The Rebel Surgeon's Proposal (11 page)

Now he had returned and working with him, spending time with him, had brought back all the old feelings, not as some innocent teenager with her first crush but as a woman for a man. He was mature, potently masculine, still as kind, but dangerously exciting. And he tempted her more than any man had ever done. Not that she’d had much experience. Her liaisons had been very few and very unsatisfactory. No way was she telling Luke she’d never found sex pleasurable. But if there
was
something wrong with her—the Ice Maiden—how come she responded to Luke?

Her flesh burned from his touch as he trailed one fingertip across the scooped neckline of her top, dipping down to teasingly whisper across the upper swell of her breasts, jolting her from her reverie. ‘W-what are you doing?’

‘Mmm?’ The sexy drawl, lazy and husky, threatened to liquefy her bones. Thick lashes lifted slowly and lanquid green eyes looked into hers. ‘I have a thing about your freckles.’

‘My freckles are horrid,’ she protested breathlessly, startled by his appreciation of what had been the bane of her life. She feared she lost all will and common sense when he was so close to her.

‘No, they’re not. I love them. I want to find and count and kiss each one.’

A tremor shuddered through her at the very thought of Luke’s sinful mouth and wicked hands travelling all over her body. How could she feel as she did when he looked at her or touched her when no other man had ever roused any kind of response in her? She shouldn’t let Luke take things further. But how could she resist the charge of sexual energy between them? No matter what he said, she feared all would be lost if they made love. What if she couldn’t handle a relationship?

She couldn’t understand how she could feel so safe and comfortable with Luke and yet so nervous and uncertain at the same time. He was the person she felt closest to and yet a part of her deep inside felt threatened by him because she knew she could all too easily come to care too deeply for him, to depend on him, to lose herself in him. And she couldn’t afford to do that. The lessons were deeply ingrained to remain alone, to not need anyone, to retain control. The temptation to need Luke was so strong it frightened her.

Yet however stupid it sounded, hadn’t some secret part of her always felt Luke was her destiny, that they had always been meant to be together? She thought of Kate, of her encouragement to take a leap of faith and jump into the unknown and allow Luke to catch her. Could she do it? Could she afford
not
to do it?

‘You think too much, Chessie.’

Luke’s warm palms cupped her face and all thought vanished as his lips brushed hers, teasing, tormenting. An invol
untary whimper escaped, her mouth opening under his in a blatant invitation he accepted at once, deepening the kiss, driving her crazy with his taste, his heat, with the promise of all that could follow. He was addictive. She couldn’t get close enough. But nothing she did helped to ease the terrible burning ache of need inside her, an ache that was unfamiliar and urgent.

Luke’s hands grazed down her body, leaving a trail of fire in their wake, but that was nothing compared to the explosion of flaming need as he inched up her skirt until his fingers had free access to the bare skin of her thighs. She moaned into his mouth, her hands clutching his shoulders as she tried to steady herself, her knees too weak to hold her up, the explosion of sensations overwhelming her.

As his lips left hers, she drew in a ragged breath, intoxicated by the musky masculine scent of him. He nibbled around the line of her jaw while his exploring fingers rose higher and higher up her legs, teasing and caressing, tightening the needy ache inside her until she thought she would explode. Her whole body quivered in response as he sucked on her earlobe, his words husky and outrageous and unbearably arousing.

‘I want you, Chessie. I want to kiss you all over, to taste you and explore every part of you. I want to watch you come apart as I make love to you,’ he told her in a rough whisper, making love to her now with his words, his voice. ‘I want to watch you as you take me deep inside you and feel you wrap around me, as we share our pleasure.’

Somehow she froze and melted at the same time, feeling her breasts tighten and the throb between her legs intensify. How could he, with a few deft touches and a few naughty words, make her feel things she had never experienced be
fore? ‘Luke,’ she moaned, confused and surprised, pressing her thighs together to make it stop.

‘That won’t make it go away,’ he tormented. As if he knew exactly what he was doing to her and how she was feeling, he moved one hand to massage low over the ache, driving her crazy with impatience. ‘Open for me.’ The whispered words were impossible to ignore and she bit her lip to hold back her sob as her thighs shamelessly parted of their own volition. ‘Let me do this for you, Chessie. Let me give you pleasure and show you how magical it’s going to be.’

His mouth was hot on her throat, his tongue learning the hollow, pressing over the spot where her pulse raced out of control, his teeth nipping her skin as his hand slid inside her panties. This time she couldn’t halt the sob that was torn from her as his fingers began a devastating invasion, stroking, teasing, driving her to madness. She cried out, one hand closing on his wrist, not sure if she was trying to stop him or encourage him to go on for ever. It felt scary to be out of control. But the steady rise of pleasure was wonderful. His clever fingers incited, teased, inflamed, explored. Two eased inside her. A moan ripped from her as he found the sweetest of spots, and ruthlessly exploited it, stroking a rhythmic tempo that sent her into a frenzy.

‘Is it good, Chessie?’ he whispered hotly.

‘Yes, yes! Oh, please, Luke…’ She sagged against him, her hips moving to his touch. Sensations she had never known overwhelmed her, and she sobbed again as the pad of his thumb circled her clitoris, driving her to the point of no return, making her desperate for release. ‘Luke! Please!’

His throaty chuckle was sexy against her ear as he sucked on her lobe. ‘Do you like that?’

She couldn’t speak, could do nothing but feel. Her head fell back, her body boneless, crying out again as she gave
herself up to the strongest, most amazing experience she’d ever had…and the first mind-numbing orgasm of her life.

Aftershocks rippled through her, catching her unawares. When, finally, she was able to drag heavy-lidded eyes open, she saw the wicked smile curving Luke’s sexy mouth. She was all too aware of him supporting her, and of his hand lingering, gentling her down to earth again before he adjusted her clothes back into place. Embarrassed colour tinged her cheeks as she recalled her wild abandonment and she tried to hide her face from him, burying it in his chest, breathing in his scent.

‘Don’t,’ he admonished softly. ‘It was beautiful, Chessie.
You’re
beautiful. And I want to give you even more pleasure. Just think how good it’s going to be for us when we really make love.’ Her pulse skyrocketed as her thoughts disobeyed her and did just that. ‘Give me next weekend, Chessie,’ he continued, his hands cradling her face. ‘Come to my house. Stay with me. Let me show you how special it will be for us.’ He pressed a finger to her lips to still her anxious protest. She found herself silenced as much by the vulnerability in his eyes as by his touch. ‘Don’t say anything now. We’re on day shift from tomorrow until Friday, and then we’re off for the weekend before starting nights on Monday. Spend that time with me before you dismiss us being together. Please.’

He kissed her once more with exquisite gentleness and heartfelt emotion before he stepped back. She looked deep into his eyes, seeing the passion, the need, the desire, the turmoil of uncertainty about her answer. And then he was gone.

As the front door closed behind him, Francesca leaned weakly against the kitchen counter, her whole body trembling and limp. Yes, she was more than attracted to Luke. But she didn’t want sex to spoil their friendship. Luke believed
they could have it all. But would it work? She wouldn’t know unless she tried. But what if, in doing so, she lost the one person she truly felt close to and could be herself with?

Francesca felt weighed down with uncertainty.

Could she take the risk?

She had five days to decide whether to say yes or no.

‘C
OME
on in, Victoria, and take a seat,’ Luke invited as his penultimate patient of Friday afternoon’s fracture clinic came into the treatment room.

The notation system used on the front of files made for easy reference for any clinician accessing the case and the information told Luke that the nineteen-year-old had broken her collar-bone a week ago in a fall from her mountain bike. There had been some displacement but not enough to cause concern. However, she had been referred back today for a check-up and a further X-ray to ensure that there had been no further movement and that the bone was stable and beginning to heal.

‘How have things been? Are you having any pain?’ he asked as Victoria sat down, observing how careful the slim blonde was of her left arm, which was supported in a sling.

‘It’s still very sore at night, which makes it hard to sleep. I can’t get comfortable,’ the girl admitted with a grimace, dark circles under her blue eyes. ‘During the day, if I keep it still it’s OK but any movement is tender. Thankfully Francesca was very gentle when she took the X-ray just now and it didn’t hurt too much.’

‘That’s good.’

Just hearing Francesca’s name was enough to stir Luke’s
blood and cause his mind to wander, not helped when the intercom buzzed and her melodious, softly accented voice informed him that Victoria’s images were ready.

‘Would you like me to bring them in?’ she asked.

‘Please, Francesca.’

It wasn’t necessary as he could view the digital pictures on the computer screen, but he had come to value Francesca’s opinion, impressed with the way she spotted things other people missed. Besides, it was one more excuse to see her and be close to her for a few moments.

As always around the hospital, he was careful to keep things professional when Francesca arrived and together they viewed the details of the fracture and kept their patient updated on her progress. Luke carried out a short examination of the shoulder and movement, apologetic when the young woman winced.

‘These can be very difficult injuries to treat, Victoria,’ Luke explained to the girl as he sat down again and faced her. ‘It’s an awkward position and, unlike an arm or a leg, we can’t put it in a cast. Your latest X-rays show that the ends of the bone have not moved, there is no displacement and no operation or pinning is necessary.’

‘I see.’

Hearing the young woman’s disappointment, he gave her a sympathetic smile. ‘I know it isn’t easy but it’s healing well and I’m afraid the only thing we can do is wait it out. It can take a while to mend. Keep the sling on for at least another two weeks to keep your shoulder supported. But it’s also important to maintain movement in your hand, wrist and elbow. We can arrange some physiotherapy exercises for you and you can gradually build up strength as the tenderness eases,’ he finished, knowing some patients became frustrated when the healing seemed slow.

‘Shall I keep on taking the pills I was given?’ the young woman queried, handing him the pack with the remaining blister strips enclosed.

‘I think you should stop them if they’re not helping you. Are you taking medication for anything else?’ Victoria shook her head and Luke paused a moment, considering. The tenderness should be easing but clearly sleep was a problem and he decided to change Victoria’s prescription, keying an instruction into the computer. ‘I’ve written you up for something different that should help make you more comfortable at night.’

Victoria’s relief was evident. ‘Thank you. I must admit the continual ache has been getting me down.’

‘I’m not surprised. Let’s hope the change in medication will help ease that. We’ll make an appointment for you to come back in a fortnight and we’ll review things again then. In the meantime, contact us or your GP if you have any worries or queries.’

‘Thank you, Mr Devlin. And you, Francesca,’ she added, rising to her feet and taking the new prescription Luke handed her as it emerged from the printer. ‘You’ve both been really kind.’

As Francesca accompanied the young woman out, Luke was left alone for a few moments with his jumbled thoughts. Chief amongst them remained the fear that even after the erotic moments they had shared in Francesca’s kitchen on Sunday night, she would still turn him down. He hadn’t meant things to go as far as they had but he hadn’t been able to stop when she had responded to him so openly and with such sensual enthusiasm. It hadn’t mattered that his body had ached and his own needs had remained unfulfilled…all important had been ensuring Francesca’s total enjoyment and abandoned pleasure. The unrestrained evidence of her desire and her uninhibited climax had been reward enough. For now. Just
thinking about her, seeing her, hearing her voice or remembering how she had responded to his touch was enough to make him hot and hard. He’d never taken so many cold showers as he had this last couple of weeks.

Francesca’s reactions and her shocked delight at her release had confirmed what he had already suspected…that despite her chin-up defensive words that she was not a virgin, sexually fulfilling experiences were uncommon for her. It gave him a rush of possessive gratification that no one else had made love to her properly—or ever would if he had his way.
He
wanted to be the one to show Francesca everything, to indulge her happiness, to introduce her to real pleasure and to be the one to give her total satisfaction.

He hadn’t been a monk for ten years. He’d had needs like anyone else, but he’d met them rarely, and only with women who had wanted nothing more from their brief associations than he had. There had only ever been one woman with whom he wanted a meaningful relationship, to whom he intended to commit himself heart and body and soul—and that was Francesca. If she would let him. And therein lay the crux of his anxiety and uncertainty.

As the clinic nurse popped her head round the door to announce that Francesca was with Mr Mitchell, their final patient of the day, Luke thanked her and forced himself to focus back on work. After writing up Victoria’s notes, he turned his attention to reviewing Hector Mitchell’s file. A frown creased his brow as he read the seventy-two-year-old’s long and complicated history, knowing he could trust Francesca to be taking the necessary series of X-rays and scans he would need to assess the man’s current condition after he had fallen at home.

A while later the door opened again and when he glanced up this time, it was Francesca herself who came back into the
room. ‘Hi,’ he greeted her, unable to help his voice dropping to a husky tone as it always seemed to when he was with her.

‘Hi.’

Long dusky lashes shaded her grey eyes and hid her expression as she closed the door and moved into the room, but her smile, though fleeting, warmed him, making it hard to hold on to the patience he had fought so hard to maintain all week.

A long, long week during which he had been determined to act in the same way as always and to show Francesca how much her friendship mattered to him—which meant not pressuring her or doing anything to influence her as she made her decision about this weekend. But waiting was killing him. If she said no, what was he going to do? Giving up was not an option, not with so much at stake.

Most people would think he was crazy, being so fixated on Francesca when they’d not seen each other in ten years, yet he could not explain how he knew deep inside…had
always
known…that the connection between them, born so young and in such difficult circumstances, was special and right and lifelong. He cared little what other people thought. What mattered was Francesca and her feelings. He wasn’t arrogant enough to think it would be easy, or to take her for granted, which was why he was so nervous.

If he hadn’t considered just how deeply Francesca’s fears of losing control might run before he returned to Strathlochan, he certainly understood now. He’d taken a big risk. He needed her as much as he needed his next breath. Somehow he had to convince her to give them a chance. She was a loner. So was he. But together they worked…were stronger, better in every way. He had pinned everything on doing all he could to prove that to her, to calm her fears and to have Francesca share his dream of the future—a future that saw them together, bonded in every way, as friends
and
as lovers.

If he couldn’t…

Doubts gnawed away inside him. Not least among them what Francesca would say when she saw his house. A house he had bought as an investment, or so he told the outside world, but the purchase had been made with his heart and not his head, clinging to an old remembered dream and a hope for a future that might never be fulfilled. Now that dream—the fantasy of sharing his woodland cottage with Francesca and a few children—might not be so far-fetched. But he had an uphill battle ahead, breaking through her defences and combating her lifetime of conditioning. She seemed to think that friendship and a relationship were incompatible, that if they made love, the friendship would end. She couldn’t be more wrong. But how to convince her of that? And how, if she
did
say yes to this weekend, could he bear if it she walked away afterwards and wanted nothing more from him?

Before he could find any answers to those questions, they had to discuss Mr Mitchell. As he had not seen the man before, he asked Francesca’s views, immediately noting her tension, the annoyance and edginess she was trying to hide.

‘What’s wrong, Chessie?’

She shook her head, her gaze down, her fingers toying with the case file. ‘As he’s the last patient of the day, I thought you might see Mr Mitchell in the other room. He’s uncomfortable and I didn’t think it fair to make him move again to come in here.’

‘That’s fine,’ Luke agreed, knowing she was stalling and hiding something. ‘Tell me what’s bothering you. Is it Mr Mitchell?’

His half plea, half instruction brought a sigh from her. ‘In a roundabout way. I’ve just had a run-in with wretched Olivia,’ she finally admitted.

‘How delightful,’ he responded sardonically. He’d scarcely
been at the hospital a day before Olivia had literally hunted him down and come on to him, as Francesca had predicted, but he had set her straight in no uncertain terms about his lack of interest in her personally and about what he thought of her treatment of his mother. The trauma nurse had wisely given him a wide berth since. ‘What’s she done now?’

Luke…’

As Francesca bit her lip, her reticence and discomfort alerted him to this being something he wouldn’t like. ‘What happened?’

‘It’s nothing.’

‘It must be something or you wouldn’t be upset,’ he pointed out, knowing Francesca was not one to overreact.

‘After Victoria left, I went to call Mr Mitchell and discovered Olivia talking to him and his wife,’ she explained, anger making her grey eyes steely. ‘Olivia has no business being near the clinic. Anyway, she scuttled off when she saw me. I asked Mr and Mrs Mitchell if everything was all right and…’

As Francesca paused again, Luke leaned forward, folding his arms on the desk. ‘And? Tell me,’ he encouraged.

‘It seems that Olivia was trying to sow seeds of doubt in the Mitchells’ minds.’

‘About what?’ he persisted.

‘About you.’ He noted how Francesca hands clenched into fists, although her voice was carefully controlled. ‘Olivia had made comments about your family—apparently one of your brothers once burgled their home years ago.’

Banking the fury that flared inside him, Luke rose to his feet, unable to rid his body of the tension that gripped him and the bitter resentment of how the past he couldn’t change refused to release him from its hold.

‘Well, it’s true I’m a Devlin—or a Devil’n as people liked to play with the name. They all thought we’d been spawned by Satan himself.’

‘Don’t, Luke,’ Francesca protested, closing the gap between them and laying her hand on his arm, making him feel as if a zing of electricity had coursed through him at her touch. ‘You know that’s not true. Only a handful are small-minded enough to believe that, and Olivia has her own agenda for causing trouble.’

Francesca’s anger at Olivia was evident as she chided him, ever loyal and staunch in her support of him, just as she had been when they’d been youngsters. ‘I presume the Mitchells want to see another surgeon. I can call someone else to take the case.’

‘Of course not.’

Francesca’s reply shocked him. ‘They don’t?’

‘No.’ There was a feisty expression in her eyes. ‘Nina Mitchell might look like a frail bird in stature, but she’s strong in temperament, just like her husband. Neither of them were prepared to pay Olivia any heed—especially when they were made aware of your qualifications.’

‘You said something to them.’

It was obvious by the slight flush that pinkened freckle-dusted, ivory cheeks that Francesca had spoken up for him…again. ‘I just explained your skill as an orthopaedic surgeon and pointed out that you couldn’t be held responsible for the actions of someone else, related or not, that happened years ago. Mr Mitchell is happy to see you—if you don’t mind coming to the other room. I left the nurse with them and she’s making Mrs Mitchell a cup of tea.’

Luke wanted to kiss her. Not because she had smoothed things over with the Mitchells, or because she was angry on his behalf, but because she believed in him without question. As Francesca turned for the door, he caught her hand.

‘Just a minute. What about Olivia?’

‘You should report her—I know the Mitchells are going
to—and goodness knows what she’s saying to other people. It isn’t right!’ she exclaimed, bristling with indignation.

Luke had every intention of taking care of Nurse Barr’s loose tongue but that wasn’t the primary concern on his mind at the moment. ‘I meant between you. You said you’d had a run-in with her,’ he reminded her, intrigued by the way her flush deepened and she looked swiftly away from him…but not before he caught the guilty embarrassment in her eyes.

‘I just advised her not to make any more wild accusations or tell lies to patients,’ she admitted after a moment’s pause, but he could tell from her edginess there was more to the story.