Baby in His Arms Read online

  Finally, he forced his lips to move. “Is she implying that she miscarried... my baby?”

  Tom’s mouth set into a grim line. “Apparently so. She’s claiming the miscarriage happened several months ago, but she was so traumatized over it, she couldn’t discuss it with her followers. Something triggered it now.”

  “Money,” Noah burst. “Is there anything in that post asking for donations again?”

  Tom spread the papers apart and plucked one out, pointing to the bottom. “Yes, there is.”

  Noah swiped a hand over the papers, scattering them. Clenching a fist, he sat back against the chair and put his knuckles to his lips.

  “How in the hell hasn’t legal tracked her down after all this time?”

  "The Department of Internet Crimes is doing what they can."

  Heat rose up his neck. He’d learned to control his anger over this, and when Deena had stopped posting for months, a foolish part of him figured maybe it was finally over. That he didn’t need to be angry anymore.

  He knew better, of course. Deena G had cultivated a huge online following with a blog dedicated to defaming him. She’d never named him outright, of course. She’d gone too far, telling the world how he’d left her when she was diagnosed with cancer. How he’d walked out, leaving her to struggle, alone. Leaving her penniless. She’d coined him “Dr. Narcissist.” When she’d pitifully asked for donations to pay medical expenses, her supporters had rushed to her aid, sending her money for her supposed cancer treatments and living expenses. The money had probably run out, so it was time to milk the cash cow at his expense once more.

  “They’re working on it. If it can be proven that she never had cancer and scammed her followers out of donations, she’s going to find herself in a heap of legal trouble. Not mentioning the suit for libel which the hospital will press once she’s found. Until now, we’ve not suffered a great deal of consequence to this mess.”

  Noah’s brows knitted together. “Until now?”

  “She has a cult-like following, Noah. You know that. Yes, we’ve taken some hits from the media and the random, fanatic fan of hers barging into the ER, demanding to see Dr. Narcissist.” He pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

  “Since the miscarriage pictures have been released, we’ve lost a handful of expectant mothers to another obstetrics unit. Women don’t want to have their babies here. This scammer has them convinced that... the miscarriage was our fault because we wouldn’t step in to take recourse against you for 'your unjust treatment and lack of ethics.' Something about you laughing at her when she saw her oncologist.”

  He’d been sitting on the beach in Cabo when that little nugget had first hit. That he’d mocked her when she’d arrived to the hospital with a scarf around her head. Yet another false claim.

  But the biggest lie? When she’d announced to the world that she was pregnant with his child.

  His throat tightened. They’d always been exceptionally careful. She’d known throughout their relationship that he didn’t want more children, that starting over wasn’t in his future. She knew about the pain and struggle he’d had raising Caleb as a single dad; how he’d almost lost his son to drugs and crime. And she’d used it as a knife in his back.

  “It’s been a year since she first announced her alleged pregnancy, and then, nothing. It dropped off like it had never happened, Tom.”

  “It’s clear this woman is unbalanced. There’s just no telling what she’s going to say next.”

  Noah burst from his chair and paced along the length of the table. “There has to be a way to make this nightmare stop.”

  “I don’t have the answer for that, Noah.” Tom rapped his knuckles on the table. He shifted, clearly uncomfortable. “Unfortunately, the board has taken notice. We appreciate you letting us know about your involvement in this nonsense when it first started. However, some board members are afraid you’ve become a liability.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that you’re walking on eggshells with the director’s position. The board isn’t convinced you’re the best representation of the hospital right now.”

  Noah spread his hands. “The public isn’t even aware it’s me Deena G is talking about. I’ve worked my ass off for this promotion.”

  Tom put a hand on Noah’s shoulder, gave a gentle squeeze. It was anything but comforting.

  “It’s only a matter of time before she throws your name out there. The board must decide if it’s best to have you in a position of authority when it does.”

  Familiar panic tiptoes through Noah’s brain. He’d been in this place before, worrying, fretting, over the damage Deena G’s lies could do. And then she’d mostly disappeared. He’d been instilled with a false sense of relief. He knew better than to believe this was over because she was back and the stakes were higher than ever.

  “I’m good at this job, Tom. You’re putting my life on hold because some insane woman is sitting in Mexico somewhere thinking up new lies?”

  “I understand.” Tom said softly.

  Did he really? How could he possibly know how this felt?

  “The board agrees that you’ve done an excellent job as interim director. And I firmly believe you’re the best man for the job. I’m going to keep working on them on your behalf, Noah. But before I do, I must ask one thing?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Are there any other skeletons in your closet I need to worry about? Because honestly, if I put my fucking neck on the line for you, I don’t want a surprise beheading.”

  Noah put his hands on the older man’s shoulders. Tom had been a mentor, a tutor, and rock in Noah’s early medical career and beyond. He was more like family than a co-worker.

  “No. There’s nothing else.”

  Tom slapped him on the back and gave a satisfied nod. “We’ll be in touch.”

  Noah went to his office and downed two headache relievers before heading back to the emergency room. What a shit show.

  He checked his phone, pissed to find it trembled in his hand. He was shaking like a fucking weakling. He put his palms down on his desk and leaned over his arms, willing his mind to center. He was better than this, stronger than this. He’d done nothing wrong and fuck if he was going to allow this insane woman to affect him this way.

  Spying a message, he thumbed it open. It was from Caleb.

  Hey dad, give me a call later. I need to talk to you about something.

  Jesus, what if his son found out about this mess? He’d heard about it, of course, anyone familiar with this hospital had, but Noah had never confided that he was the person involved. He’d worked so hard to pull Caleb away from the wrong crowd and build a good, solid relationship with him. His son would never look him in the eye again if he knew. What if he’d somehow found out the truth?

  Noah put the phone in his pocket. He’d make the call later, after he’d worked a few hours to wear some anxious energy off.

  The ER was a madhouse when he approached the nurse’s station. He badged in and grabbed his iPad, flipped it open to the roster to see where he was needed next.

  “Trauma 3, Dr. Crisler,” someone yelled out to him. “Motor vehicle versus pedestrian.”

  He made quick work of examining the patient and rattling off orders to the nurse, eager to keep focused on his job and not the bullshit. Someone hurried into the room and brushed behind him. He peeked.

  Afton.

  He did a double-take. She had her hair pulled back, and some color had returned to her cheeks. Her lashes curled prettily as she blinked, one small dimple showing in her cheek as she smiled at another nurse.

  “Is there anything I can do for you, Dr. Crisler?”

  His heart flipped. Had her voice always been that throaty? He’d heard that sound before.

  In the dark.

  “What did you say?”

  He was completely absorbed as their eyes locked. Big and brown, lashes for miles. Suddenly, he was transported back to the bea
ch, to the ends of her red braid rustling in the ocean breeze.

  Her nostrils flared, the light in her eyes more telling than a crystal ball would ever be. Her breasts were trapped beneath a shapeless scrub top, but they were fuller than he remembered them to be while clad in a simple bikini. Her lips shone beneath the fluorescent light, the clear slick of lip gloss reflecting the shine, just as her lips had right before he’d kissed her so long ago.

  And then they’d rammed into a vendor’s cart, so absorbed in the kiss they hadn’t even noticed.

  “Dr. Crisler, did you need something?”

  “Yes,” he breathed. “You can step outside with me, right now.”

  Her expression sank. With a slow shake of her head, she subtly indicated to the other nurse in the room. The rise and fall of her breathing matched his and fuck if he could look away from the depths of her eyes.

  How had he not remembered her, known her, felt her from the first moment? He’d been so busy trying to forget, so entangled in life that he’d separated himself from Cabo San Lucas with the resolve that he’d never see this woman again.

  Why lust after a ghost?

  “Order a CBC, complete metabolic panel, and get a chest Xray.”

  She wasn’t writing anything down, couldn’t tear herself away any more than he could. His chest swelled.

  The other nurse looked at him, then Afton. “Did you get that, Afton?”

  “Yes. I’m ordering it now.”

  Her attention dropped to her tablet as she input the orders. He couldn’t just stand there being an obvious prick, so he walked outside of the room... and waited.

  She came out a moment later.

  Gently taking her upper arm, he pulled her in until their bodies touched.

  “Come with me, please.”

  She followed him and never once pulled her arm away. With a subtle glance around them. Noah urged her into an empty exam trauma room. She’d barely stepped inside before he closed the door and spun her back against the wall. Anyone could walk in at any moment, so he had to make it quick and professional but fuck, he had to know. He put a hand to the wall, his arm over her shoulder, leaning into her as he struggled to catch his breath.

  “It is you, isn’t it?”

  Her lips parted. A fine tremble went over her as if her ghostly self was shaking off the chill.

  “Isn’t it?”

  She reached up and snagged a stray piece of hair away from her face. Her lower lip trembled as an inner struggle clearly played across her features.

  “Fine, yes, it’s me. We met in Cabo San Lucas last May. I don’t know how the hell this is even possible that we’re both in the same hospital right now, but please promise me you won’t say anything. I need this job. I’ll stay out of your way, like I’ve never met you.”

  The words raced out of her mouth in a hushed whisper. Noah put up a hand, but when she wouldn’t stop, pressed a finger to her lips. She jerked, her eyes going dark.

  Sparks raced up his hand and over his arm.

  “I won’t say anything. Ok?”

  She nodded, and he reluctantly pulled away.

  He ran a hand over the top of his scrub cap and readjusted it, thinking of the right thing to say. There wasn’t anything right or perfect. How could there be?

  “Can you meet me tonight? For a drink? O’Malley’s on Broadway has a couple tables way in the back where we can talk without being spotted.”

  Her forehead furrowed. She was going to refuse. Unacceptable. He couldn’t let this go, not after finding the woman he’d had to force himself to forget all this time. They could have one drink and catch up. They’d had an off the chain hookup in paradise! How could they not at least have a conversation?

  Her lips parted, so ripe and full. She’d tasted like lemon and lip balm all those months ago. He wanted to grind his lips to hers and see if they were as delicious now. Afton’s chest rose and fell hard, a slight flush going over her cheeks.

  “I’ll meet you at seven. I can’t stay long, but we should... talk.”

  She glanced pointedly at his arm boxing her in. Noah moved, giving her the space and freedom to walk out the door. She turned to do exactly that.

  “Afton.”

  She looked at him over her shoulder. “Yes?”

  Noah grinned. “I wondered what your name was for the longest time.”

  Her mouth curved into a hint of a smile. “I was going to tell you the next morning, but you were too busy sneaking out the door.”

  She cracked the door and slipped out, leaving him to catch his breath in her wake.

  He glanced at the time. Five hours to go until they could have just one drink. Until they could be alone. It would be good to relax with Afton, have a real conversation.

  God knew he didn’t need anymore bad news today.

  Chapter Five

  Another bad decision made worse by alcohol.

  That’s what tonight was going to turn into. Afton slid into a shadowed booth at the back of O’Malley’s, holding a glass of sloe gin in one hand and a shot glass of whiskey in the other. She’d gotten here early so she could hit the bar and calm her nerves.

  How many times had she chanted, don’t sleep with him, don’t sleep with him, on the way over here? A hundred, at least.

  Her sitter had agreed to keep Kylie until nine, only two hours. Time constraint was the perfect excuse not to go home with Noah. Even if a replay of their hot sex in Cabo kept cycling through her mind. He’d made her feel so good, both inside and out. She hadn’t experienced anything like it since. Tonight, she’d be alone with Noah in a secluded, dark corner, continually sipping alcohol just to steady her nerves. No matter how sexy he looked, no matter how seductively he talked and moved, their past couldn’t repeat itself, that was for damn sure.

  She wasn’t the carefree college student she was the last time they’d met. That impulsive, life-loving streak was gone. She was a mother now, responsible for another human life. A life she created with the man who would soon be sitting across from her.

  She just needed the courage and the strength to tell him.

  She took in the room, trying to clear her mind. Smoky mahogany paneling topped with aged, emerald wallpaper mixed with a scuffed hardwood floor and tarnished brass fixtures that both dated this place and infused it with charm. The scent of beer and whiskey hung in the air, a television behind the bar playing a baseball game. From the room behind her, the sound of billiards came through the wall. The place was filling up, and she was glad this little booth was swathed in shadow save for one, dim wall sconce hanging beside her.

  It was the kind of spot lovers could touch hands, kiss and whisper nasty-sexy things to each other in a private, cozy bubble. Or, you know, tell a hot, rich doctor about his secret baby.

  Boom.

  Afton traced a finger around the rim of her glass. Why had she agreed to come here?

  Someone walked past her, then took four steps backwards to peer into her cubby. He leaned in to look closer, his face breaking her personal space, his breath so close it washed over her chin. Afton withdrew with a sneer. God, who did that?

  “Can I help you?” She was tempted press her fingers into his forehead and push him back, but he looked sweaty. And drunk.

  “Ah, baby, you’re the best thing I’ve seen all day.”

  He gave her a sloppy grin. His baseball cap was backwards, a hockey jersey hanging well past his hips. If she could peek underneath, she figured his pants would sling low on his hips, showing off his underwear. Just like most of the other guys her age that she met.

  He set down his beer and slid into the booth next to her, his arm darting around her shoulders. Afton tried to shrug him off, but he moved closer. Stale beer with a vodka undertone assaulted her nose.

  “Lemme buy you a drink, sweetheart.”

  She grabbed ahold of his sleeve and removed his arm from her shoulders. She’d always hated the college crowd, the young, stupid bucks who bought emotionless fucks with cheap drinks.

/>   “I’m not interested.”

  His face came within an inch of hers, his stale breath, revolting. “Come on. One drink.”

  He had her trapped inside the booth with no way out unless she scrambled atop the table.

  “Get out of here!”

  He snorted an exaggerated sound of disappointment. Somewhere in the background came an answering cheer of encouragement—his buddies most likely.

  “What? I’m not good enough for ya?”

  “Seriously, get out of my booth.”

  He scoffed. “You uppity bitches. This town is full of ‘em. You got yourself a sugar daddy up in River North? Is that the problem?”

  His words slurred more with each breath. Afton fumed.

  He was just another sad drunk, a frat boy with more rejections than conquests on his belt. She was the lucky girl to get the brunt of it tonight.

  “Fuck off.” Afton made a shooing motion with her hands.

  He started to slide out, then stopped and glared at her. “Whatever. You’re fat anyway. I felt bad, thought I’d give you a mercy fuck.”

  Commotion from the crowd pulled her attention. Noah cut through the mass of people, his face set hard. Her insides flipped as he approached. Wordlessly, he gripped the front of her offender’s jersey and pulled him out of the booth. The kid went stumbling out, lost his balance as Noah released him, and he crashed into a table before bouncing off and landing on the floor. Without missing a beat, Noah bent to her level, thread his fingers into her hair and kissed her.

  She went rigid, hands at her sides. His mouth parted, seeking, gently prodding. In a swoop, heat rushed her blood and she opened for him. Noah angled his head, mating their mouths as his tongue slid over hers. She gasped, her hands sliding up his body, arms wrapping around his neck. He tasted like the smooth, fiery warmth of brandy. Shock quickly gave way to an intense need for more.

  Her heart beat a hard staccato inside her chest as she relished his taste and the feel of him against her body. He ran his hands down her neck to her shoulders, opening his mouth and encouraging hers to do the same, driving his tongue deep in a slide that punched the desire swirling between her legs. Just as she leaned into him, he ended the kiss and gently set her back from him.