did a little flip-flop and she couldn’t prevent a smile from popping up on her face. The man was a gift-giving genius. She wanted to not like them, but she couldn’t help it. How was a woman to resist when she kept getting packages on her front doorstep and in her locker at work?
She knew she should tell him she couldn’t accept these presents, but each one was so unique, so special, that there was no way to give them back. Grace was green with envy each time Sage showed her the newest installment in Spence’s recurring gift club.
He’d left her the crystal apple, two silver bells, a miniature dragon, and a single red rose. All of them had a theme from her favorite princess movies, all had a meaning, and each came with its own note.
This man was flipping her world upside down and she was so ready to pull him into the nearest broom closet and show him her appreciation—and maybe, just maybe, relieve the constant ache in her body, which grew worse every time she saw him.
“How did your last trauma case go?” he asked, standing well within her personal space.
She didn’t care.
“It went well. I have to admit I was a little disappointed when I had to come back home for my residency, but I’m learning a lot and logging massive hours. And not only is it excellent training, but it’s been good to be home.” Sage started walking toward the locker room, because, as much fun as it was to stand there and chat with Spence, she really was exhausted and more than ready to get back to her apartment and put her feet up.
“Yes, it’s been a slow season, too, so imagine what you’ll learn when things start heating up.”
“Is it awful to hope for disasters?”
“It is if you want people hurt, yes, but not if you want to learn how to save more lives.”
“Well then, I shouldn’t be in too much trouble. I do want to learn how to be the best doctor I can.”
“You’re off work tomorrow, right?”
Of course he knew her schedule. He was asking, but she knew he was planning something. She waited, not bothering to answer.
“It’s time I get my tree, and if I do recall, you offered to help me.”
“If I remember correctly, you pretended I offered to help,” she informed him.
“That’s not what Grace said.”
There goes my lazy day off, she thought. And still she couldn’t feel a hint of regret. Spending the day with him and picking out the perfect tree sounded pretty darn great.
“Why don’t we go get some coffee and discuss our strategy? Better yet, let’s get some dinner. You’re off the clock, right?”
“Yes, my shift is over, but it’s been a really long day. I was planning on heading home, sinking into a deep, hot bath, and not emerging from the apartment until I have to work again,” she said, though she knew he wasn’t going to be discouraged that easily.
“Then it’s my mission to make sure you are well fed, and that you get out to see the sunshine. Being cooped up either in the hospital or in your apartment for too long will turn your skin white and endanger your health. Doctor’s orders.”
“Oh, I see. You’re just a concerned doctor?”
“Of course I am. As the head of the ER, I have to make sure all my patients are well taken care of.”
“You’re now my doctor?” she asked, and was greeted with the instant image of the two of them playing doctor. Bad move, but she was having trouble feeling disgusted.
“I’ll be your doctor anytime you like. I have all the tools I need—right on me,” he said with a wink. When he saw her eyes straying involuntarily down his body—however convenient in general, scrubs weren’t good for voyeurism—he had to ask, “Like what you see?”
Her head snapped up to meet the devilish smile on his face and the small box in his hand. “What’s that?” She wanted to reach out and grab the package. But though she knew it was for her, she also knew she should refuse it so she wouldn’t encourage his behavior. That wasn’t going to happen, though, because she loved presents too dang much.
He held out his hand. “Just a little gift.”
“You’ve got to quit getting me things,” she said, but, after looking around to make sure that they were alone, she reached for the box.