“Now you’ve broken my heart.”
She knew he was joking. Sean was too busy with his career to be interested in a relationship, and that suited her just fine.
“I will see you soon.”
“Are you safe to drive home?” He caught her wrist and pulled her back to him and just for a moment, standing toe-to-toe with him, she forgot the people around her.
“Of course.” She was torn between being touched that he’d noticed how badly affected she was and appalled that she was so easy to read. Why couldn’t she be cool and enigmatic like Kayla? “It has been a long day, that’s all.”
He gave her a long, searching look and then let go of her wrist. “Drive carefully.”
As she walked to the car, she congratulated herself on how well she’d handled that encounter. No one watching would have guessed that they’d once generated enough heat to melt a frozen ice cap.
They had their feelings under control.
There was nothing about Sean O’Neil that threatened her life here.
When it came to love, she was invulnerable.
CHAPTER TWO
“THE PRODIGAL GRANDSON RETURNS.” A familiar voice came from behind him and Sean turned to find Tyler standing there holding two cups of coffee.
He took one without invitation. “Didn’t realize the whole family was here.”
“They are now that you walked through the door and that’s Jackson’s coffee you’re drinking. You look like a banker, not a doctor. What happened to the scrubs?”
“I wear those when I’m operating. The rest of the time I wear a suit.”
“Why? So you can charge more?” The banter did nothing to disguise the tension in Tyler’s shoulders and Sean felt a rush of concern.
“This may come as a surprise to you given your TV viewing preferences, but most people don’t like doctors covered in blood.” He took a sip of coffee, coughed and handed it straight back to his brother. “That is disgusting.”
“Straight from the machine, the way you hate it. That’s your punishment for stealing something that wasn’t yours in the first place. Believe me, when you’ve been in this place all day it tastes like nectar.”
“How’s the leg?”
“Behaving. I never thought I’d say this, but it’s good to see you.” Tyler gave a laugh. “Listen to me, getting all mushy on you.”
“Yeah, suddenly I’m worried.”
“Don’t be. The only reason I’m pleased to see you is because now you can do the boring incomprehensible bit of talking to the doctors and I can focus my attention on more important things.”
“Would those more important things be female?”
“They might be. Was that Élise I saw leaving? Did you know she was with Gramps when he collapsed?”
“Jackson told me. She didn’t mention it.” Which, now that he thought about it, was a little strange.
What had they talked about?
All he could remember was the brush of her cheek against his, the silk of her hair and the scent that had slid into his veins like a drug. And the chemistry. Always the chemistry, simmering in the background like a summer heat wave.
The doors to the nearest elevator opened and Sean saw Jackson standing there with Kayla.
“Élise texted me to tell me you were here. We weren’t expecting you for another hour at least.”
“I may have broken a few speed limits.” Sean wondered how long it had been since his twin had slept. “Any change?”