Alex glared at him, weighed his options. They were limited.
“I expect to be updated weekly.”
“That’s fair enough. I’m sure Kelly will be able to keep you up to speed.” He paused. “You’re aware that by law, I’m not required to tell you anything. So if Kelly agrees in writing—then we will keep you in the loop—to a point. However, the final decisions have to be hers. She’s my patient, not you and not the Gold Medal club.”
David took a gulp of pride. It burned on the way down. Hutchinson was the best in the country. He didn’t have to like Hutchinson for him to do a good job. If they left and went back to Atlanta, the press wouldn’t leave her alone. And he had too much going on for the press to be all over them like gnats.
“Fine. Whatever it takes for Kelly to be well.”
Alex folded his arms. “How long have you been her coach?”
“A little more than ten years.” A faint smile played around the deep corners of his mouth. “Spotted her in her freshman year of high school. Was able to wrangle an athletic scholarship, got her out of that dump of a school and into a private high school.”
“Commendable. What did you get out of it?”
The pleasant smile disappeared. “What makes you think I was out to get anything?”
“Altruism isn’t a popular human trait. Everyone does what they do for a reason—to get something out of it, even if it’s no more than to feel good.”
“Is that your excuse—for the white coat and the arrogance?”
Alex laughed from deep in his gut and lounged against the door frame. “Yeah. Pretty much. There’s nothing like a man in uniform with a little power to wow the ladies.”
“A doctor with an inflated sense of humor and ego. Just what we need more of.”
“The world would be a better place. But, enough about me, back to you. That’s a pretty long time to be in someone’s life. You must be close—like family.”
“Very.”
It was a challenge that Alex felt like taking. “Maybe it’s more—”
The knock on the door cut him off in midsentence. He stepped back from the door and opened it.
Ruby wrinkled her nose and sniffed. “Is that testosterone I smell in here?” she asked in a stage whisper.
“Not funny.”
“Your patient is ready.” She tiptoed and spoke to David over Alex’s right shoulder. “It will be at least an hour, maybe more, Mr. Livingston. If you want to go and come back…” She let her sentence drift off.
“Thanks, but I think I’ll wait.”
Alex turned to him. “Feel free to hang out in here. It’s much more comfortable than the waiting room. Anyone asks, just tell them you got the okay from me.” He grinned.
The last thing David wanted to be was in debt for a favor, even one as minor as this. He waved off Alex’s offer. “Thanks, but I’ll wait up front with everyone else. It’s not a problem.”
Alex shrugged. “See you in a few, then.” He walked out with Ruby at his side.
David stared at their backs before heading out. His eyes tightened. His jaw locked. Hutchinson was going to be a problem. The sooner Kelly got well and out of there the better.
Chapter 11
Kelly jumped when the door opened. Instinctively she pulled the hospital gown tighter around her body, a body that was rubber-band tight, stretched to the limit and had just snapped.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Ms. Maxwell,” Alex apologized.
“Where’s David?”
She sounded childlike asking for a parent or guardian—or lover. Alex crossed the room to where she was perched atop the exam table. Just how close were they? Better question: why did it matter?
“He’s in the waiting room, waiting.”
Kelly shifted. “I’d prefer if he was here with me.” She looked straight at Alex then Ruby.
Alex hesitated for a moment before saying the first thing that came to his mind, which he was prone to do. For example he really wanted to ask her what the hell she was so frightened of and if she’d ever slept with David Livingston. Both questions were inappropriate, so he kept them to himself. And was proud of his effort.
“There’s really nothing to worry about. I’m relatively harmless.” He gave her his best “I’m really charming” smile.
Ruby chuckled lightly to shoo the tension aside. “Generally family and friends are more of a problem than the patients. I’ve had folks faint or run out of the room to relieve themselves of breakfast or lunch.”
Kelly’s raven eyes widened with alarm. “I thought you said it wasn’t that bad.”
“It isn’t. It just looks that way,” Alex said, sitting on the stool in front of the examination table.
Ruby handed him Kelly’s chart. He put it on his lap and focused on Kelly, whose expression vacillated between fear and defiance. Something didn’t sit right with him.
“Ms. Maxwell, one thing I want to assure you of, my only job is to get people well—as well as they can be. But in order to do that I need them to believe in me and in themselves. I told your bodyguard—uh, David—as much.” He gently lifted her leg. “When did they put this on?” he asked referring to the space boot.
“About a week ago. And he’s not my bodyguard.”
Alex glanced into her face but didn’t comment.
He ran his hands up and down her leg yet even with the cast and the boot a tingling thrill erupted in the base of her stomach and spiraled down her legs. Her inner thighs trembled. It wasn’t lost on Alex.
He gazed up at her. His eyes said “trust me.” Her nostrils flared and she jutted her chin forward.
“I believe in myself,” she said in a hoarse whisper.
“And before this is all over, you’ll believe in me, too.”
Slowly he stood and lowered her leg, never breaking contact with her eyes. He stepped closer and put his arm around her waist to help her down and his fingers inadvertently slipped between the open folds in the back of the gown.
Her skin ignited beneath the tips of his fingers and she drew in a sharp breath.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she stammered.
It was only an instant that he held her, but to Kelly it was a sensual dance, that one moment that girls dream of.
Alex eased her to her feet. He cleared his throat along with his head. “Um, as soon as I get the report back from your MRI and blood work we can start on your rehab program.”
Kelly nodded, uncertain of her voice.
“’Scuse me,” Ruby interrupted. She shot Alex a “what the devil are you doing” look. “I’m going to schedule Ms. Maxwell to return on Wednesday. The labs and the MRI will be