Royal Seduction (13 page)

Another soft sound in the dark made her lift her head. “Riley?” she said softly.

“Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you.”

“What are you doing?” She glanced at the clock. “It's four-thirty in the morning. Come back to bed.”

Speaking those four small words was like flipping on a switch. Catherine felt embers glowing to life deep in her belly.

“I can't. I need to go. I just have to find my boxers. I've gathered the rest of my things in the living room.”

“Flip on the light. It's okay.”

“I don't need the light, Catherine. I'm fine.” She heard him sliding into his underwear. “I'll call you later.”

A shaft of dim light widened across the floor when he opened the bedroom door. Riley's form blocked the light for a mere nanosecond. If Catherine had blinked she'd have missed it. Then he closed the door behind him.

Great, she thought. He was so overwhelmed by what had happened between them that he hadn't even thought to kiss her goodbye.

Catherine chuckled as she flopped back against the down pillow. That was what she wanted in a man, in a husband. Someone who was overwhelmed by her.

The contentment making her feel light as air quickly became muddied as the thought of a husband and marriage reminded her of the ever-ticking clock, of the alarm that was about to jangle and send her flying home to Lextanya.

It had been that crushing pressure that had provoked Catherine into taking what she'd seen as the static situation between her and Riley firmly in hand and forcing something to happen. And even though she might not be all that proud of her method, the result had been more than she could have ever hoped for.

Still, now that Riley was gone and she was all alone
with her pleasure cooling, Catherine began to feel guilty over having manipulated him with that oil.

Getting a vial of the NoWait had been easy enough. Once she'd decided to actually take a bottle—
stealing
was such a nasty little word—all she'd had to do was slip through the door marked Employees Only. Once in the hallway, she'd noticed that the whole atmosphere had changed.

The public part of the clinic was decorated in calm shades of blues and pearly greens, but the walls and floor of this hall had been stark white. She'd hit the jackpot in the very first door she'd entered. Complicated scientific equipment filled the black marble counters around the perimeter of the pristine lab. On the long, narrow island in the center of the room, Catherine had found a small stack of manila file folders marked NoWait. To the left of the door sat racks of small blue vials.

She hadn't touched a thing in the room—except for the one vial she'd plucked from the rack and slipped into her purse. Her heart had been beating hard and strong even though she hadn't seen a soul coming or going. However, a heavy guilt had moved in alongside that tiny bottle of oil.

Pure stubborn determination—and that ever-present ticking clock—had spurred her forward, though, without too much problem.

She'd left a note for Riley with the receptionist, and then she'd hopped into a taxi that had taken her to the Boys and Girls Club where she tried to fill up the long afternoon.

After picking up containers of Chinese food, she'd come back to the hotel to get herself ready for Riley's arrival. She'd showered and dressed and put on a bit of makeup. Then she'd pulled out the NoWait.

The only information she'd had was that the oil was a
topical treatment. But she had no idea just how much she was supposed to use.

I only used a little.

The trainer's assertion to Faye had echoed through Catherine's head. But how much was a little? A small spot? A quarter ounce? Half an ounce? More?

Catherine had dabbed some behind her ears and on her wrists. But then she worried that she hadn't used enough so she'd smoothed some between her breasts and on the backs of her knees, and just for good measure, she'd splashed a bit behind each ankle.

Remembering the passion that had seemed to hypnotize Riley, she wondered if maybe she had gone a little overboard with the NoWait.

Catherine heard the front door close as Riley left, and she slid down under the sheet, the cool cotton caressing her body as she vividly recalled his hot kisses, his tender touch. They had made love for what had seemed like hours before falling asleep, exhausted, in each other's arms. It had been the absolute best, most wonderful and memorable night of her life. And she refused to regret any of it.

She didn't care if she had used too much.

Her time with Riley had been well worth it.

 

Although the meeting was being held in his office, Riley didn't even try to pretend he was in charge. Portland General Hospital director, Dr. David Graham, had been strutting back and forth across the room like the rooster who owned the henhouse since he'd arrived.

When Riley had entered the clinic this morning, Dr. Richard Strong had been waiting for him. Furious beyond measure with himself for succumbing to his weaknesses last night, Riley knew it wasn't really the best time to be
dealing with the whole NoWait situation. However, these days nothing seemed to happen the way Riley expected, so what the hell did it matter that Dr. Strong had shown up today of all days?

There had been a few awkward moments between the two men, naturally, since Riley had taken Dr. Richie's position when he'd disappeared nearly a month ago. However, Riley had put the man at ease quickly enough. Richard Strong may have made a mistake or two—or even three—over the course of his career, and stories about him abounded at the clinic. Yet Riley liked to form his own opinions about people. What he swiftly learned this morning was that Richard was charismatic and intelligent and daring. He was a person willing to take a chance in order to make his ideas come to fruition. Risks always came with a multitude of possibilities, good and bad, so Riley decided Richard was entitled to some missteps through the years.

They chatted awhile about the clinic in general. And after assuaging Richard's fears and assuring him that he was indeed needed in the lab, Riley had called Faye and Dr. Graham and asked them to come to his office. Riley knew Faye would need to know of Richard's return, and that the hospital director would appreciate the opportunity to give Richard the official welcome back.

And that was just what Dr. Graham had been doing for the past ten minutes. He buttered up Dr. Richie to the point that Riley feared the man would slide right out of his chair.

“Now that you're back,” David Graham said to Richard, “we can finally get moving with the testing.”

“I'm looking forward to it.” Richard shifted in his seat. “Can you tell me where we're at in the lab?”

David looked at Riley expectantly.

“I've read over the protocol for the experiments,” Riley
told them both. “But I don't have much experience with laboratory research. Dr. Lassen's been keeping an eye on things. She's hired a study director, a chemist and two lab techs.”

Excitement brightened Richard's expression.

“She'll be able to fill you in when she arrives.” Riley glanced toward his office door. “I wonder where she is? I called her—”

“Oh, I caught Faye out in the hall before I came in,” Dr. Graham said. “I sent her for some fresh coffee. I thought Dr. Richie might enjoy some before he gets to work.”

A flash of irritation shot through Riley, and he clenched his jaw in an attempt to keep it in check.

“You want me to start today?” Pleasant surprise perked up Dr. Richie's tone.

“I sure do.” David nodded enthusiastically. “I think all that nasty hoo-ha that happened last month has pretty much died down. Don't you, Dr. Jacobs? In fact, I think after a month or so we might be able to talk about your returning to your original post running things here at the clinic. In fact, maybe a promotion to Chief of Staff might be in order.”

Riley was shocked. And as he sat there listening to Dr. Graham wax on, his hackles rose.

“If work in the lab goes well,” Richard commented, “I was hoping this might springboard into something even bigger.”

Dr. Graham's grin was accompanied by more animated nodding. “I hope you're right. I hope this turns into something big for all of us.”

“If I may make a request?” Richard asked.

“Of course.” Dr. Graham looked expectant.

Richard Strong planted both feet on the floor. “I'd like
to run a seminar. It's something I've been thinking about while I was…away from the clinic. It's called Losing Weight Through Cognition: the ability to combine knowledge with reasoning, awareness and intuition.”

“I love the idea!” Graham barked out. “It'll give the clients a chance to get reacquainted with you. And—”

“Excuse me,” Riley cut in. “I'm sorry to burst your bubble. But I think the staff here at the clinic will have to get together and decide if a new seminar should be offered. The staff know the clients very well. They know the atmosphere. They're much more qualified to project the success of a workshop given by Dr. Strong.”

“I understand.” Richard smoothed his palms together. “And I agree. You talk to the staff, Dr. Jacobs, and let me know.”

“Actually,” Riley decided to insert, “Dr. Lassen is in charge of staff meetings and the seminar schedule. Correct me if I'm wrong, Dr. Strong, but that's the way things were when you were here before, wasn't it?”

Annoyance etched David Graham's face.

Just then Faye Lassen let herself into the office carrying a tray laden with four cups. The smell of coffee immediately permeated the air.

“Hello, everyone,” Faye greeted. “I brought coffee—”

“I've got to be going,” Dr. Graham interrupted. “But I'd appreciate it, Faye, if you'd fill Dr. Richie in on everything that's happening in the lab.”

“Well, I've got a lot on my plate this morning, sir,” Faye said.

“I'm sure you can work things out,” the hospital director insisted.

Ire had Riley blurting, “I'll cover for you, Faye. I'm free most of the morning.”

Dr. Graham was busy pumping Dr. Richie's hand. “Glad to have you back.” Over his shoulder, he said, “Dr. Jacobs, Faye, keep up the good work.” With that Portland General's director breezed out the door.

Anger rolled through Riley. “Excuse me for a moment.”

“No problem,” Richard told him. “Dr. Lassen and I have a lot to talk about.”

Out in the hall, Riley jogged several steps to catch up with David Graham.

The elderly man looked surprised to see him.

“You're not seriously considering reinstating Richard Strong as director of the clinic, are you?”

“Don't worry.” The man didn't slow his steps. “We'll find a nice cushy spot for you—”

“I'm not worried about me,” Riley snapped. “I'm worried about the clinic. That man can't be trusted. He walked out a month ago without looking back, and he didn't bother contacting anyone.”

“He deserves a second chance. You should know something about second chances.”

Riley smoldered.

“Besides, we opened this clinic on Dr. Richie's good reputation.” Dr. Graham shoved open the heavy glass door. Riley pushed open its twin. And they stepped out into the morning sunshine. “We can afford to overlook his small indiscretion. I'm surprised that you can't see what a benefit he could be to the clinic.”

Riley didn't comment right away, only continued to walk toward the hospital. Then he said, “Dr. Strong is obviously on to something.” What, exactly, could be anyone's guess. “It's clear that NoWait does affect people. He should be involved in the testing. But he isn't qualified to run the clinic.”

David Graham stopped short. “What are you saying? Don't tell me that you're looking to stay on because—”

“My post here is temporary,” he said pointedly. “You yourself promised me that when you sent me over here. What I'm saying is that you're overlooking the one person who is qualified and who truly deserves the job.”

He blinked, clearly baffled. “And who would that be?”

“The fact that you honestly don't know really ticks me off.”

“Careful, Dr. Jacobs.”

Riley inhaled deeply, mentally counting to ten in order to calm down. Finally, he said, “For your information, Dr. Lassen is the person you should ask to take over at the clinic.”

“Faye?” he blustered.

“Dr. Lassen has earned her medical degree. She has earned the right to be called doctor. She deserves your respect. You're making a grave error in judgment by refusing to see that. You're also making a grave error in sending her after your lunch and sending her for coffee that you don't even have the decency to drink.”

“Faye doesn't mind.”

“She's not going to allow you to think she minds because of who you are, but I can guarantee you she minds. However, I think you're well aware of that.”

A muscle near Graham's eye twitched, but he remained silent.

Riley continued, “I suspect that Dr. Lassen has been running the clinic from the beginning. I think it's time she's given the title to go along with the work she's already doing.”

“What you need to understand is that Dr. Lassen is married. Soon she'll be having babies and she'll retire to raise her family.”

“That's blatant discrimination! Do you have any idea what an attorney—were she to hire one—could do with a statement like that?”

“I—”

“Besides that,” Riley barreled ahead, “I think you should know that Dr. Lassen's dedication to this clinic has caused her and her husband to separate.”

Graham just glared.

“That woman has given her all to the success of this place. You need to realize that. If anyone ever deserved to be Chief of Staff at that clinic, it's she.”

“I think you've said enough, Jacobs. Faye will never make Chief as long as I'm director of this hospital. She's a woman. And in the future, you'd better watch how you talk to me. I could have your ass in a sling. You know I have the means.” His bushy brows drew together. “We both know what
you
are. A common criminal.”