What the Heart Wants ; Sealed with a Kiss

by Donna Hill

  “Why did they take him there?” Alonzo asked.

  Franklin pushed out a breath. “Mom is critical. This is a trauma hospital. Dad is apparently in better shape.”

  “I’ll go,” Montgomery said. “You two stay here. Look after Mom.”

  “And whatever you got going on with the doc, you need to chill and let her do her thing. You said she’s good, maybe better than you,” Alonzo said.

  Franklin rocked his jaw. They didn’t know what he knew. What she’d done. But Alonzo was right. She was the best. “Just go, Monty. Call me as soon as you know anything.”

  “Yeah.”

  “As soon as you do, I’ll see if we can get Dad transferred here if necessary,” Franklin said.

  “I’ll let you know the minute I find out anything.”

  Franklin gave his brother a brief nod as they turned and hurried out. “I’m on lockdown,” he said, turning to Alonzo. “Look, I’m not sure if they’ll let me in the gallery to observe. I’ll find out when I get there. In the meantime, I’ll take you over to the surgical waiting area.” He put his arm across Alonzo’s shoulder. “Come on.”

  “She’s gonna be all right? You can tell me the truth,” Alonzo said while they walked down the corridor.

  Franklin pushed out a breath. “Based on what I saw on the charts and what Dina told me, there is some major damage, but they’re going to repair it. Mom is strong. She’ll pull through.”

  Franklin pressed the button for the elevator. Dina had his mother’s life in her hands. He may now have his doubts about her as a person, but he had to trust her as a surgeon. If there was anyone who could heal his mother, it was Dina.

  After he settled Alonzo in the waiting area he headed off toward the OR. The interns on cardiac rotation generally tried to get front-row seats for any major heart surgeries. He’d had to turn in his ID but he still had the keys to his office. He went there to retrieve his lab coat. At least if he was able to slide into the gallery he wouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

  Once at the gallery, Franklin eased the heavy metal door closed behind him. The first two rows of the gallery overlooking the operating theater were already lined with white coats. A couple of heads turned in his direction but quickly refocused on the scene unfolding below. One of the female residents he recognized from a rotation earlier in the year came in and sat next to him.

  “Dr. Grant,” she said softly and gave him a slight smile.

  “Dr. Clarke,” he murmured in acknowledgment.

  “I heard what happened in surgery,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

  He pressed his lips together and gave a short nod. All he wanted to do was focus on his mother’s surgery.

  “I probably shouldn’t be saying anything, but I was selected to sit on the medical committee to review what happened.”

  The back of his neck tingled. He slid her a look. “I see.”

  She placed her hand on his arm. “I’m sure everything will work out. I’ve seen your work.” She squeezed his arm. “You’re an excellent surgeon.” She looked deep into his eyes. “I’m sure you’ll be right back where you belong in no time.”

  Franklin’s gaze drifted down to her hand resting on his arm, then slowly back up to her eyes.

  “You belong down there,” she added, indicating the operating theater with a lift of her chin.

  Dina’s throaty voice pulsed through the speakers. “Dr. Dina Hamilton assisted by Drs. Anna Lorde, Paul Vincent and Anthony Moorehouse, and surgical nurses Patterson and Davis and anesthesiologist Gordon. Patient is Ellen Grant, sixty-eight-year-old female. Involved in car accident. Heart attack. Coded twice en route. Scans show extensive muscle damage and arterial blockage. We will attempt to unblock the arteries and use the robotic laser to mitigate muscle damage.” She took a quick glance around at her colleagues and received their nodded agreement. “Let’s begin.” By rote she glanced upward and spotted Franklin.

  Her eyes widened for a split second above her mask before focusing on the task at hand. “Scalpel...”

  * * *

  The tips of Franklin’s fingers tingled, and his body vibrated while he watched the meticulous precision Dina demonstrated as she worked on Ellen. He wanted to get in there, push them all aside and do it himself. It took all his willpower to stay seated. He curled and uncurled his fists. His temples began to pound, and he realized that he’d practically locked his jaws shut when Dina began using the laser to shave down the thickened muscle around the heart. It was painstaking and dangerous. One false move and... No, he wouldn’t go there, because the most delicate part of the surgery was still ahead.

  His cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He took a quick look at the face of the phone. Monty. He didn’t want to miss a minute of the procedure, but he definitely could not take a call in the gallery.

  He gingerly excused himself and stepped out. “Yeah, Monty. What’s going on?”

  “Dad is pretty banged up. They are going over him with a fine-tooth comb. Need to make sure there are no internal injuries.”

  “Yes, of course. So he’s awake, talking?”

  “Yes. Crazy worried about Mom, of course. Keeps saying he has to get out of here.”

  “Did he say...what happened?”

  “No. Not really. He seems a bit confused about the details.”

  “What are the doctors saying?”

  “Basically, that he was very lucky. He’ll be sore for a while. No broken bones. But they’re still running tests.”

  “Umm, umm. Okay. Look, be sure to get the name of the attending.”

  “Yeah, sure. What’s going on with Mom?”

  “She’s in surgery now. So far...looks good. It will be at least another two hours.”

  Montgomery was silent for a moment. “All right. I’ll hold it down over here. Just keep me posted.”

  “For sure.” He slid the phone into his pocket and eased back into the gallery. The next two hours were the longest of his life.

  Chapter 34

  Dina stretched out on the small sofa in her office, lights dimmed, arm thrown over her eyes. The thumping of adrenaline still rushed through her veins and the protective light that radiated around her and through her fingers continued to tingle. Every time she was in the operating room the experience was surreal. It was as if she stood outside herself, looking down, guiding, seeing beyond the now to the next move.

  The success of Ellen Grant’s surgery was paramount on many levels. First and foremost, the survival of her patient, the mother of the man she was deeply involved with. While she’d worked she fought back focusing on the enormity of what was happening. She could not fail Ellen. There would be no way she could ever face Franklin again. But neither could she downplay the importance of what she’d done today in light of her future at Jameson Memorial. All eyes were on her as she’d led the team of surgeons in her new, though temporary, role. But the only eyes she was truly concerned with were Franklin’s. She wanted him reassured with every move she made that his mom was in excellent hands. Being able to face him and Alonzo with the news of a successful surgery was worth every agonizing moment in the OR.

  She needed to be with Franklin and, seeing him today, even in the midst of all that was going on, didn’t diminish her desire for him. If anything, it only intensified her longing. She sighed heavily, dropped her arm to her side and opened her eyes. Maybe he didn’t want to talk to her, but she needed to talk to him. She got to her feet, took her purse from her desk drawer and opened her door.

  “Franklin...” Her body flushed hot.

  He ran his tongue along his bottom lip, shoved his hands into his pockets. “I wanted to stop by and say thank you.” His gaze moved in slow circles across her face.

  Dina’s breath hitched. “Of course. I mean you did already.”

  “I know. But... I wanted to do it away from the intensity of the moment.
Face-to-face.” He pushed out a breath. “It’ll still be a couple more hours before they move her from recovery to cardiac ICU.” He shifted his weight. “All her vitals are good,” he added, moving between concerned son and seasoned doctor.

  Dina offered a halo of a smile.

  “I won’t keep you. I just wanted to say thank you.” He made a move to leave.

  “Actually... I was coming to find you.” She centered herself in his eyes.

  The space between his brows tightened. “Here I am.”

  She reached out and took his wrist, urged him inside and closed the door. “I know we’re not supposed to talk until the review is over, but—” she caressed his cheek “—I don’t care, Franklin.” She took a step closer. “Tell me that you haven’t wanted to be with me and I’ll back off.”

  His jaw clenched. “Tell me why you really want to be with me. What did they offer you to come here? Tell me that you weren’t lining up for this job—my job—from the beginning.”

  Dina turned and walked over to the small overstuffed sofa and sat down. She linked her fingers together on her lap. “I was contacted about a year and a half ago,” she began.

  Franklin slowly crossed the room and perched on the edge of her desk, arms tight across his chest.

  “I’d heard all the stories about you long before I agreed to come here. The brilliance.” Her eyes widened with admiration. “The arrogance, aloofness and unwillingness to play politics. Heard all that, too. But I had to make up my own mind and from the instant I met you...none of that mattered to me. Being with you—in every sense of the word—seeing you with your family, the connection that all of you have, I’ve always wanted that.” She lowered her gaze. “I’ve spent so much of my adult life steering clear of bonding with anyone. Loss—” she shook her head “—I couldn’t bear it again after all that I’d already lost.” She looked right into his soul. “But when I met you, when I worked by your side, slept under your heart, I knew that I couldn’t keep my feelings on the sidelines anymore.”

  Franklin lowered his arms and braced his palms on the desk. “I didn’t want to be in this space again. After Lindsay.” He slowly shook his head. “My work would come first. Relationships—if it happened, fine, if not that was cool, too. And then you came along. All the walls I’d put up, I eased them down for you. I let you in. Every fiber in my being told me not to, but I couldn’t help it.”

  Dina rapidly blinked to stem the burn of tears. “I didn’t tell you this, but I was offered to come back to California and head my own department.”

  His brows rose. “Your own department?” He rocked his jaw, processing the news. “Dina, that’s incredible.”

  She bit back a smile. “Build it from the ground up. It’s what I always dreamed of,” she said softly.

  “But...?”

  She glanced away. “The offer came the day of the loss in surgery. I got the call from Saint Vincent the same day I got called to Freeman’s office. I’d told them I needed to think about it. I was supposed to give them my answer.”

  “And you didn’t. Why?”

  “Everything happened so fast. Freeman offered me your spot—temporarily. The only reason I accepted—” she got up and walked over to him “—is because I want to be the one to hold down your spot. To advocate for you and make sure that the department is the same way you left it when you return.” She took his hand. “I had no ulterior motives.” Her eyes moved slowly across his face. “It wasn’t a coup.”

  That earned her a chuckle.

  Franklin angled his head to the side. “Holding it down for me, huh?”

  “Yes,” she whispered and stepped between his hard thighs.

  He pulled her close. “I’m not gonna get into all the crazy that’s been running through my head thanks to Lindsay.”

  Dina craned her neck to look at him. “Lindsay?”

  He nodded and explained about his meeting and what Lindsay revealed about the board’s plan to install Dina, and the PR campaign to keep the hospital smelling like roses.

  “Wow,” she said on a breath. She frowned. “And you believed her—what she said about me?”

  He tugged on his bottom lip with his teeth. “Honestly? At first I did. Yes. If Lindsay is nothing else, she’s convincing. And all the crap that was going on with my job being on the line, and the whole lineup of when you arrived had me messed up in the head.” He looped his arm around her waist. “But I know better. That’s not who you are.”

  “No, it’s not who I am. I want you to remember that. No matter what happens.”

  He leaned down and lightly pressed his mouth to hers. “I’m a scientist by nature. I need proof.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “What kind of proof would you like me to present, Doctor?” She pressed closer against him.

  His eyes darkened. “All of you,” he said against her lips before capturing her mouth. “Is your door locked?” he whispered hot against her neck.

  Dina whimpered as a shiver ran along her spine. “Slam lock,” she murmured.

  Franklin chuckled and proceeded to relieve her of her white lab coat. “Best kind.” He swung them around so that Dina was pressed against the desk.

  Dina hooked her legs around his thighs and began to unbutton his navy blue shirt. “Been too long,” she said and pressed her lips against his exposed chest.

  He reached down and lifted the hem of her skirt, tugging it up above her hips. He cupped her rear in his palms. “Missed you crazy.”

  Dina unfastened his belt, his zipper. “Show me.”

  His skilled fingers found their way around the band of her panties and eased them down over her hips, then up her blouse and around her back to unsnap her bra.

  Dina’s breath hitched, her neck arched back and welcomed the heat of his mouth. His lips hot and sweet trailed down her neck to the swell of her breasts. His tongue teased the warm flesh, flicked across her nipples until they stood firm with longing. He took one in his mouth and suckled until her entire body trembled. Her moans rippled over him, seeped into his pores, fueled him.

  Franklin lifted Dina in his arms and walked over to the couch and laid her down. She lifted her arms toward him. “Show me,” she repeated.

  “With pleasure.” He tossed off the rest of his clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor. He stood over her, devouring her body with his eyes.

  “I love the way you look at me.”

  “I could do that all day, baby.”

  Dina reached up and encircled his erection in her palm, working him in slow, firm strokes until his ragged groans vibrated in her chest. He gripped her wrist to slow her down. Dina looked up at him and smiled wickedly.

  “It’s like that, huh?” He grabbed her hips and turned her body so that her feet were on the floor. On his knees he got between her parted thighs. He lifted her legs over the bend in his arms and dipped down to sample the offerings.

  Dina’s body jerked as if shot with a bolt of electricity. “Ahhh.” She grasped his shoulders, hissed in air through her teeth.

  Franklin hummed deep in his throat, savored her like an imported dessert, using the tip of his tongue and fullness of his lips to turn her on and out. Her whimpering of his name and full-body tremors every time his tongue flicked around her swollen clit kicked his need for her up another notch. He never wanted her to forget how he could make her feel. He wanted her to remember that he knew every inch of her body and exactly what to do with each part.

  “I need you,” Dina moaned. “Now.”

  Franklin peeked up, gave her lower lips a parting kiss and rose from his knees. Dina stretched out. Franklin could feel the waves of heat rising from her flushed body. Leaning over her he said, “I need you, too.”

  Dina bent her knees and stretched her arms above her head. “All yours,” she whispered.

  Franklin’s eyes narrowed and darkened
with desire and happily moved between her welcoming thighs.

  Franklin entered her, and the air rushed from her lungs and expelled in a shuddering gasp. He groaned with pleasure as her hot, wet walls closed around him. Wherever his mouth couldn’t reach as he moved in steady, deep strokes, his long, slender fingers made up the difference, caressing and teasing every inch of her satiny skin.

  Dina lifted and rolled her hips, held him tight between her knees. The thrill of him filling her, moving within her made her mind spin. No clear thoughts formed. She was pure sensation from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. This was what she wanted, to be with him in the most intimate of ways. To feel protected and cared for, and to know that her needs were as important as his. There were no words to explain how he made her feel.

  Franklin slid his hands beneath her and lifted her hips higher. She planted her feet deep in the cushion of the couch and met him thrust for thrust.

  Their escalated breathing filled the room, creating a sensual turn-on harmony that urged them on—faster, deeper, harder.

  Dina’s fingertips dug into his broad back. She buried her face in the curve of his neck, moaning his name over and over as the wave of release washed over her, slammed her against the shore and swept her back out to sea again and again until tears slid from the corners of her eyes.

  “Yes, yes...that’s it, baby,” he whispered in her ear. “Let go. Come to me.” He thrust deep inside making her cry out again.

  Dina’s reaction to him, the way her insides clutched and unclutched him was more than he could handle. As much as he wanted this to last forever, he knew he was moments from coming full blast. Then Dina did something utterly indescribable with her insides that snapped around him and he exploded—his body shuddering, electrified.