Page 17 of What the Doctor Ordered

K iley

“I’m on my way to get you, sweetheart. Be ready this time or I’ll take my displeasure out on your bottom.”

My face burned as I read the text message, and I quickly grabbed my purse and slipped on my shoes before racing out of my room.

Lily was doing yoga beneath the large window in our living room. She eased out of the complicated pose she was in so she could grin at me. “Where’s the hot doctor taking you this time?” she asked mischievously.

I grinned back at her. “Just dinner,” I said.

Lily rolled her eyes. “That’s what you said last time, and he ended up taking you to a cafe that is almost impossible to get reservations for,” she pointed out.

I let my smile fall slightly as I grabbed my keys. “I’m really just trying to keep my hopes from raging out of control,” I admitted. “We’re seeing each other more now but things are complicated. Neither of us were looking for a relationship going into this. I’m just don’t want to get hurt.”

Lily’s expression softened. “I get that,” she said gently. “But sometimes you need to take risks to get the things you want.”

I sighed but then raised an eyebrow at her. “What made you all wise all of a sudden?”

Lily threw her head back and laughed before shooing me away. “My bad,” she said. “Get out there and go enjoy some sausage, without any expectations. You deserve to just let loose and have a little fun.”

I gave her a little wave. “That’s more like it,” I said with a teasing grin before slipping out the front door.

I waited until I was outside the complex and on the street before I let my smile slip completely.

I should just be enjoying this time with Simon and, while seeing him made me excited, it also made me dread when this would all be over even more.

He claimed that he was attracted to me, and we were having sex pretty much every time we saw each other. He invited me over often since I admitted having feelings for him.

It had made me hopeful at first, but nothing happened outside of his social obligations we attended just to prove our supposed engagement, sex, and the occasional real date.

I tried talking to him multiple times, trying to gauge where he stood, but each time I tried, it felt like he was trying to withdraw. I was so terrified of driving him away that I just let it happen.

Tonight was going to be different though. I was determined to really know how he felt about me.

I was scared that it was all just about sex for him, but I don’t think I would have kept this up if I really felt like that was the case.

When we were together, there was a tenderness behind Simon’s eyes that I felt all the way to my core.

It came and went throughout our time together, though, and I was determined to draw it out and keep it there this time.

I wanted him to see me, and I needed to know that he actually cared about me, not just the fake fiancée act that would win him his inheritance from his father.

Lily was right. If I wanted Simon, I was going to have to fight for him.

I couldn’t be afraid of getting hurt all the time, especially because I knew for a fact that this man was worth it.

My heart stuttered and then came to a complete halt when Simon’s sleek black Lexus came into view. I forced a smile onto my face and waved as he pulled up.

As usual, Simon parked the car and then stepped out so that he could properly greet me. He did so with his signature bright grin that I was quickly becoming far too comfortable with. He drew me into his arms, and I took advantage and buried my face in his chest, inhaling his masculine scent.

“Good girl,” he crooned, and I could hear the smirk in his voice. His hand drifted lower so he could pat my bottom through my skirt. “I thought I was going to have to punish this bottom before we went to dinner. That would have made sitting down quite difficult for you.”

I felt my cheeks flush at his words and his actions. It might have been the nerves, but I felt inclined to give a bit of attitude. “You say that like I would let you.”

Simon stiffened and then pulled away, his face was calm but his eyes were filled with thunderclouds. “I’m sorry,” he said in a low voice. “I don’t believe I heard you correctly. Could you repeat that please?”

It took everything I had not to shift nervously in his hold. My instincts were warning me to backtrack, to retreat and take back my words. I didn’t listen though. I wanted to push him, to make him really see and hear me. The real me.

“I think you heard me correctly,” I said, tilting my chin up defiantly. “I was saying that even if you wanted to punish me, I wouldn’t allow you to.”

Simon’s face was eerily calm, all except for his eyes that had darkened considerably so that the lighter flecks were hardly visible at all. I repressed a shiver, but I had to stand by this choice. It could mean the difference between keeping Simon and losing him.

Simon hummed thoughtfully, his hands tightening on my hips. “You must be starving and not thinking clearly if you’re talking to me like that. Low blood sugar, perhaps,” he intoned. “Well, I suppose we should feed you then. Come along.”

I tried not to let my disappointment show when he opened the passenger side door for me, a calm mask replacing the fire in his eyes. We were quiet in the car. I pressed my lips together, thinking about my next move.

The restaurant he chose was just another reminder that in the short time we had known each other, he had paid attention and already knew me well. He remembered that I loved seafood and took me to a beautiful place that specialized in it.

As we were led inside and to our table, I found that he even reserved a spot in front of a large fish tank so that I could look at all the sea life.

“I thought this would be a little odd,” he said once we were seated. He gestured to the tank with a good-natured smirk. “It seems rather morbid to be eating seafood in front of all of these aquatic eyes.”

I giggled at his joke, marveling at how the previously stern doctor could laugh so easily. He was insanely hot when he was being strict with me, but I loved it when he was carefree as well. It made me feel as if he was truly comfortable with me.

The dinner was absolutely lovely. For once though, I couldn’t really pay much attention to the wildlife.

I adored animals, and sitting beside this extravagant tank would have been a dream come true for me if I wasn’t currently overly infatuated with the handsome and attentive doctor sitting across from me.

“How are things at the hospital?” I asked, realizing that it was something we didn’t discuss often. I wasn’t sure why that was exactly. Maybe it seemed like a taboo topic since he was currently fighting to get custody of his father’s company.

“They’re going well,” he said. His expression became thoughtful. “We are in something of a calmer season, which is odd for this particular hospital.”

I pursed my lips. “Why do you suppose that is?” I wondered aloud.

He shrugged. “I don’t believe there is any particular reason,” he said. “I think it really is just a coincidence. The stars are aligning so that our patients are just not needing as much.”

“That sounds like a miracle in the medical field,” I quipped good-naturedly.

“It definitely is,” Simon said. He hummed thoughtfully. “Sometimes coincidences occur for the better.”

My heart rate increased exponentially. It felt like too good of an opener for me not to say anything. I swallowed thickly, trying to gather my courage. “Do you feel the same way about meeting me?”

The silence that stretched between us after that was borderline suffocating.

I forced myself to keep eye contact with Simon, trying to read his facial cues.

His careful mask that I’ve seen him use while on business calls was set in place.

Even his eyes, which were his most expressive feature, were devoid of emotion.

He seemed to be choosing his next words carefully. “Yes, actually,” he said. “I definitely do believe that coincidence brought us together, a serendipity of timing. I definitely wouldn’t be this close to securing my father’s company if it wasn’t for you.”

“No,” I said firmly, cutting off whatever he was going to say next. “That’s not at all what I mean.”

I thought he sucked in a sharp breath, but when I met his gaze again, he still looked as calm as he always did.

“What are you trying to say then, Kiley?” he asked in a serious tone of voice.

I was practically wringing my hands in my skirt now. He hardly ever called me by my name nowadays. It was normally “sweetheart” or “brat” when I was being cheeky. Somehow, hearing my name on his lips was more painful than anything else.

“I think that coincidence brought us together too, and I hope you think it was for the better,” I said, choosing my words carefully as well. I cursed inwardly. It was as if we were playing some kind of cruel game. And I was dangerously close to losing.

Simon’s expression could be described as wary now. I tried to ignore the fear stabbing at my chest and continued. “I think that we are together now for much more than just your father’s company,” I said, hoping my voice sounded stronger than I felt. “I told you before that I have feelings for you.”

“Yes, I know that,” Simon responded, almost sounding frustrated. “You know that I am attracted to you, Kiley. I was certain that was well established.”

I grappled for anything else to say but my mind went blank as hurt started to seep through me. “It was,” I replied, stonily.

Simon nodded curtly. “Good,” he said. He gestured at my half-finished plate. “Now, please finish your food.”

I swallowed, not at all liking how this conversation played out. “But-”

“Now, Kiley,” Simon said sternly. “Unless you want to be bent over in the middle of this restaurant.”

I most definitely didn’t want that and the look on Simon’s face suggested that he most definitely wasn’t bluffing.

I felt so empty when Simon dropped me off back at my apartment right after dinner, claiming that he had an early shift in the morning and was tired.

As soon as his car disappeared around the corner, I got into my own car and just started driving.

I didn’t really know where I was going but being at home didn’t seem at all appealing right now.

In the end, I found myself wandering around downtown. I thought getting dessert or something would cheer me up, but I was feeling nauseous. I pulled my phone out of my bag and called Lily.

She picked up halfway through the first ring. “Kiley?” She asked, concern coloring her voice. “What’s up? You okay?”

I was about to say yes but my heart felt too heavy to lie, and I told her all about the evening.

“That bastard,” I heard her mutter once I was done. “Kiley, this is nothing. If anything, it just proves that he really does like you.”

She sounded so sure of that, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel hopeful. “How can you believe that?” I asked, hearing the doubt in my own voice.

“It’s obvious!” She exclaimed. “He just has commitment issues it sounds like. I feel like a lot of guys do. Just keep trying. You’ll wear him down eventually!”

I winced, thankful that she wasn’t in front of me so she couldn’t see my face. “Yeah, you’re probably right,” I said. “Thanks, Lily.”

“Aww I’m always here for you, Kiley,” she said. “Now come home! I think we’re long overdue for a movie night.”

I did smile at that. “Okay, I’ll be home soon.”

I hung up and turned around, starting down the road toward my car. It was going to be devastating if Simon and I didn’t work out, but I just couldn’t think that way while things were up in the air.

“Excuse me.”

I looked up at the voice and came face to face with a handsome man with dark hair and eyes. He was staring at me curiously.

I blinked at him. “Yes…?” I replied with heavy uncertainty.

The guy blinked back and shook his head hard. “Sorry,” he said. “This might sound strange but are you Kiley Hart by chance?”

My jaw dropped and I stumbled back in surprise.