Holding Out for Doctor Perfect

“If I wanted to visit, I’m perfectly capable of doing that on my own. Combining objectives is better time management. My schedule is complicated and it can be a challenge to work in a vacation. Surgery can’t always be put on hold. Emergencies happen. You get my point.”

“I do,” she agreed. “But, I have a budget meeting with the regional VP and you’re seeing family. As I said, we won’t be joined at the hip. So, still no air to clear.”

There was no animosity in her expression, just a matter-of-fact resignation. Usually women wanted to cross his path. They went out of their way to stand smack in the center of his path so there was no way on earth he could possibly miss them.

Not this woman.

He couldn’t swear that there wasn’t just a little ego involved in his curiosity to figure out how she rolled, what was going on with her. Why she wasn’t interested.

“Why do you dislike me?”

“I don’t.” Her eyes didn’t quite meet his.

“I’m the first to admit that sometimes my determination can be off-putting—”

“Really? That’s the best description you’ve got?” She smiled, but it was brittle around the edges.

“Okay. My standards are high. I can be a real pain.”

“You’ll get no argument from me.”

“I’m told determination is a good quality.”

“Unless you’re going after something you can’t have,” she said.

He had a feeling they were no longer talking about surgical technology.

“So, you don’t like me.”

“Let’s just say you remind me of someone.”

“And you don’t like him?”

“No, I don’t.” That signature O’Neill frown darkened her eyes again. “Now, if that’s it, I’m going to join the celebration on the patio.”

That wasn’t all, but he didn’t stop her from leaving. Spencer knew he was paying the price for whatever the jerk she didn’t like had done to put the twist in her panties. He would be happy to untwist and remove said panties, but it was going to take some effort.

He was nothing if not a high achiever, and determination was his middle name. However long it took, he was going to show her that he was a nice doctor who more than met her criteria for having sex.

Chapter Two

Bright and early Monday morning, Avery walked into her office at Mercy Medical Center where her assistant was waiting. Chloe Castillo was a brown-eyed, curly-haired brunette in her mid-twenties. She was pretty, smart, funny and, right now, quivering with anticipation.

“I want to hear all about the wedding,” she said. “Don’t leave anything out.”

“Good morning to you, too.”

“Yeah, yeah. Blah, blah.” She followed from the outer reception area into Avery’s office and rested a hip on the desk.

“The weather was absolutely perfect. There were just enough clouds to put pink, purple and gold in the sky.”

“You just love torturing me, don’t you?” Chloe sighed. “I guess my questions need to be more specific. How did Ryleigh look?”

“If she weren’t my best friend, I could really dislike that woman. She couldn’t look bad after mud wrestling a pig. But a pregnant bride? In a word? Awesome.” Avery smiled at the memory. “She was completely stunning in a simple, strapless, satin floor-length gown. I thought Nick was going to swallow his tongue when he first saw her. And Spencer said—”

Now she’d done it. Opened a can of worms. The last thing she wanted to talk about was him, but she knew that gleam in Chloe’s dark eyes. Fat chance her assistant had missed the slip, let alone allow her to slam that particular door shut. Although in a very committed relationship, she had a notorious crush on the hospital’s exceptional heart surgeon.

“What did Doctor Hottie say?” she prompted. “Spill it, girl.”

Avery sighed. “He said he’d never seen Ryleigh look more beautiful.”

“And?”

“How do you know there’s an ‘and’?”

“I can tell by the way your mouth is all pinchy and tight.” Chloe folded her arms over an impressive bosom. “Your body language couldn’t be more closed if you were wearing a straightjacket.”

The downside of this woman’s intelligence and friendship was that she didn’t miss anything and wasn’t afraid to ask about what you’d left out. Avery met her gaze. “He told her that all brides should be pregnant.”

“Oh. My. God.” Chloe’s expression was rapturous as she made each individual word a complete sentence. “Silver tongue devil. How sweet is that?”

Avery couldn’t agree more, but didn’t allow the envy she felt for her friend to get in the way of wanting more than anything for her to be happy. Spencer’s lovely words had crossed her mind more than once during Ryleigh and Nick’s reception. Avery had been pregnant once and thought she was going to be a bride, but Fate stepped in and said, not so fast.

“Ryleigh ate it up,” she said to her assistant.

“Of course she did. What woman overflowing with estrogen wouldn’t?”

Avery resisted the urge to raise her hand. Spencer Stone definitely had a way with words, but talk was cheap. Actions spoke louder and nothing he’d done had changed her mind about him being a scalpel-wielding, stethoscope-wearing Lothario.

“So …” She looked at her assistant. “Nick and Ryleigh are married again. Now we have work—”

Chloe held up a hand. “That pathetically small amount of information didn’t even begin to take the edge off my curiosity.”

That’s what Avery was afraid of. It was too much to hope she’d get off that easily. Chloe wasn’t the only one fascinated with him. Most of the female population at Mercy Medical Center acted like twits when the heartthrob heart doctor sashayed down the hall. Avery was the only exception as far as she knew, but maybe she was the only one who’d been so profoundly and personally burned in the past by someone she’d trusted.

Someone just like Spencer.

“What else do you want to know?” Her assistant wouldn’t give up until all the pertinent facts were out there. It was best to know what facts she considered pertinent and keep the rest to herself.

“Tell me about your dress.”

She smiled, cutting through her tension. “It’s gorgeous. Lavender with the most feminine skirt that swirled like silk heaven when I walked. The sleeves and bodice are sheer and—”

“What?” Chloe said eagerly.

“Nothing. Just that I found a pair of four-inch heels that matched perfectly.”

There was no point in sharing that Spencer had looked her up and down as if he liked what he saw. His gaze had lingered for a while on her chest and there was a shade of curiosity in his expression as he’d studied her. At that moment she’d been dying to know what was going through his mind, then reality reasserted itself and she let the question go. The saying that curiosity killed the cat was a saying for a reason.

“Tell me what the doc was wearing.”

“Nick had on a dark suit and—”

“Not that doc. He’s spoken for.” Chloe rolled her eyes. “The other doc.”

“Also a dark suit. Crisp cream-colored dress shirt and matching satin tie.”

Chloe fluttered her hand in front of her chest. “Be still my heart.”

No kidding. Avery had seen him in scrubs, jeans and slacks with sports shirt. The wedding was the first time she’d ever seen him in a suit and tie. It was memorable, and that was an understatement. If he wasn’t so good at what he did, a career in modeling wasn’t out of the question. That was a sentiment Avery would take to her grave and now it was time to change the subject.

“Pretty is as pretty does,” she said.

“I don’t even know what that means.”

“Just that it’s not smart to judge a book by its cover.”

One of Chloe’s dark eyebrows lifted questioningly. “You’re just full of clichés today. That man is fine and friendly.”

“Does your boyfriend know you have a crush on Dr. Stone?”

“Admiring a good-looking man is not cheating. My heart belongs to Sean, but I’m not blind.”

“So he doesn’t know your secret?”

“No. And speaking of secrets, I want to know how Dr. Stone somehow manages to stay friends with all of his exes.”

“You think that’s an admirable quality?”

“Yes. You don’t?” Chloe shook her head. “Why do you dislike him, Avery?”

“Think about what you just said. All his exes being the key phrase. Doesn’t the sheer quantity of women give you any pause at all?”

“Not when a man is that charming,” Chloe said. “You could take lessons from him.”

Spencer had implied as much when he’d asked why she disliked him. That wasn’t a detail she chose to share—or the fact that he’d wanted to clear the air between them. What was that about? Or asking her to meet his family in Dallas? And what was the point? She’d all but told him he was barking up the wrong tree. A personal relationship wasn’t a prerequisite for working together.

She looked at her assistant. “Charming is as charming does.”

“I cannot even believe you said that to me.” Chloe sighed dramatically. “How about this? One picture is worth a thousand words. Throw me a bone here. Tell me you’ve got at least one.”

“Okay. Yes, I’ve got one.” Avery pulled her cell phone from her pocket, pushed some buttons until she found a snapshot of the bride, groom, best man and maid of honor. “Knock yourself out.”

“What a beautiful couple.” Chloe took the phone and her dark eyes went dreamy just before that damn gleam returned. “You and Dr. Stone aren’t too bad, either.”

“There is no me and Dr. Stone.”

“Uh-huh. This picture tells a different story.”

“What are you talking about?”

Chloe handed back the phone. “It’s all there in living color. The way he’s looking at you. Like he could just eat you up.”

Avery saw what the other woman meant. It was hard to miss the determination Spencer had been peddling, up to and during the wedding festivities. The intensity in his eyes as he looked at her had tingles dancing up her spine and unleashed the always lurking shivers of awareness. The feeling of not being in control unleashed her inner prickliness.

“He might try to take a bite out of me, Chloe, but I’m awfully tough to chew. Better men than him have tried.” She put her phone in her pocket. “Now, we’ve got work to do.”

Chloe tapped her lip. “Speaking of work, I just got a memo from administration authorizing your trip to Dallas with Doctor Hottie.”

“I wish you wouldn’t call him that.” Even though truer words were never spoken.

“Be that as it may, do you want me to make reservations?”

“Yes. But coordinate with Dr. Stone’s office manager on dates, flight arrangements and hotel rooms. Also, my meeting with the Regional Vice President the Friday before we get into the robotics technology on Monday. And before you ask, that was definitely plural on the room thing.”

“Will do, boss. A lot of women would love to be in your high-heeled pumps.”

“Chloe, it’s business.”

“Just saying—”

She pointed to the doorway. “Back to work before we both get in trouble.”

Her assistant saluted and left without another word.

Avery sat down behind her desk and turned on the computer. She knew Chloe was right about a lot of women who’d like to be walking in her shoes, but a lot of women hadn’t been through hell and had their trust stomped out of them. Spencer Stone was just a little too perfect for someone like her, someone who had a secret she didn’t talk about. And there was a good reason.

It was a painful lesson, but she’d learned it well. When everything looks like it’s falling into place, it’s actually falling apart.

Still in his scrubs after an emergency surgery to open up a blocked vessel in a patient’s heart, Spencer Stone took the elevator to Mercy Medical Center’s administration offices located on the second floor. It had been two weeks since the wedding and that was the last time he’d seen Avery O’Neill. The memory of her in that sexy, see-through lavender dress had never been far from his mind and he was looking forward to seeing her again. No matter what she was wearing.

There was a flash of adrenaline as he wondered what she’d say to get his blood pumping this time. How would she surprise him?

When the elevator opened, he stepped out and walked down the carpeted hall. Her door was the third one on the right and he went inside. Her assistant, Chloe Castillo, was on guard duty behind a desk in the reception area. She did a double take when she recognized him.

“Hi, Dr. Stone.”

“Chloe. How are you?”

“Great. Yourself?”

“Never better.” Couldn’t hurt to get the controller’s assistant on his side. “Have you done something different with your hair?”

She automatically touched the dark curls by her cheek. “No. Same as always.”

“And, as always, you’re looking beautiful.”

“Thanks. It’s not true, but very charming of you to say so.”

“I’m a charming guy.”

“Preaching to the choir, Doctor.” With her thumb, she indicated the closed door of the office behind her. “I’m not the one you have to convince.”

“Yeah. I sort of picked up on the fact that I’m not her favorite person.”

“You want my opinion?” she asked.

“Yes.” He needed all the help possible to loosen the purse strings and this woman knew the crabby controller better than him.

Chloe glanced over her shoulder. “All that cool reserve of hers and that abrasive streak she rocks? It’s a layer of self-protection. I think some guy dumped on her pretty badly and she watches her back.”

“Avery said that?”

“Not in so many words.” She shrugged. “I just connected the dots from remarks she’s made in passing.”

“I see.”

Normally, it wouldn’t occur to him to ask for details, but in Avery’s case the thought crossed his mind. Since inquiring wasn’t appropriate, he didn’t. Still, he wanted to know more about the mysterious controller and not just because knowledge could help get her on board with the outrageously expensive equipment he wanted.

“Is she free? Can I talk to her for a few minutes?” he asked instead.

“There’s no one in with her now. Let me check her schedule.” Chloe changed screens on the monitor and looked it over. “No more appointments for today and it’s almost quitting time so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

Her boss probably wouldn’t agree because she didn’t try to hide the fact that every time she saw him was a problem. Now he was determined to change that.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” She clicked the computer mouse a couple times and shut down her system. “And it’s time for me to go home.”

“Plans tonight?”

“Yes.” Instantly she smiled.

“Someone special?”

“The best guy in the whole world.”

“He’s a lucky guy,” Spencer said.

“There’s that charm again.” She nodded her head toward the closed door. “You shouldn’t be wasting it on me. You’ll need every ounce of it in there.”

“I’ve got some to spare.”

“I just bet you do.” She grabbed her purse, then said, “I’ll let her know you’re here and say goodbye.”

“How about if I announce myself and let her know you’re gone?”

“That works. ’Night, Dr. Stone.”

“Have a good evening.”

Spencer watched her walk out and, for some vague reason, envied the fact that she wouldn’t be alone tonight. He couldn’t say the same.

With a sigh, he walked past the desk, knocked once on the door then opened it and poked his head inside. “You didn’t get the message that it’s time to go home?”

“What are you doing here?” Avery looked first surprised, then annoyed.

He preferred surprised. “Chloe’s gone for the day. I told her I’d let you know.”

“Okay.” She looked down at the papers on her desk, then back at him when he didn’t leave. “Was there something else?”

“We’re leaving tomorrow for Dallas. I thought we should discuss our trip.”

“Thanks, but it’s not necessary. Between your office manager and Chloe, arrangements have been made and I have all the information.”

Spencer moved farther into the room and invaded her space when he parked a hip on the corner of her desk. Avery’s big blue eyes narrowed in disapproval and it felt like he’d stepped into a Deepfreeze. Oddly enough, the look made her even more intriguing. Sort of like a kitten bracing for battle with a pit bull.

Her short blond hair highlighted her killer cheekbones and a mouth that a stronger man than him would have trouble resisting. That thought exposed how he’d been lying to himself. He’d been so sure time and distance would blunt his reaction to the cute-as-a-button controller, but he’d been wrong. On some level he’d believed not seeing her for the past two weeks would mellow her attitude and his fascination, thereby canceling out any feeling. But apparently he’d been wrong about that, too. It was like a force shield went up whenever she saw him and he wanted to bring it down.

And that’s when he realized what it was about her that sucked him in. It was the challenge of melting the ice cube on her ass. You didn’t grow up the first-born son of Catherine and William Stone and ever consider turning your back on a challenge.

“So, why do you dislike me?” he asked. No point in beating around the bush.

“We’ve been through this,” she said, skillfully not answering the question again.

“And yet, I’m not satisfied.”

During that last conversation the implication had been that he reminded her of someone. If Chloe was right, he brought to mind the guy who’d dumped her.

Avery folded her hands on the desk and didn’t look away. “That’s your problem, not mine.”

“You indicated that our wedding obligation was fulfilled and therefore any reason to play nice was over.”

“You disagree?”

“We’ll be spending a lot of time together over the next couple days,” he answered.

“On business,” she clarified.

“Even so, the trip will be easier if we can be cordial.”

“I’m always friendly.” She looked away for just a second. “Mostly.”

“Here’s the thing, Avery. I know I pushed you hard for this equipment.”

“Yes. Determination you said. And it paid off. You got your way.”

The “aha” light went on. “Are you still annoyed that I went over your head to your boss?”

“Among other things.”

The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step and he’d worry about “other things” later. “It’s cutting edge technology.”

“No pun intended.”

When the corners of her mouth went up his pulse did, too. “Actually that’s part of the appeal. The robot makes a perfect incision every time.”

“I’m sure you make a perfectly fine incision, Spencer, or your reputation wouldn’t be what it is.”

“I do my best and I’m damn good.”

“Modest, too,” she said, smiling.

“Just stating the facts. But this surgery system brings a level of precision that I can’t duplicate. No human can.”

“So you want to be perfect.”

That wasn’t necessary. Not really. He just didn’t want to make a mistake, professionally and personally. In his family nothing short of excellence was tolerated. That’s how he’d been brought up and why he was the best now at what he did.

“I’d like to know why you’re so dead set against this surgery system. All I want,” he said, “is every advantage available to achieve the best outcome for my patients.”

She nodded approvingly and earning the victory of her good opinion was sweet. And short. “My problem is that what you want is a capital expenditure.”

“Robots don’t come cheap.”

“I’m all too aware of that. But there’s only so much money in the budget. Spending it on what you want means that something else equally as important doesn’t get funded.”

“Such as?”

“Ventilators for babies. Don’t you think it’s vital to give children the best possible start in life?”

“That’s a loaded question.”

“It’s my job to ask the hard ones. Make the tough choices. And I wish there was an unlimited supply of funds, but that’s not how it is.”

“You’re right. And a good start for every child is imperative.” He stood and folded his arms over his chest. “In a perfect world there would be enough money for everything. But hearts are my business. With cardiovascular disease on the rise it’s also important to use the latest innovations to improve and prolong the life of parents so they can use the benefit of their experience and wisdom to guide those children into adulthood.”

She sighed. “It doesn’t hurt that this surgery system is flashy and newsworthy. Not unlike yourself, Doctor.”

“You think I’m newsworthy?” He’d take it if that was the best she could do.

“My boss does. I’m still not convinced it’s the best use of money.”

“And we’ll have several days together to debate the pros and cons.” He put his palms flat on her desk and met her gaze. Her eyes went wide and the pulse at the base of her neck fluttered wildly. It made him pretty happy that he affected her that way. “I think when we get back to Las Vegas you will see the fiscal practicality of this expenditure.”

“It’s going to be an uphill battle,” she informed him.

“And that’s not all.”

“What else could there possibly be?” She leaned back in her chair.

“I intend to change your mind about me while we’re gone.”

“In Dallas.” Her tone put it on a par with having a bad case of the flu.

“Yes.” He pointed his finger at her. “You’ve been warned, Miss O’Neill.”

“Good to know. I’ll see you there.”

“Actually, that’s why I stopped by your office in the first place.”

She frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“We should carpool to the airport tomorrow.” When she opened her mouth to argue, he held up his hand. “We’re on the same flight. Going in the same car will save money on transportation and parking. I thought that would appeal to a budget-conscious lady like yourself.”

For the first time since he’d known her Avery O’Neill was speechless and he used the silence to best advantage.

“I’ll pick you up bright and early in the morning.”

Chapter Three

Under normal circumstances Avery loved going to McCarran International Airport, but nothing about this scenario was normal. For one thing, it involved Spencer Stone and he pushed all her buttons. None of them good. She still wasn’t sure how he’d talked her into this carpool. That wasn’t exactly true—he’d talked and when he stopped there’d been no room to maneuver. A negative response had been impossible so she’d given him her address.

Now she was waiting for him on the front porch of her small, three-bedroom house in the Green Valley Ranch area of Henderson. She’d bought it new a year and a half ago, a symbol of starting with a clean slate. Moving forward. It was important to leave behind her polluted past and the stigma of a pregnant teen who didn’t keep her baby.

Just then a sporty blue BMW pulled up to the curb. Since she didn’t know anyone with a luxury car she assumed it was Spencer. That was confirmed when he got out. Oh, boy, was it confirmed, she thought, as he walked toward her up the stone path. In a navy blazer with gold buttons, tan slacks, white shirt and tasseled loafers with his swagger set on stun, he quite literally stole the breath from her lungs. The dark sunglasses added more dazzle to his dashing look.

“You’re early,” she managed to say.

“And you’re ready.”

“Yup.” There’d been lots of time to make sure of that, what with not sleeping much. And for good reason. There’d been no way to prepare for the fact that he smelled as good as he looked. She was such a sucker for a good-smelling man, but was doing her best to get over it. “Let’s go.”

He glanced at her small weekend suitcase on wheels with carry-on bag attached, then met her gaze. “Where’s the rest of your stuff?”

“That’s all there is.”

“You do realize we’ll be gone several days. Visiting several hospitals in the Dallas Metroplex?”