I glance down at my phone and pretend to read a message, then give Mrs. Lawrence an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, I’m on call. I have to go in to the hospital.”
It’s a lie and she knows it, but she plays along. “I should get going, too.”
“Right.” Damn. Now I’ll have to walk her to her car.
The bartender finally brings the bill, which I barely glance at before tapping my card to pay. I walk Mrs. Lawrence outside, and—finally a piece of luck—find that her car is parked right in front of the restaurant. As she says goodbye, she gives me a wink that tells me she knows I’m going after her daughter.
As I hustle to my car, I scan the street for Melissa andAustin, but there’s no sign of either them or his BMW. But I’m pretty sure Melissa has the kids this weekend, so they’re probably at her house with a babysitter. If he’s taking her to her place, the night will probably end with a goodnight kiss in the car. But if he’s taking her to his condo. . .
If he’s taking her to his condo I know just how the night will end. How could it not, with the way Melissa looks tonight? Bee-stung lips, lush curves, eyes a man could drown in . . . And she looked like she was into Austin, too.
I jump in my car and head for Austin’s building. My building, too, I guess, but right now my attention is focused on Austin’s unit, and whether he and Melissa have made it there already. They were less than five minutes ahead of me, so I should get there before anything happens. He’ll offer her a drink, maybe put on a movie.
Or will he? I’m sure Austin would usually behave like a gentleman, but with the way Melissa looks tonight . . . If I were in his place, I’d carry her straight to my bedroom.
I glance at the speedometer and realize I’m over the speed limit by quite a lot, so I force myself to ease off the gas pedal.
At last, I whip into my parking garage, and yep, Austin’s BMW is already in his spot. I park and jog toward the elevator, but stop as I pass Austin’s car. Austin and Melissa are still sitting in the BMW.
Melissa opens the passenger door and steps out. Her eyes are huge, but it’s not with surprise—it’s almost as though she expected me to show up. But her eyes are nervous and hopeful and beautiful, and I’m tempted to throw her over my shoulder and carry her to the elevator. I’ll take her to my own condo, away from Austin, who’s clearly wrong for her.
Shit. I’m not a caveman, but there’s something about this girl.
“Can we talk for a minute?” I ask, trying to keep my voice calm. As though there’s nothing unusual about interrupting her while she’s on a date with another man. I glance at Austin to see how he’s taking this, but he looks more amused than annoyed.
“Yeah,” Melissa replies. “You got my text?”
“What? No.” I pull out my phone and see that she sent a message ten minutes ago. I was so distracted, I must not have heard the ping of the phone.
Melissa: Can we talk? Austin’s taking me to your condo
I meet her eyes again, trying to read what this is about, but the answer isn’t clear. She wouldn’t have asked to meet just to call me out for showing up at her date? To tell me that she and Austin are together now, and I need to butt out?
“Yeah.” My throat is dry, and it comes out hoarse. “I’ll take you up.”
I nod to Austin, who has the tact to stay in his car, and lead Melissa toward the elevator. She’s careful to keep a couple feet of space between us. It’s almost as though she knows that if she lets me touch her, I might not let her go.
The elevator ride seems to last forever, as does the walk down the hall to my door. Finally, I’m closing the door behind us, and we’re inside. Alone.
“Nice place,” Melissa says. Her tongue darts out and licks her lower lip. I know it’s a nervous gesture, but it’s still mesmerizing.
“Melissa.” I step toward her, but she moves away.
“No, Luke.” She crosses her arms across her chest,pushing up her lovely breasts. “If you touch me I won’t be able to think.”
I want to take her in my arms and show her that thinking’s overrated, but I force myself to take a step back. To hold my hands up, palms forward, to show her I’m backing off. “Okay.”
Melissa takes a deep breath. “What is this, Luke? Some alpha male possessive thing? You don’t want me yourself, but you can’t stand to think that another man might?”
“You think I don’t want you?” I blurt incredulously. “Melissa?—”
“What am I supposed to think?” she interrupts. “When Claire was in the ER, you acted like we were strangers. And I understood, Luke! After the way we broke up, it was what I deserved. But the night she was sick in the ICU, you arranged for your mom to watch Liam, and read to me until I fell asleep. I thought maybe you’d forgiven me.”
“Melissa—”
“Then I asked if you wanted to meet for coffee, and you said no,” she says.
“Because I’d just operated on your daughter, Melissa! There are rules against dating a patient, or a patient’s mother. Claire was better and you were grateful, and it would have been wrong to take advantage of that. Not to mention it could’ve gotten me in trouble with the Medical Board.” I push out a sigh. “I was trying to follow the rules.”
