скачать книгу бесплатно
“Sometimes. Unfortunately, I’m dealing with young guys straight out of high school or college who think they should be making what Kobe makes, because they’re legends in their own minds.”
Shae’s shoulders shook as she laughed heartily.
“That’s enough about me. Is this your first time in Chicago?”
Shae shook her head. “I was here about a month ago for a job interview.”
“Did you get it?”
“Yes.” She grinned proudly.
J.D. asked, “Doing what?”
“Nurse practitioner.”
He tipped his head and his glass in her direction. “Very nice.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you going to work in one of the hospitals?” J.D. inquired.
“No. Actually, there’s a new clinic opening on the south side that I’m heading up.”
Nodding, J.D. folded his arms across his chest. “Good. There are some communities there that really need the help.
“What made you decide to become a nurse?” J.D. shifted the condiments on the table to make more room. The waiter wobbled the couple’s way with a large bowl of antipasto salad and two plates.
Shae glanced covertly in J.D.’s direction. She hoped she hadn’t sounded like a Goody Two-shoes. It wasn’t her plan to destroy the pleasant mood of the evening, but he’d asked her a direct question about a topic that she felt passionate about. “When I was sixteen, my family took a vacation to Africa. It’s a beautiful place, but, it’s riddled with poverty and sickness.”
J.D. nodded.
The waiter put the salad in the center of the table and distributed the plates. Shae took the salad tongs and scooped the lettuce, tomatoes, black olives and meat onto J.D.’s and then onto her own. She placed the tongs inside the bowl and shook out her napkin, spreading it across her lap.
Shae elaborated. “I remember thinking that there had to be something I could do—some way that I should be able to help. When we got home, I decided on a career in nursing. After graduation, I worked for Doctors Without Boundaries. We worked in El Salvador and several Africa countries. And you know what?”
Fork poised above his salad, J.D. said, “What?”
“I’ve never regretted it.” Shae shrugged. “This isn’t about money. So many people have so little and can benefit from my help. I can give back a little—maybe make life easier for people.”
“You will,” the young man answered emphatically.
Turning away shyly, she said, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to pick up the bullhorn and preach to the choir.”
Reaching for her hand, J.D. enclosed it between both of his. He began to stroke his thumb across the soft skin. “There’s nothing wrong with being passionate about your work. It’s important to care.”
Before Shae could add a word, her cell phone rang. “Excuse me,” she murmured, wondering who would be calling her. She checked the number, threw an apologetic glance in his direction and answered, “Hi, Mommie.”
“Shae, you didn’t call.” Mrs. Weitherspoon accused in a worried tone. “I was concerned about you.”
“I’m fine.”
“I left a message at the hotel. I was surprised that you were out.”
Shae rolled the edge of her napkin in her lap under the cover of the table. “I’m out for dinner with a friend. I’ll call you when I get back to the hotel. Okay?”
“Friend? What friend? You just got to town.” There was a note of hysteria in Vivian Weitherspoon’s voice.
“Mommie, I’ll call you later,” she repeated firmly.
“But—”
“Bye, Mommie,” Shae said before disconnecting the call. She shoved the phone into her purse and smiled apologetically at J.D. “Sorry.”
“No problem. Your mother was worried that you hadn’t arrived.”
“Yeah. One of the hazards of being an only child. Parents are continually concerned about you.”
J.D. grinned back at her. “I’m one of five and my mother always calls wanting to know when I’ll be home. Will I be home for Sunday dinner? Or what I’m eating? Am I getting enough rest? Need I go on? I’m twenty-eight years old and I’ve been living on my own for at least ten years. I can take care of myself.”
“I know exactly what you’re talking about. I did a turn as a traveling nurse for two years. I thought my mother was going to worry herself into an early grave. The company sent me on some pretty interesting, uncomfortable assignments. I did fine. I can handle myself. Yet when I talk to my mother, I become five years old again.”
He chuckled sympathetically. “You’re not alone. I think that’s how parents behave.”
J.D. and Shae were so engrossed in their conversation that neither heard the server’s approach. He cleared his throat before placing a metal pedestal on the table while balancing the pizza on a tin tray in his other hand. The waiter arranged the pizza on the pedestal and moved away.
Shae sniffed the air appreciatively. “This looks wonderful.” Slicing into the pizza she reached out for J.D.’s plate. Placing a slice of the deep dish pizza on his plate, Shae handed it back to him before serving herself.
The pair fell into a comfortable conversation. J.D. talked about the city and Shae asked questions about the local sites.
“Mmm,” she moaned, wiping her mouth with her napkin. “That was great.”
“The pizza was exceptional and so was the company,” J.D. complimented.
Shae tipped her head in J.D.’s direction. This evening had turned out much better than she’d hoped. “Ditto.”
J.D. settled the bill and guided Shae out of the restaurant. The sun had set and the downtown area was quiet. They retraced their steps back down Michigan Avenue en route to the hotel.
As they strolled slowly back J.D. directed Shae’s attention to local points of interest. He followed her into the Marriott and across the lobby to the front desk. Shae retrieved her door card and the pair took the elevator to her floor. All the while, Shae prayed that this wouldn’t be the only time she had with him.
J.D. halted outside her door and put his hand on Shae’s shoulder. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had such a great time. I really enjoyed tonight.”
“So did I.” Shae smiled shyly.
His hand slid down her arm and he intertwined their fingers. “Would you like to go out again? Maybe we could see a different part of the city. Get you more comfortable with Chicago before you start your new job.”
She squeezed his hand, then smiled before answering, “That sounds wonderful.”
“How about tomorrow evening? Say around eight?” He took a step closer. Shae’s heart pounded as she felt the heat of his body. His subtle scent wafted under her nose, making her tingle all over with anticipation.
“All right,” Shae said after a moment of hesitation.
J.D. dropped her hand and leaned in, gently nibbled on her bottom lip. His lips were soft and encouraging as they touched Shae’s tentatively. A delighted shiver coursed through her at this slight caress. Wanting more, she moved closer, parting her lips to offer him entry. J.D. framed her face with his hands as his tongue darted inside.
A low moan escaped from her as his tongue met hers. At first the kiss was gentle and soft, exploring. It grew more passionate as she stroked his tongue with her own. His hands trailed along the column of her neck, over her shoulders and wrapped her in his embrace, pulling her against the hard planes of his heated body.
Slowly, they separated. He leaned down a second time and kissed her lips lightly, stroking her cheek tenderly with his fingertips.
Dazed, she gazed up at him.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he promised in a husky whisper.
“Okay. Good night.”
“Good night, Shae,” he said softly, softly kissing her lips a final time before releasing her and heading to the elevators.
Shae stepped inside the suite and shut the door, leaning against the wood surface. She’d never felt anything like this before in her life. Making this change in her life might turn out to be the best decision she’d ever made.
Chapter 5
Although Shae had the credentials and work experience to run a clinic, she felt nervous about starting her new job. First days were tricky. Information overload added additional stress to an already stressful day.
J.D. had been wonderful. He’d offered his services as her personal chauffeur until she bought a car. In return, they had shared an intimate breakfast at one of her hotel’s restaurants.
Now she sat in the passenger seat of J.D.’s Chrysler Crossfire as they pulled away from the hotel. As Shae watched him maneuver the car, she realized what a pleasant start to the day it had been to have him pilot their commute to the clinic.
The scenery swept by unnoticed as her thoughts turned to the day ahead. As she smoothed the imaginary wrinkles from the front of her mauve-colored suit, Shae took control of her fears and focused on the positive aspects to her new home and life.
A warm male hand wrapped around hers possessively. “Don’t worry,” J.D. said in a soft, encouraging tone. “You’ll do fine.” He added a reassuring squeeze with one hand while he navigated through the downtown Michigan Avenue morning traffic with the other. Within minutes they merged onto the freeway.
“I hope you’re right. I’m so nervous that I’m tempted to get on a plane and return to Malibu.” Trembling fingers pushed her hair from her face. “How am I supposed to direct a staff, make decisions on patient care and run the facility? That’s a lot of responsibility.”
He laughed, then stroked his chin with a finger. “Yes, it is. Let me think a minute. Didn’t you tell me that you were part of a Doctors Without Boundaries program in El Salvador and Africa?”
“Yes.”
“And if I remember correctly, you handled everything from mosquito bites to surgery. Correct?”
“Yes.”
“If you can handle those situations then I’m sure you have enough experience to run a small, inner-city clinic.” His fingers caressed the skin of her hand, sending her pulse into a gallop. “Here’s my suggestion. Take a mental step away from your uncertainties and let the day happen. I’m positive things will gel just the way you want them to.”
Taking J.D.’s advice, Shae shut her eyes, inhaled through her nose and exhaled out her mouth. After several minutes she felt calm and a sense of peace settle over her. “Thank you.” She smiled at her driver. J.D. soothed her. He instinctively understood her unease and knew the right thing to say to alleviate her fears.
“It’s part of the Daniels full-service treatment, provided exclusively to you. First days are always difficult. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t feel the pressure.” He took his eyes off the road for a moment to gaze at her. Something special sizzled between them, causing her heart to flutter in her chest. “I know you can rise to the occasion. Make things work. Right?”
“Correct.”
“Good. That’s what I want to hear.”
“I’m nervous,” she admitted, then added, “I want to do the best job I can. What if I’m not ready? Or I don’t know enough to help my patients?”
He turned to her with a frown on his handsome features. “Where is all of this coming from? You know your job and it won’t take long for you to become familiar with the people in the area.”
“I know,” Shae admitted, patting his arm. “I’ve wanted to do this for so long that it doesn’t seem right that everything is falling into place without some major drama. Ignore me, I’ll be fine.”
J.D. gave her an “Are you sure?” glance.
“Honest. Thanks for tolerating me through this little panic attack.”
“No problem.” His voice dropped an octave. “I want to help in any way that you’ll let me.”
Warmed by his gentle but moving declaration, Shae reached over and stroked his cheek. “Thank you. You are wonderful.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
“Yes, sir.” Shae saluted him.
They both laughed.
Shae concentrated on the scenery and recognized several landmarks. As they moved deeper into the city there was a distinct shift in the condition of the buildings and houses. Most of the properties were well maintained, some older, some not. Some needed repair. Within minutes, J.D. pulled in front of a white three-story brick building. “Urban Health Center” was printed above the front door in black letters.
“Your door-to-door limo service has delivered you safely to your destination,” he declared, pushing the transmission gear into Park, but letting the engine run.
She glanced at the round clock on the dashboard. “And in good time, too. I have time to grab an extra cup of coffee.”
“Before I forget, my mother wants you to come to Sunday dinner.”
Butterflies danced in her stomach. “Dinner?” she echoed softly. His mother knew about her?
“Yeah. We do this family dinner thing most Sundays. My brothers and sisters and their families always show up.”
Shae shifted in her bucket seat to face him. “J.D., we’ve only known each other a few days. How does your mother know about me?”
J.D. blushed a delicate shade of red and intently studied the dashboard as his hands tightened around the steering wheel. “I happened to mention you a couple of times while we were talking this week.”
“Did you now?” she asked with a significant lifting of her brows.
He shrugged. “I talk about you because I like you. You are becoming an important part of my life.”
Her heart danced with excitement. What could she say to that? Tell him the truth. “You’re important to me, too.”
Embarrassed, J.D. gazed out the window. “I talked to my mom last night because she was checking to see how my trip worked out. Mom wanted to know if I was coming to dinner. When I hesitated she shifted from mom to sleuth mode and kept digging until I confessed that I was seeing you and didn’t want to leave you alone on the weekend. That’s all it took. Mom insisted that you join us.”
“I don’t know.” Shae nervously twisted a lock of hair around her finger. Was she ready to be introduced to the Daniels family? “We just met. Don’t you think it’s a bit early in our relationship for me to meet your family?”
J.D. grinned broadly at her.
The effect dazzled her and she found it nearly impossible to concentrate. “What?”
