Chapter 9

“You make it sound so simple,” I say.

“Isn’t it?”

“It’s complicated.”

“That’s what makes it so

“It?”

“Us.”

“Us?” I laugh. “Awfully, presumptuous of you.”

He shrugs.

I hold up a finger. “Onedinner,” I say. “That’s it.”

He holds his silence neither agreeing nor objecting as he pins me with his unrelenting gaze.

He does this a lot as if he’s drinking me in, studying every facet of me. I shake my head to break the trance I seem to fall under in his presence. It’s late, I’ve got to go home to get some much-needed sleep.

“Alright,” I say, as I slowly rise from my chair. “Spokoynoy nochi, Mr. Wilson.”

A wide grin splits his face, apparently impressed by my attempt to say good night in Russian.

Yeah, so I learned a word or two. What’s the harm in that?

I’m highly anxious as I ride the subway uptown. Silently, I berate myself for putting myself in this predicament. But Dr. Chleo invitation to watch the triple bypass surgery proved too irresistible to pass up. But amid the procedure, I nearly panicked when I realized that the surgery would run long past my deadline. And short of an immediate death in the family, slipping out would be frowned upon by the faculty. So, I’d stood there silently willing their hands to hurry, with every success of course.

I just barely had enough time to run back and grab a shower, get dressed, and hop on the L-train. This, of all nights, is the night I’m supposed to meet Nathan Wilson for his thank-you dinner.

I can’t believe I’m actually doing this!

I’d talked myself in and out of it so many times, that I’ve lost count. Against my better judgment, I gave Sebastian my number the day he was discharged from the hospital. Three days later he made use of that number. We settled on a time and place for the date.

Ten days after Nathan and I met, I find myself stepping into New York . It’s mainly French but the chef is half Russian and offered an array of delicious authentic Russian dishes. I check my watch one more time, I’m six minutes late…not too bad.

I approach the hostess and inquire as to whether Nathan Wilson has arrived yet. No, she informs me. I head over to the bar and wait. I finally decided on this chic little black cocktail dress. I’m wearing my hair up in a loose bun, a few tendrils down on either side. I’ve been told it’s one of my sexiest looks, but not that sex is on my mind. I just want him tothinkabout how great that would be with me.

What? No, that’s not what I want. This is two people having a simple thank-you dinner. We’ll enjoy a meal and good conversation, and then we’ll go our separate ways. Piece of cake.

I place my order at the bar and sit on an empty stool. My size six ass isn’t sitting on it for more than 30 seconds before I feel a hand on the small of my back. I start to spin around but hear a familiar voice.

“Dr. Wood, hello,” I feel his warm breath on my neck like a soft feather being drawn across my skin. Goosebumps break out all over. This is not a good sign. I smile as I look over my shoulder.

“I was beginning to wonder if you ran off because I was late.”

“You thought I was punishing you?” he says in a low rumble. “Let’s get to know each other first, shall we?”

I laugh. “You’re a cheeky little thing.” I stop to take him all in. It’s the first time I’ve seen him outside a hospital bed. He’s wearing the hell out of a custom-fit Armani suit. It hangs impressively on his six-foot frame. And his face, finally the discoloration has faded, his natural tones are vibrant. He looks incredible.

I slide off the stool and balance on my knock-off Jimmy Choo shoes. Nathan eyes navigate the length of my body, pouring all over it. “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined you’d be out of your scrubs.”

“Hospital chic wasn’t quite doing it for you?”

“Youdo it for me,” he says evenly and then gestures toward the hostess. “Our table’s ready.”

I move forward toward the smiling hostess. I feel Sebastian’s hand on the small of my back, guiding me. Normally, this type of presumptuous behavior would set me on edge, but with Sebastian, I strangely find myself liking it.

We approach our table and Sebastian pulls my chair out for me. “You smell incredible,” he says as I lower myself into my chair.

“Thank you.” I wait for him to be seated. “You’re looking good, Wilson. How are you feeling?”

He unbuttons his jacket. “Most of the pain is gone, nothing that some ibuprofen won’t cure.”

“Glad to hear it,” I reply. “But don’t miss your regular checkups. The recovery process requires that you maintain constant….” I trail off reading his expression. “You don’t want me playing doctor tonight.”

“We’ll discuss whatever you’d like,” Nathan replies. “But tonight, I’d like to get to know the lovely Madison, not Dr. Wood.”

“What is it you’d like to know?”

“Everything.”

I grin. “You’re going to have to be a little more specific or we’ll be here all night.” I’m amazed at how, despite being in a crowded restaurant, it feels as if we’re the only two people here.

“Are you seeing someone?” he asks and watches me closely. “You mentioned no social life, but that doesn’t mean no…playtime with a friend.”

I chuckle. “Friends with benefits.” I shake my head. “No, afraid no time for those either.”

“Good,” he says and glances up as the waitress approaches. Nathan looks at me. “What will you have to drink?”

“Pear martini,” I reply.

“Whiskey, neat, and a pear martini, please.”

“Coming right up,” the waitress says with a bright smile and then seems to forget to leave for a second. That’s the effect Nathan must have on women all the time. And why the hell not? He’s a wealthy, smart, and a particularly delectable piece of eye candy. The women must be lining up to throw themselves at him. No matter what, I must keep these truths in mind tonight.

Under no circumstances are you to fall for this guy! Enjoy the fine dining, do a little harmless flirting, and then go home-- alone.

I pick up my menu and begin scanning it. “They’re known for their Russian dishes. I’ve never had any of them, but it might be worth trying.”

“Relax, Layla . I come here often for the good Russian cuisine. You chose well.”

I clasp my hands together. “Oh, I’m so relieved.”

“Perhaps, you’ll try some Russian tonight,” he says with a wolfish grin.

I gulp in a dry throat. “I’ll try anything once.”

“It’ll only take once.”

“Oh yeah, and then what?”

“We fall for each other.”

A warm frisson of desire creeps up my spine. I force a laugh. “Remember, I’ve no time for a social life.”

“We’ll see about that,” he says flatly.

Jeez, the balls on this guy. “I’m sure there are plenty of other lovely ladies out there who’d only be too happy to drop everything for you.”

“None, like you. Not that I’ve met.”

“Like me?” I look askance at him. “What’s so special about me?”

“You saved me.”

I was doing my job, Nathan.” I remind him to no avail.

He leans in, elbows on the table. Those eyes impale me. “When I awakened from the crash and saw you staring back, I felt the spark. I know you did as well.” He smirks. “I think it’s what brought you back to my room every day even though my face looked like it had been through a meat grinder.”

I look away under the heat of his unrelenting gaze. “I was curious about you, I admit.”

His eyes narrow a hair. “About what specifically.”

Jeez, is he really going to make me say it? “The cops were so certain they’d be able to take you away. I mean, you have a reputation, Nathan.”

He cocks a dark brow. “And this reputation didn’t frighten you away.”

“I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.”

He smirks. “I suspected that much when you helped me with my…dilemma.”

“No one was asking for it,” I explain. “It didn’t seem to be a critical piece of the case they were working on.” I look away. “So, why did you have it?”

“For protection.”

“From whom? You’re a legitimate businessman, right?” My hands are bracing the arms of my chair as if I’m ready to bolt if he gives me the wrong answer.

“Even legitimate businessmen have enemies who’d prefer to see them out of the way.”

“Fair enough, but why was the gun a problem? You have a permit for it, don’t you?”

“I’m a Russian national with dual citizenship, such things are a little more complicated for me. It was best that the piece not be discovered on my person.”

I nod, and then glance up as I see the waitress approaching.

We both turn as she brings our drinks. Sebastian hands her a few bills and places an order for appetizers and another round of drinks. When the waitress leaves, I lean in. “That was fast.”

He shrugs as if this is always the type of service that he receives. Well, sure with that kind of money and those killer good looks…

“So, Mr. Wilson, tell me about your social life,” I say feeling emboldened. “There must be someone, or likely, several someones waiting for you. Hmm?”

“There is you,” he says softly placing his drink down. “There is no one else.”

I laugh again. “Come on, seriously. You probably have a brothel of eager women just a phone call away.”

Nathan’s expression sours. “I couldn’t be more serious. I won’t lie, there was a time when such a thing as you describe appealed to me. But ultimately, I’m a businessman and look to partner with those who can be of real value to me to further my position. The women you describe are nothing more than ornaments or bobbles for the foolish. But you, Layla, you are extraordinary, of tremendous value.”

Normally, I’d try to laugh off such broad flattery, but something in his eyes warn me to think better of it. He’s serious, dead serious. I take a sip of my pear martini before responding.

“I hold myself in high esteem for many reasons.” I set my glass down. “But I’m curious as to whyyoufind me to be of such tremendous value.”

His grin slowly returns. “For starters, you chose to become a doctor, a highly esteemed field requiring great intelligence and perseverance. If that weren’t sufficient, you’ve decided to become a surgeon. That, in and of itself makes my case. But then you go and decide to specialize in cardiothoracic surgery,” his smile broadens as if he’s taking great pride in my accomplishments. He shakes his head. “You’ll hold life and death in your hands, Layla . Forgive me if I’m a bit awed by that.”

I reflect his smile and can see his genuine admiration. “Sometimes I wonder what the hell was I thinking. You know, like why didn’t I go into obstetrics or become a pediatrician.”

“Because noble as those fields may be, you find them too banal,” his sapphire eyes twinkle at me as if lit from within. “You take the road less traveled because you are destined for greatness.”

Oh my God, did I just giggle like a schoolgirl? I take another drink to cover.

“Perhaps one could understand your single-minded determination and drive if you were less,” he gestures at me.

I look askance at him. “Less what?”

He chuckles. “You’re absolutely stunning. The kind of woman wealthy men seek to drape over their arm as a trophy. But you, Chleo, you’d never condescend to that. You want it all on your terms.” He lifts his glass to me. “I admire that immensely.”