my empty fingertips.
“No. You shouldn’t.” Annoyance fills my tone. She winces and I’m immediately sorry. Her beloved niece is sick, of course she’s worried. I don’t blame her for being concerned.
“How is it that you never became a citizen?”
She’s nosey too. This is the million dollar question I don’t have an answer for her.
“I guess I never considered it, but it doesn’t matter now. If they decide I have to leave, I will transfer Maisy’s case to Doctor Nash.”
“What? No!” Piper shouts, her face pink. Hey, I dislike the guy personally, but professionally he is a good doctor.
I’m also not used to anyone telling me no and it grates on my nerves. I’m responsible for a lot of people and have to exercise incredible control in stressful times. My patience is being sorely tested by this woman whose head barely reaches my chin.
“What do you mean no?”
“No, you can’t transfer her case.” She isn’t pleading, she’s demanding, pouting really. I take a gentle approach with my patients. It’s harder when its an adult I am grudgingly attracted too. She’d look good over my knee, few swats might change her tune and bring me some much needed peace. I decide keep that to myself. If anyone knew about my afterwork kink I bet that uptight immigration officer would send me packing.
Piper rushes me and clings to my coat invading my space. I don’t have the heart to untangle her when I’m drawn in by honeysuckle and her pliant body close to mine.
“Doctor Nash wants to take Maisy off your chemo cocktail, but it’s working. Nothing worked before, but this is. We need you, Maisy needs you.” Taken aback, this is the first I hear of Doctor Nash wanting to change treatment. I need to look into this. I need to trust he will make the best decision possible for my patient’s care in lieu of my potential absence I haven’t resigned myself too.
I take her hands in mine squeezing them gently hoping she doesn’t plan on jumping me in here behind closed doors even if the idea gets me hard.
“Look, nothing is happening yet. I’ll figure this out.” I’m not sure who I’m trying to reassure more, myself or Piper.
Her face turns upward, big brown eyes bore into mine reminding me of dark chocolate. The good kind from Belgium I tasted during my backpacking tour of Europe before medical school. Not too sweet or bitter, just smooth notes with a hint of caramel like the hint of pink hair she’s sporting. I love chocolate and I like Piper, but I push that aside with the reality that I don’t mix work with pleasure.
The space fills with a ballooning silence as if something epic is coming but I have no idea what.
“We can get married then.” A hopeful gleam in her eyes darts to mine and then the floor. I hadn’t anticipate that.
“I-I’m sorry what?” Piper manages to surprise me. I’m speechless. Shocked is one feeling, but my groin tightens looking at her before the brain shakes this off. It’s crazy. Like I said, I don’t mix work with relationships, just ask the score of unhappy nurses I turn down or the candystripper volunteers I’m old enough to parent.
She inclines closer breasts pressing into my chest which oddly doesn’t feel contrived. I’ve had a few women throw themselves at me over the years, but this isn’t one of those times. I can feel the bead of her taut nipples and pray my reptilian brain calms the fuck down. Her eyes plead and my mouth goes dryer than the best wine I’ve ever drank. Thinking of wine makes me question her age.
“Marry me.” She repeats steamrolling ahead. She’s serious and there’s that subtle demand in her voice. I don’t have an immediate comeback beside the obvious no because it shouldn’t be her asking. Call me old fashioned.
I’m stoic not touching her afraid I might do something I regret with her blatent offer. “No.” Visions of pushing her back against the desk and peeling her gym pants down her legs to bury myself deep within her cloud my judgement. Stupid brain. All I want to do is forget today ever happened and her she is tempting me with something I have no right to consider.
She doesn’t give up, my very own persistent overgrown honeysuckle bush stalks me around the office. “Marry me and stay.”
I back up. She follows and we continue this dance until I realize how ridiculous it is to be running from her in the enclosed space.
“Piper, no.” She’s making me angry or maybe I’m angry in general over all of this and the unexpected visit she’s graced me with.
“Look, I’m sorry this is a shitty a proposal but we need you here.” Piper trails around my desk slowly backing me up against the wall. She dips as if she’s going to get down on one knee. Her face fierce and wild.
“No, absolutely not.” I grab her hands and help her back up more roughly than I intend. She hisses and I pull away afraid I hurt her. “I’m sorry.”
“Coffee burn.” I see the bright red patch in the soft spot of her hand. A superficial burn.
“You need to be more careful Piper.” Our hands lock and I rub my thumb over the spot attempting to soothe it. I’m not having anyone, let alone this woman get on her knees for me. I do not need saving and if I want her on her knees it won’t be for this reason.
Hurt fills her expression and my chest burns knowing I caused it. She speaks softly, eyes half lidded and I lean in to hear her through the curve of her pouting lips. “I can get a ring? If you want?” She’s practically climbing me like a tree and I like it far far too much. I hold her back trying to gain some sanity so she can’t cajole or rub against me confusing me as if I have no control over myself.
“Piper, this is madness. No one is marrying anyone. No rings. No weddings.”
“Maisy and Diana are important to me.”