Jill Shalvis - Luke

"What we have is more than a difference in opinion, Faith. Try major differences in life philosophies." His eyes met hers in a long, knowing look. "There's no prettying that up."

"But you stayed."

"Not much of a choice," he pointed out.

"Yeah, because you're a marketing nightmare."

His smile was grim. "Don't you know it."

"And because you like your position and prestige at the hospital."

He eyed her for a heartbeat during which time she wondered why in the world she was baiting the tiger. "Yes," he said eventually. "I like my position at the hospital. I like it a lot."

"So… after a day of being here, after seeing what we do for our patients, can't you maybe admit you were wrong about the clinic?"

Another long moment. "I can admit you help people," he allowed.

Was that the most she was going to get? Apparently so. And yet really, what had she expected? That he'd thank her for proving him wrong today? Yeah, right.

Exhausted, frustrated, she sank to the couch and nearly moaned out load at the delicious body heat he'd left her. A good amount of her resentment faded, and snuggling in, she let out a serrated sigh.

"Good?"

"Better than good." She sighed again, softly, blissfully.

His eyes heated at the sound and her tummy fluttered.

He leaned over her, a long, warm arm on either side of her hips.

The tingle in her tummy spread. She considered how she'd feel if he kissed her, and had just decided she might actually let him when the blanket drifted over her. "What are you doing?"

"Tucking you in. Need a bedtime story?"

Oh boy. "Doctor of the universe and a comedian, too."

He tilted his head in a mocking bow.

She closed her eyes so she wouldn't stare at his mouth, which was wide, firm, and she suspected, quite talented. Damn distracting. Every part of him was damn distracting. "I just want a quick catnap."

"Will it improve your disposition?"

She opened her eyes again. "Did it improve yours?"

Stunning her, he smiled, and quite frankly, it took her breath. "My disposition is perfect," he claimed.

"Uh-huh."

His smile faded and he traced a finger over her temple, exactly where it throbbed. "Maybe…" He shifted even closer, and her heart stopped because surely this time he was going to kiss her. "Maybe you should give yourself some sort of…" He waved his hand. "Stinky treatment or something."

"Stinky?"

"You know… your smelly oils."

With a groaning laugh, she lay back. "Aromatherapy." No, she wouldn't be disappointed he hadn't leaned in and put his mouth on hers.

"Like I said, stinky stuff."

"I'm going to hold that against you."

"Yeah." He stared at her right back, an unreadable expression on his face. "I feel the same way." Then he moved toward the door, shutting it behind him.

She stared at the closed door, her heartbeat still a little unsteady. His disposition was perfect, was it? Before he'd turned on that amazing bedside manner just now she would have laughed out loud at the thought, but all she could do at the moment was feel his hands on her as he'd tucked the blanket in, the heat in his gaze as he'd run it over her, the touch of his fingers on her face… Oh, God.

She was lusting after Dr. Universe.

Maybe Shelby and Guy were right, maybe she just needed sex. This thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

Emphasis on the terrifying.

* * *

Luke drove home that night, going over the day in his head. Naturopathic healing. Utilizing energy and scents and massage for healing.

And people paid for that stuff!

It baffled him that the patients at Healing Waters had seemed so clearly impressed with their treatments, so certain they were getting the best out there. Not a single person had voiced discontent or bitched at the staff. Not a single soul had left unsatisfied.

In comparison was South Village Medical Center, where on an hourly basis someone threatened to sue, yelled at the receptionist, or was positive the hospital was out to get them.

He walked into his dark house, kicked off his shoes and stripped out of his shirt. He was heading toward the shower when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and picked up the phone to the only person he felt like talking to at the moment, his brother.

"So, now you're a publicity nightmare," Matt said in his ear, his voice thick with a smile. "Big surprise there, huh? What did you say this time?"

Luke sighed. "Carmen told you."

"I called earlier. She might have mentioned it."

"Then you know what I said."

"I just wanted to hear you say it. Did you really call the hospital, the board that pays you, the idiocracy of bureaucracy?"

"Maybe." Luke rubbed the aching spot between his eyes. "Look, they let Carmen go along with a bunch of the other hospital workers, all low income, all in housekeeping. Fired them on the spot, claiming money shortages. And yet they're helping to fund this clinic with its alternative 'healing' mumbo jumbo."

"Ah. And your sense of injustice is screaming."

"Everyone's sense of injustice should be screaming, Matt. If they did this at your hospital, you'd be screaming, admit it."

"Hey, here in Texas we don't scream. We pontificate."

"I had to do something."

His brother sobered. "Yeah, I know. And it explains why Carmen is now running your life. You hired her to clean your house on a daily basis, even though you're never home to mess it up, didn't you?"

"Let's talk about you," Luke decided. "You marry your absentminded professor yet?"

"Hey, I only fell in love with Molly a week ago."

"Ah. Cold feet. Can't blame you about that one little bit. Love has never been our thing, has it?"

"I am not having cold feet. And love is my thing now."

"The single women in the world are weeping."

"Nah, they still have you."

Luke sighed. "It's a sad day when I have to say I'm too busy to be there for them."

"That is a sad day," Matt agreed.

"Call me after the honeymoon."

"Oh, no. When we get married, which will be soon, you'll be there."

"Weddings give me the hives."

"Too bad. You're the only family I have, Luke. The only family who ever mattered anyway."

"Yeah." Luke felt the same way, and thinking it made his voice gruff. "I'll come."

"Good. So stay out of hot water, at least until this all passes, okay?"

"It's not going to pass for three months."

"I don't suppose you can keep your mouth shut that entire time."

"Faith would love that."

"Faith? Who's Faith?"

"My boss at the clinic."

"Is she single?" Matt asked with the sudden interest of a bloodhound on the scent.

"I don't know."

"What does she look like?"

"I thought you had your woman."

"I'm thinking of you. So… is she hot?"

"Matt-"

"Hey, I just want you to be as happy as I am. So is she? Hot?"

The image of her came to mind; Faith with her long flowing red hair that never seemed to obey its restraints, her huge, expressive, and usually annoyed, green eyes, and that curvy little bod which filled out her scrubs in a way that made his hands itch. Faith… hot? Oh, yeah. "She's hot under the collar," he said carefully.

"She's hot," Matt decided with a delighted laugh.

"Goodbye, Matt."

"Are you going to ask her out?"

"Goodbye, Matt."

"You are, aren't you?"

"Good-"

"Yeah, yeah. Good luck, Luke."

With a shake of his head and a surprising smile, Luke hung up the phone. Quiet surrounded him, and his smile went nostalgic. God, he really missed having his brother around. They'd had some amazing times growing up in Texas, roaming their grandfather's fields with little to no supervision, finding trouble more often than not, but always finding it together, and suddenly, the thousand miles separating them seemed so huge. Maybe he'd take a vacation when this was over.

Right. A vacation.

He never took time off.

Well, he would, he decided. It'd be his own little reward for getting through the next two and three quarters months of Saturdays.

And one Faith McDowell.

Finishing stripping down, he showered, and was practically asleep by the time he padded naked from the bathroom straight to his bed.

Carmen had made it for him, complete with pillows neatly lined up against the headboard and the heavy comforter he never bothered with, all pulled up nice and smooth. He wasn't used to sliding into a nicely organized bed, as his mornings were usually a race to get ready while trying to remember where he'd left his keys and wallet. He couldn't spare the time to make his bed. Besides, he was just going to mess it up again at night, so he never understood the need to waste those extra few moments in the mornings.

But he had to admit, it felt good. Closing his eyes, he prepared to let sleep claim him, but for some reason, his mind once again ran over the day's events.

Despite being so busy, the clinic had run smoothly, he'd give Faith that. Her patients were carefully tended to and cared for with a personal touch he had to admit had surprised him.

Faith…

When he finally dozed off, she was still on his mind, and he dreamed about her healing him. Doing it with just her fingertips, healing him… when he hadn't known he needed healing.

Faith had her usual Sunday and Monday off, and since the clinic was closed, she considered a bike ride, a movie… even a shopping spree. Instead, she made the mistake of looking in her office. Seeing the stacks of paperwork waiting for her there, she ended up working both days.