Page 21 of Seduction

After dropping Charger and Booker off at the clubhouse, I head home. I need a nap and a shower before work. It’s a good thing I got someone to cover the first couple hours of my shift.

When I walk through the door, I pull out my phone. I haven’t been able to get Ellen off my mind. To see her still hurting after all this time is heartbreaking. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I’m going to help her. I have to.

Dialing her number, I put the phone on speaker, then drop it on my bed and start to undress.

“Hello.”

Her voice is soft, almost humiliated. She has no reason to be. The truth is a part of me wanted to kiss her last night. I’d love to say it’s because I wanted to help her, but it wasn’t. I liked the way she felt in my arms. More importantly, I like the wayIfelt while she was in my arms. But what kind of man would I be if I had given in? What kind of man makes a move on his brother’s old lady? What kind of man takes advantage of a hurt woman? I can’t do that. I won’t.

“Good morning. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“No. Just watching cartoons with Mikey.”

“Good. How are you feeling?” I ask as I climb into bed, picking up the phone.

“Better. You said some things I really needed to hear.”

“Just take it slow. I’m always here when you need a listening ear.”

“Thank you. I think I’m going to give Janet a call. I don’t know if we can be as close as we used to be, but maybe I can bury the hatchet.”

“That’s a good idea.”

We both go quiet, an awkward silence stretching out between us.

“Well,” I start, breaking it. “I gotta go. Talk to you later?”

“Sure. Bye.”

“Bye, beautiful.”

***

“Good morning, Dr. Emerson!”

“Good morning, Ginny,” I greet the receptionist in the packed clinic of St. Johns Hospital as I walk in. “Looks like it’s going to be a busy day.”

“Yes, sir,” she replies as she hands me a clipboard.

“Well, let’s get started, shall we?”

I set up in the office and wait for Ginny to send the first patient in while I review her information. A few minutes later, there’s a tentative knock on the door.

“Come in.”

A young woman walks in, a nervous smile on her face. I give her an encouraging one, motioning to the chair in front of my desk.

“Good morning, Miss Claire. Have a seat.”

“Good morning.” She perches on the edge of the chair, looking around the room.

“First time?”

“Can you tell?” She chuckles.

“Don’t worry. It’s not mine.”

“Good to know.”