The Doctor and the Naughty Girl Page 10

  “What’s… that?” She whispered it, staring at him, at the movement of those soft, sensual lips.

  There was a spark in those hazel eyes. “Submission.”

  She couldn’t be this person, this person he seemed to see in her. There was a misunderstanding. Wasn’t there? She’d never really thought of herself as, well, kinky. That had always seemed like a label for… those other people. Not Amity.

  Yet, what had her reaction to what she’d seen today told her? It was more than being curious, it was something much deeper, impossible to deny.

  Fascination.

  “Like I said, you’re not ready to admit it to yourself. You can’t even say the word… but it’s what you are, Amity.”

  She had to get this on firmer ground. A more level playing field. She had no real idea of what to expect tonight on the way over here, but it sure as hell wasn’t this.

  “I don’t understand any of this.” She met his now fiery gaze, her mouth so dry the words seemed to stick to her lips. “I’m … not ready, Dane.”

  “I know you’re not.” He stood and walked to her, looking down at her, a hand cupping her chin, raising her gaze slowly to his. “Which is why I’m sending you home.”

  No! Yes! Fuck.

  “W-why? Did I do something wrong?”

  “You heard me, Amity. It’s time for you to go home now. Your work here is done for the night.”

  “But… I haven’t even been here half an hour.”

  “I’ll pay you for two hours. Time and a half, as agreed.”

  He moved to walk out, and she grasped his wrist, then let him go—as if it wasn’t allowed. He looked back at her, his mouth quirking.

  “I… is this it?”

  “There’ll be other appointments, if that’s what you’re asking. Do you want to help me with them?”

  “Yes,” she said, the swiftness of her response shaming her with her eagerness.

  Dane smiled at her then, the beauty of it almost dazzling her. “Then go home. Get some sleep. I’ll see you Monday.”

  He walked her to the door, and just before she walked out—she turned back.

  Are you fucking insane? You’re not seriously asking this.

  It had been at the back of her mind all week long though, the promised punishment hanging over her, his justice ready to be meted out at a time and place of his choosing. At his whim.

  “I thought—” she swallowed hard, trying to form speech even as she knew she shouldn’t say it, “—do I still have to be… punished?”

  Dane crossed his arms, leaning a muscled shoulder against the door frame.

  My God, that shirt does wonders with that body.

  “What do you mean?”

  Oh, but he knew. The quirk of those lips told all.

  Her voice dropped to a shamed whisper. “You said you were going to—cane me.”

  “And I will, Amity.” He stepped close, the heat of his body enveloping her, his great height making her feel like a little girl next to him. Those beautiful eyes had gone cool, the sternness that she desired and feared in equal measure hardening the line of his lips. “But it’ll be on my time, when I decide it’s needed. You’ll just have to wait and worry, bad girl.”

  Chapter Nine

  Amity had the morning off for an appointment. He hadn’t asked her what it was for at the time, but now as Dane sat at his desk, sifting through the rather long weekly newsletter e-mailed to him by their medical group’s director, he wondered. Lately, it had been happening more than he was comfortable admitting—thinking about Amity.

  There was a knock on his door, and Cathie peeked in, a hand fiddling with the blond length of her ponytail. Her mouth was curved in a knowing smile. “Looks like you’ve got a visitor.”

  “Who?” He’d actually had a light morning, God-knew-how, and he was using it to make at least a tiny dent in mountains of paperwork and insurance forms—it never ended.

  “I didn’t ask. He seemed to know you though. Want me to tell him you’re out?”

  “No, it’s fine.” Any excuse to delay doing paperwork would do nicely. Dane followed Cathie back out to the lobby.

  Dane stopped at the door to the lobby.

  It was Chuck Derrington.

  He looked up, smiling at Dane as he stood, the man’s blue eyes the same hue of cobalt as that of his daughter’s.

  “Doctor McKendrick!” He extended a hand, and Dane shook it. “Hope I’m not catching you at a bad time. Do you have a minute to talk?”

  “Sure,” Dane glanced back at Cathie who still hung back in the hallway, the nurse no doubt hoping to glean some juicy information with which to rib him about later on. “Can you hold down the fort for a few minutes? I’m gonna take a walk. Be back in fifteen.”

  “Knock yourself out,” she said, slipping behind the lobby desk. It was just as slow for her as it had been for him. It was good that Amity was gone. He looked over at Chuck.

  Yes, very good indeed.

  The sky was overcast, the leaves now showing that bleeding in of bright color that heralded the coming fall. Dane and Chuck walked through the expansive courtyard that was tucked within the massive U-shaped footprint of the main hospital building. They followed a stone path that meandered through lush grass, Japanese maple, and small clusters of evergreens. The space was so large it felt more like a park than a courtyard, the foliage and shelter of the massive building muffling sound such that the area possessed a comforting hush, a relaxing escape from the noise of the surrounding city.

  “How’s my daughter doing, doctor?”

  “Dane, please.” At least the man was getting right to business. “She’s doing all right. Can be a little bit of a challenge with young people sometimes, as I’m sure you know. But she’s damned smart, and I think she’s heading in the right direction.”

  “I hope you don’t think she’s too young for that environment,” Derrington said, lifting a shoulder, the charcoal suit he wore seeming to absorb the day’s light. “I worried about that some when I called you. I know how… flighty she can be. She’s still basically a kid, college degree or not.”

  “Yep, takes some time to season ‘em.” Dane glanced at him, smiling. Derrington gave a soft grunt.

  The man stopped, crossing his arms behind his back. “I know this is odd—visiting you like this. We haven’t spoken in… quite a while.”

  Try exactly once since I agreed to hire your daughter.

  Derrington continued. “But I wanted you to know. There’s been some exciting things happening with two of the corporations I’m affiliated with.” He inclined his head toward Dane. “Possibly some developments you might be interested in.”

  Dane had to smile at the phrasing. Chuck Derrington sat on the board of directors for not only the largest hospital system on the west coast, but also of the largest medical group in the region. The same medical group Dane’s current practice happened to be a part of.

  “Don’t tell me, Chuck. More legislation? More regulations?” Dane wiped a hand across his mouth. “I’m still wading through that last e-mail they sent out. Looks to me—unless I’m reading it wrong—like a total overhaul of reporting and record keeping.”

  “Fucking assholes in Washington,” Chuck said, looking down. “It never, ever ends with them. But no, definitely better than that. A lot better.”

  “I’m listening.”

  Cathie had been exhorting Dane to press the flesh more often, to attend some of the many social functions he’d been invited to. He’d stopped telling her about all of them, knowing he’d get her eyes rolling at what she perceived to be his wasted opportunities. Now, it appeared one of those opportunities might have landed right in his lap.

  “There’s another medical group the hospital has agreed to grant affiliation to. Bright Star Group. Have you heard of them?”

  “Oh, I’ve heard of them.”

  They were only one of the two largest medical groups in the entire western half of the US. There’d been some rumblings that th
ey’d be expanding to the northwest. Apparently, they weren’t just rumors.

  Derrington began slowly walking again, and Dane followed along, the wheels turning in his mind at the possibilities.

  “Dane, there are some—let’s call them doors—that might open to someone with brains, with discernment, and with discretion.” He glanced over at Dane. “If one were so inclined, that is.”

  “One might be, sure.” He felt like a jackass with this political code-talk read-between-the-lines bullshit. This was why he never attended those functions. And it was probably why younger doctors than him, fresh out of residency, were making more money than he was too.

  “Or those doors might stay closed, if certain—issues arose.”

  Dane didn’t like the sudden coolness in Derrington’s voice.

  “Issues?”

  “As you say, Amity is… young. Impressionable. Maybe even a little irresponsible.” Derrington stopped, turning to Dane, his gaze steady, intent. “Which is why I value your judgment, your discretion. I knew she’d be a good fit for your temperament.”

  This was going in a direction Dane didn’t like. At all.

  “I appreciate your confidence, Chuck. She’s been a good addition to the team.”

  “Which is why I’d like to ask you not to do anything to change that.”

  “I don’t think I follow.”

  But he suspected he followed quite well.

  “Can I speak plainly, Dane?” Derrington laid a hand over his chest. “We all have our… eccentricities, in life. All of us.”

  “That we do.”

  Shit.

  “I’ve been keeping an eye on my daughter.” He dipped his chin, looking up at Dane from under a tanned, furrowed brow. “I hope you won’t tell her that. She’d never forgive me.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Between us only, Chuck.”

  “Good.” Derrington’s gaze grew flinty. “I’ve heard the rumors of course, the whispers. But honestly, I never cared what people did in their personal lives. But this is—different.”

  Dane had known about the whispers too. Kinky. Perverted. One of those people. He largely ignored it. As long as he kept his head down, none of it mattered.

  Derrington’s jaw hardened. “I don’t want her at your home.”

  “Uh, what?”

  “Amity. I don’t want her taking on any extra… duties. What you do on off hours, that’s your business, not mine. But it doesn’t need to be hers either. She’s… it’s not something I think is a good fit for her skillset.”

  “I think I understand.”

  “Good.” Derrington winked. “Many of us have other enterprises, other opportunities. And with discretion, with good judgment, those don’t have to be a problem.”

  Dane wanted to throttle the sonofabitch. How did he know? Cathie would never have talked—she was part of the community too, and he trusted her implicitly. And there was no way on God’s green earth Amity would’ve said a word to her father.

  So how the hell did he know?

  Derrington’s voice softened, and he leaned a little closer. “Certain doors remain open, Dane. All you need do is what’s right, in order to walk through them. If I can trust your judgment here, you might stand to benefit. Greatly.”

  Dane didn’t say anything, instead trying to will himself not to clock the smarmy prick right in the mouth. He kept himself under control though, because, smarmy prick or not, Chuck Derrington was dangerous. Very dangerous. Dane had to be careful here.

  Pulling back the cuff of his suit coat, Derrington looked at his watch. “I’m sorry to run, Dane, but I’ve got another appointment.” He offered a hand, and though Dane wanted nothing more than to crush it, instead he shook it, giving Chuck a tight smile.

  Derrington clapped him on the upper arm. “I knew we’d understand one another. I’ll be in touch soon. I’m excited about the possibilities for you, Dr. McKendrick.”

  Dane watched the man make his way back across the courtyard, his stride slow, entirely unhurried. The confident gait of a man who controlled the levers of life, the doorways of privilege.

  What the fuck are you gonna do now, Dane?

  Chapter Ten

  It had been almost two weeks—and still, nothing.

  He’d threatened her and she’d felt that fear, that promise of another punishment, the consequences both of them knew she needed. And still, it hadn’t happened.

  Amity had even let an f-bomb fly under her breath one day, sneaking a glance at him to make sure he’d heard it. He had, his jaw clenching as he glowered at her. But all he’d done was to bark at her to watch her mouth, then he’d stalked off. That was it!

  Increasingly, all she could think about was what was coming, what she craved and feared. What confused and aroused her. Even going out with Kaitlyn had somehow lost its appeal, Amity sitting in a darkened corner, nursing a drink, immersed in the driving, chest-rattling bass of the music, the rolling, dazzling lights and Kaitlyn’s yelled exhortations all just so much static. For Amity’s mind would be elsewhere, nursing a hope, a building yearning for something she didn’t yet understand.

  It was Friday, and as she got ready for work, she looked at the clock. If she left at that moment she’d make it to work with time to spare—on time as she knew he expected. And thus far, she’d obeyed his wishes. She’d been a good girl.

  And look what the fuck that’s gotten you.

  She’d chosen the snug medium brown slacks, her painted toes peeking out from under the hems, the strappy four-inch heels so high, she was sure she’d end up breaking an ankle. She only wore heels that high when she wanted something.

  To be fucked.

  “So why the hell are you wearing them to work, Amity?” She shook her head, checking her makeup in the mirror. “And now you’re talking to yourself too.”

  She looked at the clock once more. Ten minutes to seven. She could maybe make it now—if she sped, and got lucky.

  Instead, Amity sat on her bed, trying to get used to the feel of the lacy garter belt, the feel of the straps holding up the dark stockings. Nobody would know she was wearing something so slutty under the sexy, but tasteful, slacks and cream high-necked top—one she’d chosen specifically because it showed off her boobs to advantage. Yes, she’d get dirty looks from female passersby, but she knew he was powerless against it, couldn’t help but look.

  Dane.

  Amity leaned forward, holding her head in her hands. “I hope you know what you’re doing, idiot.”

  Looking up at the clock as it passed seven, she knew there was no going back now.

  Finally, she’d get what she wanted.

  * * *

  Dane’s phone rang just as he was sending off the last—hopefully—e-mail to Mrs. Hendricks. The woman was as anxious as they came, and was a client that reminded him of a term he’d heard often in med school, ‘high touch’—a euphemism for high maintenance.

  He picked up the phone. “Doctor McKendrick.”

  “She’s not here,” Cathie’s voice said, irritation dripping from it. “Again.”

  Dane sighed, looking at his watch. It was 7:10. “Okay, I’ll be up there in a second. I’ll wait for her to show up.”

  “Is anything going to be done about this? For real, this time?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Good. She’s lucky I’m not her boss.” Then Cathie hung up.

  Dane leaned back in his chair, scrubbing his face with both hands. He looked out his window, falling leaves spiraling in the breeze. Rain threatened to spit from the gray sky.

  He’d hoped he could just… let things lie. She’d been well-behaved. She’d been coming in on time, doing her job. Yeah, she’d cursed that one time, but he’d let it go. There was more at stake here than a young woman’s continued personal growth. Her father had ensured that.

  But he couldn’t let this slide.

  As he walked down the hall, and pushed open the glass door into the lobby, the front door opened, a gust of cool fall wind
stirring the air. It was Amity. Her gaze met his, a defiance in those deep blue eyes he hadn’t seen there in weeks.

  “Good morning, Dr. McKendrick.” Her guileless smile was both infuriating and beautiful.

  “You’re late.”

  She shrugged as she walked by him. “Traffic.”

  Fuck.

  She was dressed in slacks that were practically painted on, highlighting the curves of her hips. She might as well have been wearing a neon sign that read: “Please look at my ass.”

  The top wasn’t any better, the hug of the fabric emphasizing the generous weight of her breasts. At least she wasn’t showing any cleavage—this time.

  Like that matters.

  His cock was already at attention, and he noted the mince of her gait as she slipped behind the counter to take her seat. High heels again.

  “Why are you dressed like that?”

  She frowned. “Like what?”

  “That,” Dane said, gesturing up and down with his hand. “You have a date after work?”

  “Would you even care if I did?”

  He glared at her, already wanting to kiss those soft, pink lips. Right after he spanked her ass, that was.

  “Just answer my question.”

  “No, I don’t have a date!” She put on her headset, glaring up at him. “I’m just dressed nice today. Professionally. You know, like you’ve told me I’m supposed to do.”

  There was nothing professional about the way that outfit showed off that body. That outfit was designed to do one thing.

  Dane leaned over the counter. “You’re late, Amity. I won’t have it.”

  Her eyes flashed. “I told you, it was traffic. I can’t control that. Why does it matter, anyway? Even if it was my fault, nothing would happen.”

  Bratting. Interesting.

  He grabbed the back of her head, his fingers submerging in her soft hair, and pulled her close, kissing her hard. Her whole body went still, her eyes wide, but she didn’t resist. She felt even better than he imagined, his tongue teasing the softness of her lower lip, then pushing into her mouth. She made a tiny sound as her tongue found his, the taste of her so sweet he didn’t ever want to stop.