Chapter THREE
‘YOU need my help?’
‘Yes.’
She winked at him and lowered her voice to a seductive whisper. ‘I’m always happy to help out an old friend.’
Francie nearly choked on her tongue, and one of the other nurses stifled a giggle.
‘Stop it.’ David shook his head, a small smile twitching at his lips. ‘Concentrate, Dr Caplan, and let’s go take a look at Dart.’
‘Dart?’ Eden was all business and efficiency as she followed David to the first bay of beds. Francie was behind her.
‘Short for d’Artagnan.’
‘Really? That’s going to turn a few heads when he gets older. What’s the situation?’
‘The poor boy is up and down like a yo-yo. Dehydration, stomach pain, headaches, dizziness. He’s been scanned, poked, prodded and still I can’t figure it out.’
‘Multiple admissions?’
‘This is his second with these symptoms.’ David pulled back the curtain which was around Dart’s bed. Mrs Wilman quickly stood from where she’d been sitting on the bed next to her son. She held a child’s drinking cup in her hands as though she were trying to persuade her son to keep his fluids up. She quickly put the cup on the bedside table.
‘Hey there, Dart,’ said David, smiling a greeting at the mother. ‘I hear you’re not feeling as well as you were this morning.’
‘I’m afraid he’s not well at all, Dr Montgomery.’ Mrs Wilman was earnest in her words. ‘I don’t understand what you’ve done to him. You were supposed to be making him better.’
‘He’d improved dramatically overnight. Earlier this morning he was bouncing around on his bed and running about the ward.’
‘He quite clearly should have been lying still and resting.’ Mrs Wilman’s tone was more one of stress rather than accusing the staff of neglect.
‘Now I’m sorry I didn’t stay last night with Dart. He was probably so distraught at my leaving him that he’s had a relapse. I don’t think sending him home is at all a wise move. Do you, Dr Montgomery?’ She shook her head as she spoke, and before David could answer continued. ‘I think he’ll need to stay for at least another few days—if not the week.’
David held out his hand for a stethoscope, and Francie had one at the ready. ‘Hey, Dart. Can I have a listen to your chest and your tummy, please?’ He pulled the covers down and smiled reassuringly at the four-year-old.
Eden was busy watching. Not only what David was doing, but also keeping a close eye on the mother. Mrs Wilman was obviously very upset and concerned about her son, but there was something else going on. Eden had no idea what—it was just a hunch, and in the past she’d learned to follow those hunches.
‘It hurts,’ Dart moaned, and David nodded.
‘I know, mate. Let’s see if we can’t get you better.’
‘I don’t want the yucky meddy.’
‘I know,’ he said again, before continuing with his examination. When he palpated Dart’s stomach, the little boy groaned.
‘You need to get him back to Radiology for another scan of his abdomen.’ Mrs Wilman was quite insistent as she spoke to David. ‘I really think this time, Dr Montgomery, that an MRI should be requested. In fact, I’m quite insistent about it.’
‘Hmm.’ David was half listening to what Dart’s mother was saying, but was far more concerned with trying to figure out why the little boy had gone downhil so quickly. He looked at Mrs Wilman. ‘I’d like to put Dart back on an IV drip, and I’ll order some more tests. I’m not convinced at this point whether an MRI scan is necessary, but it’s certainly something to consider down the track.’
‘I’m not completely satisfied with that diagnosis, Dr Montgomery,’ Mrs Wilman counteracted. ‘I’m certain an MRI is the next step in my son’s treatment, and if you don’t order one I’ll get someone else to order the tests. I’ll go above your head if necessary. I don’t want to, but I will.’
‘I’m head of the paediatric department at St Thomas’ hospital. When it comes to the treatment of children, no one is more qualified than myself.
You are, however, more than welcome to a second opinion.’ David indicated Eden. ‘For instance, Dr Caplan here is a trained paediatrician who has worked extensively overseas. She is widely published on topics which include mysterious ill ness in children, and is highly regarded by her peers. I’ve already asked her for her valued opinion on Dart’s condition, because I can assure you, Mrs Wilman, I am just as concerned as you are about his health.’
Mrs Wilman looked at Eden, giving her the once-over before turning her attention back to David. ‘Well, I’m pleased to see you’re doing something to try and fix my son.’ She looked to Eden. ‘I hope you have some new ideas, or at least can persuade Dr Montgomery to see sense by advising him to order an MRI.’
Eden smiled warmly at the woman, who seemed to know quite a bit about medical procedures and terminology. ‘I must say it’s so nice to see a parent such as yourself taking an interest in their child’s health.’
Mrs Wilman straightened her cardigan. ‘What mother wouldn’t?’
‘Oh, believe me, there are plenty. As Dr Montgomery said, I’ve been working overseas in areas where a lot of parents are so busy trying to find work that they can’t afford to spend time looking after their sick children. It’s fantastic that you’re here for Dart and that you’re willing to get really involved, to question and seek out different answers. So many parents are so…lax at times.’
‘I see.’ Mrs Wilman almost preened. ‘Well, you’ll find that I’m not one of those types of parents. I do know exactly the sort of parent you’re talking about, though. So many of my…acquaintances are more concerned with their careers rather than what’s most important in their lives.’ she looked down at her son. ‘That’s why I’m here for d’Artagnan. It’s why I stay at the hospital overnight. Last night was the first night I wasn’t able to be here, and look what has happened today upon my return.’ She reached out and stroked the hair from her son’s forehead.
David’s tone was firm. ‘Francie, would you do observations again? Let me know if there has been any change. Get the IV line in whilst I have a chat with Eden.’ He looked at Dart’s mother. ‘We’ll get him sorted out.’
After they’d returned to the nurses’ station, Eden shook her head. ‘What?’ David asked, clearly agitated that he couldn’t figure out what was happening with his little patient.
‘You shouldn’t promise like that.’
‘I know, but I want to figure this out. I’m really worried about him. The thing is that his reaction to the usual medicine is that it seems to work initially, and then, wham, something happens and he goes downhil again.’
‘So we just need to figure out what the “wham” part is, eh?’
‘Exactly.’ David shook his head and lowered his voice. ‘Any help you can offer would be gratefully received. Have you ever seen anything like it?’
‘Hand me his notes. Let me review them and we’ll see what we can come up with.’ David did as she asked and she took the notes, meeting his gaze. ‘We’ll find out…together.’
David swallowed at her words, and seeing the look in her eyes, wondered how she could make one little word sound so intimate. ‘Uh…right.
Yes. Together.’
A smile touched her lips. ‘I like you most when you’re flustered.’
‘Hmm. Well. Er…’ He cleared his throat. ‘Listen, whilst you’re here in the hospital I’ll organise for you to receive Visiting Medical Officer status.
That will make things a bit more aboveboard—especially as Mrs Wilman seems to be shopping for my scalp.’
Eden nodded. ‘She is a little gung-ho. It’s good to see that she’s taking an interest in her son, that she’s here with him, but she needs to trust you more. You are the one with the medical degrees, after all.’
‘A lot of parents freak out when their children are ill. Mrs Wilman’s actually quite nice. She’s helpful to the staff, and encouraging with other parents who are here—showing them where the tea and coffee facilities are, that sort of thing.’
‘OK. Let me get through these notes. I hope you don’t mind if I ask the nurses some questions as well?’
‘Investigating me?’ He raised an eyebrow.
‘Investigating Dart.’ Eden smiled at him, seeing his veiled concern. Had he forgotten that she knew him so well? ‘Sometimes you need to think outside the box. You might be a little too close to the situation, holding on a little too tightly.’
‘Is that what you’ve learnt overseas? To see things differently? To try different approaches?’
‘You have to. We don’t have access to most of the facilities you have at your fingertips. We have to improvise, to think of alternatives, to see beyond the normal way of things.’
‘You sound as though you enjoy it very much.’
‘I do.’ Eden sighed. ‘Although sometimes…’ She looked away from him, down at Dart’s notes. ‘Sometimes it gets a little draining. Even I’ve been too close to a project before. Needed someone to come along and point out the simplest of solutions. It happens to all of us.’
Was she referring to the epidemic he’d read about in the journal? When he’d asked her for assistance he hadn’t wanted to raise any old ghosts, to awaken any old memories. That hadn’t been his intention. He’d merely been after a fresh perspective. He didn’t want to hurt her. ‘Listen, Eden. If you’d rather not help me out—if you just want to relax and spend time with Sasha—then I—’
Eden reached across the desk to where he was sitting, placing a finger over his lips. ‘Shh. That wasn’t what I meant. You know I’ll always help you. You’re my friend, David, and friends help each other.’ Her words had slowed as she realised just what she’d done, just how close they were… again.
David’s expressive brown eyes had widened at her touch, and now she watched as his gaze dipped to her lips, lingering briefly before rising to meet her eyes once more. Eden’s breathing slowly started to increase, and she wished the world would simply freeze so she could figure out exactly what it was that existed between herself and David.
Sure, they were attracted to each other. Sure, they had a bit of history together. Sure, they’d both changed over the past decade. Life, however, didn’t always turn out the way you planned. She quickly dropped her hand back to her side. ‘Besides…’ She tapped Dart’s case notes and forced an overly bright smile to try and cover up the devastating effect he was having on her equilibrium. ‘I’m intrigued. Go. Do what you need to do and let me review.’
David opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He closed it quickly, nodded, and then walked back to his office. There were a few other patients he wanted her to meet, especially the eleven-year-old girl who had been admitted with anorexia, but that could wait. He headed back to his office and tapped a few commands into his computer to bring up the template for the forms he needed to fill in. The idea of making Eden a VMO wasn’t what he’d initially had in mind, but seeing how she’d managed to win Mrs Wilman over in a matter of seconds was enough of an impetus for David to forge ahead.
He sent the form to print, then sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. Why had she touched him like that? The imprint of her finger was still on his lips. The warmth, the tenderness, the… Eden-ness…it was all still there. He licked his lips, and the hunger he’d been trying to control from the first instant he’d laid eyes on her that morning started to burn harder and faster than before.
Memories of the times they’d spent together came instantly to mind, and he knew for certain that if he kissed her again his world would once again be rocked on its foundations. He couldn’t have that. She had been the first girl he’d dated who he’d been serious about. He’d enjoyed her company, been amazed by her intelligence and had valued her opinion. Those factors alone had been enough for his parents to ship him off to Melbourne, away from Eden. Even though he now had little to do with his parents, he knew that the effect Eden still had on him was as strong as it had been back then. He couldn’t even risk getting involved with her because she meant far too much to him. She meant far too much to Sasha, and his sister had already been through enough.
If Eden ever found out about his accident, discovered his own dark secret, then he would be diminished in her view. Just as he had been in Jacquie’s. When his ex-wife had realised the truth, that David could never father children, she’d started seriously discussing divorce. As far as she had been concerned there had been no reason to continue in the marriage. Things had already been strained, and both had agreed their friendship was the one thing worth salvaging from their incompatible marriage.
For some reason Eden’s opinion of him mattered far more than he’d realised, but perhaps it was because she’d looked up to him for so long, for so many years. They had a past, a history which was more than just the chemistry between them. They’d been friends, and if he couldn’t have anything else with her, friendship would be the next best thing.
The phone on his desk rang and he instantly snatched it up, relieved to have something to ponder other than Eden Caplan.
There was nothing untoward in the case notes, and Eden was now as perplexed as David. She’d spoken with Francie, and some of the other nurses who had cared for Dart during his admission, but still nothing obvious seemed to jump out at her.
She’d been in to see Dart, to do some observations of her own and try and talk to him, but he’d just lain on his bed, listless and depressed.
Something was really wrong in this little boy’s world, and she wasn’t sure it was all physical. Psychological issues could make a person very sick indeed.
‘Four-year-olds don’t get depressed,’ one of the nurses said.
‘Yes, they do. All the time,’ Eden remarked. ‘I’ve seen a lot of children depressed for quite long lengths of time. Children younger than four as well.’
‘That must have been heartbreaking.’ Francie had already pumped Eden for information about the various countries Eden had worked in, as well as on what it was like working for a medical aid organisation.
‘I’ve been through worse. Of course a lot of the time the children don’t realise it’s depression. Things are bad. There’s no way they can get better and they slump down, their spirits crushed. Thankfully, though, it doesn’t take much to buoy them up again. Children are far more resilient than adults.’
‘So we need to find a way to boost Dart’s spirits?’
‘Until we can figure out what’s causing his relapse, why not?’
‘Were you successful with the IV line?’ David spoke from behind Francie and the nurse jumped.
‘Good golly, Miss Molly. You’re so quiet, I didn’t even hear you there. The IV line is in. He just lay there. No fuss at all.’
David frowned. ‘This is perplexing. Eden?’
‘I’ve got nothing. Apart from the blood tests you’ve ordered and the medication you have him on, I can’t think of anything I’d do differently.’
‘Do you think it’s worth doing the MRI?’
Eden pondered this for a moment. ‘I’m not sure it’s going to give you any new information after the scans Dart’s already had. The only thing it will do is appease the mother, and that’s a very expensive way to appease her.’
‘Hmm.’ David was pensive once more.
‘You know what? Perhaps a change of scenery might help.’
‘Meaning?’
‘I’m going to go see your sister. Want to join me?’
David hesitated for a moment. More time alone with Eden? He wasn’t sure he could handle so much in one day. Then again, he had made dinner reservations for them—but that was different. That was his way of apologising for being an insensitive clod, and that apology still needed to be made. Besides, at dinner they’d be in a crowded restaurant. They’d be eating and enjoying polite conversation.
He’d already been alone with her in a hospital stairwel today and look what had happened. She’d flirted with him, and the fact that he’d liked it was completely beside the point. As a man wanting to keep his distance from a woman he wasn’t doing a very good job—and he wasn’t the sort of man to enjoy conflict within himself.
‘Go see your sister,’ Francie chimed in when he didn’t say anything. It was then David realised that Eden had stood and was ready to go. ‘I’ll call you immediately if there’s any change with Dart.’
‘OK.’ He looked at Eden. ‘Let’s go.’
This time as they walked between the two wards Eden didn’t attempt to take his hand, touch him or flirt with him in any way, shape or form.
‘Are you all right?’ he eventually asked.
‘Sure. I’m fine. Just pondering things.’
‘What are you going to do once you’ve seen Sasha?’
‘Why? How many patients have you got for me to review? Or were you just saying that to appease me? To stop me from being bored whilst I’m back in town?’
‘Uh…no. I really do have a few more cases I’d like your opinion on.’
‘My cases have been vastly different from the ones you usually have here,’ she felt compelled to point out.
‘That’s what I mean. I’m counting on your unique perspective—your Eden way of thinking things through.’
‘My “Eden way” of thinking?’ She turned and smiled at him, and it was then he realised that she looked tired. Very tired, in fact. Not in essentials, but just about her eyes. A passer-by wouldn’t notice anything amiss, but he did. He knew her too well.
‘When did you arrive back in Australia?’
‘Eight o’clock this morning. My room wasn’t ready when I checked into my hotel, so I left my luggage there and headed straight here. I needed to see Sasha, to see for myself that she was OK, even though she’d assured me several times on the phone. However, I’m starting to feel a little worn out now.’ She flicked her skirt with her hand. ‘And I think a change of clothes is definitely in order. I feel as though I’ve been wearing this outfit for ever.’ She grinned. ‘And I have!’
How was it possible? he wondered as they stopped outside Sasha’s door. She still looked fresh and bright, and now she was telling him she’d just travelled halfway round the world. That was impossible. No one could look this good after travelling all night and then spending the morning in a hospital. David’s gaze encompassed her again, taking in her leather sandals, long flowing skirt and matching top. He was glad she’d left her hair loose. It was quite a bit longer than it had been the last time he’d seen her. He liked it.
As though his hand had a mind of its own, he reached out and tenderly took a handful of the rich auburn tresses. Eden didn’t smile, but her gaze remained riveted on his as he sifted the strands through his fingers.
‘The colour’s slightly darker,’ he murmured, and she tried not to gasp at the huskiness in his tone.
The attraction she’d felt for him in the past had developed slowly. First he’d just been Sasha’s big brother, then he’d been someone she’d thought was cute, then someone she’d listened to, and then someone whose opinion she’d valued. Finally she’d become aware of the growing attraction which had existed between them and which had eventually led to them dating. What she hadn’t expected now was for the attraction to be stronger than ever, to have actually increased since she’d first seen him that morning.
The breath she’d been unconsciously holding escaped her lips at his touch. Then, as though he’d realised what he was doing, he quickly dropped his hand and cleared his throat. ‘You…er…don’t look unkempt, if that’s what you’re worried about.’
Eden shrugged, temporarily unable to speak as she tried to get her emotions under control. She was tongue-tied and glued to the spot simply because David had voluntarily touched her hair. Even though the touch had been brief, it had been tantalising—sensual, and a complete breach of her comfort zone, but one she was more than willing to allow. She put her current state of mind down to too much emotional turmoil and not enough sleep.
‘Eden…er…do you have any plans for dinner this evening?’
She looked at him a little perplexed. Out of everything he could have said, that wasn’t what she’d expected. She’d thought he wouldn’t want to spend any more time with her than was necessary, given that by touching her hair in such an intimate way he’d openly acknowledged the attraction, the chemistry which existed between them. Then again, perhaps David had just asked because it was the right thing to do—and David always did the right thing.
She swallowed. ‘Ah…no. I was going to see how Sasha was doing, but I think it’s best if she and Robert have some more time together tonight. Besides, my day is starting to catch up with me.’
He nodded, understanding that she was tired. ‘That’s OK. If you’re tired, we don’t have to go. It’s no problem.’
Go? Was he asking her out? ‘No. I didn’t mean it like that.’ She spoke quickly. ‘I don’t have any plans and I’d love to have dinner with you tonight…if that is what you’re asking.’
His smile was gorgeous as he spoke. ‘Obviously I’m doing a very poor job. I guess it’s been a while since I’ve asked a woman to dinner.’
‘Well, if it helps, it’s been a while since I’ve accepted. Just tell me where you want to meet and when and I’ll be there. I can’t say for sure what type of company I’ll be, but hopefully I’ll have managed to sneak in a bit of a nap before night-time hits, so I’ll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.’
‘We have reservations for seven. Is that too early? Too late?’
Eden was touched. Excitement coursed through her at knowing that David had already made plans. It made her feel special, pretty and feminine, and she hadn’t felt like that in…she couldn’t remember when. David wanted to take her to dinner. She didn’t care why because right now just the thought was all she needed to make her happy.
‘Seven sounds great.’
‘OK. I’ll meet you at your hotel.’
‘Perfect. Thank you so much for thinking of it.’ Stepping forward, she wrapped her arms about his neck and hugged him close. ‘A nice quiet dinner with you is just what I need,’ she said softly near his ear.
David was surprised at the embrace, but he should have expected it. It was so Eden. He withdrew his hands from his pockets and placed them gently at her waist, easing her back slightly so her gorgeous body wasn’t pressed so firmly against his. She must have felt his restraint because she instantly pulled back.
‘Perfect,’ she repeated, feeling more relaxed and more herself. ‘Shal we go and see Sash?’
David cleared his throat. ‘Why don’t you go in? I’ll catch up with her later on in the day. I want to get your VMO paperwork rushed through.’
‘Oh. OK, then. Well, I guess I’ll see you tonight at seven.’ She quickly gave him the name of her hotel before she forgot, then pushed open Sasha’s private room door and went inside with a beaming smile on her face.
David walked into the lobby of the hotel, surprised at the apprehension in the pit of his stomach. What was there to be apprehensive about? It was just Eden. He walked over to the Guest Services desk and asked them to call her room. While he waited, he recalled a good many reasons why he should be apprehensive about Eden—and number one was the undeniable attraction he felt for her.
It didn’t seem to matter how many lectures he gave himself, determining to keep his distance, to keep whatever contact he had with her down to a minimum and make sure that contact was light and friendly. That was what he was planning to do tonight. Light and friendly.
Then he saw her.
He was positive his jaw went slack at the sight she made, walking across the lobby towards him with that sexy swish of her hips. She was dressed in another flowing creation, although this time it was a dress rather than a skirt and top. It came to just above her knees, revealing far too much leg for his liking. Her shape was perfect—nice and curvy, the way a woman should be. She was a bombshel with the most gorgeous hair, her auburn curls flowing loosely around her shoulders, clipped back on one side with a frangipani blossom.
‘Hi.’ She came to stand before him, her perfume making it difficult for him to think rationally.
‘What are you wearing?’ They were the first words out of his mouth, and he wished them unsaid the next moment. His tone held a hint of censure, of that big-brother protectiveness he’d often used on Sasha and Eden when they’d been younger.
Eden’s response was to torture him further by doing a slow twirl. ‘Do you like it?’
David couldn’t help but look at her as she showed off her delectable body. His heart was pounding wildly at the intoxicating sight she made and he shifted awkwardly.
‘I bought it this afternoon. I must say it feels so soft against my skin. Almost melts into it.’ Eden watched David’s reaction closely, loving the way he seemed stuck for words, his Adam’s apple working its way up and down his gorgeous throat as he swallowed nervously. She lowered her tone a notch and leaned a little closer. ‘I was thinking of you when I bought it.’
David straightened the lapels of his jacket and cleared his throat. ‘Right. Well. We should…go.’
‘Sure.’
‘Do you have a jacket?’ Something ankle-length, which would hide her body from everyone else. David glanced around the lobby for a second, noting there were several appreciative glances being sent her way. ‘Or have you forgotten what Sydney is like in early spring?’
Eden’s answer was to indicate the shawl she had draped over her arm. She went to open it and David quickly helped her, taking it abruptly from her hands before placing it around her shoulders. He hadn’t even realised she’d been holding it, along with a small clutch purse, because he’d obviously been too distracted by the rest of her.
‘I haven’t forgotten what Sydney weather is like, but my body is acclimatised to Ukrainian weather and it’s a tad colder there—especially in winter. It’s also why I went and bought a new dress. I never get the time to dress up and go out, so this is definitely a special occasion.’ She linked her arm through his, then leaned up and pressed a small, light kiss to his cheek. ‘Thank you for asking me out tonight.’ Her tone was one hundred percent sincere, and he found that side of Eden even more difficult to resist.
David simply stood there, looking down at her, at this gorgeous woman who had been through so much in her life yet continued to persevere.
He could see the pain hidden deep beneath her hypnotic green eyes, which were now highlighted with the skilful application of mascara and eyeshadow, making her even more stunning than usual.
Eden didn’t move. Didn’t want to move. David was looking at her in such a way that she wasn’t at all sure what would happen next. She was sure if she leaned over to give him a kiss that they might end up changing their plans. If she’d had any doubts about whether or not he was attracted to her, they vanished into thin air.
It had been her main purpose when she’d stumbled across the dress hanging in a shop window that afternoon as she’d walked from the hospital to her hotel. To see whether she could knock his socks off. She was pleased that she’d succeeded. However, they couldn’t spend the rest of the night standing in the hotel lobby, gazing into each other’s eyes.
‘Shal we go?’ The words were a whisper from her lips, and it took a split second for them to penetrate David’s hazy mind. He looked down at her lips one more time, and Eden held her breath, waiting to see what would happen.
Then he looked away, the moment broken. ‘Of course.’
As they headed out into the early evening, Eden’s excitement start to increase. She was out on a date, with David. Well, he might not call it a date, but she most certainly did. She’d dreamed about this—the two of them going out to dinner—so many years ago, her seventeen-year-old heart desperate for some grown-up time with him rather than eating pizza and studying. Now that it was actually happening she was pleased they hadn’t done it before, because it made tonight more special.
‘I wasn’t sure whether you wanted to take the car or walk.’ His voice was a little clipped as he desperately tried not to breathe in her scent, but he knew he was fighting a losing battle. Eden was all uring, and he was beginning to realise just how addictive she was. He named the restaurant and Eden racked her brain trying to remember where it was. ‘It’s two blocks away. Not far.’
She nodded. ‘That’s right. All I remember is the food. Delicious, and exactly what I’m in the mood for.’
‘Walk?’
‘Absolutely.’ She tightened her hold on his arm. ‘At least that way I get to be closer to you for longer.’ She waggled her eyebrows up and down.
David didn’t comment, but merely smiled politely. ‘Add to that fact you can help support me in these shoes. I am definitely not used to wearing high heels.’
David chuckled at this information.
‘What’s so funny?’
‘You. You breeze into the lobby as though you’re so sure of yourself, turning everyone’s head, portraying a woman who is as stable as she is sexy, and then you go and confess you’re not as confident as you appear.’
‘Well, you try walking in these things. They’re not too bad in the comfort department, but it’s early on. Who knows? By the time the night is over you might be giving me a piggyback all the way home.’
David grinned at the image this produced. ‘Why are you wearing them, then?’
‘Because they go perfectly with the dress. They complete the picture.’ She spoke as though he’d asked the most ridiculous question possible.
‘Right. That explains it all.’
‘Ahh…you may feign nonchalance now, but your look back at the hotel told me otherwise.’
‘What look?’ David kept his eyes straight ahead, knowing that if he looked at the woman beside him she would see far too much. So much for guarding himself around her.
‘The one that said you wanted to devour me.’
David was stunned. Had he been so transparent? He closed his eyes for a brief second, his mind working frantically as he tried to decide the best course of action. He eventually decided upon humour. Keep it light and friendly.
‘You’re trying to razz me up again, aren’t you?’
‘Is it working?’
He glanced down at her, their gazes melding. ‘I’m already razzed.’ The soft words were out before he could stop them. He saw surprise and then total appreciation in her eyes.
‘And you’re admitting this to me?’
David exhaled slowly. ‘It seems pointless not to. All day long I’ve struggled against the way you make me feel. It’s there. It exists between us. Is there any point in denying it?’
‘No. No. ’ Eden was astonished. ‘Not at all. This new, not-afraid-to-admit-his-feelings David is a delightful find.’
‘It doesn’t matter, because we both know nothing can ever come of it.’
‘Why?’
‘You don’t live in this country, Eden. You work overseas, and we’ve been a wrong fit right from the start. You forget that I know you better than the plethora of men you usually play with.’
‘Play with?’ She quirked an eyebrow at him, trying to hide the way his words were making her feel. First elation, then excitement, then dejection.
‘There will have been plenty of men over the years—none of them serious, though. Am I right?’
Eden considered his words carefully before answering. ‘Not entirely.’
‘Some serious, then?’ A surge of jealousy instantly coursed through him, catching him completely off guard. The picture of Eden with her arms wrapped around another man, pressing her body, her full, delicious mouth to his, was more than David could bear. He blinked fiercely, the vision dissipating.
‘Not as such. Just not as many men as you’re referring to. You forget I’ve been working overseas in remote areas for the past few years. Not a lot of socialising goes on.’
‘All work and no play?’ Now, why had her words made him feel happier?
‘Exactly. Hence the need to dress up and enjoy myself tonight.’ They stopped at a red light and she looked up at him, wondering just how far she could razz him. ‘Besides, there was this guy I dated when I was seventeen, and he kind of set the bar as far as men were concerned.’
David cleared his throat and swallowed nervously. ‘Is that so?’
‘That is most definitely so. You rocked my world back then, David.’
He swallowed again, and forced himself to look away from her mesmerising eyes. ‘Light’s green,’ he choked out, and was rewarded with a little chuckle from the woman beside him—the woman who could still tie him in knots with just a few words.
The restaurant was only a few doors past the crossing, and soon they were seated at an intimate table. The candlelight reflecting off her hair almost gave her a halo effect. Eden? A halo? He smiled at the idea. Sure, she fought for worthy causes, righted wrongs and generally supported the underdog—but a halo? Then he remembered what she’d been through a few years ago and the main reason why he’d decided to take her out to dinner. Perhaps she did deserve that halo after all.
Once they’d ordered, David raised his glass of wine to her. ‘To new beginnings,’ he said, and tapped his glass gently with hers.
‘Are you talking about you and me?’ Her curls bounced softly around her, and he couldn’t believe how incredibly beautiful she was.
He nodded.
‘Do we need a new beginning?’ she asked. ‘Because I like the one we already have.’
He thought for a moment. ‘So do I. However, I was referring to the way I annoyed you earlier today.’
‘You didn’t annoy me, David. You excite and confuse me, but you don’t annoy me.’
He groaned. ‘Don’t say things like that when I’m trying to apologise.’
‘Apologise? For what?’
‘For pressuring you to tell me why you didn’t make it to Sasha’s wedding.’
‘Oh.’ Eden looked down at her glass for a moment, before meeting that rich, chocolate gaze of his once more. He was so handsome, and just being here, sitting opposite him, made her heart pound wildly against her ribs. ‘You didn’t pressure me. Well, not much—and it’s all right. I understand that you were confused. After all, Sasha and I are so very close. She’s the only person who’s ever really cared about me.’
That wasn’t true. He certainly cared about her, but telling her might only bring them closer and he was trying to make sure there was distance between them. ‘I read your articles. I read between the lines.’ David reached across the table and took her free hand in his. ‘Eden. I’m sorry.’
Eden looked down at their entwined fingers, a lump forming in her throat. She’d resigned herself years ago to the tragedy which had occurred.
She’d had counselling, she’d worked through her emotions, and yet now, with David displaying such honest tenderness, all the helplessness she’d felt back then surged to the forefront.
‘They were so small. Tiny, undernourished children. Disgusting living conditions and disease at every turn.’ She raised her eyes slowly, meeting his. ‘It was horrible, David. Their pain, their suffering. It was there in their big wide eyes. Those looks still haunt me. They looked to me to help them, to make them better.’ She pursed her lips together to try and control her emotions. closing her eyes. ‘I couldn’t. The sounds of mothers wailing as their children were taken from them. The lifelessness of those little bodies—bodies I had held in my arms, willing them to hold on, praying for a miracle. The smell of death in the air, the breaking of hearts, the utter desolation.’
A tear slid down her cheek, but she made no attempt to wipe it away. ‘On a day that was supposed to be so important to me—the day my best friend got married—I was attending a mass funeral instead.’
‘Eden.’ David tightened his grip on her hand and leaned over to brush the tear from her cheek with his thumb.
Her eyes snapped open and she pulled back from his touch as though burnt. Letting go of his hand, she clasped hers together, dragging in a cleansing breath.
‘Sasha wanted to postpone her wedding until I could be there, but I had no idea when that might be so I encouraged her to proceed without me.
I needed to know that at least she was happy. You have no idea how much comfort that thought gave me in those dark days. My Sasha. Happily married to a man who adores her.’ Eden blinked again. ‘Anyway, if you’ll excuse me?’ She stood from the table, taking her purse with her. ‘Won’t be long.’
David watched her go, feeling almost as drained as she had looked. He’d been moved by her words, astonished that she’d opened up, that she’d shared with him, and yet at the same time he wanted her to stop torturing herself by reliving it yet again. How many times had she done that?
Spoken about that dark time? She’d written about it in a medical journal, sharing the facts of what had happened in an analytical fashion. She’d no doubt been treated by a therapist. And yet despite the passage of time, and the fact that she and her team had eventually discovered a cure, he knew she felt each and every one of those deaths every day. He knew that because he knew Eden.
She might come across as flirty and thriving, but there was another side to her, a deeper side—far deeper than he’d previously realised. When she’d spoken of Sasha being adored by Robert there had been a wistfulness in her tone.
Ever since he’d first met her she’d been this person with so much energy. Helping others. Giving everything of herself. It was no wonder she’d ended up in the career she now had. He’d always thought that that satisfied her, that helping others was enough, but in her vulnerability she’d shown him something else.
She’d shown him that she wanted more. In fact, she wanted the fairytale. She wanted to find that special someone—that man who would love, cherish and adore her. The man who would understand her need to help others and yet provide the help that she needed. Sasha had found that with Robert, and Eden envied that.
David’s heart stirred as he watched her walk back towards him, her body swaying in such a provocative way. He wasn’t sure she was conscious of how incredible she looked. A surge of protectiveness flooded through him for the second time that day, but this time it wasn’t the protective instinct of a brothersister relationship.
This was the protectiveness of a man who was falling in love with a woman.