Page 28 of Rookie Days

Janet was so close that she had to look up to meet her gaze. Not stopping halfway to linger over the gorgeous pair of breasts poking out from under her maroon scrubs was just as difficult as expected. Janet was bra-less, and the result, pretty spectacular. Ellie managed not to stare. Apparently oblivious to her struggle, the surgeon wheeled over a stool to sit down next to her.

“Let’s have a look. Relax. This won’t hurt.” As Ellie nodded, Janet looked briefly into her face again before starting to remove the bandage. Once it was off, she examined the site of the injury. “Mmm…”

One, two, three seconds went by. Ellie suppressed a groan.

“You know, it’s never pleasant when a doctor hums at you like you just did, and doesn’t explain why.”

“Well; perhaps it would be more pleasant for the patient if she were, indeed, a little bit patient.” Janet looked amused but she was also quick to reassure. “I’m happy to tell you that this all looks good, Ellie. I’m impressed, actually. You kept the wound clean.”

“Every day, with soap and warm water, like you told me.”

“Lovely.” Janet smiled. “You followed instructions. Are you always this obedient, Detective?”

Ellie did well not to twitch at the question, especially when she noted the provocative glint in Janet’s brown eyes. She also did not want her to get the wrong idea.

“I can be a rule breaker,” she nodded.

“Good.” Janet shot her a downright incandescent smile.

Her skin was warm through the gloves as she cradled her forearm. The way she held her was commanding but also oddly gentle at the same time. Ellie reminded herself that the womanwas a surgeon, bound to have good hands. Janet sure made the back of her neck tingle as she carried her preliminary exam. Ellie was tempted to close her eyes and lose herself in the moment. Before she could, Janet interrupted.

“Flex your fingers for me please? Good.” Her eyes crinkled into a smile. “Not so pathetic now, right?”

“No, it feels a lot better.”

“Any pain at all when you do this?”

“None. I’m just a bit stiff in the morning, but otherwise it’s back to normal.”

“Excellent. Your skin looks good too. No sign of redness or swelling around the cut. I think we can make you happy and take the staples off.”

“Great. If I have to spend one more day in the office, I’ll go crazy.”

“You’ll still have to be careful for a while. I will replace each staple with a Steri-Strip and secure a protective bandage over the healing scar.”

“Okay, cool.”

“Same routine as before. You’ll need to change the dressing every day until the strips fall off on their own.”

“Yes, fine, whatever you say.”

Janet gave her another teasing look which made Ellie smirk in reaction this time. A lot of her tension had evaporated at the news that the staples could go, and she found it easier to relax. But her suspicion returned when she noticed that Janet was only removing every other one.

“They’re all coming off, right?”

“Yes, and this is the way to do it.” Janet dropped a staple on a square of gauze on the tray, precisely so, and pinned her with a raised eyebrow. “Or would you like to explain to me how to do my job?”

“No, you’re doing quite well.” The eyebrow arched a little bit higher, which Ellie enjoyed watching. “And you didn’t lie, this doesn’t even hurt one bit.”

“I’ll do my best not to hurt you, Detective.”

“Thanks. I’m very grateful.”

“So long as you don’t hurt my feelings.”

Janet’s right leg was pressed firmly against her own, which may or may not have been a coincidence.Oh, come on. You know it’s not. Ellie realized that with a quick jolt of pleasure, though instantly dampened by a severe warning to herself.Stay sharp.Janet Fox flirted with lots of women, all the time, and it did not mean a single thing to her. Ellie did not want it to be meaningful now…Although, for sure, it would be nice.

“Ellie?” Janet paused, swab stick in hand and with a look of concern on her face. “Doing okay?”

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