“I’m out of my depth.”
“Just be yourself, love. You’re beautiful, you’re my girlfriend and date, my lover, my sugar, my—”
She couldn’t stop the half laugh, half groan. “Rick, be serious.”
“I am.” Another glint of a wicked smile. “How about if I assure you that if you do embarrass me – which would totally shock me and I don’t really care anyway – I will punish you when we get home.”
That sent a thrill shivering down her spine, even if he was joking, and she tried for nonchalance. “You don’t say.”
“Dr Discipline will be visiting Nurse Naughty, you can count on it.”
“I’ll be sure to behave myself.”
“Oh please, don’t.” There was a definite erotic edge running through his lowered tone now, and a street light cast a gleam in his eyes as he looked briefly at her.
Placing her hand on her cheek, she shook her head. “I had no idea you were like this.”
“Trust me, there’s a lot to me you don’t know, but you soon will.” He winked. “If we skipped the dinner and continued to my house, we could play dirty—”
“I’ll tell your mother.”
“Now that’s a mood killer. I had no idea you could be so cruel.” Rick turned off the road and onto a driveway that led up to wrought iron gates guarded by a security guard. “Hey, we could always play security guard and naughty trespasser who needs spanking. You’d be the trespasser, of course.”
“Of course,” she said dryly.
She had to admit to disappointment when Rick pulled up and wound down his window, giving the security guard his name. While the teasing had her amused, it also fire her imagination. She was nothing if not imaginative.
But then the thought fled as they approached the mansion, and Rick pulled into the area assigned for cars. BMWs, Volvos, Mercedes and fancy sports cars were lined up neatly. It seemed as though lights spilled from every window, and music drifted out into the still night air.
Rick got out and by the time he got to Cherry’s door, she was already standing beside it. She flushed when he quirked an amused brow at her.
“Sorry.”
“Oh baby, you are so needing discipline.”
“Don’t start.” She laughed, relief sweeping through her, feeling so comfortable with him that if they hadn’t been standing in front of the mansion and able to be seen by anyone, she’d have leaned into him.
Coming to her side, he laid his hand on her back. “Come on, Nurse Naughty. Let’s get you inside and drunk so I can have my wicked way with you later.”
“I bet Dr Clarke has no idea what a scoundrel you are.”
“Dr Clarke has known me for years. Tim and I were school buddies, remember?”
“Oh yeah.” She looked up at the mansion. “Does he live here?”
“Not bloody likely.” He guided her up the steps. “Tim and his mother have a history. I’ll tell you about it one day.”
They entered the mansion and Cherry tried to appear cool and sophisticated, managing not to stare with her mouth open.
Rick ushered her over to Dr Clarke who was standing beside a strange man and greeting the guests as they arrived.
“Rick.” Dr Clarke leaned forward and air kissed him. “So nice of you to come. And this is your dinner companion.”
“Hello, Dr Clarke. This is Cherry Williams.”
His hand was warm and reassuring on her back, and she was grateful for it as she smiled at the tall woman with the haughty face. “Dr Clarke.”
Eyes narrowed, Dr Clarke studied her closely. “Don’t I know you?”
Uh-oh. “I’m a nurse at the hospital.” Please don’t let her remember, please don’t let her remember. Please. Please.
“Ah yes, the nurse who dared to question me about my treatment of a patient.” Those cold eyes studied her like a bug on a pin.
Oh shit. A hundred responses went through Cherry’s mind in a matter of seconds. The flight instinct was strong, but more than conscious of Rick’s supportive presence, and the fact that she was too old to run and hide behind her mummy’s skirts, she summoned a small smile and a calm reply. “That would be me.”
“Not many nurses have the nerve to question me.” That ruthless gaze seemed to pick her apart, sweeping from the top of her head, down to her shoes, and back up again.
“I guess not.” As much as she dreaded this, Cherry refused to back down. In matters of patients, she knew where she stood. “But when it comes to quality of care, I believe one can never be too efficient.”
“Once upon a time, Ms Williams, nurses never questioned doctors.”