Page 17 of The Surgeon's Secret

“Yeah, I was really pleased with it. Are they really talking about me like that?”

Catherine laughed. “Have you never worked in a hospital before? We always talk about the new people; you’re fair game for fresh gossip.”

Lexi smirked. “Well, let’s hope they keep the gossip about my surgeries and not about anything else.” She met Catherine’s gaze for a second too long before looking away. The pull between them was so strong it felt overwhelming, even in the cheery atmosphere of the café. She sighed and took another bite of her sandwich, following it with some fries dipped in mayo.

“How’s your morning been?” Lexi asked.

“Pretty uneventful,” Catherine replied. “Just an appendectomy this morning.”

Lexi knew that general surgeons handled many appendectomies. “Do you get bored of that stuff? Can’t you…you know, let a resident handle it?”

“Oh, sure. I had a resident do it, but I oversaw it. You know how it is. Can’t be too careful.”

Lexi nodded, instantly understanding. You couldn’t let anything slip at their level; they were responsible for everyone below them.

“But I’m a bit distracted at the moment,” Catherine admitted, her golden eyes catching the sunlight streaming through the café window.

“Me too,” Lexi said quietly, putting down her sandwich. Catherine’s right hand reached across the table, moving over Lexi’s, and the electricity between them was instant. Every time they touched, it was like this—an intense, undeniable spark. Lexi wanted to pull her hand away, but she couldn’t. She was drawn to Catherine like a magnet.

“This isn’t just a game for me,” Catherine said, her voice calm and measured. “I like you. A lot. I have feelings for you. And…well, I think…I think I’m gay.”

Lexi shook her head, a pang of doubt striking her. “Catherine, you don’t know that. You’ve been married to a man your whole life. You’re unhappy and you’re clinging to the first person who’s given you attention in years, and you’ve convinced yourself there’s more between us than there is.”

“I don’t think it’s that,” Catherine replied, refusing to back down. “I think I’m falling in love with you,” she said, her words hanging in the air like a spell cast between them.

Lexi took a shaky breath. “Catherine, this is a really bad idea,” she said slowly. “I have feelings for you, too, but this isn’t going to end well for either of us. Where do you see this going?”

“What if itdoesend well? What if we get our happily ever after?”

“That’s not how it goes, Catherine. I’ve seen this a million times. Women like you…” She faltered. “You change your mind, you go back to your husband, to the safety of…of…” She shookher head. “I don’t want to be your test drive into the lesbian world,” Lexi continued, her voice low. “I won’t lie; I’ve enjoyed it. You’re incredible, but I can’t carry on like this. I’m falling for you, too, and it’s…terrifying.”

They held each other’s gazes, a long moment of shared intensity passing between them. Catherine’s hand squeezed Lexi’s, linking their fingers. “Please, can we try?” she asked.

Lexi’s heart twisted. “I’m scared, Catherine. I like you way too much for this to end badly.”

“I know my marriage is over. I tried to talk to him, but he’s not making it easy. No matter what happens between me and you, I’m leaving James.”

“But what if you lose everything—the house, your status, your lifestyle?”

“That’s just stuff, Lexi. Honestly, I don’t care. The house is beautiful, but it’s far too big. Most of the time, it’s just me there by myself, and I feel so lonely,” Catherine said softly. Her eyes, the color of whiskey over ice, locked onto Lexi’s. Lexi felt her own fingers tighten around Catherine’s, entwining them, unable to resist. She looked down at Catherine’s long, graceful fingers and her neatly manicured short nails, and all she could think of was feeling them inside of her.

“Please,” Catherine whispered again, her voice trembling. “Can we try?”

Lexi took a deep, shuddering breath. “I can’t be without you,” Catherine continued, her gaze unwavering. “I just can’t. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.”

Catherine reached under the table, took Lexi’s other hand in hers, and placed it on her thigh, guiding it higher. Lexi’s heart pounded as Catherine pushed her hand up beneath her skirt. She could feel the warmth between Catherine’s legs through the thin fabric of her panties, soaked and inviting.

Catherine looked at her, her eyes filled with pure desire. “See what you do to me? I’m so wet for you,” she whispered, her voice raw.

Lexi gasped, her fingers tracing the dampness beneath her fingertips, momentarily forgetting they were in a public place. It felt like the whole world had faded away, leaving only Catherine and the fierce intensity between them.

Lexi’s fingers toyed with the edge of Catherine’s panties. She was barely holding herself back. In this instant, with Catherine’s want so palpable, the bustling café, the people around them, and all the outside noise disappeared. Lexi leaned forward, her lips inches from Catherine’s ear.

“Alright,” she murmured. “We can try.”

Catherine’s breath hitched and her lips curved in a soft smile that was full of relief and something deeper. Lexi knew this wasn’t simple, that there would be risks, pain, and sacrifices in their future. But in this moment, none of that mattered. She would try.

10

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