Playboy Doctor (Heartthrob Heroes, Book 2) Read online

  She'd never seen that in her ex-husband. Never once in their marriage, in fact. And especially not following each episode when she'd lost a baby. At the time, she had chalked up his behavior to the stoic strength of a shocked, devastated man taught to never show his emotions.

  Until he'd ultimately revealed the cause of his cool façade. A cold statement of truth she had to live with today.

  She pushed away the thoughts. Had to dismiss the painful memory and tend to this lethargic infant fighting for his life. She didn't want to lose this one. Not if she could help it.

  With the baby stabilized and waiting to be admitted to P-ICU, Willow followed Dr. Edwards to the reception desk to chart the patient. She stole a moment to fully assess the man in the tuxedo.

  She knew all about the world-renowned Dr. Shayne Edwards, both on paper and through the rumor mill. Pediatric surgeon extraordinaire. Infamous international playboy who always left a path of destruction when it came to broken hearts. Of course, she didn't even consider any children he may have left behind, much like this abandoned newborn.

  Willow stopped her runaway thoughts. Making assumptions wasn't fair, not when she didn't have the whole story. Just because her own husband had left her high and dry and reeling with loss, didn't mean that every other man would do the same.

  Then again, she never planned to find out if any other man was capable of such a heartless act.

  When it came to Dr. Shayne Edwards, however, she did understand him to be ruthless and uncompromising in his commitment to saving his patients' lives. And even more demanding of residents and staff, who'd burst into a flurry of frantic activity upon his mere arrival. He came to the States often as a clinical instructor to teach improved timesaving surgical techniques, specializing in tiny lives, much to the eagerness—and trepidation—of residents in the university's residency training program.

  When a surgeon's reputation both in and out of the hospital spread across the ocean, Willow knew enough to be wary. Of course, this was all hearsay, but the authoritative man who looked like Agent 007 in his formal attire did indeed appear to match the legend.

  She remembered a photo of him in a recent news article, but he'd been in scrubs, cap, and a mask dangling below his chin. A look very different from the well-dressed man before her now.

  "I'll stay around just to be sure he remains stable," Dr. Edwards said while filling out a form. "And by the way," he grumbled low without taking his eyes off his paperwork, "happy birthday."

  Oh, right. Her birthday. She'd forgotten how she'd treated him when he'd first arrived, assuming he'd shown up to entertain her.

  "I'm sorry about what happened when you first came in, Dr. Edwards, I didn't recognize you with clothes on."

  That statement earned her a sideways glance.

  She clamped her mouth shut and stiffened over the words that had tumbled from her mouth. A nurse could be written up for less.

  The corner of his mouth hooked in what could only be described as a stifled grin. When he finally let out a low chuckle, relief washed over her.

  "I mean," she continued, "I'd heard you were coming to teach, but wasn't informed when. Today's my first day back from vacation."

  "Welcome back."

  "Thank you." But honestly, this man couldn't possibly care about her birthday, nor could he care about her vacation. She had to steer the conversation back to the case of their tiny patient, which included the role the doctor may have played in winding up with the infant in the first place.

  "That must have been quite a surprise coming home to a baby this evening," Willow said as Dr. Edwards handed back her stethoscope.

  "Home? Home is thousands of miles away, Willow. I've taken up residence in a flat provided by the hospital. As for the baby, I presume you have a policy or charity in place for abandoned children?" He eyed her and she could see the creeping fatigue in his face. A somber but handsome face, if she were truthful.

  "Yes," she said. "A safe haven law where new parents can surrender their infants at a hospital or fire station. No questions asked. It's better than a dumpster or trash can. But to leave him with you," Willow paused to reflect, "they must have known who you were. After all, your name was written on the box. So? Could it be someone you know?" Willow asked with caution.

  His steel jaw lowered as though offended by her forward question.

  "I've no idea. I've only been in the States a week."

  "Yes, on this visit."

  Dr. Edward dropped the pen to the paperwork. He turned and leveled her with a deadpan look.

  "Willow, I don't know of any woman here or elsewhere who would unload an infant on my doorstep. Nor do I appreciate what you're implying." His sharp-edged tone told her he meant business and apparently didn't like her pressing for information.

  "You may not approve of my questions but I need as much information as possible for my report."

  "I told you, he's not mine, nor would I abandon the responsibility."

  While she liked the fact that he'd never abandon a child, she noted the cool catch in his tone as he referred to the child as merely a responsibility. His dual-edged assertion left her perplexed. He was difficult to read, to say the least.

  Dr. Edwards rubbed his hand down the planes of his face, as though trying to fend off exhaustion. "For the sake of your report, I'll tell you that the limousine driver took me back early tonight. Alone. I didn't get far when I saw the box on the stoop."

  "That's some doorstep delivery. Good thing you left your big event early."

  "The event was nothing special."

  She raised an eyebrow. "Nothing special?"

  "What are you getting at now, Willow?"

  She gave his tuxedo a dramatic onceover before bringing her curious gaze up to his. "It's not every day a man wears black tie for just nothing special."

  "You're not going to let this drop until satisfied with a full explanation, are you?"

  "I guess I'm persistent."

  "To a fault," he grumbled. "I attended a fundraiser dinner for the hospital. That's all you need to know about my personal affairs. As for you, I suggest next time someone enters the ER in a hurry, you might want to take it a little more seriously."

  Willow stepped back, unable to mask her chagrin. "I don't know what to say, except I'm sorry. Another nurse and I were talking about my birthday and then you came whipping through the door. I'd just assumed I'd been set up and that—"

  "—I'd break into a song and dance for you?"

  The heat of a blush bloomed over her cheeks. "You don't know what my family is capable of—"

  "And another thing. You might also not jump to conclusions about a person walking through those doors."

  How could she possibly deny her assumptions? She couldn't. And she'd made big assumptions. Assumed he was the father. Assumed he'd deserted a woman with an infant. Assumed he'd shirked his responsibility, as he'd so eloquently put it. And of course, she'd assumed he'd come to entertain her. Before she could explain herself, Dr. Edwards gave her a terse nod and stalked off.

  Willow stood there dumbfounded, trying to make sense of what just happened. A tuxedoed man had whirlwinded into her life, presented her with a baby in a box, and just now gave her a good dressing down. She didn't know what to make of his brusque actions. Didn't know what to do with her racing thoughts or pumping blood.

  She was still standing there trying to pull herself together when her friend Emmy took up the space before her.

  "What's wrong with you?" Emmy asked.

  "Me? I'm fine. But him..." Willow pointed an angry finger at the backside of the doctor heading through the corridor doors. Even his broad shoulders exuded confidence and sexuality. "Him! Dr. Shayne Edwards. Down the hall there. He's just so, just so..."

  "Maddening?"

  "Yes."

  "Frustrating?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "Makes you want to scream?"

  "Exactly." Willow thrust her hands on her hips. "He makes me feel all those things, al
l tangled up in a ball, all at once."

  Emmy nodded. "Yeah, your new boss tends to do that to people."

  * * *

  Shayne entered the nutrition room and searched every pocket inside his tuxedo one more time for the keys to his appointed flat. Although fatigue stretched through him, he couldn't get in some sleep even if he wanted to. Being locked out and worrying about a sick baby kept him from doing so. In the quiet of the small room, he sank into a chair to mentally retrace his footsteps to where his keys could be. Nothing came to mind. Baffling. A call to the building management company would be in order. He reached into an outside pocket and retrieved his cell phone, along with a strange slip of paper.

  If you ever want to see your keys again, call me... Lydia.

  He stared at the words and the ensuing phone number. The note must have been slipped into the pocket of his tux at some point during the fundraiser dinner. He'd been introduced to so many people and tried to recall a woman named Lydia.

  A tall, well-endowed redhead came to mind. A woman who stood close enough to pickpocket him, and then drop in the ransom note. He didn't remember much more than that. And he didn't need the inconvenience.

  Shayne stripped off his already loosened bow tie and crammed it into a side pocket. He squinted his eyes as sleep eluded him. He should have been in bed hours ago, especially with the busy schedule he had tomorrow. Instead of calling the management company, he punched in the number to the statuesque, redheaded pickpocket.

  A recording. Damn.

  He offered the usual pleasantries, asking for a call back, and hung up. He groaned. Didn't matter. He wasn't about to leave the hospital just yet, not until he knew for sure that the baby had stabilized for a viable length of time.

  Hopefully, the redhead would return his call soon. While he waited, Shayne settled back, closed his eyes, and tried to have the evening's events fade from his thoughts. Just for the time being. Unfortunately, images of Nurse Willow's angelic face kept mingling with those thoughts, keeping them front and center.

  To think she regarded him as nothing more than a plaything when he'd first arrived! Someone to sing and dance for her. He couldn't help but smile at the idea.

  But then her opinion of him sank to an unacceptable low when she'd thought him an inconsiderate cad who'd left a girl in a fix. The very thought irked him. He didn't like her thinking so little of him. For some reason, her opinion of him mattered. He'd wanted to make it perfectly clear his honor extended well beyond the four walls of a hospital exam room. But why? Why did he care that she regarded him as honorable?

  Perhaps it was Willow's confidence that impressed him. Yes, she had that in abundance, but honestly, her raw sexuality unnerved him. Underneath her proficient demeanor, Willow had an unmistakably sensual air. A sexually charged energy he wanted to capture, possess as his own. He hadn't experienced such a visceral reaction to a woman in a long time.

  Not that he'd ever let it show.

  Back in the ER, Shayne had done everything in his power to beat down his keen awareness of her. But it proved hard as hell. All but impossible. So he did the only thing he could to keep his high and mighty attraction tied down like a dog. He barked orders at her. Snapped at her. Bit her head off. Despite wanting to slobber all over her, he'd put her in her place and halted her persistent questions. Yes, her persistence was admirable. Annoyingly admirable. Even more annoying? Those darn curves pressing against the confines of her scrubs. Curves demanding release from her uniform.

  He didn't miss her wanton expression whenever she laid those ice-blue eyes on him. A subtle glance from her may have been fleeting, but he noted it nevertheless. The spark of curiosity that flickered in her expression really caught him off guard. Once, she'd cast him a rather peculiar look, resembling that of wonderment, perhaps even desire. And she did so unapologetically.

  Yet, she stayed focused while by his side, tending to his every need as he examined the infant. If she were that attentive in the exam room, just imagine how well she'd tend to his needs in the bedroom. Yes, she'd probably be focused there as well. He'd like to find out—

  Stop.

  He had to squelch the searing thoughts of her. Had to think of anything but her curves and his desire for her. He'd never act on the impulse. Didn't have the time—nor the heart—for such pursuits.

  Usually, he kept his steel-framed heart locked up tight, but tonight, it gave way to an old familiar ache. Time was supposed to heal. But this wound failed to mend ever since his life had taken a hairpin turn one fateful night back in London. The night he learned his life had been built on lies.

  The shrill ring of his cell phone pealed the air. He opened his eyes.

  Catching his breath from his runaway thoughts, he reached for his phone and rose from the chair to take the call. Just as he was about to say hello, Willow entered the room and stood before him. He gestured for her to wait while he spoke to the caller.

  "Hello, Lydia," he said, now painfully aware of Willow listening to the awkward conversation. "Dr. Edwards here. Yes, a pleasure meeting you, too."

  He paused to let the woman on the line wax poetic about how wonderful the fundraiser dinner had been.

  "Yes, wonderful. All for a good cause. I'm sure you know why I'm calling. Unfortunately, I'm not able to get into my flat this evening without my keys and I have rounds first thing in the morning..."

  He spoke to the redhead on the line, but his attention remained firmly on the nurse standing in front of him. The high arch of Willow's brow didn't sit well with him but he needed to get on with this call.

  "Can you drop off the keys tonight at the pediatric ER reception desk? Yes? Wonderful. No, I won't be able to see you there. I'll be with a critical patient. Yes, yes, another time."

  Willow shifted her weight, motioned to leave, but Shayne shot her an imploring look to stay. Gratefully, she obliged him.

  "Yes, Lydia, nice speaking with you, too. Yes, I have your number. No, I won't forget. And thank you again." He smiled tightly at the phone to mask the tautness in his tone and then ended the call.

  He shoved the phone in his pocket and fully focused on Willow. He hated having her witness the chat with a woman he didn't even know, but he didn't want Willow to leave. Not if she had vital information about the baby.

  "Is something wrong?" he asked.

  "I just learned I'll be working for you during your time here teaching at Baycoast Memorial." Willow's look of horror matched the shock in her tone.

  "Oh, so you're the one," he remarked.

  He took a long breath. While he admired Willow's work ethic, and didn't question her competence, the very idea of having her prettiness underfoot could be a problem. And yet, for some strange reason, he found himself looking forward to it. Judging by the look of dread on Willow's face however, she didn't share the same sentiment.

  He frowned. "So then I'm your new boss. You don't sound very happy about it."

  "I'm gone for one week. Missed one staff meeting," she sputtered. "And they shuffle me around like, like—"

  "Like what?" he challenged before she could say something she might later regret. "Are you implying they palmed me off on you?"

  She didn't speak. Instead, she worked her bottom lip with her teeth. He wished she'd stop because it only made him want to nibble that plump bottom to get to know her better. And no good could come of such an action.

  Taking advantage of her shocked silence, he said, "The last RN didn't work out with all the rounds and rotations. You, as a pediatric ER nurse, have the most experience in the hospital. Therefore, you're most valuable to a visiting surgeon. You have experience in the OR, don't you?"

  She swallowed in hesitation, but then finally nodded. He found her response surprising. He'd asked a simple enough question and she reacted to it rather strongly. She didn't balk at performing a task outside her comfort zone the way many nurses did. But rather, she faltered. If she had OR experience, then what lay behind her reluctance to answer?

  "I'm an
RN, first assist," she told him. "I was RNFA certified in Boston and worked in the OR at Boston Children's before moving here to Florida."

  "Well then, it doesn't sound like you were shuffled around at all. More like you were assigned to me based on your impressive qualifications."

  He had to turn this situation around if they were to have a solid working relationship with the least amount of tension. But he knew what this was about—he could be brutal to work for and she knew it. He already had staff under him at his beck and call, but he still needed someone like Willow on his side. Someone he could depend on while navigating the halls of the university and teaching in this hospital. He needed to make this work.

  "It means a change in your shift, of course, and very long days. So, I have to ask," he pressed, "do you have a problem working for me?"

  While the shock of the situation still lingered in her eyes, her plump lips pursed to hearty determination. "No, Doctor. I don't have a problem. No problem at all."

  "Good." Although not convinced of her enthusiasm, he fought back his sigh of relief. "So, any word on our infant?"

  "I do have some more information about Baby Jack's situation," she asserted with all the professionalism she could muster given her unexpected new assignment.

  "Jack? You named our baby, Jack?" he asked.

  "He was found in a box, wasn't he?" she countered.

  Shayne's insides lit up and he couldn't stop his beaming smile.

  "Okay, then. Jack it is. And what do you know about Jack?"

  Willow's lips parted to say something more, but a faint alarm squealed just outside the door. A patient on the children's ward needed help.

  Shayne feared who that patient might be.

  He shared a quick troubled look with Willow before bolting out of the nutrition room. The alarm stemmed from Baby Jack's room. All of Shayne's training shot into overdrive. The life-and-death alarm meant one thing. The baby's SAT level was dropping. Shayne's heart sank in dire concern. Without oxygen, the baby could be suffocating to death.