Page 5 of Getting Off

She only stared at him evenly as if she couldn’t quite wrap her head around him.“It’s impressive you can admire my posterior given the fact that I’m wearing scrubs and a long doctor’s jacket.”

“You caught me,” he admitted.“I’m only guessing based on how attractive I find the rest of you.”That one didn’t land either.He was off his game.She was looking at him as if she had his number now.He chose to head in another direction.“So, can you sign my form releasing me?I promise to pack my head in ice and whatever else you want.”

“I will happily sign your release form…after a follow-up appointment.”

“What?So you are gonna ground me after all.”All that charm, wasted.Not only had he wrecked his truck, he’d struck out with the sexy doctor too.

She looked far too smug.“Mr.Pierce, please contact my office in a week for a follow-up appointment.A nurse will give you the information.The ER physician on duty will be in shortly to finish with your wrist and to release you.”

Dylan opened his mouth to make another quip about getting her personal phone number but thought better of it.She did look tired, and he’d pushed it far enough.He’d made her smile, so mission accomplished.Yeah, it sucked that he’d been grounded, but at least he’d get to see her again.

He gave her a little salute.“Yes, ma’am.Until we meet again.”

CHAPTER TWO

Lucas Fox had attended so many cocktail parties, charity events, and fundraisers that he could probably do them in his sleep by now.There was an air of sameness to them once the glitz and the glamour wore off.

This hospital benefit was nothing new.It was yet another cocktail party hosted on the Las Vegas Country Club’s Grand Terrace.The place was as fancy and posh as one would expect.High ceilings.Chandeliers.Huge windows.Fancy decor.But he’d heard a thousand string quartets in his life.He’d eaten metric tons of hors d’oeuvres.He’d had enough small talk and chit chat about the stock market, boats, golf, or horse racing to last him the rest of his time on the planet.He’d given away a fortune to good causes, and would probably give away another fortune before he died.

Right now, he was holding a glass of champagne and listening to a politician try to coax him into a campaign contribution.He was barely listening to the man.The truth was far simpler.He was looking around for Doctor Brooklyn Foster.She was the main reason he’d come here tonight.

He didn’t see her yet.That was a problem.He was used to getting what he wanted, and he wanted to talk with her without Gibson, the unctuous chief of staff, around to get in the way.

Lucas almost hadn’t come at all.After a second reminder from Courtney, one of his personal assistants, he’d pondered whether to have her send his regrets.He’d had work to do and hadn’t been in the mood for a bunch of hospital administrators and healthcare professionals doting on him as if he were royalty, all while hoping to score another few million in donations.

He didn’t mind giving to good causes, though.He actually enjoyed it.He felt like he was making a difference in the world by supporting people who wereactuallymaking a difference.

Like Doctor Brooklyn Foster.

Ever since he’d seen her earlier in the week, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her.She kept popping into his mind at the oddest times, distracting him.

He recognized drive and determination when he saw it.She had it in spades.He could look in her eyes and see her dedication to her field.She would be a strong contender for the brain trauma center they were fundraising to build.

So why couldn’t he get her out of his mind?She wasn’t the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.He had plenty of beautiful women and even a few men throwing themselves at him throughout his life.No, it wasn’t beauty that held his attention for long.

If anything, she struck him as a bit cold, a little aloof.She had clearly tried to do the PR, schmoozing game when he’d last seen her at the hospital, but she wasn’t very good at it.Strangely enough, he liked that she wasn’t good at it.

Still, it annoyed him that he seemed to be so caught on her lately.What kind of fool married a doctor?They were never around, working long hours that rivaled his back when he’d been making his first million.They came home exhausted.Probably too exhausted for sex.That might be a pretty damn selfish thought, but if you were going to marry someone, you needed to be on the same page when it came to intimacy.

Of course, he was only guessing about all of that.Maybe all kinds of hot sex went on at the hospital behind closed doors, like a kinky soap opera filled with gorgeous doctors and staff.

But he seriously doubted it.

Outside the country club, the sky was just beginning to turn from brilliant blue to twilight purple.Soon the fiery sunset colors would spread across the sky.Desert sunsets couldn’t be beaten.He’d been around the world and the only thing that came close was an ocean sunset.

“—and that’s why I’ll be running for Congress,” the man next to him was saying.“I hope my campaign can count on your support, Mr.Fox.”

“Hmm?Oh.I’m sure I’ll support someone.”He smiled and nodded and strode toward the food, not wanting to reveal that he hadn’t heard a word the politician had said.He was certain he hadn’t missed much.In his cynical opinion, politicians were all the same, no matter what party they belonged to.

As he walked, he smiled and shook hands and hid the fact that he was still searching for Dr.Foster.Brooklyn Foster was supposed to be here tonight.It was the primary reason he’d chosen to attend instead of simply sending a check.Not finding her was starting to irritate him.

Two of his personal assistants had been fussing over him earlier before this event.Adam had chastised him mildly for not having a date.For not being true to the wealthy playboy image that kept his face in the media.Meanwhile, Courtney kept encouraging him, also mildly, to find a nice girl and settle down.Even though Courtney was twenty-five, she sounded like a grandmother sometimes.He didn’t know what his two protective personal assistants would say if he told them he was on the hunt for Dr.Brooklyn Foster, a woman who always stared at him as if he’d just farted in her presence.He couldn’t tell if she hated him because he was rich, or if she hated him because of that damned playboy image.

Lucas ran a hand through his black hair, growing more annoyed and trying to hide it.Maybe she hated him because she believed his life amounted to nothing more than a rich man throwing his money at problems.It was hard to deny that accusation if that’s how she felt.He wouldn’t apologize for being successful.

Money solved problems.It was as simple as that.

Look at him.He had a condo in the most prestigious area of the city boasting excellent views of the strip.His closet was packed with custom-tailored clothing he’d purchased after sailing to Italy for exactly that reason.He drove a Bugatti.He rode in a limo when he wished.He owned a yacht.He owned a private jet and homes in Aspen and Florida.

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