Teresa Southwick - The Doctor's Dating Bargain

She opened her mouth to say something, but before any words came out the lights went off and on. He looked around and noticed there were only a few people left in the room.

“I think they’re throwing us out,” he said.

“Looks that way.” She took a cell phone from the small purse hanging by a handle from her wrist. “I need to call a cab.”

“You don’t have a car?”

“Not one with four working tires. I had a flat. The good news is I noticed before leaving the lodge parking lot.”

That meant she took a cab here. “I’m surprised you went to the trouble of showing up.”

“I didn’t want to miss the meeting.”

Anything and everything possible to get the job done and move on, he thought. He’d moved on, made his mark, and when he did it felt as if something was missing. They said you could find anything in Las Vegas, but that wasn’t true for him. Contentment couldn’t be bought at a highend store on the Strip. But clearly Cam had things to do, places to go. Except right now she didn’t have the wheels to get there.

She started to press numbers on her phone. To call a cab.

“I’ll drive you back to the lodge,” he said.

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“There was no asking involved. I offered. Seems silly to pay for a ride when we’re both going to the same place.”

She smiled for the first time and it was like sunshine. “I’d appreciate that very much. Thanks.”

“Okay.” He pointed to the rear exit. “I’m in the back lot.”

They walked side by side through the room and outside. His Mercedes SUV was one of the last cars there. He pressed the button on his keys to unlock the doors and the lights flashed.

“Nice car,” she said.

“Thanks. I like it.” He opened the passenger door for her.

She hesitated, obviously wondering how to get in without flashing the goods. He was going to hell but couldn’t stop the anticipation coiling inside while he waited for her to maneuver up and in with that short skirt.

“Thank goodness for running boards,” she said.

Lifting one foot, she stepped on it and took the hand hold just inside, then settled her butt on the seat. She swung her legs in and reached for the seat belt.

Ben hadn’t seen much more than everyone at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. Maybe a couple extra inches of bare thigh, but that was it. Disappointment snaked through him along with a growing desire to see what she looked like out of that chic suit clinging to every curve. That wasn’t likely and it was the kind of regret a guy would carry for a long time.

“Nicely done, Miss Halliday.”

“Thank you, Dr. McKnight.”

He shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side, then got in and started the car. A few minutes later he parked at the lodge and they walked into the lobby with its big stone fireplace, cushy leather couch and chairs and the reception desk off to one side. When he started for the elevator, he assumed she’d be coming, too. Their rooms were side by side.

“This is where I say good-night.”

“You’re not going up?” he asked.

“Later. Work to do.”

When she shrugged, he felt a stab of desire shoot straight through him. “It’s late.”

“I know.” She smiled and it was a little tattered around the edges. “But thanks to you, I’m back earlier than expected. I appreciate the lift. Good night, Ben.”

“Sweet dreams.” He watched the unconsciously sensuous sway of her hips and heard the click of her heels as she walked away and knew his dreams would be anything but sweet. Then he thought of something. “Cam?”

She turned. “Yes?”

“My father owns an automotive repair shop in town and my sister works there. I’ll have her check out your tire.”

“That would be great. My Mercedes is in the employee lot, and probably the only car there with a flat tire. Just have her let me know the cost.”

“Will do. Don’t work too late,” he cautioned.

“Okay.” She walked into her office behind the registration desk and shut the door.

The two of them couldn’t be more different, but that didn’t stop Ben from wanting her. It seemed to get more intense every time he saw her and she worked where he lived. She’d spend the night right next door. It was just a damn shame that she wouldn’t be in his bed.

“Hello?”

Cam looked up from the spreadsheet on her computer monitor when the voice from the registration desk outside the office door drifted to her. In a perfect world there would be a front-desk clerk on duty, but her world wasn’t perfect. She was getting used to that particular customer tone, a combination of surprise and annoyance that they’d been waiting longer than necessary for someone to check them into the hotel.

“Damn it, Mary Jane—” Cam had been through this too many times not to know the woman had abandoned her post yet again.

She hurried out and plastered a big friendly smile on her face. A man was standing there and did a slight double take.

“Hi, there,” she said. “I hope you haven’t been waiting too long.”

“A few minutes.” He was alone, in his early forties, balding and twenty pounds overweight. He didn’t look irritated, which was a good thing.

Cam’s motto was never give the customer a reason not to come back. “How can I help you?”

“I’d like to check in.”

“Of course. What’s the name?”

“Stan Overton.”

She pulled up the reservations screen on the computer. “Here you are. Three nights?”

“That’s right.” He wasn’t much taller than she. “Would there be a problem extending my stay?”

If only, she thought. “Not at all. We’d be happy to take care of that for you.”

“Great.” He glanced around the lobby. “I’ve never been to Montana before and I might want to hang around longer.”

“I’m sure you’re going to love it here.” She pressed some keys and pulled up his information. “What brings you to Blackwater Lake?”

“A combination of business and pleasure,” he said vaguely.

“Did you want to use the same credit card?”

“Yes.” He pulled out his wallet and handed it over. “Have you been in town long?”

It felt like forever. But she wondered why he would ask. Was “greenhorn” tattooed on her forehead? “Long enough to appreciate how special it is.”

“What’s your favorite restaurant?”

“I could be prejudiced, but the best place in town is the five-star restaurant right here at the lodge. The chef is from New York.”

The man leaned an elbow on the high desk that separated them. “What do you like to do here? On your day off, I mean?”

“What’s a day off?” She hoped he would take the remark in a teasing way, but it wasn’t a joke.

“I know what you mean.” He laughed. “But what I’m asking is if you only had a short amount of time here, what would you see?”

“The lake is beautiful. I’m told the fishing is good.” She printed out a summary of the hotel’s daily room rate and policies. “I’ll need your signature and if you could initial the places I indicated…”

“Sure thing.” He scrawled an indecipherable name. “I did some research on the Net and what I found said there are hiking trails and places to camp. Is there any place you would go? Somewhere not to be missed?”

Now she was starting to get irritated. Was he just friendly or hitting on her? That was just…Ew. Or maybe he didn’t get out much. The worst thing anyone in hospitality could do was to show impatience.

“To be honest, I can’t recommend any outdoor activities from personal experience. But we have a variety of brochures and the concierge desk is right across the lobby. Dustin would be happy to help you. One key or two?”