Luke(12)

"And because you like your position and prestige at the hospital."

He eyed her for a heartbeat during which time she wondered why in the world she was baiting the tiger. "Yes," he said eventually. "I like my position at the hospital. I like it a lot."

"So … after a day of being here, after seeing what we do for our patients, can't you maybe admit you were wrong about the clinic?"

Another long moment. "I can admit you help people," he allowed.

Was that the most she was going to get? Apparently so. And yet really, what had she expected? That he'd thank her for proving him wrong today? Yeah, right.

Exhausted, frustrated, she sank to the couch and nearly moaned out load at the delicious body heat he'd left her. A good amount of her resentment faded, and snuggling in, she let out a serrated sigh.

"Good?"

"Better than good." She sighed again, softly, blissfully.

His eyes heated at the sound and her tummy fluttered.

He leaned over her, a long, warm arm on either side of her hips.

The tingle in her tummy spread. She considered how she'd feel if he kissed her, and had just decided she might actually let him when the blanket drifted over her. "What are you doing?"

"Tucking you in. Need a bedtime story?"

Oh boy. "Doctor of the universe and a comedian, too."

He tilted his head in a mocking bow.

She closed her eyes so she wouldn't stare at his mouth, which was wide, firm, and she suspected, quite talented. Damn distracting. Every part of him was damn distracting. "I just want a quick catnap."

"Will it improve your disposition?"

She opened her eyes again. "Did it improve yours?"

Stunning her, he smiled, and quite frankly, it took her breath. "My disposition is perfect," he claimed.

"Uh-huh."

His smile faded and he traced a finger over her temple, exactly where it throbbed. "Maybe…" He shifted even closer, and her heart stopped because surely this time he was going to kiss her. "Maybe you should give yourself some sort of…" He waved his hand. "Stinky treatment or something."

"Stinky?"

"You know … your smelly oils."

With a groaning laugh, she lay back. "Aromatherapy." No, she wouldn't be disappointed he hadn't leaned in and put his mouth on hers.

"Like I said, stinky stuff."

"I'm going to hold that against you."

"Yeah." He stared at her right back, an unreadable expression on his face. "I feel the same way." Then he moved toward the door, shutting it behind him.

She stared at the closed door, her heartbeat still a little unsteady. His disposition was perfect, was it? Before he'd turned on that amazing bedside manner just now she would have laughed out loud at the thought, but all she could do at the moment was feel his hands on her as he'd tucked the blanket in, the heat in his gaze as he'd run it over her, the touch of his fingers on her face… Oh, God.

She was lusting after Dr. Universe.

Maybe Shelby and Guy were right, maybe she just needed sex. This thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

Emphasis on the terrifying.

*

Luke drove home that night, going over the day in his head. Naturopathic healing. Utilizing energy and scents and massage for healing.

And people paid for that stuff!

It baffled him that the patients at Healing Waters had seemed so clearly impressed with their treatments, so certain they were getting the best out there. Not a single person had voiced discontent or bitched at the staff. Not a single soul had left unsatisfied.

In comparison was South Village Medical Center, where on an hourly basis someone threatened to sue, yelled at the receptionist, or was positive the hospital was out to get them.

He walked into his dark house, kicked off his shoes and stripped out of his shirt. He was heading toward the shower when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and picked up the phone to the only person he felt like talking to at the moment, his brother.

"So, now you're a publicity nightmare," Matt said in his ear, his voice thick with a smile. "Big surprise there, huh? What did you say this time?"

Luke sighed. "Carmen told you."

"I called earlier. She might have mentioned it."

"Then you know what I said."

"I just wanted to hear you say it. Did you really call the hospital, the board that pays you, the idiocracy of bureaucracy?"

"Maybe." Luke rubbed the aching spot between his eyes. "Look, they let Carmen go along with a bunch of the other hospital workers, all low income, all in housekeeping. Fired them on the spot, claiming money shortages. And yet they're helping to fund this clinic with its alternative 'healing' mumbo jumbo."

"Ah. And your sense of injustice is screaming."

"Everyone's sense of injustice should be screaming, Matt. If they did this at your hospital, you'd be screaming, admit it."

"Hey, here in Texas we don't scream. We pontificate."

"I had to do something."

His brother sobered. "Yeah, I know. And it explains why Carmen is now running your life. You hired her to clean your house on a daily basis, even though you're never home to mess it up, didn't you?"