Page 51 of Deprivation

An hour later, I enter the ER through the ambulance bay doors and approach the first nurses’ station I see. “Hi. I’m Dr. Barnes. I received a text earlier about a serious ankle injury.”

With a flirty twist of her hair, the nurse smiles up at me. She appears to be my age or older but perfectly coiffed for a day working in the ER. “Oh, of course, Dr. Barnes. Let me help you,” she lilts back to me. Taking much longer than I feel should be necessary, I watch as she continues to look blankly at her computer screen, stopping once or twice to playfully peer at me through her hair.

Really? It’s not even nine o’clock in the morning.

Annoyed, I look at her name tag and ask, “Bobbi, any idea where Kat might be? She was the provider who contacted me about the patient.”

“Oh, here it is,” she interrupts quickly. I watch, startled, as she abruptly jumps up from her seat and walks around the desk to stand beside me. “Follow me, Dr. Barnes,” she directs, smiling from ear to ear.

As we approach room twenty-one, Bobbi’s ass swaying side to side before me in an apparent attempt to entice me, I see an older gentleman lying on the gurney in notable discomfort. Standing at his bedside, Kat looks up from where she’s been speaking to him just as I feel my escort’s hand caress my left arm. I watch as a look of irritation crosses Kat’s face.Is that directed at me?“Thanks, Bobbi,” I say in effort to dismiss this leech from my presence.

“Good morning, Ms. Kelly. Is this the patient you consulted about?” I try to greet as professionally as possible.

“Yes, Dr. Barnes. This is Mr. Lamb. He was trying to let his dog out early this morning and took an unfortunate fall down the steps,” she explains. “Did you see the X-ray results I sent you?”

“Yes, thank you for that,” I respond, lifting the sheet from his left ankle. It’s obviously swollen and misshapen. I check to verify he has strong pulses. “Can you feel me touching you here, Mr. Lamb?”

“Yes. They’ve given me some medicine. It’s helping a little, but it’s still pretty bad,” the patient answers with deliberate concentration.

“I’m sorry to hear that. You have a pretty bad fracture, sir. It’s broken in such a way that has caused your ankle to be unstable. We need to place it in a splint until we can get you cleared for surgery,” I instruct. “We’ll provide medicine that will make you sleep through the procedure, but it doesn’t last as long as general anesthesia.”

I look to Katarina. “Does he have someone here to sign consents for procedural sedation, Ms. Kelly?” I ask, knowing this patient has already been given very strong pain killers.

“Yes, sir,” she responds quietly.

I feel my dick stir in my pants with her response.Holy fuck. Get your shit together.I’ve never really been into dominance in the bedroom, but something about hearing her soft response has me wound up.I’m sure my early morning oral gratification isn’t helping.“Are you able to assist me, Kat?” I ask, hoping my now gravelly voice isn’t giving away my lascivious thoughts.

“Of course, Dr. Barnes,” she replies quickly.

* * *

Kat

After reassuring Mr. Lamb he’s in good hands, I instruct that I’m going to update his family before I gather the materials we’ll need to splint the fracture. I’ve advised the physicians who are working about his need for sedation and that I’ll have to assist Dr. Barnes in placing the splint. Thankfully, Jessica is the nurse assigned to Mr. Lamb, so I know she’ll be able to pull all of the medication in a timely manner. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed many a consultant breeze into the ER acting as if the whole department should come to a screeching halt in order to accommodate their needs. I’ve not worked with Dr. Barnes enough to know how he’ll behave if something he needs is missing and would prefer not to find out if he can be an asshole today. I’ve seen enough of his mercurial ways to know I should prepare for anything.

The family seated in the waiting room has been updated on the plan of care and I’ve obtained written consent for treatment. His sweet wife, Maude, married to him for fifty-six years I’m told, is so worried. After trying to reassure her, I return to my computer to ensure all of the necessary medications have been ordered then go to look for supplies.

Coming around the corner toward room twenty-one, I push the large, metal cast cart containing all of the splinting material I’ll need. I’m assuming Dr. Barnes’ primary function will be to reduce the fracture, placing firm traction on the broken area to align the shattered pieces of bone before I adhere the splint. Trying not to mow anyone over with this six-and-a-half-foot tall abomination, I attempt to steer carefully. I hesitate for a moment, feeling a gentle tug on the other end of the cart, worried I’ve run over some innocent bystander. Alarmed, I swiftly peek around the corner to see Dr. Barnes is doing the same. Shocked by his effort to help me move this beast, I actually laugh out loud in surprise, and he accepts my revery by returning a panty-melting gleam back at me. Anyone watching would think we were carrying on our own private conversation.

This thought has me suspicious others could be watching, and I hastily swing my head to the left to scan the area for observers.These dreams are really making me paranoid.About that time, Jessica looks up. I watch as she reads the odd expression on my face and responds with an equal look of bewilderment. Adjusting her focus, she peers in Dr. Barnes’ direction before slowly returning her gaze to me wearing a shit eating-grin.

Shaking my head, I give her a silent warning.

Once in the room, I discover a towel is all I’m missing. The splint material is fiberglass, covered with cotton padding. To activate the fiberglass and allow it to harden, it must be dampened. I like to extract any excess water, so the splint doesn’t drip everywhere. Returning to the cast cart with the towel, I notice Jessica is handing the medication to Dr. Silver, who’ll be pushing the sedative. Dr. Barnes is standing at the edge of the bed, sans suit jacket, modeling a crisp white dress shirt which clings to his muscular form, sleeves rolled up just below the elbows.Oh, those hard, muscular, sexy, arms.My gaze travels higher and I notice he is…What, grinning at me?

“Thanks,” he whispers.

“For what?” I whisper back, praying he isn’t making fun of my obvious admiration.

“For the towel. Most people don’t think of that. I don’t want to get him and me all wet when I put the splint on.”

Continuing to whisper, wondering what is so top secret, I say, “I thought I was splinting him and you were reducing the fracture. You’re the surgeon. Remember?”

“No, ma’am. You’re reducing this. I’ll put the splint on once you have it in good alignment.”

I step back, face frozen as my eyes dart up to his in a near panic. I’ve never done this before. I’ve reduced other fractures, but never something like this. “But, I-”

“Kat. I’m right here. Do you think I’m going to let you do it wrong?” he asks, a touch of sweetness present.

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