he wondered whether he hadn’t considered he could be traced through it or he was just cocky. Most likely it was a combination of both. Throw in a little desperation and Nate knew all too well how reckless people could be.
“We’ve got him making a phone call yesterday from Saint Louis, Missouri, and his credit card was used to pay for groceries and gas in Evansville, Indiana earlier that same day. Based on his trajectory we’re thinking he’s heading to Mexico.”
“Can you intercept him at the border?” Val asked.
“We can try, but there are a lot of different border crossings and a lot of fugitives on the loose.”
“That’s comforting,” Val mumbled, and Nate had to fight a smile.
If only people had half a clue what was going on around them…
Doug ignored Val’s comment and said, “I’m sure you’re doing all you can, and we appreciate it greatly. Please let us know if any other information comes forward.”
“Will do.”
Doug hung up the phone and turned to them. “That’s progress.”
Val nodded. “Dubious progress, but yes, it’s progress. At least we know he’s still in the country.”
Nate cleared his throat. He didn’t want to say this, but it was necessary. “If that’s actually him using the cell phone and credit card.”
Both Doug and Val turned to him, their faces falling. “What do you mean?” Val asked.
“Well, if it were me I think I’d give someone my cell phone and credit card in order to throw people off the scent.”
“You mean like bribe somebody?”
“No, it doesn’t even have to be that complicated. Leave them in a public place and someone will pick them up. People are greedy. If they see a credit card lying around it’s going to be tough to just walk away.”
“I never even considered that possibility,” Doug admitted, rubbing his temples. “I was hoping it was a solid lead. We need some good news.”
Val was shooting daggers at Nate, and he sighed. This was why he’d been reluctant to mention the possibility the person wasn’t even Dr. Godlowski, but it had been necessary. Nate didn’t want Val and Doug hanging on to what might very well mean nothing. “It might very well be a good lead, Doug. I just want to manage your expectations.”
“Okay.” Doug motioned to his desk. “I’ve got a ton of work piled up. I’ll call you guys if I hear anything else.”
Nate and Val walked out the door. Once Val had closed it behind her, she spun to face Nate. “Manage his expectations? How could you do that to him?”
“I didn’t want to see him get his hopes up, only to be disappointed.”
“How do you know he’d be disappointed? Now he sure the hell is, and there may not even be reason for it. I don’t understand you at all.” She shot down the hall away from him, her heels clicking on the tile. He sped up to catch her before she reached the elevators, trying valiantly to ignore the way her pert bottom swayed in the flippy little skirt she was wearing. Was it weird arguing with her turned him on?
“We need to find out if Doug wants anything released to the press.”
Val stopped dead and Nate lurched to the side to avoid plowing into her. “Damn.” She glanced back at the closed door. “Should we bother him now?”
“No, let’s get some things done and then we’ll call him from your office in a bit.”
“Fine.” She pushed the button and then asked, “What are you doing for the remainder of this afternoon?”
“Proofreading those releases you gave me and then I’m not sure.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“Did you need me to do something else?” He still wasn’t used to taking orders, rather than giving them, but he’d learned quickly that Val didn’t do well in situations she didn’t feel she could control.
“No, that’s fine. Those need to go out.”
They stepped into the elevator and both turned toward the front. Nate’s hands itched to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless, but, recalling prior events, he knew what a stupid idea that would be. Val would probably draw back and slap him this time.
When they returned to the public relations offices, Nate went to his desk to check in with his own company before starting in on the releases Val had given him to look over. A few hours later he knocked on her door. She motioned him in with one hand as the other furiously scribbled notes.
She hung up the phone and pressed her hands into the small of her back.
“Sore?”
“Too much hunching over.”
“Want me to rub your back?”
Val sent him a sardonic look. “No thanks.”
Nate grinned. It was worth a try. “Anything new?”
“Nothing of note.”
“So what do you think we should do?”
“Aren’t you the one who’s supposed to tell us that?”
“Well, it’s what Doug hired me to do, but I didn’t want to step on your toes.”
Val made a derisive sound. “Too late for that.”
“I figured there’s a first time for everything.” Val’s phone rang again and Nate settled into a chair, gesturing toward the phone. “Go ahead.”
Val picked up and then put the phone on speaker. “It’s Doug.” She spoke into the microphone. “We’re both here, Doug.”
“I’ve been thinking about how to handle this new information,” Doug said. “I don’t think we should announce any specifics, if and when we get them, but I do think we should say publicly that there’s been progress on the investigation. What do you both think?”
Nate remained silent, and Val spoke first. “I think you’re right. People need to hear that we’re not sitting around on our hands, but I don’t think it’s necessary to give away the farm.”
“A good approach to take,” Nate said.
“Then we’re all in agreement. Should I make the announcement or would you like to do it, Val?”
“If you feel comfortable, why don’t you handle this one? Everyone wants to hear from the head of the hospital, to feel as if he’s engaged in the wellbeing of the center. I’ll set it up for you, though.”
“A good plan. And you’re right, they do want to hear from me.”
They made arrangements and then hung up, and Val leaned on her forearms, cocking her head and regarding him with narrowed eyed. “So agreeable.”
“For you? Always.”
Chapter Eleven
Val’s head pounded. They’d made the announcement about the lead and Doug had given interviews to a few media outlets. By the time she and Nate had left last night it had been nearly nine. She’d tossed and turned in bed, alternating between worrying about whether or not they’d find the doctor and what she would do about her attraction to Nate. Much as she wanted it to, it wasn’t waning. If anything, since they’d slept together, it had gotten worse. Things seemed to be coming to a head and she wondered when he’d take off, and then got cranky when she realized how much the thought upset her.
She woke groggy and lightheaded. Where usually that was helped by a big cup of coffee, the venti caramel macchiato she’d picked up on her way in just wasn’t doing the trick today. And things only went from bad to oh-my-God-when-will-it-end when one of the board members burst into her office, scarin
g the hell out of her.
“Tell me about these leads.”
Val shrank back in her chair. The bear of a man intimidated her at the best of times, and this certainly didn’t make it onto her list of top moments at CCC. Jabbing the sharp end of a letter opener into her palm a few months ago was more fun than this. “There’s not much to say.” She concentrated on wiping off the water she’d spilled on herself, not meeting the man’s eyes.
“Bullshit.”
Val took a precious few seconds more to rub her aching temples before speaking. “Look, the FBI might have a few leads, but they haven’t told us much and we decided to tell the public even less.”
“I’m not the public! The Board of Directors is not the goddamn public! Why are you keeping us in the dark?”
“It wasn’t our intention to exclude you–”
The man scoffed. “Why should I believe that?”
“Because I don’t have any reason to lie to you. What good would it do me?” She tried to put her hands out in a placating gesture but the man advanced another step.
Nate slipped in through the door to her office and closed it behind him. “Problem?”
The man rounded on him. “I don’t like the way I’m being treated. As a member of the Board of Directors of this hospital, it’s my right to know what’s going on with this investigation.”
Nate nodded. “I agree. And Doug is planning to reach out to the board, he just hasn’t had a chance to yet. We had to get to the media before someone else did, considering the leaks we’ve already experienced. Now, I understand you want to be kept in the loop but, frankly, your hurt feelings are the least of our worries right now.”
Val knew her eyes were big as saucers, but Nate didn’t even glance her way. Instead he held the man’s gaze with his own steely one, and finally the man backed up a step.
“Fine. But we expect to be kept informed.”
“Of course,” Nate answered in a soothing tone. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, Val and I have some things to discuss.”
The man left and Val rested her head on her steepled fingers for a moment before looking up. “Thank you. I don’t know why, but for some reason that guy rubs me the wrong way.”