Heart Surgeon to Single Dad

“This was supposed to have ended in Miami,” she reminded him.

“But it didn’t.”

“No,” she admitted. Nothing had ended in Miami. Even before he’d arrived in Memphis, she’d not been able to stop thinking about him, wondering what would have happened if she’d told him she wanted to see him again. “It’s not good that we didn’t end it.”

He was silent a moment, then asked, “Because of work?”

“You’re my boss,” she reminded. “We both know if it came down to having to let one of us go that I’d be the one ousted.”

“I’d never use our relationship against you.”

“I didn’t say you would. If things didn’t work and got nasty between us, you wouldn’t have to say anything. The hospital board could opt to take matters into their own hands.”

“There’s no policy against our being together, Natalie.”

“I don’t think they’d encourage us to be in your bed, risking possible drama down the road.”

“Maybe not, but we’re good together. Unlike anything I’ve ever known. You feel it, too.” In some ways what he was saying was magic to her ears. In others, he scared her. “Neither of us is into drama,” he pointed out. “I don’t see either of us letting our physical relationship interfere with our work.”

She wanted to believe what he was saying.

“I’d like to do this again,” he admitted, lacing his fingers with hers.

“As in?”

“I want to keep having sex with you.”

Keep having sex with Matthew. It sounded so simple, so tempting. Yet, what was he really saying?

“Do you mean as in us dating?” she asked.

“I’m not looking for anything long-term, but yes, I’d like to date you.”

He sounded as surprised at his admission as Natalie felt.

“I’m not good at dating.” Just look at how her relationship with Jonathan had ended.

“Because you haven’t dated me.”

Part of her wanted to snort at his arrogance, but how could she scoff when he was right?

“I wasn’t the only one who only wanted three days in Miami and said there couldn’t be anything beyond that,” she reminded him. “I assume your reasons had to do with Carrie.”

That had him pausing, raking his fingers through his hair, then pulling her to him. Inches separated their faces as he held her close. “Carrie thinks you’re cool.”

Carrie had thought she was cool?

“She’s a great kid,” he continued, as if he needed to sell her on the little girl.

“She is, but...” Natalie took a deep breath. “What if our being involved is a problem? What then?”

“Do you overanalyze everything?”

“Yes. It’s what a good heart surgeon and researcher does.”

“True, but there are times when you have to just trust your gut instinct.”

“If I trusted my gut instinct I wouldn’t be in your bed,” she admitted rather bluntly.