Her Russian Billionaire(6)

I tried to smile as I nodded but I could tell that it wasn't convincing.

"I don't know what you did," Dr. Grimes continued. "But I've known Lex for a while now and he isn't easily impressed-it's a Russian thing, I guess. Good job."

She actually winked at me as she ushered me out the door. I wasn't sure what she was implying, but I knew I didn't like it. The traitorous part of me that I'd been trying to ignore all week experienced a little thrill at the idea of impressing Makarov. I purposefully went on ignoring it.

"What is she talking about?" came a sneering voice from behind me and I gritted my teeth. I turned to see Kyle and Julia, watching me with inquisitive expressions.

"Nothing," I replied, trying to walk away. The last thing I needed was for them to start spreading more gossip about me.

"Doesn't seem like nothing," Julia replied.

"What does it have to do with the CEO of the hospital?" Kyle asked.

"How do you know who Makarov is?" I questioned. "I didn't even know that until last week."

"I make it my job to know these things," Kyle replied with a proud smile. God I hated that jackass.

"I met him at the M&M conference," I replied, sparing the details. "He asked me to look over a few older cases for him."

I could see both Julia and Kyle's faces go green with envy. But then Julia smiled malevolently.

"Well, I hear you're doing a great job," she said with a lascivious wink, before turning and walking out the door. I didn't like what she was implying, but I seemed helpless to stop the spread of gossip at this point, so I turned and headed back out to do my job.

Like I'd assumed, Makarov handed me an even thicker stack of files later that evening.

"I'm sure it won't be a problem," he said with that characteristic little smirk on his lips. God I wanted to smack the grin right off his face. That, or kiss it off.

No! Damn it. The guy is an asshole. I'm done with assholes!

But I still couldn't help the small flame of desire that leapt in my belly every time I thought about him-about his pale grey eyes and that ever-present smile.

By the second of our weekly meetings, it became apparent that I wasn't the only one attracted.

I had already changed out of my scrubs for the day, as I'd gotten pretty gross during the shift. My skirt and t-shirt weren't overly revealing, but I couldn't deny that they clung to my body in all the right places, revealing the natural voluptuousness of my chest. More than once I caught Makarov looking at my breasts as we discussed ways to improve patient care. At one point, I saw him lick his lips as he stared at my mouth. I had to cross my legs and squeeze my thighs together to try and stem the desire burning between them.

"We could continue discussing this over drinks," he suggested, trying to focus his gaze on my eyes, instead of my body. And failing miserably.

"I don't know if that's appropriate," I replied. "Plus, I have a shift tomorrow and a fresh stack of files to sort through for next week."

Makarov looked slightly disappointed for a second, but that expression was soon replaced with the same cocky grin.

"Very well, Dr. Carter. Until next week."

"Until next week," I replied as I stood. To my surprise, he placed a gentle hand on my lower back as he walked me to the door of his office. I couldn't tell if I was imagining it, or if his hand was sliding lower on my back with each step, until his thumb was brushing against the top edge of my skirt.

Despite my reservations, I could feel myself growing wet. I hurried away quickly, without any more of a goodbye. But the trail of heat down my back lingered on, even after I was home alone.

"He's a scheming asshole," I said out loud. "Just like Scott."

The last thing I needed was another man to use and abuse me. I would not be manipulated again-no matter how much my body was craving his … manipulations.





Chapter 7





A few days later, Dr. Grimes called me into her office again.

"Listen, Michelle," she began. "I wanted to talk to you in a slightly …  less official capacity."   





 

"Okay … " I replied, completely confused. Was I in trouble for something? "What is this about, Dr. Grimes? Did I do something wrong with that research project for Mr. Makarov?"

"No," she assured with a smile. "Not at all! I just wanted to give you a piece of advice." She paused. "There is nothing wrong with you dating Lex Makarov."

"What?" I sat up in my chair, shocked.

"Even though he's the CEO, he is not your boss in any direct way and he has no power over your job, so there is no conflict of interests. However, I would like to warn you that the gossip across the department-and maybe the entire hospital-will be incessant. Just prepare yourself."

"I don't understand," I replied, still in shock. "I'm not seeing Makarov. Not romantically. And I have absolutely no desire to. I'm helping him out by going over the old cases, like he asked me. But that's it. Strictly professional."

I could feel myself beginning to hyperventilate. Why did Dr. Grimes think that Makarov and I were seeing each other outside of work? Was my desire that transparent?

"Calm down, Michelle," she said as she came around her desk to kneel by my chair. "I'm sorry I was mistaken. There's just been a bit of hearsay going around lately. I know better than to believe rumors. I shouldn't have said anything."

"No," I replied, finally able to catch my breath. "I'm glad you did. I needed to know."

"If you think so," Dr. Grimes replied, though she didn't look convinced.

After promising her I was okay, I hurried out of her office and made my way towards the locker room to splash some water on my face. I passed Julia and Kyle in the hall, who simply raised their eyebrows at me questioningly, twin smirks on their faces.

That was where the rumor came from, I realized. I bypassed the ER lockers and headed up to the surgeons' lounge. If I were lucky, Lori would have time for a quick drink after her shift that evening. Boy did I need it.

"They are just so horrible," I complained to her a little later, a martini in my hand as Lori looked at me compassionately.

"They're just jealous. You've been here just over a month and you're already getting singled out-in the best way possible. You were asked to help in surgery. You presented at the M&M conference. Now you have a special project working with the CEO of the hospital."

"You make it all sound so awesome," I replied. "It's not, I assure you."

"It's a little bit awesome," Lori countered. "I've been at the hospital for twice as long as you and I haven't gained that much experience outside of the surgery department."

"It's not experience. It's punishment. It would be one thing if the rumors were true-but they are the furthest thing from the truth. The man is horrible. He is Satan. He's only given me this extra task to get back at me for the things I said that night after the conference. I think he's secretly trying to get me to quit my internship here."

Unfortunately, Lori's company was not the boon I had been hoping it would be. As I continued to talk, I grew angrier and angrier. After Lori excused herself to get home to her daughter-and away from my crazy ranting, I assumed-I sat alone and downed another martini.

The combination of alcohol and rage boiled in my bloodstream, and before I realized what I was doing, I was marching back through the hospital doors towards the elevators, committed to going upstairs and giving Makarov a piece of my mind.

It was late-past seven in the evening-but I knew Makarov would still be there. He was always in the office. His secretary had gone for the day though, so I knocked and barely waited until I heard a muffled "come in" before barging through the door.

I opened my mouth to tell Makarov exactly what I'd been thinking, but the sight before me caused me to stop in my tracks.

Makarov was at his desk, looking more disheveled than I had ever seen him. His jacket and tie were draped over his desk and his white oxford shirt was unbuttoned, revealing a sliver of lean, tanned skin. His hair, usually just a tiny bit mussed up, was shooting up in every direction, and there was a five-o'clock shadow on his face.

"Michelle …  Dr. Carter, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He stood as he spoke, making his way out from behind his desk and towards me.

"I … " I lost my words. I licked my lips, trying to realign my train of thought, but all I could think about was running my hands through his mess of dark hair. Without thinking about it, I licked my lips again.   





 

That must have been all of the answer that Makarov needed, as I was suddenly pushed back against the now-closed door, Makarov's body pressing against me, his mouth on my own. With a moan, I opened to him, allowing him to dominate the kiss. After what could have been five seconds or a million years, he pulled away.

"God …  I've wanted to do that for so long," he panted, pushing even further against me, rocking his hardening erection next to my thigh. "Since the moment in the bar-if not before. And then yesterday, you sauntered up here in that short skirt and tight top. Your body is to die for."

I didn't want him to know how badly he was affecting me-how I could feel the flames of desire burning in my stomach with his words. He wanted me. This hunky sexy man had been lusting after me. I could barely believe what I was hearing.