“When your report came across my desk and I discovered two innocent women were running for their lives, I couldn’t turn either of you down. Two sisters within one family. Hell, had your parents or brothers lost you, I would never have lived with myself. They’re good folks.”
Ben met with her parents occasionally, gave them updates and assured them he’d see their case solved and their daughters returned to them. It meant the world to her that he did. And when a secured line could be patched through to her family, she and Lydia got to speak to them.
“You have the biggest heart.” She looked into his eyes, and a touch of the rising moonlight tracking through lit the sky-blue depths and made her pulse race. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
“It’s the other way around.” He twined a lock of her hair around his finger. “It’s almost dinner time. Would you like me to escort you upstairs?”
“No, I’m going to take a shower first. You may escort me there if you wish.”
“Don’t tempt me.” He twirled her away from the door then opened it. With one last look over his shoulder, he blew her a kiss then left her alone in the dark.
“Scaredy-cat,” she called through the closed door.
His chuckle echoed down the passageway.
Chapter 7
Impatient, Ben paced the pristine white carpet of the clinic’s waiting room as Saria had her doctor’s appointment the next afternoon. The empty nurse’s area, located behind a high wooden curved front desk was where she’d be working come Monday morning. Without him.
Hell, he was leaving her all alone, in the middle of the South Pacific without even any family. What kind of a man did that?
He should stay. It would be easy enough to ask his office assistant to organize one of his bodyguards to cover for him with the next job. He shoved his hand through his hair and raked his fingers across his scalp. Except Saria would be safe here. Her desk was right next to the doctor’s office. Still, he couldn’t shake these nerves.
At the window, he gripped the polished wooden sill. Outside, the resort’s lush gardens and countless coconut trees swished in the breeze. Not even the amazing view could relax him.
The office door opened and Saria walked out, her long luscious brown locks swaying. Rosy-cheeked, she smiled at him. “Dr. Hika’s free for another twenty minutes if you’d like to see him.”
“Thanks.” He’d asked her to check if he could have some time. He needed to make certain the doctor understood all her needs. “Where will you be?”
“Right here. I need to get acquainted with this area and ensure I know where everything is stored.”
“Good. Remain here, and don’t move from this spot.” He caught her chin, desperately wanting to plant a kiss on her lips. Sleeping apart from her last night had been hell, and when he’d finally napped, his dreams had revolved around her.
“Relax. I’ll be right here.” She sashayed toward the cupboards, popped her bottom out as she bent then gave it a wiggle. Her pink skirt’s short ruffled layers beckoned him to flip them then smooth his hands down her creamy legs and touch every inch of her body. She better damn well be wearing panties today.
“Do you have a uniform?”
“When I was in Nadi, I was issued with my work whites.” She peered into the cupboards and moved things about. “Stop procrastinating and go and see the doctor.”
“Sure, but I won’t be long.” He dragged himself away from her, knocked on the door she’d left open and nodded at the doctor. “Is it all right to come in?”
“Yes, take a seat, Ben. Make yourself comfortable.” He closed a file with Saria’s name emblazoned across the top then slotted it into place on a corner carousel filled with similar manila folders. “Anywhere you like.”
Two gray padded chairs sat in front of the doctor’s solid walnut desk, but instead of choosing one of those, he wandered around the coffee table and settled on the long forest green couch nestled under the window. “Nice office.”
“Thanks. Sometimes I end up sleeping in here on long nights, and the couch makes a good bed.” He picked up a pen and pad from the corner of his desk and sank into the swivel chair opposite him. The black leather creaked as it welcomed his weight. “What did you want to chat about?”
“Saria.”
“Right.” He tapped the pad. “I’ll answer what I can, provided it doesn’t overstep the boundaries of patient or employee confidentiality.”
“You don’t need to answer anything, just listen.” From his wallet, he handed over a business card. “My contact details. Should she need anything, for any reason, call me. Her safety and wellbeing are my responsibility.”
“She said before you came in here, you might do this.” He slipped a card from his shirt pocket and waved it. “I already have one of your cards, compliments of Saria.”
“Take both. You can keep one in your office, and one on you.”
“Well, thank you.” Smiling, he slotted the card back in his top pocket. “Most appreciated, although you should have more confidence in Saria’s ability to look after herself.”