Page 43 of Attraction

“Oh, c’mon Diggs—Ladies in Camo—with Guns? What’s not to like? Hey, it’s just a bit of fun, nothin’ serious. You know, you need to lighten up. Digby relax, it’ll be a laugh.” He frowns, taking a breath. “C’mon you’re not fuckin’ married to her yet!” Zak studies him, noticing the concern in his expression. “Okay, so tell me what the hell’s goin’ on.”

“Nothin’. No… I swear. What? … Stop looking at me like that.” He bites his lip contemplating telling Zak about what happened the day before—Kat, the woods, andLuna!“You know Kat, she’s, she’s…” He sighs, and taking a breath he changes his mind. “Oh, it’s nothin’. Really, it’s fine.”

“She’s what?” Zak cocks an eyebrow waiting for an answer that doesn’t come. “I’ll tell youwhatshall I?She’s got your balls in a vice, that’s what—apussy vice!Seriously, you gonna stop hangin’ out with the guys now? Diggs c’mon man, you’ve never done that, not over a damn chick. What the hell’s goin’ on with you?”

“Nothin’… and for your information, she’s not‘got my balls’ in anythin’. Now… give me one of them damn beers and get that DVD on.”

Leaping over the back, he settles on the couch, taking up the whole space. QT was about to sit there and he frowns, annoyed, but without a word, he moves to the chair in the corner. Sitting down, he opens his book and ignores the rest of them, settling down to read.

“Hey Zak, did you sort that assholes phone?”

“Uh kinda…. I’m still working on that problem. Seems he was more clued up with security than I gave him credit for. I just need to make sure I clean up all the files because that dumbass was spreadin’ the contents around, group chats, and some online forums. So, I need to make sure I scoop up all his mess.”

“But you’ve got this, right?” Digby sees Zak nod. “Good! Dammit, Darius should’ve just let us finish him.”

“Hey, we’ll get the chance, just hang tight. Darius was right about us holdin’ off, it would have just come back on us. This way we can set it up to be someone else… You get me?” Zak frowns, watching him. “Diggs, seriously …. what the hell’s wrong with you, man? You seem distracted. Are you still worried about her? You got somethin’ you wanna tell me brother? Because I’m gettin’ the feelin’ there is, and I really don’t want’ you to start hiding shit from me. So, tell me what’s goin’ on.”

“Nothing, just Kat, she’s, well she’s special. What I mean is, I like her.” He blushes awkwardly, he’s never said anything like that before, not about a woman—or to Zak. “Hey look, don’t worry I’m sure it’ll pass. And you’re right, she’ll be fine, but Zak? There’s just one thing I need to know. Are you gonna vote against her when Darius asks?”

“Well you know she’s still gotta make it through the exercise first. But if I’m honest with you, I can’t decide if she’s good for this team. Not when she’s already messin’ with your head like this.”

“C’mon man, you just gotta give her a chance. She’ll fit in; I promise. I just don’t get why you can’t see it?”

“Yeah well, that’s probably because I ain’t ridin’ her ass like you.” He smirks, “Look, I’m just not sure what’s going on between you. To be honest, it all seems a lil’ intense. It’s only just over a week and you’re completely taken by her and I ain’t never seen you like that, not over a woman, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. But… well, you know I’ve always got your six, so if this is what you want, then I’m with you. But Ryan, just be careful with her. There’s something… something off. I don’t want you riskin’ everythin’ just cos she’s temptin’ your dick. You know her making this team, it’s about more than her bein’ a good fuck!”

“Hey man, don’t talk about her like that!” Digby snaps in defense. “Zak, she’s not justthat,there’s somethin’… oh nothin’. I just think she’ll be good for the team—get us back operational. She can do this, trust me.”

“Okay, well if you say so, then it’s fine and you’ll get what you need from me. But you would tell me if there was somethin’ I needed to know? Cos, the last thing this team need is for you to start lyin’ to cover her ass.”

“Okay. I hear you and you know I’d never lie to you. Now…” He smiles. “Where the hell are these Russian girls? Bud, have you got that popcorn ready yet? I’m hungry.”

* * *

“Lieutenant Morgan? Janice Glover…. we spoke on the phone. Please come in and take a seat.”

“Thank you.”

“Let me introduce everyone. Dr. Hillary Wessex. Emily Sharp, our human resources coordinator. Wesley Rhodes, the trust’s specialist and head of the women’s health. And finally… this is Dr. Riley Jacobs, the lead clinical specialist, he’s our top women’s health coordinator and lead gynecologist here at the hospital. He will be the one mentoring you during any probationary period.”

“Hello, pleased to meet you.” Kat grins, shaking his hand, her eyes quickly scan over him, he’s smartly dressed, incrediblygood looking, with a cute dimpled smile which is adorably sexy, and it melts her insides. He looks too good to be a doctor, more like a model, and there’s something about him that makes her nervous. She frowns, watching, trying to get a read on him as she pulls the chair from under the table and sits down.

“So, we’ve had the opportunity to look over your resume and I have to say, personally I was impressed. You’ve covered a lot of the training that would be required for this post and I see you have a full medical license—you’re not just a field medic, but a surgeon too?”

“Yes, though I have to admit I’m a little rusty—generally I call up a medic-vac before it comes to surgery these days.” She smiles. Only Riley laughs as the joke falls flat and so, feeling awkward and embarrassed, she continues. “But I’m sure it won’t take long to reacquaint myself with the skills.”

“So, perhaps you’d like to tell us why you are applying for this post. I mean, you seem to have a very distinguished military career, what makes you consider giving that up?”

“Um, well to be honest, though I can’t disclose details for operational reasons, the unit I serve with has avery strictselection requirement and though I’ve been incredibly lucky to get this far in the process, my place is not a given. It’s a physically demanding post and I’m not guaranteed to be approved to serve. Given the circumstances, I felt it was in my best interest not to limit all my options. I’ve always felt if I left the military, then I would be best serving in a hospital and this position would be a great challenge, moving forward.”

“So, you would give up the military completely if you’re not posted to this team?” Doctor Jacobs asks.

She nods, then as her eyes meet his, she smiles. “Yes, I would. My dream has always been to make… well, this current post. It was my career ambition, but I have to accept it may not be possible to pursue it further. And, if I don’t, which is fine because that happens, then I would need a new challenge.”

“Quite a move from being on the front-line as a medical officer to surgery in women’s health. Are you ready for that change?”

“Yes, I am. I recently helped a friend with some medical issues, and I feel helping women at certain times in their lives, it would be a positive challenge and one I’m ready for.”

“But quite a different skill-set. Moving away from treating mainly male patients in a combat setting to female, it’s quite a different arena is it not?” Wesley Rhodes stares at her. His comment has an unwelcoming tone, and she’s unsure if she likes him—or him her. Watching, he has his eyebrow cocked, looking over his glasses, waiting for her answer.

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