Page 4 of Tempting the Doctor

He thinks for a moment, and I’m certain he’s going to tell me I’m an idiot for even suggesting it after everything I’ve done, but he surprises me.

“I’ll tell you what, Ms. Cline, if you can tell me how my new bypass procedure differs from the standard and why it works better, I’ll attend this photo shoot for you.”

Chapter 4

Trey

I can tell Mandy is surprised by my response. I’m a little surprised myself. When I’d opened my mouth, I had intended to tell her there was no way in hell that I would go to her photo shoot, and she’d be lucky if I decided not have my attorney contact her boss first thing in the morning. But once the words leave me, I realize how badly I want to see Mandy again, despite what she’s done.

It's obvious that she feels guilty for lying, and I have to admit that I have been rather rude to her. I remember canceling our appointment. I hadn’t wanted to give the interview in the first place, but that particular day had been especially bad. I’d lost a patient on the operating table that morning. He’d been an elderly man who had come in as an emergency. By the time he’d made it to the operating table, it was clear he likely wouldn’t make it. Still, I’d done my best to save him. In this instance, my best hadn’t been good enough, and he’d died. While logically I knew that there was nothing more I could have done, the loss of a patient is always hard. The last thing I’d wanted to do after that was speak to a journalist.

I’d ignored her repeated calls and emails requesting to reschedule because I simply could not give a damn about a series I had no interest in for a publication I didn’t read. Looking at Mandy now, I felt guilty for brushing her off. She’d only been trying to do her job. I had to admire her tenacity too, even if I disagreed with her methods. Her claim that she’d actually read my own articles, which had been published in two specialized medical journals, has me intrigued. So, having thrown out my challenge, I sit back and wait for her response.

Mandy takes a deep breath and a look of apprehension crosses her face. I’m immediately disappointed. It’s not the first time that someone has falsely claimed to have read my articles in a bid to impress me. I realize with a sinking stomach how badly I had wanted Mandy to be different. The waiter comes by with the check, and I debate tossing it across the table at Mandy. It seems only fair that she pay for the meal since she tricked me into an interview.

Before I decide what to do, Mandy blurts out, “I found both of your articles fascinating, but I don’t have a medical background, so I’m probably not going to get the details right, but I’ll try.”

Curious, I nod for her to continue. What follows is a mostly correct and quite succinct summary of the new bypass procedure I recently finished developing. I’m stunned. Despite a lack of medical knowledge, Mandy seems to have an impressive grasp on what I’d written. Some of the interns I work with at the hospital couldn’t understand my articles to the level that she does. I’m equally surprised to realize how turned on I’ve become while listening to her. It’s clear Mandy is more than a pretty face; she’s got the brain to match.

My cock twitches in my slacks as my focus shifts from her words to her lips. They’re soft and full, and I can’t help but wonder how they’d feel against my own, or better yet, around my hard dick. I shake my head to clear those thoughts, but Mandy seems to interpret the movement as a signal to stop speaking.

“I’m sorry, did I get that totally wrong? I thought I understood, but I don’t really know anyone to ask about such things, so I’m sure I am way off.”

“Not at all, Ms. Cline,” I tell her. “You’ve done an impressive job understanding the procedure.

She blushes prettily. “Please, call me Mandy,” she says. “So, does that mean you’ll attend the photo shoot, Dr. Miller?”

“If I’m going to call you Mandy, you can call me Trey. And that was the deal.” I pull my phone from my pocket and unlock it before handing it to her. “Text yourself from my phone. You can send me the information for the photo shoot. If I can clear my schedule, I’ll be there.”

Mandy’s shoulders sag a little at that, but she doesn’t say anything as she taps out a text to herself from my phone, then passes it back. I can understand her disappointment. My schedule is booked weeks in advance, so there’s every possibility that I won’t be able to make the shoot, but I’ll damn sure try.

After repocketing my phone, I pull out my wallet and toss a card on top of the bill. Mandy protests, but I wave her off. Yes, she orchestrated this “date,” but I don’t want to her pay for it. Paying for it myself makes it seem more like a real date, and I find that I like that idea.

Once the bill is paid, I follow Mandy out of the restaurant, and we pause on the sidewalk outside. I’m reluctant to leave her company, but I can’t think of a way to draw this out. It’s probably for the best anyway as I have a surgery scheduled early in the morning.

Mandy tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and shuffles slightly as she looks up at me. I’m several inches taller than her, so she has to tilt her head back to meet my eyes, exposing the line of her beautiful neck. It’s all I can do not to reach for her.

“So, I’ll text you the information about the photo shoot, and you can let me know if you’ll make it?” she asks.

“Yes. I’ll do my best to be there, as promised.”

“Okay. I’m sorry again for lying to you. I really appreciate this, Trey.”

The sound of my name on her lips has a jolt of desire racing down my spine. I take a step closer and lean in to whisper in her ear. “I hate to admit it, Mandy, but I’m glad you did. I’m sure Ms. Winters is a lovely woman, but I enjoyed your company, even if under false pretenses.” Her breath hitches as I pause, and my lips brush the shell of her ear. “I’ll talk to you soon.” Before pulling away, I place a light kiss on her check. I can feel the warmth of her blush beneath my lips. Moving away from her is the last thing I want to do, but I’ve already crossed the line with this alluring young journalist.

She doesn’t say a word as I hail a cab and help her into it. As I’m closing the door, she meets my eyes and smiles. “I’ll see you soon, Trey.”

Chapter 5

Mandy

On the day of the photo shoot, I’m staring at a line of three gorgeous men and two beautiful women, all of them immensely successful and influential in New York City. They’re smiling and chatting openly with the photographer and each other. The mood in the room is upbeat and friendly. Yet, all I can think about is Dr. Trey Miller. He’s late and holding up the whole schedule.

Over the past two weeks, we’ve texted and spoken on the phone every day. We’ve even developed a routine. In the morning, I send him a little joke to make him start his day with a laugh. We text on and off throughout the day, and he calls me before bed at night. I’ve gotten used to his rich baritone being the last thing I hear before falling asleep. I like to think that we’ve become friends, maybe even working our way toward more.

He’d told me just last night that, as much as he hates being photographed, he was excited to see me. Maybe that was a lie, though, since he’s now over an hour late. I’ve texted him twice, asking where he is, with no response. I refuse to text him again.

Maybe this is payback for hijacking his date, a little voice whispers, and the thought makes my stomach sour.

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