Page 11 of The Doctor's Promise
“Maybe that is for the best.”
Noemi woke her dog gently. “Come on, Mouse.”
He walked her to her car. “Look, I’m sorry. That was completely inappropriate, Noemi, and I’d hate to think a moment’s thoughtlessness ruined our… friendship.”
“It’s okay, Rafa, really. I’ll see you around.”
Rafa watched her drive away, remonstrating with himself. What the hell happened? On the face of it—no pun intended—I just touched her face. But it was the intimacy of the moment that had shocked them both… no way were they good enough, close enough friends for that.
“Oh, God damn it.” Rafa pinched the bridge of his nose. He stayed outside for a few minutes, breathing in the cold night air.
What with Bepi fretting about Tomi’s absence in his life… there was only one thing to do. He had to move on and get Noemi Castor out of his head. There were plenty of women lining up to console the bereaved fiancée—he would ask his assistant to set up a date with one of them. He would not fuck up his life, Bepi’s life, and Noemi Castor’s life by acting out a crush when it was so wholly inappropriate.
Yes, he thought, going back inside. It’s time to move on.
Noemi strippedout of her clothes and fell onto the bed. Mouse immediately followed her, and Noemi cuddled up to the large dog, pulling the comforter over them both. “You and me now, Mousie.”
But her skin burned where Rafa had touched her, and as she relived that moment—that all-too-brief moment—her body felt warm, and a pulse beat frantically between her legs. It had stunned her, the tenderness of it, his beautiful green eyes on hers, but it had been so unexpected that she had pulled away when what she really wanted to do was kiss him. She had never been so attracted to anyone in her life, and for that split second, she would have thrown everything away.
Because she and Rafa together would be a disaster. There was too much water under the bridge—too much guilt, too much shame.
Noemi sighed now. She had to get over this… crush. That’s all it is: a crush. What red-blooded woman wouldn’t have a crush on Rafael Genova? The man was built like a Roman God, and that face—that gorgeous face with so much sadness etched into it…
“Stop it,” she groaned and buried her face in Mouse’s fur. The dog grumbled a little, and she chuckled. “Sorry, boo.”
But when she fell asleep that night, she dreamed of Rafael’s lips against hers, his skin on hers, his hands on her body, and his cock driving her onwards to that ultimate pleasure…
7
Chapter Seven
Lazlo called Noemi into his office a week later. “Hey, kiddo, I have some news. As you know, there’s a general surgeon gig up for grabs.”
Noemi looked alarmed. “Laz, cardio is my…”
He shook his head, grinning. “Not for you. It’s just I’ve been in talks with someone you might know from your time in Doctors Without Borders. Kit Vaughan?”
Noemi smiled. “Of course! Ah man, Kit’s coming here? That’s great news.”
“Well, he’s coming to meet me to discuss it at least. I was wondering if you’d help me try to get him to commit?”
“No problem. When’s he coming?”
“This morning.”
Noemi chuckled, rolling her eyes. “Nothing like a bit of notice, Laz.”
“I didn’t want to jinx it.” Lazlo grinned, unrepentant, and Noemi pretended to scowl at him.
“For scientists, we sure are a superstitious bunch around here. No problem about Kit; just page me when he gets here. I won’t let him leave the place without giving you a yes.”
Lazlo studied her, and although Noemi was about to leave, she sensed he had more to say. “What’s up?”
“You know… it is within my power to make you an attending, Noe. You have the experience.”
Noemi was confused. “Finn’s the cardio attending and honestly, I’m happy where I am. The clinic is my new baby.” She felt her face burn as she mentioned it, thinking of Rafa, but pushed the thought away. “I can treat patients and do research.”
“I could make you a Research Attending.”
