The MD's Mistress / The Money Man's Seduction

We sincerely hope you are well and hearty again soon. Meanwhile, a telephone number is also listed, in case you need anything at all. Please, do not hesitate to call if you do.

That was it, other than a second sheet with the directions.

“Well, damn,” Becca muttered, once again read ing the missive.

“There’s a problem?”

Becca was just getting an inkling that Seth was possibly behind this invitation, but his expression, his tone of voice, doused the idea.

“This is incredible,” she answered, frowning down at the sheets of paper in her hand. “I don’t know whether to take it seriously or laugh and tear it up.”

“May I?” He held his hand out for the letter.

She shrugged. “Sure, why not.”

Taking the papers from her, he carefully scanned both sheets before looking at her. “Take it seriously.”

“Why should I?”

“I take it you’ve never heard of the anonymous billionaire?”

“Obviously not,” she said, a tad sharply. “But, also obviously, you have. And what does an anonymous billionaire have do to with this letter?” She arched her brows.

He smiled. Well, almost.

“Yes, I have heard of him, but I’m sure whoever it is, he is your benefactor. No one knows who he is, except of course, those who work for him. The person is considered an eccentric, reclusive, generous older man who, in his later years, is sharing the wealth, so to speak.”

“Well, naturally, I can’t accept this offer.”

“Why not?” It was his turn to frown.

“Why not?” she repeated in surprise. “Because it would be like being rewarded for doing my job.”

“And…?” Again he pulled that aggravating look of superiority.

“And why should I be?”

Seth leveled an impatient look at her. “Rebecca, you have gone above and beyond the duty of other nurses.”

“But…”

He silenced her by simply raising one hand. “I was there, remember? I witnessed your devotion to caring for those people, your genuine affection for them. In the process, you wore yourself out…completely. This generous person is offering you a retreat, a quiet place to rest and rebuild your strength.”

Becca was on the verge of protesting once more, but reality intruded. He was right, of course. She was tired, even after several days in bed. The nurse inside her knew she needed more than a week or so to get back to normal.

Besides, she knew Seth, along with her family, would nag her until she agreed.

She let out a soft sigh of defeat. “Okay, I’ll go to the mountains,” she said, quickly adding, “but only until I feel up to par again.”

“Good girl.” Seth actually smiled. Amazing. “And you missed a third sheet.” He held the paper aloft before handing it to her.

“I did?” Becca frowned, taking the sheet from him. She read the page, then sharply glanced up at him. “This is ridiculous.”

“Why?” He arched one eyebrow at her.

She rattled the paper impatiently. “It says a limo will be waiting for me here at the hospital the day I’m released.”

“Yes, I read it…so?”

Becca let out a loud sigh. “So…so? So, I have to go home, to my apartment.”

“Why?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Why?” she repeated, waving a hand in agitation. “Because I have to pack my things…hell, I need to wash the clothes I brought home with me.”

He smiled.

She stifled an impulse to jump from the bed and slug him a good one. “What’s so amusing?”

“You are.” His smile matured into a grin. “You are very easy to rile. Rebecca, your mother and Rachael can take care of everything.”

“Oh.” It was stupid—no, it was downright asinine—but damned if she didn’t bristle at hearing him say her sister’s name. Stupid maybe but… could he possibly feel an attraction to Rachael? Becca smothered an urge to sigh, or cry. She closed her eyes.

It was blatantly obvious Seth Andrews did not feel any kind of an attraction to her, Becca thought, despite that kiss…to shut her up. Why wouldn’t he feel an attraction to another woman? Being the eldest, Rachael was beautiful, bright, single and closer to his age. Becca suspected Seth was at least ten years her senior. And, while the difference didn’t bother her, it might bother him.

“Hello?” His voice was soft, curious. “Have you fallen asleep on me?”

I wish. Becca shook her head.

His smile vanished, replaced by a look of concern. “Are you feeling all right?”

“I’m a little tired,” she said, determined not to admit exactly how tired she felt.

Suddenly he was at the side of her bed, his fingers on the pulse in her wrist, his glance directed to the blood pressure and heart rate monitor to one side.

“I’m okay,” she insisted, wanting nothing more than for him to stop touching her. No, what she really wanted was to be swept into his arms for another scorching kiss.

Ain’t gonna happen, Becca told herself, except in her dreams.

“Well, your vitals are normal,” Seth admitted, gazing down at her in concern. “Do you see now why I insisted you accept that billionaire’s offer?” Before she could respond, he added, “The mountains are ideal for resting and recovering. No distractions, fresh air and a housekeeper to take care of you.”

“I suppose,” Becca said, blinking against the tears misting her eyes. While she knew he was concerned for her as a doctor, she couldn’t help feeling he would be happy to see her go.

Her eyelids were losing the blinking battle, so she closed them to staunch the flow. “I think I’d like to take a nap now.”

“I think you should.”

He didn’t move for long seconds. Becca felt sure the gathering tears were about to escape and embarrass her. Finally, she heard the soft swish as he turned and headed to the doorway. “I’ll be in later to check on you.”

“Umm,” she murmured, as if she were half-asleep.

Three days later, Becca was showered, dressed and in a wheelchair, waiting for a nurse to wheel her to the exit where the limo would be waiting for her.

She was tired, from the shower and dressing, she told herself. And though she felt a bit depressed, she told herself it had nothing to do with not having seen Seth in three days.

Becca firmed her lips into a flat, determined line. She would not allow herself to go into a blue funk over an arrogant, overbearing…absolutely wonderful man. Uhh, scratch the last adjective.

As if summoned by her thoughts, the man haunting her dreams strolled into her room.

“Ready to go, I see,” Seth said, coming to a halt mere inches from her chair.

“Waiting for someone to wheel me down,” Becca said, somehow managing to sound cheery…when all she really wanted to do was weep, and tell him she didn’t want to go.

“It may be a few minutes. I understand the staff is very busy.” He simply stood there, looking at her, so close, yet so far away.

For a minute.

Becca stopped thinking, breathing, when he leaned forward over her. He placed his hands on the armrests of the wheelchair, to lean closer.

“Wha…wha…” she muttered, unable to force the full word from her suddenly parched throat.

“You will let the housekeeper take care of you,” he said, so close now his breath whispered over her lips, causing havoc in every cell she possessed.

Beyond speech, Becca nodded.

“Good.” He smiled; she smelled mint on his breath, and yearned to taste it. “I’ll miss you in the O.R.”

Becca deflated like a pierced balloon. Of course, hadn’t he at one time admitted she was the best O.R. nurse he had ever worked with?

She shut her eyes in private misery, and wasn’t aware of him closing the inches between them. The touch of his lips on hers startled her and set her pulse pounding.

Seth’s kiss was soft, gentle, undemanding and heart-wrenchingly sweet. Within a moment, before she could even think to respond, he moved away.

Becca lowered her head and her lashes.

With the tip of his finger, he tilted her face up to meet his steady gaze. His amber eyes had darkened to a shade of brown she had not seen before.

“Get well,” he said. “Take care of yourself, little girl.”

Girl? Little girl!

A wave of anger crashed over Becca, washing away her misery along with her caution and good sense.

“Little girl,” she protested, her voice elevated. “I’m not a little girl, Doctor. I’m a woman.”

“Tell me about it.”

As he finished speaking, a nurse breezed into the room, distracting Becca from wondering about the odd note in his quiet voice, the flash of emotion in his now dark eyes.

“Hi, I’m Jen, sorry to keep you waiting,” the young woman said, bending to flip the locks from the chair’s wheels. “It’s been a busy day.” Smiling, she moved to the back of the chair. “Ready to go? Your chariot awaits outside.”

Seth stepped back as Jen rolled the chair to the doorway. “Doctor,” she said politely, smiling as she moved past him and started down the corridor.

“Come back healthy, Rebecca. I need you…in the O.R.”

Seth’s quiet voice floated down the corridor after her.

Clutching the chair arms, she fought against the sting in her eyes. She had known all along he wasn’t interested in her in any personal way. She was a good O.R. nurse.

No! she thought, lifting her head and angling her jaw. She was a terrific O.R. nurse. And when she was completely back up to speed, she silently vowed, she would not torture herself by returning to work for him.

Maybe.

When Jen rolled the chair outside the electric doors, Becca couldn’t get out of the chair and into the impressive black stretch limo fast enough. She did not look back.

Seth stood rigid behind the large, heavy plate-glass door. A strange sensation invaded his stomach—emptiness? He shrugged the thought aside.

He didn’t have time to worry about a stubborn woman. He didn’t really need her in the O.R.; there were plenty of good—no, excellent—nurses waiting, hoping to take her place.

Yet he didn’t move away from the door. He stood there, watching until after she had disappeared inside the limo. Hell, he was missing her already and the car hadn’t yet pulled away from the building.

Becca. A pang in his chest startled him.

Dammit, she never so much as glanced back.

* * *

In a word, the limousine was plush. There was a small cooler holding snacks, and a bar with an ice-filled bucket chilling a bottle of champagne.

Curious, and hungry, as the lunch carts had just started to be pushed along the hospital corridor as she was being wheeled out, Becca investigated the bounty. Caviar, she marveled, the outrageously expensive stuff.

Expensive but gross, she thought, making a face. Thankfully there were several different kinds of cheeses and crackers and a bunch of plump black grapes. Yum, that was more like it.

Popping the cork on the bottle, she poured the golden, bubbly liquid into a real crystal flute and made a meal of the cheese, crackers, fruit and champagne…three glasses of champagne.

After sealing what was left of the champagne with the foil cap and packing away the remains of the food, Becca made herself comfortable by curling up on the butter-soft seat and promptly fell asleep.

Becca didn’t know where she was; the setting was lush but unfamiliar. She was in a freshwater pool, serenely floating naked in the cool water.

It was a peaceful, quiet place, a secret bower with heavy foliage and masses of bright-hued flowers on the banks surrounding the pool. And there was a waterfall, a gentle flow cascading into the sparkling water.

Lovely. She was alone but unafraid, somehow knowing this was where she belonged.

There came a splash, not loud, but as if a fish had leapt with joy in the pool. Small ripples blurred the water, drawing closer to her.

The next instant he was there, his lean bare body gliding along hers.

“Seth.” Her eyes closing, she breathed his name, as if she had known he would be there.

“Yes.” His lips were close to her ear. “Have you been waiting long?”

“Forever,” she murmured against his jaw.

“I’m here now…for you.” A slight turn of his head and his mouth took hers. A gentle, tender kiss, for a moment.

Becca curled her wet arms around his neck, and arched her body into his, murmuring low in her throat when he deepened the kiss, taking complete command of her mouth with his lips and tongue.

Without thought, she lifted her legs and coiled them around his hips, feeling the strength of his need, and loving the feel of it.

“You want me,” he whispered against her lips.

“Yes…” she sighed, arching higher into him. “Yes, please.”

“Then I’m yours.” He moved into position between her legs. She felt him there, and…

“Ms. Jameson.”

The soft, unfamiliar voice broke the spell. Becca opened her eyes, and nearly cried out in protest.

She was lying on the seat of the unmoving limo. She raised her eyes to see the driver, his expression both concerned and compassionate.

“We’re here, at the cabin.” He smiled. “Sorry to have to wake you. You were sleeping pretty soundly.”

“Yes,” she said, blinking herself fully awake and aware.

“I—” she began, only to have him interrupt.

“You obviously needed the rest,” he said, getting out of the car to open the door for her.

She needed something, Becca thought wryly, and right that minute rest didn’t come close.

“Well, there you are,” a voice called out, startling Becca. “And just in time for supper, too.”

Becca looked up at the woman standing on the wide porch running along the entire front of the…cabin? Ha! This place was the last thing Becca would call a cabin. The word resort jumped into her mind.

“Come on in, honey, and get acquainted. I’m Sue Ann, but folks just call me Sue.”

“Hi, Sue,” Becca said, stepping out of the car and mounting the four steps to the porch. She held out her hand. “I’m Rebecca.” She smiled. “But folks just call me Becca.”

Sue returned the smile, and turned to the driver, who stood patiently waiting at the base of the steps, his hands full of Becca’s luggage.

“I’m Dan,” he offered. “Sorry I can’t shake your hand, ma’am.”

“My name’s Sue,” she said, laughing. “And you two come right on inside.”

Becca liked the woman at once. In her mid-fifties, Becca judged, nice, down-to-earth, the solid type.

“I’ll show you to the room I’ve prepared for you,” she said, striding to a hallway and motioning Becca and Dan to follow. “’Course, if it don’t suit, you have your choice of any of the four others.”

“Only five bedrooms?” Becca said, laughing. “What kind of cheap dump have I been subjected to?”

Dan chuckled.

Sue laughed along with Becca. “Yeah, shame, ain’t it?” She swung open a door. “You’ll just have to rough it for a while, I suppose.”

Becca caught her breath as she stepped into the room. It was simply gorgeous, luxurious, downright, flat-out decadent. A room fit for royalty.

“Sheesh,” Becca whispered in awe.

“Think you might be able to make do?” Sue asked, in mock concern.

Becca nodded. “Yeah, for a while, at least.”

Laughing, Sue headed from the room. “Just drop the bags, Dan. I’ll take care of them later.” She glanced at Becca. “Why don’t you freshen up, then come out to the kitchen, before supper dries up. You, too, Dan.”

Dan thanked her, but demurred. “I’d better to be on my way, ma’am.”

“You not going to drive all the way back tonight, are you?” Becca said.

He shook his head. “No, just an hour or two. All the arrangements have been made for me. Matter of fact, I think I’ll be going, while it’s still light.”

Impulsively, Becca hugged him as she thanked him. Within minutes the limo was smoothly moving away from the house.

“Well, then,” Sue said. “Let’s you and I get to know each other over supper.”

Four

The first week at the so-called cabin went well for Becca. Sue appeared determined to spoil her rotten. Surprisingly, independent as she always had been, Becca reveled in the pampering. Sue insisted she rest, so Becca rested. Sue insisted she eat, so Becca ate…and very well, too.

On her first full day there, Becca unpacked, delighted to see Rachael had stowed her laptop and several novels in her cases, along with plenty of clothing. After putting everything neatly away, she had lunch and then a nap. Later, she explored the house, and was not surprised to find that every room was as beautifully decorated as her bedroom, if not as luxuriously. Obviously, she figured her room was the master suite.

Two days later, she felt quite at home, and was already fond of Sue. But then, she thought, who wouldn’t be? Sue zipped about like a teenager. And she was one terrific companion, not to mention a great cook. Becca was certain she would be a lot heavier when she left the cabin than when she arrived.

Once she’d gotten comfortable at the cabin, she began exploring the outdoors, starting with the long porch. From the position of the house halfway up a foothill, Becca could see a town nestled in a narrow valley below. Curious, she brought up the subject of the town over supper.

Sue was happy to give Becca a short history of the town, named Forest Hills, for obvious reasons. There were a lot of forested hills, not to mention mountains completely surrounding it.

“That town dates back to the eighteen eighties,” Sue began. “It started up when veins of coal were discovered.”

Sue paused, and Becca inserted, “I didn’t see anything while on the porch that looked like a mine.”

“That’s ’cause you can’t see it from here,” she said. “It’s located in a fold of the mountains nine or so miles from here.” She smiled, sipped her tea and said, “I was born in this town. My ancestors settled here before it was a town. They were farmers, heading west, this little valley looked good to them. So they stayed, settled. We’ve been here ever since.”

Becca took the opportunity to ask another question when Sue took another sip of tea.

“You’ve lived here all your life?”

“Lord, no,” she replied with a quick head shake. “I shook the dust of this place off my shoes right after I graduated high school. I went to the city to college to become a nurse.”

“Really?” Becca smiled. “That had to take courage. I mean, growing up in a small town, then going off alone to a big city.” She hesitated, but asked outright, “Did you make it—the nursing, I mean?”

Sue gave a proud smile. “Sure I made it, even got my bachelor’s degree in science.”

“Good for you. That’s wonderful.” Becca returned a small shy smile. “I did, too.”

“Oh, honey, I know,” Sue said, giving her a thumbs-up. “I know all about your work in Africa, too. I hear you almost worked yourself right into the ground.”

Sighing, Becca shook her head. “No such thing.”

Sue pulled a skeptical expression. “That isn’t the way I heard it.”

“Overplayed by the media.” Becca shrugged.

So it was all well and good—for the first week. There was one little problem with Becca: she continued to dream about Seth every night, erotic fantasies that made her blush come morning. Night after night, in each dream, she was alone and naked, always in a beautiful but different setting than the first. In every dream, he was suddenly there.

They would not talk. His naked, slim, muscular body was impressive in full arousal. Becca would open her arms to him at once, and he would lie next to her, holding her, his hands caressing her, his mouth tormenting her. In desperation, she would tug at his hair, his shoulders, urging him closer, closer. He’d murmur without speaking, and move sensuously between her thighs. His tongue would thrust deep into her mouth, drawing a moan of need from her throat into his. His mouth and tongue owning hers, he’d move and…

Becca would awaken, her breathing ragged, her body moist all over, longing, longing. Frustration became her constant companion.

She wanted…she wanted…Seth—all of him.

Toward the middle of the second week she confided to Sue some of her restlessness. She wasn’t about to describe her dreams. She was embarrassed even thinking about them. Not that she wanted them to end. Oh, no. Since she knew the dreams were all she would probably ever have of him, she cherished each and every one…but her frustration grew. It had been a long time—back to her college days, in fact—since she had been intimate with a man. The experience had not been earth-shattering.

“I’m getting antsy sitting around here,” she said, between bites of a delicious stew. She was almost amused by the understatement.

“No kidding,” Sue said, rolling her eyes. “I’d have never known, if not for seeing you prowling back and forth like a caged animal.” She grinned.

Becca grinned back. “Can I help with your work, if only a little?”

“Absolutely not,” Sue said resolutely. “I’m getting paid for taking care of this place and you, and paid very nicely, thank you.”

Becca’s shoulders drooped. “Oh, well, I might as well pack up and leave. I’ll go flaky with nothing to do. I’m getting cabin fever already.”

“Weeelll,” Sue began, pausing as she got up to pour coffee for both of them. “Maybe I can help you find something light to do.”

“The dusting?” Becca asked eagerly, accepting the steaming cup.

Sue shook her head. “No, I told you, this place is my job for now. But…”

“But?” Becca prompted.

“I have another job, part-time, and I was thinking you might be able to help there.”

“Where?” Becca asked, and immediately added, “Doing what and with whom?”

“Nursing.” Sue paused for a reaction. She got it as the word left her lips.

“Nursing, where?”

“At the small clinic in town.”

“I didn’t know there was a clinic in town.” Becca was anxious to hear more. “Tell me about it.”

“First let me give you a thumbnail background.” She slid her soup plate aside and cradled her coffee cup in her palms. “The clinic is run by Dr. John Carter. He was raised here—I’ve know him most of my life. John was ahead of me in school. Like me, he left after graduating high school to attend college, followed by med school.”

She took a tentative sip of her drink before going on. “Unlike me, he came back here to set up a practice. He’s been serving the community ever since.”

“And you work for him?”

Sue nodded. “On a part-time basis.”

Becca frowned. “But you said something about a clinic. Where does that come in?”

Sue laughed at her eager tone. “There were times, accidents and such, when John’s small office was overcrowded with hurt or sick people. There were a few times with mine accidents when it was chaos. You see, the nearest hospital is over a half an hour away.”

“But that means…” Becca began, appalled.

“Yes,” Sue nodded. “Some men died in transit.” She drew a breath and took a swallow of coffee. “So, ten or so years ago, the mine owner paid to have an addition attached to John’s building, which he owns and lives in, in the apartment above. I must admit, the owner, Carl Dengler, didn’t skimp. The clinic is well-equipped, not state-of-the-art, but good. John does X-rays and blood work. Everything except surgery. It has saved more than a few lives.”

“Oh, my gosh!” Becca said. “That’s right up my alley.”

Sue smiled. “That’s what I thought.”

“When can I go to meet Dr. Carter?”

“How ’bout tomorrow morning?”

“Yes!” Becca punched the air. “Please.”

Two days later, Becca was back to doing the work she loved. No, it wasn’t the precision work of being next to Seth in the O.R., but it was satisfying nonetheless. Best of all, it kept her mind engaged and busy, as well as her hands. The edge was taken off her frustration.

Becca liked Dr. Carter at once. Nearing sixty, he was still in excellent physical shape, and still handsome. She could just imagine how attractive he must have been to the female population when he was young.