embroiled in office stuff when there’s art to work on.” Luke stood by her chair and reached to help her up.
Her skin tingled where Luke’s hand connected with hers as she rose. And that was just the back of her hand. Imagine what response his touch would elicit on other, more sensitive spots on her body. His nostrils flared and the intensity in his eyes increased, coloring the hazel irises a deep azure. A shiver of delight and anticipation coursed down her spine.
Jac cleared the sudden frog developing in her throat as her thoughts had wandered into the erogenous zone. “I . . . uh, I’ll meet you in the lobby in a few minutes.”
As she exited the room behind FIG and his buddies, she just knew Luke’s gaze was burning a path between where he remained rooted to the spot, and her backside. She fought hard to not add a little extra sway in her hips as she retreated.
Although she couldn’t think why.
Luke paced in the foyer as he waited for Jac to come downstairs. He distracted himself by rereading the email the Director of Nursing had sent overnight. The union contract expired in two weeks’ time, and she’d tacked more conditions on the agreement they’d already settled. They wanted to change the language behind their accrued paid time off schedule and requested an additional four percent wage bump for nurses with over ten consecutive years of service.
Neither request was unreasonable. But the medical center management and the union representative had agreed in principle on the contract. The Center’s financial analysts were already running the numbers.
In all fairness Luke knew they couldn’t afford both changes. Unfortunately, he was absolutely certain the D.O.N. wouldn’t appreciate hearing her proposed changes would be treated as a ‘one or the other’ option. Her displeasure would make his life hell. His gut clenched and burned as he visualized a picket line of nurses marching on the circle drive at the front of the emergency room entrance.
Last night, he’d told Jacqui of his dream of teaching. Funny, because he’d barely admitted it to himself and suddenly, he’d confided in Jac. There was something about her he found fascinating. Her sense of humor topped his list of things about her that caught his attention.
And she was a stunner. Thick, cinnamon colored hair with golden highlights. Molten chocolate eyes. Those eyes were what attracted him first when they’d met at a bar in downtown Medford. Even across the dimly lit space, he saw happiness and intelligence dancing in them.
It wasn’t just her appearance. She was warm and gracious. And the way she’d responded when he kissed her last night, curling into him like a soft, eager kitten. Everywhere she’d touched him last night still tingled with residual electricity.
He powered down his phone, deciding memories of their moonlight kiss was a much better distraction than his email. Overhead, footsteps sounded as someone hurried down the hallway. Jac appeared at the top of the steps just as Luke shoved his phone into his pocket. In spite of the problems plaguing her this morning, joy lit her face as she bounced down the steps. She most definitely was a glass-half-full woman. It was just one of the more desirable attributes she possessed.
He’d check at the hospital and with their medical billing company to see if there were any open positions she’d be qualified for. God, he hoped she’d stay in the area. He kind of already considered her a friend, something he hadn’t had much time for in the past six months.
He returned her grin as she skidded to a stop in front of him. “Ready?”
She saluted him. “Let’s go be a team.”
Together, they walked out the front door. The sun had pleasantly warmed the cool morning air. “I never know what to expect from the fall weather.” He made conversation as they walked to the last golf cart remaining in the lot. “In Florida, September was always hot and humid. We didn’t get much of
Her skin tingled where Luke’s hand connected with hers as she rose. And that was just the back of her hand. Imagine what response his touch would elicit on other, more sensitive spots on her body. His nostrils flared and the intensity in his eyes increased, coloring the hazel irises a deep azure. A shiver of delight and anticipation coursed down her spine.
Jac cleared the sudden frog developing in her throat as her thoughts had wandered into the erogenous zone. “I . . . uh, I’ll meet you in the lobby in a few minutes.”
As she exited the room behind FIG and his buddies, she just knew Luke’s gaze was burning a path between where he remained rooted to the spot, and her backside. She fought hard to not add a little extra sway in her hips as she retreated.
Although she couldn’t think why.
Luke paced in the foyer as he waited for Jac to come downstairs. He distracted himself by rereading the email the Director of Nursing had sent overnight. The union contract expired in two weeks’ time, and she’d tacked more conditions on the agreement they’d already settled. They wanted to change the language behind their accrued paid time off schedule and requested an additional four percent wage bump for nurses with over ten consecutive years of service.
Neither request was unreasonable. But the medical center management and the union representative had agreed in principle on the contract. The Center’s financial analysts were already running the numbers.
In all fairness Luke knew they couldn’t afford both changes. Unfortunately, he was absolutely certain the D.O.N. wouldn’t appreciate hearing her proposed changes would be treated as a ‘one or the other’ option. Her displeasure would make his life hell. His gut clenched and burned as he visualized a picket line of nurses marching on the circle drive at the front of the emergency room entrance.
Last night, he’d told Jacqui of his dream of teaching. Funny, because he’d barely admitted it to himself and suddenly, he’d confided in Jac. There was something about her he found fascinating. Her sense of humor topped his list of things about her that caught his attention.
And she was a stunner. Thick, cinnamon colored hair with golden highlights. Molten chocolate eyes. Those eyes were what attracted him first when they’d met at a bar in downtown Medford. Even across the dimly lit space, he saw happiness and intelligence dancing in them.
It wasn’t just her appearance. She was warm and gracious. And the way she’d responded when he kissed her last night, curling into him like a soft, eager kitten. Everywhere she’d touched him last night still tingled with residual electricity.
He powered down his phone, deciding memories of their moonlight kiss was a much better distraction than his email. Overhead, footsteps sounded as someone hurried down the hallway. Jac appeared at the top of the steps just as Luke shoved his phone into his pocket. In spite of the problems plaguing her this morning, joy lit her face as she bounced down the steps. She most definitely was a glass-half-full woman. It was just one of the more desirable attributes she possessed.
He’d check at the hospital and with their medical billing company to see if there were any open positions she’d be qualified for. God, he hoped she’d stay in the area. He kind of already considered her a friend, something he hadn’t had much time for in the past six months.
He returned her grin as she skidded to a stop in front of him. “Ready?”
She saluted him. “Let’s go be a team.”
Together, they walked out the front door. The sun had pleasantly warmed the cool morning air. “I never know what to expect from the fall weather.” He made conversation as they walked to the last golf cart remaining in the lot. “In Florida, September was always hot and humid. We didn’t get much of
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