Page 282 of Under Her Skin

“I hate to admit it, but I kind of deserve it. I have a ton of changes to make, Kent. And I need your help, as well as Kate’s, to make things right again. What do you say to working for me, instead of driving a truck? It would mean a nice office at the corporate headquarters and a boatload more money than you makenow.”

“Boatload?” he asks as he seems to be contemplating my offer. “How many figures are wetalking?”

“Six or seven, at least. Bonuses when sales increase—the normal things consultants get in the retail business. So, you kind of sound like you’ll consider it,” I say as we turn the corner to walk down anotherhallway.

“If you really mean it about making changes, then yes. I will consider it. It’s time you made some changes, Blaine. You’ve been going down a bad path for too long now. Many people have been hurt. It’s time to fix things. That’s what pops always wanted. He wanted you to do things the rightway.”

“I know. When I would stick around long enough to let him give me an earful, he’d get on the soapbox every damn time. It annoyed me, to be honest. But what I wouldn’t give to have that man back and listen to him even one moretime.”

As we turn to go into Sammy’s room, I notice Delaney’s head turn our way, then snap back to look at her patient. “Visiting hours are over,” shesnaps.

Kate hurries across the room to us. “Time togo.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” I tell Danny, then walk over and put a hundred-dollar bill into his hand. “Take care of them, son. Your little brother needs you right now.” I look at his father and nod. “And so do your parents. I’ll see you tomorrow. I hope to meet your mother. I’ll bring her someflowers.”

“Thanks, Mr. Vanderbilt,” he says as he beams a happy smile. “I sure will do my best. And there better not be anyone who ever says a bad thing about you when I’m around or I’ll give them a reasonfor!”

Delaney makes a huffing sound, and I laugh as I run my hand over Danny’s head, messing up his blonde, shaggy hair. “Thanks, buddy. You’re the best.” Turning around, I find the lovely nurse has turned too, and we’re facing each other, quite by accident. “And it was lovely meeting you, Nurse Richards. I’ll be seeing you around. I plan on helping this family out alot.”

Sarcasm is dripping off every single word as she says, “Isn’t that just the nicest thing I’ve everheard.”

Her gaze is a little on the sinister side.And they call meevil!

Stepping around her, I follow my brother and sister out of the room and hear the soft sounds of her feet behind me. A hand on my arm stops me, and I turn back to look at her with a smile. “Yes, NurseRichards?”

She makes sure to close the door behind her, then her finger starts shaking in my face. “You listen to me, Blaine Vanderbilt. If you think coming to see this kid will get you a date with me, you had better think again. I will not be swayed by your act of kindness. I know all too well who and what you really are. Coming here and plying this family with gifts will not get you what youwant.”

My sister and brother look on with surprised faces as she reads me her riot act. I take her wagging finger and hold it. “I’m not doing this to impress you, Delaney. But how cute that you think I would spend my precious time doing that just to get to you. It makes me think you might have a little internal battle with what you want to do. Perhaps my being around so much might have you seeing the real man I am becoming, and that might just scare you alittle.”

“The only thing that scares me is the fact that you would stoop to making people think you care about them to get a piece of ass!” shesnaps.

“Oh, baby, I’m not after a piece of ass. If I was, I wouldn’t even bother talking to you. You’d be in one of these empty hospital rooms, in the bed, with your feet over your head, screaming my name, if that’s what I wanted. Believe me, I know.” I let her finger go, and she lets it fall to her side as she stares at me. “Now, I will see you tomorrow. I hope you come to work with a better attitude. I overheard some of your co-workers saying you had to work a double shift and you’ve been up all night and won’t get to sleep for another three hours, so I’m cutting you some slack. Now, if you’ll tell me your address, I’ll have your dinner delivered to you so you don’t have to worry about thateither.”

“I don’t want a thing from you, Vanderbilt,” she says but her words have lost their hardedge.

“Suit yourself. I’ll bring you something for breakfast in the morning, then,” I say, then turn toleave.

“Don’t bother,” she calls out afterme.

“It’s not a bother at all, Nurse Richards. Not onebit.”

I like her spunk.I think it might be just what I need in mylife!

Chapter8

DELANEY

The egotistical maniac is walking away from me with his broad shoulders swinging casually as he goes. For some reason, my eyes won’t stop looking at him as he walks away. His blue jeans fit him way too well and show off his muscle-bound legs that are thick as treetrunks.

When he told me if he wanted a piece of ass he would’ve had it, I kind of believed him. A glimmer went through his light-brown eyes that told me as much. His body hardened just slightly, and I could almost smell the testosterone coming off him in waves of undulating pulses that I’m sure have drowned manywomen.

He’s never had a serious girlfriend, based on anything I’ve ever seen in the media. I’ve seen him in pictures when he was dressed to the hilt, looking nothing like he did today, at a few events with gorgeous creatures on his arm. Never was one mentioned as anything except his escort for theevening.

I must admit, he is something to look at. I find myself straining to catch the last glimpse of him before he turns the corner. Then he’s looking at me, and I hurry to look away.Shit!

“See you tomorrow,” I hear him call out, then, when I look up, he’sgone.

“Thank God! Now I´ll go find someone to take my shift tomorrow. It’ll mean I’ll have to work double the next day, but I’ll get switched to another department and not have to meet up with him anymore.” I walk over to the nurses’ station and check theschedule.