Page 6 of One Pucking Heart

He gives me a wink and exits, leaving me alone with Dr. Cortez.

“How are you feeling?” she asks, dropping her bag on the edge of the bed.

I pull in a deep breath as she leans over my knee to take a closer look. She smells delicious, the scent very citrusy with a hint of vanilla.

“I’m good.”

“Your pain level?”

“It’s not bad as long as I don’t move it.”

“And you’ve been icing it on and off?” She eyes the melted bag of ice that’s fallen to the side of my leg.

I give her a smug look, the corner of my mouth tilting up. “Per doctor’s orders.”

“Excellent.” She dips her chin and unzips the duffel, pulling out a brace. “Your brace came, but there’s no reason to use it as long as you're resting. When you start moving around in a few days, I’ll have you put it on to secure the knee. You want to move your knee as little as possible while the ligament heals. The quicker it heals, the faster we can get you into physical therapy and back to playing condition.” With two fingers, she lightly pushes against the skin covering my knee. “The swelling has gone down significantly.”

I’ve never been as thankful for a person’s retirement as right now. I’m grateful to be under Dr. Cortez’s care. I don’t want to imagine Hootie here instead. In the day I’ve known her, she’s clearly a hundred percent more competent than our old team doctor. Not to mention a thousand times more beautiful. Not that it matters. She isn’t some puck bunny enamored by me. In fact, I’d venture to say it’s the opposite. I can’t put my finger on it, and she’s done nothing to indicate as much, but I don’t think she likes me and definitely isn’t attracted to me. She’s been completely professional but hasn’t given anything extra, no smiles or lingering glances. It’s as if I don’t affect her at all, and I must admit I don’t like it. Especially since I can’t say the same thing. Everything about this woman affects me.

I clear my throat. “So, Dr. Cortez, Elena.” I love the way her name sounds coming from my lips. “Since we’ll be working together pretty closely, we should get to know each other better. Don’t you think?”

“I know all I need to know about you, Mr. Feldmore. You can rest assured your knee is in good hands.” She zips up the bag and leaves the brace on the bedside table.

“But I don’t know anything about you.”

She stands tall, and her big doe eyes hold me in her gaze. “I assure you I’m very capable of providing the best care. I graduated at the top of my class and have exemplary references. I’ve worked with many knee injuries. You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Feldmore.”

I wave my hand through the air. “Yeah, yeah… that’s all good. But tell me about you. What are your interests and hobbies? Favorite color? Are you seeing anyone?” I drop my eyes to her empty ring finger.

She pulls in an audible breath and rolls her shoulders back. “I’m afraid that information is none of your business. I’m your doctor, and you’re my patient, and that is where our relationship will remain. I’m not interested in being friends or anything else.”

I furrow my brows and shake my head with a tsk. “Yeah,” I draw out the word, “that’s not going to work. You see, the Cranes are a family. I think you’ll fit in better and enjoy your job much more if you embrace that.”

Something resembling a smirk crosses her face. “I enjoy my job just fine, Mr. Feldmore, and I’ve never cared about fitting in. So don’t you worry about me.”

My skin prickles with… annoyance? Desire? I’m not sure. But I’ve never met anyone who isn’t somewhat amused by my charm. It must be the injury. I’m off my game and not myself.

She sets a business card on the end table. “I’m leaving my cell phone number for you. Please reach out if you have any questions. Medical questions,” she clarifies. “If you start experiencing more pain or swelling, call me. For now, I need you to rest.” She glances toward the television. “Watch your wizard movies, take it easy, and I’ll check on you next week.”

Reaching over to the end table, I take the business card between my fingers. “It says you’re board certified in sports medicine and physical medicine and rehab?”

“Is that a question?” She tucks a lock of her long brown hair behind her ear.

I shrug. “Just putting together the pieces of the puzzle, is all. Trying to get to know someone when she won’t give any information is a bit of a struggle.”

“Have a good day, Mr. Feldmore.” She gives me a curt nod and turns toward the door.

“Elena, please. Call me Beckett or even Beck.”

She looks over her shoulder. “It’s Dr. Cortez.” And with that, she’s out of my room.

I don’t know what it is about this woman, but she fascinates me. A mature woman, a physician at that, isn’t my normal go-to, but the more she plays at being unaffected by me, the more I’m interested in her. I foresee this being a problem—one I’m all too excited to delve into.

CHAPTER FOUR

ELENA

Parked in front of the grocery store, I turn off the car. My phone rings. Seeing it’s Ari, I pick it up.

---