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CHAPTER FOUR
TWO DAYS HAD slipped by since Tiffani had last seen Rex. During that time she’d relived that instant between them at the photo shoot, when his breath had warmed against her skin. He’d had her so aware of the sexual tension between them she’d almost knocked over an expensive camera, trying to escape.
The man was outrageous. She must not let him get past her self-control. This campaign was too important. Rex was attractive but she could not afford to react to him like that. Nothing but pain followed that kind of arousing interest anyway. He was merely toying with her for his own amusement. Just as Lou had.
Yet in those few seconds she’d felt outrageously alive. Once again she had to admit that having a handsome man notice her bandaged her secret, still-raw wound.
Even with the heated thoughts running laps in her mind over the last few days, she’d managed to accomplish a great deal of work. So far, her plan was coming together nicely, in spite of Rex. Luke had promised to get pictures to her as soon as possible. The billboard company had three available and by the beginning of next week Rex would be on them, larger than life in front of a gorgeous shot of the hospital. She had also booked him on two morning shows. Now all she needed to do was continue to generate positive press and social media action, some of which would happen this weekend.
She sent Rex a text.
Can you meet me at nine in the morning at the hospital? I’ve arranged for us to visit a local clinic for a photo op.
Half an hour later her phone buzzed, notifying her of his answer.
Yes, but I pick the clinic.
What clinic? I need to let the photographer know.
Rex wrote back.
No cameras.
She didn’t even try to change his mind. Any pictures she got she’d have to take on her phone. They would look less staged anyway. Perfect for what she had in mind.
* * *
The next morning, Tiffani arrived at the hospital at nine. As she walked across the parking lot toward the main entrance, a horn honked. An old orange truck was coming toward her. She hurried out of the way. At another short blast, she took a closer look. Rex was driving.
He pulled up beside her and leaned out the window. “Hey, good-looking, hop in and I’ll give you a ride.”
Rex thought she was attractive? Her stomach fluttered at the idea. She gave the truck a long disapproving look. In the movies, when a man used that old line he was usually driving a nice sports car. Grinning, he lifted one shoulder. “You’re the one who told me to get something beside a motorcycle.”
She quirked her mouth. “This isn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
“Don’t be thinking bad thoughts about Bessie.” He patted the dash. “She can get you where you need to go. Come on, have a little sense of adventure. Lighten up a little.” He revved the engine. “See, she’s raring to go.”
Tiffani barked a laugh. “Okay. Just this once.”
Rex leaned across the seat and pushed the passenger door open. She climbed in, grateful she’d worn jeans. “So Bessie is your spare vehicle?”
“Nope. I borrowed her from a buddy just for you. I knew from the way you turned up your nose the other day you wouldn’t ride on my motorcycle.”
She wouldn’t have. After what had happened to her father, she had no intention of getting on one. Rubbing her hand over the old but clean seat, she said, “You’re right about that. Where’re we going?”
“To a clinic over in High Water,” Rex replied, as he pulled out of the parking lot.
She couldn’t keep astonishment out of her voice. “Really?”
“Yep.”
High Water was an area of the city known for crime and poverty. Why had he picked there, of all places? For whatever reason, it would certainly make for good PR. She envisioned the headline: “Metropolitan Hospital’s surgeon spends day off helping out in High Water.” She couldn’t go wrong with this material. Even so, she had to know. “Why there?”
“Because they need the help.” His tone was flat and his eyes never left the road.
She studied him. He had both hands on the steering wheel. They were capable and strong, which she was well aware of because they had been on her body. For some reason that thought sent a zip of heat through her. Firmly instructing herself not to go there, she asked, “What do you usually do on your days off?”
“Is that question work related or personal?” He gave her a brief glance.
“Maybe both. I just wanted to get to know you better.” She really meant it.
“Mostly I work at the clinic.”
“What?”
He changed lanes and headed toward an exit. “Don’t sound so surprised. I work at the High Water Clinic. I helped start it, along with a couple of other doctors in town.”
“You’re kidding.” She maneuvered in her seat so she could easily see his profile.
“You really don’t have a very high opinion of me, do you? You’ve been reading what the newspapers have to say. Tiff, you do know you can’t believe everything you read, right?” he asked in a singsong voice.
Tiff? Since when did he call her by a nickname? More important, how had she missed such a crucial PR point? “Nowhere in my research did it say anything about you being connected to that clinic.”
He exited the interstate, stopped at a traffic light then turned to look at her. “Because it isn’t public knowledge and I’d like it to stay that way.”
“But this is perfect PR material. The morning shows will eat it up.” Anticipation flowed through her. This campaign had a real chance of succeeding beyond her wildest dreams.
He grimaced. “Please, don’t do that. These people are hard to win over. If you bring in news crews and they start asking all kinds of questions, it might take some of them years to trust the clinic again.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Then why’re you taking me?”
“I guess I wanted you to see the real me. That there’s more to me than a pointless publicity project or the wild doctor who rides a motorcycle.”
Why would that matter to him? A disturbed expression came over his face. Had he intended to say that out loud?
“Maybe, because you wanted us to go to a clinic and I was already coming here,” he was quick to add. “All I ask is that you respect these people.”
“Of course I will.” What type of person did he think she was? Where had he gotten the impression she didn’t care about people?
Silent minutes passed before Rex entered a neglected section of the city Tiffani had never visited. Many homes were abandoned and stores closed. Grass grew through the cracks and paper littered the gutters. Tiffani tried not to think about the fact that this was considered the highest drug and crime area of town, or the fact that it was frequently a main topic in the news. She should be feeling nervous but inexplicably Rex’s presence made her feel safe, confident he could handle himself as well as take care of her.
A few blocks farther he pulled into what looked like an old grocery store parking lot. There were people mingling around the glass front. Paper covered the windows halfway up. On a cinder-block wall facing the parking lot were the words: High Water Clinic.
Rex climbed out of the truck and walked around to open the door for her.
Tiffani smiled gratefully and took his hand. It was strong and sure. She was too aware of his touch. There was no place in her life for that reaction. He was a client, and moreover she had no intention of being hurt again. “You really do have nice manners. Thank you.”
“Let’s just say they were drilled into me.” He smiled, easing the words. “Come on. They’ll be waiting for us.”
Tiffani couldn’t decide if his disclosure was positive or negative. But it made her think about something besides her growing fascination with him.
He closed the door and remained close as they went t
o the front of the building, circling behind the people at the door, waiting to enter. Several of them spoke to Rex and he greeted them by name. Maybe he wasn’t the self-centered doctor she’d originally judged him to be.
“The clinic generally doesn’t open until nine thirty on Saturdays but there’s almost always people lined up waiting before then,” he informed her with a note of pride as he again held the door for her.
Inside was a large, dim room. Mismatched chairs lined the walls and a gray metal desk that had seen better days stood directly in front of the entrance. Behind it sat a heavy-set, middle-aged woman.
“Louise, you’re looking ravishing this morning,” Rex teased.
To Tiffani’s amazement the older woman blushed.
“Don’t you start with me, you charmer, you. Our day’s going to be too busy for your nonsense.”
“What’s up?” Rex was all business now.
