The Doctor's Defender. Terri Reed

expression turned parental. “You’re an important member of our staff, Brenda. Your safety is our priority. We care about you.”

      As good as the sentiment felt, she had no illusions about her worth. Her skills in the operating room made her a high-priced commodity, one other hospitals and private practices sought after.

      But on a personal level, she wasn’t that close to the staff. Relationships only complicated matters. It was easier to keep people at a distance than to risk disappointment. Theirs and hers.

      “I’m sure the staff would appreciate the extra security.” The weight of responsibility pressed on her shoulders. Someone had already been hurt because of her; the least she could do was accept the hospital’s generous gesture.

      Ned nodded his approval. “I’m glad you understand. This will be in everyone’s best interest—”

      A knock interrupted him. “Come in.”

      The door to the office opened. She looked over her shoulder to see the newcomer. Her breath stalled out.

      Ned rose and came around the desk, his hand outstretched. “Mr. Martin, I trust your trip went well.”

      A tall, lean and drop-dead gorgeous man strode forward and halted beside her chair. He wore khaki cargo pants and a loose-fitting shirt more appropriate for a pool party than a professional meeting. And he wore flip-flops on his feet. Did he plan to head to the lakeshore when he was done here?

      “Yes, without a hitch. You must be Dr. Landsem.” The two men shook hands.

      Surely this wasn’t her bodyguard. Brenda frowned in confusion. Weren’t bodyguards supposed to look tough and intimidating? Like James Bond or something?

      This guy with his shaggy blond hair belonged on a movie set for a beach flick or a photo shoot for a male hottie-of-the-month calendar. Not that she didn’t appreciate his handsomeness. She was a woman with a pulse. She rather liked his angular jawline and full lips.

      Lively sky-blue eyes met hers. His gaze slowly raked over her in silent appraisal. Would he see the flaws she worked hard to hide?

      The corners of his mouth lifted in a smile as if pleased with what he saw. Her pulse skyrocketed.

      She sat up straighter. Oh, no. No, no, no. This guy couldn’t be the protection specialist the hospital hired. He was too...too much. Too young. Too good-looking. Not a man to be easily ignored.

      Ned gestured to the man and said, “Dr. Brenda Storm, I’d like you to meet Kyle Martin. Your bodyguard.”

      * * *

      “Hi there, Dr. Storm, I’ve heard good things about you.” Kyle Martin extended his hand toward the brunette beauty sitting perfectly straight in the leather armchair.

      She didn’t move. Her lips pressed into a firm line. She couldn’t disapprove of him already, could she? No matter, she wouldn’t be the last.

      Odd that she’d wear all black beneath her white lab coat on a hot late-September day. Black slacks, black buttoned-up blouse. Okay, not everything was black. Her red pumps sporting little embroidered roses were in vivid contrast to the stark outfit. Not as somber as she wanted others to believe? Interesting. And intriguing.

      Her dark hair was twisted up in a fancy bun in the back. He wondered what she’d do if he undid the pins holding her hair. She’d look softer with all that mass spilling about her shoulders.

      Probably slug him. His lips twitched with a suppressed chuckle.

      “Okay, we’ll skip the pleasantries,” he said. “I hear you’ve had a tough time lately.” He’d read the dossier on her during the plane ride from Boston. A lot of facts but no real hint of her personality.

      She slanted him a glance. Were those tears shimmering in her dark eyes? “If you mean someone trying to poison me and instead killing a sweet man who’d done nothing wrong except indulge in a pretty cupcake, then yeah, I’d say a tough time.”

      She was not impressed. Tough. Like it or not, she was stuck with him.

      “And being sued for malpractice. I’d say that qualifies, as well.”

      With a quick glance at her boss, she said, “Well, you can hardly protect me from that, now can you?”

      “You’d be surprised what I can do,” Kyle quipped.

      She jumped to her feet, her dark eyes no longer filled with tears. Now they flashed with indignation. “I do not need you.”

      Kyle grinned. “Yes, you do need me. I’ll be sticking to you like surf wax to a surfboard until the police catch the person who tried to harm you. No one’s getting near you without going through me.”

      Her eyes widened. Her mouth clamped shut. She swung her gaze to the boss man. “This won’t work. I can’t have him—” she waved a hand in Kyle’s direction “—with me in the O.R. The man has on flip-flops. Please, Ned. This isn’t a good idea.”

      “It’s an excellent idea.” Ned tipped his chin in Kyle’s direction. “Mr. Martin will take very good care of you.”

      “I don’t need to be taken care of,” she argued. “I need to get back to work.”

      Ned slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Once the police find who tried to hurt you, everything should all settle down.”

      “If it doesn’t, then what?” she asked with a quick glance toward Kyle.

      Kyle widened his grin, enjoying the myriad emotions traipsing across her expressive face. She’d bounced from sorrow, to fear, to anger to more anger in the space of a heartbeat.

      Her frown deepened.

      Okay, shadowing the doctor for the next few days was going to be a challenge. But man, she was easy on the eyes. That was a huge plus. Not that it mattered what she looked like. Protection was protection. He’d do his job and then walk away like always. That was why he liked his job. Each assignment was different, mostly interesting and always temporary.

      He was a temporary type of guy.

      Especially when it came to women. Prickly women, like the doctor, in particular.

      “All we can do is pray the police find whoever did this and arrests them quickly,” Ned said.

      “What if they don’t?” she asked, her voice rising slightly.

      Clearly, she was more freaked out by the threat hanging over her head than she’d like to admit. Kyle figured the doctor was used to being in charge and having everything under control. Most doctors he knew did.

      But this was a situation she couldn’t control. He’d have to pick his battles. He didn’t need to be distracted by fighting her for control when a very real and dangerous threat loomed on the horizon. Who knew when this nut job would strike again?

      “The police department is top-notch. They’ll find the suspect soon,” Kyle said, hoping to alleviate her stress.

      Fear marched across her pretty face. “Fine. You can protect me.” Her voice hitched on the last word. She glanced at the thin gold watch on her delicate wrist. “I’m due in the O.R. in ten.” She gestured to his feet. “Do you have other shoes?”

      He grinned and gave her a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am.”

      Her lips thinned as she turned away and stepped toward the door. “Just stay out of my way.”

      Kyle snagged her wrist. His palm came in contact with her bare skin, soft and smooth. Her pulse jumped beneath his fingers. Kyle couldn’t figure out what he’d done to upset her. It usually took longer before he offended someone.

      “I promise this won’t be so bad,” he said, his voice coming out huskier than he liked. “You’ll hardly even know I’m around.”

      She arched a raven-black eyebrow but didn’t shy