Hot Docs On Call: Surgeon's Seduction. Carol Marinelli
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maker?”
“If you do, I’m taking you with me,” she said.
He laughed again. She liked the way he laughed, it always made her smile.
“Deal,” he said. “But I promise you I won’t be throwing you over the edge. It would be a waste of a beautiful woman.”
Heat bloomed in Mindy’s cheeks. She wanted to chastise him for saying that, but they were alone. They weren’t on duty. They were just two friends exploring the city and she didn’t have a problem with him telling her she was beautiful.
There was a rumbling sound and she peeked down the dark tunnel to see two headlights in the distance.
“Come on, we have to move to the front of the train and get one of the first five compartments.”
“Why?” Mindy asked, as Sam guided her down to the other end of the platform.
“They only allow the first five compartments of the train to exit at the South Ferry Station. I don’t know why, but that’s just the way it is.”
The train slowed and stopped, the breeze blowing her loose hair into her face as it pulled into the station. The doors opened and a few people got off. Once the way was clear Sam pushed his way on, dragging her with him.
Surprisingly, there was a seat and he sat her down and stood in front of her. The doors dinged shut and the train pulled out of the station and down the dark tunnel.
“I feel bad with you standing there.”
“Don’t feel bad. I don’t think you should be standing on your first ride on the subway. Maybe when we head back up to the Upper West Side.” He winked at her, holding tight to the handhold above him, his body swaying back and forth with the train.
They chatted the best they could during their subway ride to the South Street Ferry. It was hard, with the constant jolting coupled with the loading and unloading of people.
“Come on. Up you get.” He held out his free hand and helped her to her feet.
“Why?” she asked, as she held on for dear life.
“The next stop is ours and we have to get off as quickly as we can before people start pushing to get on.”
Sam gripped her hand tight as the train came to a stop and the doors opened. He led her through the throng of people and out onto the platform. He guided her through the crowd and up to street level, where they headed to the Battery to catch the ferry to take them to Liberty Park.
Mindy shivered in the cold wind. “Do they operate on bitter days like today?”
“The only day they don’t run is December twenty-fifth and this is not bitter, you big wimp.”
She punched him in the arm but didn’t let go of his hand as they walked to the ferries. As they approached the depot she could see signs about pre-booking to enter the pedestal and the crown of the Statue of Liberty.
“You have to reserve your tickets in advance.”
“Don’t worry. I booked them last night. Got the last two tickets for this morning.” He glanced at her briefly as they waited in line. “You’re trying to figure out a way out of this. Why?”
“Why? Because it’s freaking cold. What if the boat sinks and we’re eaten by sharks?”
Sam cocked an eyebrow. “Are you afraid of the water?”
“I’m not afraid of water. I’m afraid of sharks and drowning. Oh, and hypothermia.”
He laughed. “You’re a strange duck, Mindy Walker.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
“As you should.” Sam winked and they boarded the ferry, which would take them on a short ride out on said frigid waters toward Lady Liberty, who faced southeast, greeting all newcomers to the U.S.A. Even though it was cold outside, it was sunny. A brilliant sunny day that reflected off the patina of the statue and her torch, making her seem to glow. Mindy had seen so many pictures of her but hadn’t really paid attention to this famous landmark when she’d arrived in New York just over a month ago. Now close up to her she could see why people loved her. Mindy leaned over the rail, smiling.
“When you smile like that, you’re really quite stunning,” Sam said.
“You really shouldn’t flatter me like that.”
“Why?” he asked.
“I might let it go to my head and forget myself.” Then she blushed, the heat rushing to her cheeks, even though it was cold. Why was she flirting with him? He was off-limits. Only she couldn’t help herself. It was easy around him.
Too easy.
Sam’s eyes twinkled, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he leaned over the railing beside her and though she was kind of hoping he would say something, she was glad that he didn’t. She hadn’t meant to say what she had, but she really had forgotten herself for a moment and who she was with. It was nice.
It had been so long since she’d been at ease around a man.
She’d forgotten how good it felt to have that kind of intimacy with someone and she really missed it.
Sam was surprised by what she’d said.
“I might let it go to my head and forget myself.”
He’d momentarily forgotten who he was with, but when she’d said those words his blood had heated with desire. Mindy looked so delectable all bundled up. Her soft purple knitted hat and infinity scarf set off the color of her eyes against her dark, rich red hair and he fought the desire to pull her up against him and kiss her, because at this moment all he could remember was the taste of her lips.
They had been so sweet.
All he could think about was her body naked with his. His lips on her ivory throat, his hands in her silky hair.
Get a grip on yourself, man.
So he didn’t say anything in response to her, just leaned over the railing and tried to focus on their approach to Liberty Island. He was hoping the cold wind biting at his cheeks would take away the lust singing in his blood.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted a woman like this. Other than the first night they’d met, but even then if she hadn’t initiated the kiss, if she hadn’t asked him back to her apartment, he probably would’ve done nothing.
Vixen that she was, he was absolutely lost to her and he knew he was so weak that if she asked him now to take her in his arms, he would without hesitation.
She’s off-limits.
And he had to keep reminding himself of that fact.
They were friends and nothing more. He wouldn’t walk down the same path his mother had. He wouldn’t sleep or have a relationship with a doctor who was his attending before he was. If she was still available when his fellowship was over, and he was an attending in his own right, then perhaps they could revisit their night of passion.
But, really, who was he kidding? He still had a couple years of working in the pediatric field before he became an attending. By then she would have moved on. A beautiful, funny, compassionate and talented surgeon like Mindy would have no problem finding someone. If only she would open up.
There were a few walls she’d carefully constructed around her.
It’s why he had a feeling she didn’t have many friends and he couldn’t figure out why she was keeping people out of her life. Why she was so closed off.
Any time they had come close to talking about something personal her walls had gone up. Of course, the same applied to him. His personal life was just that. Personal, and very few people knew his secrets. He preferred it that way. Fewer rumors that way.