“Good. Next step is to get a backup,” she said and took a sip of wine. “In the meantime, about Chantaine’s medical program …”
He stifled a groan. “Do we have to discuss business?”
“Briefly,” she said and lifted an eyebrow. “Remember that we held our discussion while the twins were screaming after I had cared for them during your meeting and—”
“Okay, okay,” he said. “Do you want me to be blunt?”
“I would love it,” she said, leaning forward and propping her chin on her hands.
“The truth is, there’s no true professional advantage for the residents to go to Chantaine after they graduate. There’s no extra education, association with an expert, or certification.”
“So money is not enough,” she said.
“No,” he said.
“Hmm.” She tilted her head. “So the whole game would change if Chantaine could offer exposure to a noted expert in a particular field?”
He nodded.
She took another sip of her wine. “Thank you.”
He could tell her brain was already racing. “You’re plotting and planning,” he said.
She smiled, her sexy red lips lifting upward, sending a sensual heat through his veins. “Yes, I am. I’ll figure something out. It’s the Devereaux way.”
“I did an internet search on you,” he admitted. “You’ve mostly stayed out of trouble. How did you manage that?”
“I’m flattered. Of course, I did research on you right after the cocktail party. How did I stay out of trouble?” she asked. “It’s all relative. My sisters did me a huge favor. I wouldn’t wish it on her, but Ericka went to rehab, and then after that, Tina got pregnant. What a scandal. So my little tumbles—”
“Like the time you got smashed at the nightclub in Chantaine and made a scene—”
“That was Stefan’s fault. Eve was with me and he couldn’t stand the fact that she wasn’t with him.” She waved her hand. “But I won’t fault him too much. He’d just discovered he had a baby from an earlier affair and was trying to work out his relationship with Eve.”
“I remember reading an article about some sort of incident. A gang. She was hurt.”
He stopped when he saw her gaze darken with emotion.
“She saved my life and nearly lost her own,” Bridget said quietly as she ran her finger around the top of her glass. “It all happened so fast. I wish I had responded differently. She was hurt. She almost died.” She lifted her glass and took a quick sip. “It was wrong. Her life shouldn’t have been put in jeopardy for my sake.”
He was shocked at the stark guilt he saw on her face. “These things happen. Decisions are made in microseconds. She’s a Texas girl. She acted on instinct.”
She bit her lip. “Maybe I need to learn some of those Texas-girl instincts,” she muttered.
“Your instincts are pretty damn good. You took care of the twins when we were in a jam,” he said.
“That’s different,” she said.
“Not as far as I can see. I won’t lie to you. I can’t make any promises about sending doctors to Chantaine. On the other hand, I’ve thought about having you in my bed way too much. I wish I could say it’s just because you’ve got a killer body and I’ve done without, but the truth is, there’s something else about you that gets me going.”
Her lips parted in startled disbelief. “I—” She broke off and shook her head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know,” he said.
She met his gaze and he could tell she was undecided. He saw want and hesitation, and he understood it, but he was driven to find a way to get her to meet him halfway.
After a delicious dinner, Ryder drove Bridget to her hotel and insisted on walking her to her room. “You know security is watching me,” she said as they stood outside her door.
“Do you want to step inside your room?”
An illicit thrill raced through her. Her guard would report to Stefan and he would fuss. She would dodge his calls the same way she had after spending the night at Ryder’s house. What a hassle. “For just a moment,” she said and slid her key card into the lock.
Ryder pushed open the door. Seconds later, she felt her back against the door and his mouth on hers.
“Do you know what your red mouth does to me?”
he muttered and plundered her lips. He slid his tongue into her mouth, tasting her, taking her.
Her heart slammed against her ribs. She couldn’t resist the urge to lift her fingers to his hair and scalp.
He groaned in approval and rocked his hips against hers.
Bridget gasped, her breath locking somewhere between her lungs and throat. Somehow, someway, she craved his warmth and strength. His passion and need struck her at her core.
“I want you,” he said. “You want me. Let me stay for a while.”
A terrible wicked temptation rolled through her. If he stayed, he would fill her and take her away from her uncertainty and emptiness. She knew he could take care of her, if only for a little while.
He French-kissed her, sending her around the world at least a couple of times.
“You want me to stay?” he asked, sliding his mouth down over her ear.
She inhaled, grasping for sanity. Closing her eyes, she tried to concentrate. “Yesandno,” she said, running the words together. She dipped her head so that her forehead rested against his chin. “This is a little fast.”
He gave a heavy, unsatisfied sigh. “Yeah, it is. But it’s strong.”
She nodded. “Sorry,” she whispered.
“It’s okay,” he said cradling the back of her head. “It wouldn’t work out anyway.”
“Why is that?” she asked, leaning back to look at him.
“I’m a doctor. You’re a princess,” he said.
“So?” she asked.
“The two don’t mix,” he said. “And never will. Sweet dreams, Your Highness.”
He left and Bridget stared at the door, frowning. Why couldn’t they mix? Not that she wanted them to mix. And the sweet dreams thing really grated on her. That was what Eve had often said. It had seemed so sweet when she’d said it. Not so with Ryder. Bridget snarled. He was gone. Good riddance.
Ryder heard a knocking sound and shook his head as he glanced up during the meeting he was in to discuss the performance of the residents.
Dr. Wayne Hutt, Ryder’s nemesis, knocked on the table again. “Dr. McCall?” he said. “Anyone home?”
“Pardon me,” Ryder said in a crisp voice. “I was studying my notes.”
“Apology accepted,” Hutt said. “Drs. Robinson and Graham are having attendance issues.”
“Dr. Robinson is concerned about the welfare of his family in rural Virginia and Dr. Graham’s wife has just gotten pregnant,” Ryder said. “They just need a little time to refocus. It won’t be a problem.”
“How can you be sure?” Hutt challenged.
Ryder fought his antipathy for his associate. “I’m sure,” he said. “Just