Unbreakable (8 page)

I squeezed Drake’s hand and smiled up at him. He turned to me and smiled back.

“Well played, Dr. Morgan,” I said softly. “Well played.”

“I am a Master,” he said with a grin.

We sat around the large dining room table and ate a feast of local cuisine while Michael and Drake regaled their audience with tales of the OR and patients they had treated. I sat beside Drake and listened to their talk, feeling like I was seeing inside Drake’s world for the first time.

They bragged to each other about the speed of their surgeries and their very low complication rates like a couple of cocks on the walk, as my father would have said. The students all smiled and laughed, enjoying the performance. Drake held my hand when he could, squeezing it now and then, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the evening.

Sefton sat beside Claire and listened closely to Drake and Michael as they spoke about their time together. Every now and then I felt his eyes on me, but I never once met them. I refused to engage him in any way. My focus was entirely on Drake.

The rest of the evening went well up until I went to the washroom and left Drake alone in the living room. When I returned, Drake was nowhere to be found, so I went in search of him and found him in the kitchen, leaning against the island with a very angry-looking Sam facing him. I stood in the doorway and listened, for neither appeared to know I was there.

“I hope you don’t regret it down the road when she realizes how bad being married to a surgeon really is,” Sam said, her voice petulant.

“What happens between Kate and me is none of your business,” Drake said, his voice low and slow, like he was really trying to rein in his anger. “I won’t have to keep usual surgeon’s hours because I can take only the cases I really enjoy, so I won’t ever neglect our marriage. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” he said and pushed past her. He saw me in the doorway and came right over to me and kissed me, pulling me into his arms.

“There you are,” he said and pulled me out of the hallway and into the living room, our hands locked together. “I hope she gets a clue, but I doubt it.”

“Did she ambush you when you were alone?” I said, surprised that she had the balls to do so. I glanced back to the kitchen door and she was standing there, her face dark.

“Unfortunately. I went in to get some more ice and she followed me. I had to speak with her and she tried to warn me off marrying you once more. Can you even believe her nerve?”

I shook my head. “No, I can’t.” I couldn’t, but people had surprised me. First, Dawn with her willingness to meddle in my life and Drake’s career. Then Kurt, hoping to break us up, then Sam and Claire…

I held on tight to Drake’s hand and thanked my lucky stars he loved me as much as he did.

Drake stifled a yawn later when we were standing in the living room with our cups of tea and coffee. He led me over to where Michael stood with a few students and extended a hand. “It’s time for us to go, but thanks so much for everything.”

Michael took Drake’s hand in both of his huge meaty ones, those large hands that had shocked me with their size the first time I met Michael, and shook.

“I’ll miss you, young man, more than you can know. You’ve done the hospital and college a great service and I’ll never forget it. Anytime you want to return, you are most welcome. There will always be OR time for you and a position on the faculty.”

“I’ll see you on Monday when I come in to wrap things up,” Drake said softly and Michael nodded. They embraced and clapped each other on the back.

I saw Claire standing off a few feet, her face sad. She came up once Michael ended the embrace, the painting in her hands. She set it down and held out her arms. I watched Drake to see what he would do, but like a true gentleman, he embraced her and kissed both her cheeks.

“Claire,” he said softly. “Thanks for everything. And thanks for the painting. How very thoughtful of you.”

She said nothing, as if she were fighting emotions.

Michael embraced me next. “Thank you, Ms. Katherine, for coming with Drake and keeping him happy. I wish all the best for the two of you in your lives together as a married couple.”

He kissed my cheeks and my eyes welled up. “Thank you,” I said.

Drake turned to those who were still present and waved at them.

 “Thanks all of you and good luck in your studies and careers.” They responded in kind, murmurs of
thank you
, and
best of luck
from the group.

Then he picked up the painting and we left.

In the car on the way home, Drake took my hand as we drove through the darkened streets.

“That went well,” he said and glanced at me. “Better than I hoped, with the exception of that bastard deVilliers showing up. I’m pissed that Claire invited him. She didn’t have to. I think she was rubbing it in.”

“It did go well,” I said and squeezed his hand. “Sefton was like Claire’s knife in the back. I can’t believe she actually invited him, given what happened.”

“I know,” Drake said, his brow creased. “I guess I was always so busy with work when I was here before that I never realized how manipulative she really is. I wonder if she didn’t push Sam and me together back when I was here before.”

“She might have,” I replied. Then, to change the subject from Sefton, I thought about our little interlude in the back bedroom. “What do you suppose your student said to the others about catching us alone in the bedroom?”

Drake laughed at that. “He probably said that he caught the two of us lying on the bed together, kissing, and that we were obviously deeply in love.”

I smiled in the darkness. “I notice Sam didn’t say goodbye.”

“No, she knew well enough not to, for a change.”

“Do you think she finally got the message?”

Drake held my hand up to his lips and kissed my knuckles. “I hope so. If not, she’s not as smart as I thought.”

“It has nothing to do with smart, Drake,” I said softly. “It has to do with desire and that involves none of the prefrontal cortex, if I remember my anatomy course correctly.”

“You do remember it correctly,” Drake said with a laugh. He sighed out loud. “I hope you realize that we can weather any storm that we encounter after tonight. As long as we’re open and honest about our needs and desires, we can handle anything together.”

I smiled and nodded. “I do realize it,” I said and took in a long breath, happy that the night I’d been so worried about was finally over.

When we arrived home, Drake didn’t wait to fuck me. Instead, he pushed me up against the wall just inside the entryway and kissed me passionately, before lifting up my thigh and placing it around his hip.

“I’ve been waiting all night to fuck you again, Ms. Bennet, and I’m not waiting another moment,” he said, his voice almost a growl.

Before I knew it, we were on the floor, going at it like a pair of hungry teenagers and I was surprised at his desire, but I imagine that Sefton’s presence fueled his lust.

I bit my bottom lip and closed my eyes, letting him ravish me with pleasure.

CHAPTER FIVE

Drake

Leaving Nairobi was harder than I imagined.

On Monday morning, I went to the hospital one last time to say goodbye to Michael and to make sure all my paperwork had been signed and delivered to the proper office. I’d donated all my salary while working at the hospital and college, as well as considerable technology, which would help equip a new OR with robotics used in the techniques I taught.

I stopped off at the nursing desk and said thanks to all the staff I worked with on a regular basis. Then, I went to Michael’s office and waited for him to finish a phone consultation before entering his office and sitting down at his desk.

“I guess this is it,” he said and removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes with a hand as if he were extremely tired. “I hate having to say goodbye, Drake. I hope to see you soon, whether in New York or here in Africa.”

I smiled, genuine affection for him filling me. “You know I can’t stay away from Africa for too long. Kate and I never did get to go on safari after all so we may book some time next year when we’re both free from other responsibilities and when my fellowship is finished.”

“Make sure you call me when you’re anywhere in Africa and I’d be happy to come and meet you if I can arrange things.”

“I will,” I said, although I knew Michael was way too busy to be flying off to visit with friends on a whim. I knew he meant it, though. There was no doubt about it.

I checked my watch and saw that it was already almost lunch. The movers would be arriving so I wanted to get home. “I guess I have to go. I just wanted to come by and say goodbye once more.”

“What time are you leaving tomorrow?” Michael said and stood up when I did. He came around the desk and stood with me at the door. “I could give you and Kate a ride to the airport if you need me.”

I shook my head. “We’ve already made arrangements with a young taxi driver who served as a chauffeur to us while we’ve been here. But thanks. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me – for us.”

Then we embraced and clapped each other on the back with affection.

“I’ll miss having you around to talk shop with, Drake. Don’t become a stranger.”

We shook hands once more. “Never,” I said and I meant it.

Then I left him in his office and made my way past the coffee room, popping my head inside to say goodbye to any of the residents who were taking a break. There was only one person in the room and I kicked myself mentally for stopping by.

Sam.

I pulled my head back, hoping to leave without saying anything, but she must have caught sight of me out of the corner of her eye.

“Drake!” she called out. I stopped in my tracks, angry that my last experience of the hospital would be with her.

She came up to me and looked at me playfully. “Were you really going to leave without saying anything?”

I took in a deep breath, hoping for patience.

“I have to go,” I said and pointed to my watch before turning to walk backwards down the hall, trying to get away from her. “I was just stopping off to wrap things up and say goodbye to Michael.” I shrugged helplessly. “Sorry. Gotta run.”

I turned around and strode down the hallway, hoping against hope that she didn’t follow me, but my hopes were dashed.

“I’m coming to the US to do a residency in neurosurgery,” she said, walking briskly beside me.

“What?” I said, frowning. “You never said anything. I thought you were going to return to Johannesburg to do your residency next week. Where are you planning to study?”

“I applied to a number of medical colleges for my residency. Johannesburg was only one of the options and I had several offers. I may accept a residency in Baltimore. Johns Hopkins. Your dad’s old stomping grounds?” she said with a laugh.

I stopped abruptly. “Johns Hopkins?” I felt immediate relief that she wouldn’t be coming to NYU.

“Why Johns Hopkins and not Johannesburg?” I said, trying to keep my voice under control. “I thought your family was there.”

“How could I turn down a residency at Johns Hopkins. Besides, I have dual citizenship.”

I sighed. “Good luck,” I said and forced a smile. “You’ll do well. You’re a talented surgeon.”

“I am. Who knows? We might work together again since I plan on specializing in pediatric neurosurgery. We work well together.”

I turned and began walking again, fighting to control my anger. “Nothing is ever going to happen between us, Sam. You have to understand that.”

“Not everything’s about you, Drake,” she said as if indignant but I didn’t believe her for a moment. “I happen to want to live in the US.”

I made it to the exit and stopped, not wanting her to follow me to my car. There were many people in the hospital and I didn’t want to give her any excuse to try to kiss me goodbye or hug me.

I bit my tongue. “Goodbye, Sam,” I said and touched my forehead as if in salute. I turned and went through the exit, hoping she got the message and left me alone.

At least she wasn’t following me.

 “No kiss goodbye?” she called from the door.

“Not a chance,” I said without looking back.

“See you later, Drake,” she called out when I reached my car, which was parked a few slots away. “Doctor Delish.”

“Not if I can help it,” I muttered under my breath. I entered the BMW and slammed the door a little too hard. I turned on the engine and fastened my seatbelt. Then I sat for a moment with my hands gripping the wheel and took in a few deep breaths, trying to calm down.

She’d be close but not too close.

I drove off, checking in the rearview mirror only to see her standing in the doorway watching me. She actually waved goodbye.

Did she really think I’d wave back?

I shook my head and drove back home, determined not to let Sam ruin my peace of mind.

When I arrived at the house, the movers had already begun to load boxes and furniture into the van. The house was beginning to look deserted, and a sense of sadness filled me. Kate and I had spent almost five months in the house, learning more about each other and ourselves. I had never thought I would be the type of man to look forward to coming home to the same woman every night, but I did with Kate. I looked forward to seeing her face when I arrived home each evening. Her eyes would light up and a smile would spread across her lips when she saw me.

I had become very domestic with her in Africa.

It felt great.

I found Kate in the back of the house, checking out the cupboards to make sure everything was packed. When she saw me, she smiled and came right over.

“There you are,” she said and stood on her tiptoes to kiss me.

I pulled her into my arms and kissed her back, squeezing her tightly, realizing once again how lucky I was to have her.

“How did your morning go?” she asked and brushed hair back from my eyes. “Was it hard to say goodbye to Michael?”

“It was,” I said and smiled.

“Did you see Sam?”

“Yes, but I was actually rude to her, and thwarted her attempts to make our goodbye meaningful in any way.”