Perfect Stranger (Novella) Read online

  “Did you use hospital supplies to do it?” he asked.

  She straightened her shoulders. “No, I did not. I paid for those supplies with my own money, and how dare you suggest otherwise.”

  “Did it not occur to you that you could treat paying patients with your time?”

  A steady pain began to throb in her temple. “Then sick children would go untreated.”

  “Their parents could take them to their pediatrician and pay there.”

  Those same parents sent their kids to the youth center so they could work, even on the weekends, not that her father would understand. “I don’t have to account to you for my time off.” She turned to the nurse behind her, who was blatantly eavesdropping. “Can you please make sure you mark down all the medication changes I made so my patients get their correct doses?” She patted the charts she’d finished with.

  “Yes, Dr. Collins.” The other woman picked up the folders and walked away.

  Alexa turned back to her father. “Now, as I was saying—”

  “If you have enough time to treat gratis, perhaps I should give you more hours in the ER.”

  She clenched her jaw and breathed in deep, deciding to ignore his bluster and call him on his complete lack of emotion when it came to the important things in Alexa’s life. “Did you happen to hear who I spent the night before last treating?”

  Her father blinked. “I haven’t checked the roster of patients.”

  “What about town news? Did you hear that Cara was attacked?”

  “Cara?”

  “Hartley. My best friend,” she reminded him.

  Since Alexa was from the wealthier side of town and Serendipity kids tended to run in cliques, Alexa hadn’t grown up hanging in the same circles as Cara, and she was a few years older. But when she’d returned to Serendipity after med school, she and Cara had become reacquainted and grew close. Not that her father paid attention to his daughter’s friends.

  “An abusive asshole almost strangled her behind Joe’s. I spent all night treating and worrying about her, and all you can talk to me about is that I treated sick children, as if there’s something wrong with that?” Alexa asked, her voice rising.

  “Alexa, darlin’, glad I found you,” a familiar voice said.

  Luke.

  She glanced away from her father only to realize Luke must have come over while they were arguing and she hadn’t noticed. She’d been too busy making a spectacle, something that Luke, from the pissed-off look in his eyes, had obviously noticed.

  “Am I interrupting something?” he asked.

  “Who are you?” her father eyed Luke warily.

  Alexa swallowed over the answer that came to mind. Dad, meet the hot guy I picked up at Joe’s, took home for wild sex, then left sleeping in my bed this morning. She had no doubt what Alan Collins would think about the way his daughter had chosen to spend her day off yesterday. Or the night that followed.

  He wouldn’t appreciate her choice any more than she’d figured Luke would appreciate the note she’d left him, one she’d deliberately kept brusque enough that he wouldn’t think she was a clingy female. She’d tossed in a little white lie about having an emergency so she’d have an excuse for slipping out and avoiding the awkward morning after. Her plan seemed sound, since she hadn’t expected to see Luke again. Even if she’d thought about running into him, it wouldn’t have been here in the hospital, and definitely not so soon after the best, most explosive night of her life.

  “Luke Thompson,” he said, extending his hand toward her father.

  “Dr. Alan Collins.” The two men shook hands. “Which still doesn’t answer my question. Who are you and what do you want from my daughter?”

  Alexa groaned. She was almost thirty-one years old and her father was acting like he had a right to ask. Jesus. “Dad, Luke’s a…he’s a friend.” She caught his sizzling gaze and was happy he accepted that description and kept his mouth shut. “And we’re going to talk. In private.”

  “You have patients to see,” her father said, inserting himself into the conversation.

  “No, I have lunch to eat.”

  “Great! Because I came to take you out. I have a picnic basket in the car,” Luke said, having no problem interrupting and disagreeing with the other man.

  “It’s chilly outside!” Alexa whipped her head toward him and looked, really seeing him for the first time. He wore a cream sweater that made his tanned skin even more appealing, and his golden eyes sparkled as if he had some plan in mind.

  “My daughter’s right. And she doesn’t go out for lunch, she eats in the cafeteria so she can be around if she’s needed.”

  Luke scowled at her father. “I know it’s cold, darlin’. I’m freezing down to my Texas bones. But if I’ve learned anything in the last twenty-four hours, it’s that you need to loosen up and have fun. So we’re getting out of here and having a picnic lunch somewhere private. Then you can come back and work.”

  Her father stared at Luke as if the man had lost his mind.

  Alexa was sure she’d have been doing the same thing—if she wasn’t so tempted by both his offer and the man himself. He hadn’t been put off by her note. He’d sought her out. Planned something special. And then there was the little fact that the vein in her father’s head began throbbing—the one that pulsed harder when she did something he didn’t agree with.

  The devil on her shoulder wanted to stick it to Alan and do something that Alexa wanted for a change. But more important, the woman inside her that Luke had awakened last night wasn’t going quietly back to sleep.

  She glanced at Luke, hoping to convey both her gratitude and the desire he’d reignited in one quick look. “Let me get my coat,” she said.

  His grin—and the fire in his eyes—assured her he definitely shared her underlying desire.

  “Alexa, we aren’t finished with this conversation,” her father said.

  She straightened her shoulders. “I’m sure you’re not, Dad. But I am. At least for now.” But one thing she knew for sure: the argument and his pressure would be waiting for her when she returned.

  * * *

  Now Luke knew what Alexa was up against when it came to her father and her career. The man was a bastard, and though she stood up to him, it was no wonder she had no time for a social life or any kind of fun. Which made his mission all the more worthwhile. Sawyer thought Luke was insane but he’d recommended a place where he could take Alexa for privacy. He agreed that The Family Restaurant was the best place for him to pick up sandwiches and chips. Luke had a plan. He was in town for a couple of days, and he intended to make good use of them with Alexa.

  He drove her out to the lake at the far edge of Serendipity. He parked the car and led her to the cabin on the lake that Sawyer’s father owned. The Rhodes men used the place for summer fishing but Sawyer assured him all he had to do was turn on the heat and the boiler would kick in.

  Alexa had been silent on the drive and he had no doubt she was angsting over leaving work, the argument with her father, and now being alone with him. He hopped out and headed to her side in time to help her out of the high truck.

  “Thank you.” She glanced over her shoulder at the rustic cabin behind them. “Whose place is this?”

  “Sawyer and his dad’s.” Luke clasped her hand and led her toward the door. “Let’s get inside, I’ll turn the heat up and go back out for the food.”

  “You really thought this through,” she murmured as he toyed with the thermostat and, thankfully, the loud rumbling noise indicated they were in business.

  “You left me with plenty of time to do it,” he said, referring to the time after she’d abandoned him in bed.

  “I had an emergency,” she said, rubbing her hands together, but not meeting his gaze.

  “Did that emergency involve getting the hell out before you had to face me?” He wanted to clear the air before the lie went any further. Luke was a light sleeper, and if her phone, beeper, cell, or whatever had gone off,
he’d have heard it. If she was scheduled to be at work, she’d have just said that. She hadn’t. Besides, Luke had used deception often enough in similar situations to recognize it.

  He wanted to think they were different than any old one-night stand, and right here, right now, he intended to find out if he was right.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Luke called her on her deception and Alexa reared back in shock. No man had ever questioned her motives or truthfulness before, not in a relationship and not on the job. In fact, she was so used to people respecting her word—well, everyone except her father, and because he respected nobody’s word, he didn’t count—she couldn’t believe this man had seen through her and called her on the lie.

  It humbled her.

  It embarrassed her.

  She forced herself to face him. “You may be a pro at one-night stands, but I’m not. I thought it would be easier on both of us if I just left.”

  He blinked, obviously startled that she’d opted for the truth without trying to bluster through.

  She taught her interns that if they made a mistake, it was better to own up to it and face the consequences. She could do no less in her personal life.

  His eyes darkened. “I may have been a pro at it once, but it’s been a long time since I pulled a stunt like that.”

  It was her turn to blink. “Really?”

  He grinned. “Yep. You’re not the end of a long line, darlin’. Not by a long shot.”

  “At least not lately.”

  He laughed. “Exactly.”

  She wondered why not and decided not to ask. “Yet despite my leaving, you came after me.” She bit down on her lower lip, pondering that fact.

  He’d done a lot more than just come to talk, too, she thought, taking in the bags filled with food on the counter and the cabin he’d appropriated the keys for.

  “You’re an eye-opener,” he said, answering her unspoken question. “I’ve been on the doing end, never on the receiving end of waking up alone, and I didn’t like what I learned.”

  She winced. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m a man who likes to learn a good lesson. And if I thought you left ’cuz you weren’t interested, I wouldn’t be here now.”

  She couldn’t stop the smile his words inspired. “So you think I’m interested.”

  A dimple formed in one cheek. “Don’t think it. I know it.”

  “Cocky.” She liked the hint of ego in him and figured it fit his sports persona. Oddly, the display of conceit made him even more appealing.

  Not that she’d let him know it so easily.

  She folded her arms across her chest, and narrowed her gaze. “Whatever gave you the impression that I’m still interested?” she asked.

  “I could either count the orgasms you had or point out the pink flush in your cheeks when I showed up to ask you out today. Your choice.”

  She just couldn’t bring herself to be offended and burst out laughing instead. “Okay fine. You win. So what’s in the bags?” She swept her arm out toward the packages he’d brought in from the car.

  “Don’t change the subject. I want to hear you say it.” He stepped forward and she inched away, the dance continuing until her back hit the wall.

  “Say what?” she managed, this despite the fact that he loomed over her, a large, imposing, sexy male who smelled as good as he looked. At his nearness, her breath hitched and memories of him surrounding her in other ways rushed through her.

  “I need to hear you say you’re still tempted. By me,” he said, his mouth hovering over hers.

  She caught the hint of mint on his breath and sighed into him. He had her and he knew it. “I’m tempted,” she murmured.

  A pleased gleam flickered in his gaze at the admission, but he still didn’t move, studying her instead of kissing her senseless like she wanted. Needed. Craved.

  “I only have an hour or so for lunch,” she reminded him.

  He muttered a soft curse and sealed his lips over hers. He swirled his tongue with hers in a way that had her body heating, which was saying something since her jacket already had her roasting. And she kissed him back for all she was worth, wrapping her arms around his neck and getting lost in the moment.

  Until he broke their connection with a harsh groan.

  “What? Why?” she asked, disappointed and bereft.

  “Because you only have an hour or so and you need to eat.” He stepped back, shrugged off his jacket, and began to unpack the bags. “Is there any chance I can convince you to play hooky this afternoon?”

  She looked into his hopeful gaze, and for the first time in her adult life, the thought of doing something other than work was actually tempting. “I wish I could, but I have a meeting with the parents of one of my younger patients.” Disappointment filled her and she wished her afternoon consisted of something cancelable.

  “But you considered it.” He stared at her for a beat, his expression…pleased. Then he turned and began to unpack food, pulling out plastic-wrapped sandwiches on plastic plates, complete with chips. Real silverware came next, followed by two large thermoses.

  “What’s in those?” she asked.

  “Hot chocolate.”

  “Oh, yum, my favorite!”

  “I know.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “How?”

  “I made friends with Gina Donovan, pumped her for your favorite orders and asked her to pack everything up for me.” He shrugged and began to peel the wrapping off the food.

  She ought to help, but remained frozen in place, stunned by the lengths to which he’d gone to make this picnic, as he’d called it, special. For her.

  No one had ever considered her favorite foods, or gone out of his way to make her feel important. She hadn’t had her mom to do it. She barely remembered her mother, and her father’s mother, who’d moved in to help him out, had about as much of a soft streak as he did. Forget the men in her life; even the ones she’d dated on occasion knew she didn’t have time or wasn’t giving them one hundred percent, and so they didn’t bother with an attempt to win her heart anyway.

  In an insanely short time, Luke Thompson had made her feel cared for and treasured. And she didn’t know what to do with that.

  “Luke?” She softly called his name.

  He turned from his task. “What’s up?”

  She swallowed over the lump in her throat, the words escaping before she could think them through or stop them. “I can’t play hooky this afternoon, but can I have a rain check for tomorrow?”

  * * *

  When Alexa asked him for a rain check, elation had soared through Luke as strong as after any touchdown he’d scored. He knew how difficult it must have been for her to convince herself that she could take time off from work. That she’d do it to be with him, well, it blew his mind.

  “You’ve got yourself a date,” he’d promised her.

  Afterward, they’d enjoyed their lunch at the cabin, cleaned up, and made out a little bit. He grinned at the memory of them sitting on the old, beat-up couch, kissing and groping. He’d ended up aroused to the point of pain. She’d ended up grumpy and annoyed, but he’d left her hanging, too, reminding her that good things come to those who wait.

  Then he’d driven her back to the hospital, walked her to the big sliding doors at the entrance, kissed her in front of he didn’t care who, and sent her back inside with a goofy grin on her face. Not that he’d told her that. He figured Dr. Alexa Collins wouldn’t appreciate knowing she’d returned to work well kissed.

  Laughing, he’d driven back to Sawyer’s and helped his buddy, who’d rented a Dumpster to get rid of the garbage his father had accumulated. That night, he and Sawyer had shared a couple of beers and watched a movie, and now, the next morning, Luke was implementing the next phase of teaching Alexa how to have fun.

  “Where are we going?” she asked as he helped her into his truck.

  He glanced at her, discovering yet another facet to her personality. She looked like a happy
young woman, not a sexy siren, an uptight doctor, or even the tense daughter he’d seen yesterday. Today she had on a pair of jeans with boots over them and a light sweater, her long hair pulled into a ponytail. She was, in a word, breathtaking.

  “It’s a surprise,” he said, controlling his emotions.

  She clapped her hands together in excitement, and again he experienced a wave of passion so strong it nearly drowned him. He’d given her that rosy flush in her cheeks from just these plans alone.

  “Another picnic?” she asked.

  “Among other things,” he said, deliberately vague and teasing. It wouldn’t do to reveal his intentions. Part of having fun involved spontaneity, something else he sensed she hadn’t had much of in her well-organized, routine life.

  “How about a hint?” She curled her legs under her and turned toward him as he pulled out of her driveway.

  He laughed. “How about not?”

  Her phone rang and she pulled it out of her pocket, glanced down, and hit send. The next ten minutes consisted of her talking to someone at the hospital about medications and various patients.

  He clenched his jaw and tried not to let his annoyance get the better of him. He respected her job. Hell, who wouldn’t? But they’d planned for this. He didn’t have a huge temper but he was finding he was impatient when it came to anyone or anything cutting into his limited time with Alexa. He had to head home tomorrow for his niece’s birthday party on Saturday. He had only this limited time with a woman he wanted way more from—he knew it already.

  Most people would call him crazy. Most, but not his mother, who’d met his father and called it love at first sight. He’d romanced her, she’d fallen hard, they married quickly and stayed together happily. Besides, it wasn’t like he was a child. His sisters were younger than him and they were all married with kids. He’d been through dating and living enough to know Alexa was the one he wanted to test some serious waters with.

  How they would do that, with her living in New York and him in Texas, he had no idea. But for now, every minute counted.