Zenith Rising (10 page)

“Yeah? You realize I’m the one who came up
with Spike. Not exactly
appropriate
then, was I?”

“But you’re Spencer now. The only one who
doesn’t seem to realize that is you.”

He lowered his eyebrows. She bit her lip. He
didn’t like her comment, or anything sounding personal between
them. But… she was in a bind. And she was here. And suddenly,
strangely, she wanted him to do her a personal favor. “Please?”

His eyes narrowed on her. He always looked at
her so intently and rarely looked away. He didn’t allow the normal
personal space that other people gave her. It seemed like he was
trying
to penetrate her comfort zone and make her ill at
ease. “This is important to you?”

“I’m here, aren’t I? Interrupting something I
never wanted to know about.”

His jaw clenched, but he seemed unperturbed
at his state of undress, and the pleather-clad woman in his house.
None of it seemed to bother him. The only thing that offended
Spencer was her asking him to do his former job. His real job.
Playing music.

“All right, Doc, I’ll talk to Rob. I can’t
even tell you there’s a good chance it will happen. I mean, it’s
just two weeks away. I don’t see that happening.”

“Just do whatever you can.”

He dropped his arms; and it took all her will
power not to stare at his naked chest, or his sculpted arms. She
concentrated on fastening her eyes entirely on his.

“You’ll owe me for this. I don’t do stuff
like that. I don’t play for charities that prey on rich
people.”

She nodded, her eagerness nearly making her
feel giddy. “Thank you. You don’t have a clue how much this means
to me.”

“No promises. I said I’ll try to come up with
something.”

She nodded vigorously, purposely ignoring his
warning. “I’ll make this up to you.”

He shook his head and stepped back towards
the front door, and the imminent sex with Tamira that she obviously
interrupted. She hated thinking about that.

“Hey, Spencer?” she called just as he was
about to shut the front door. He cracked it open.

“What?”

“She’s barely twenty, you know. She still
lives with her parents.”

“Who?”

“Tamira,” Erica replied to his surly tone.
“You know, my bookkeeper.”

He smiled. “I didn’t know. Don’t care. Thanks
though, for worrying about me.”

“It’s not you I was worried about. She’s
young and very naive. Just be careful. Besides, this can’t go on at
the office. It’s too small an office.”

“Oh, really? Just you and Dr. Roy get it on
at the office then? Your staff doesn’t get those perks?”

“We were not doing anything! We merely went
out to dinner. Jesus, it’s not like I was dressed in pleather and
heels.”

“You should try it some time. Might pull the
stick out of Dr. Roy’s uptight ass.”

Erica thought he was implying the stick was
really up her ass. “Oh, for God’s sake, grow up. This, the whole
inter-office stuff can really end badly.”

“This is my house, and anything can go on
here. You don’t get a say here. ‘Night, Doc.”

He shut the door in her face and she stared
at it in total surprise. Then anger. She turned and headed for her
car, her cheeks warming with indignance and fury. But mostly,
embarrassment. What did she expect? That Spencer would actually
care that the girl was young and naive?

And since when did she care what her staff
did outside the office? She just never expected Tamira to be here,
of all places. She didn’t anticipate having the opportunity to
capture a glimpse of Spencer’s private life. And now, knowing the
little that she knew about him, she wished desperately she
hadn’t.

****

Spencer thumped the door in anger that was
clearly out of proportion with what Erica asked of him and their
conversation. But God! She knew nothing. Saw nothing. She showed up
out of nowhere, unannounced, and believed she understood what he
was doing, and who he was. She even believed she had the right to
ask him to play music he no longer played. And instead of sending
her packing, as he wanted, he couldn’t. Because it was important to
her, and he could see the urgency in her eyes. The,
please
Spencer
, and those green eyes that he could not turn away from.
Or refuse. So, that made it his problem. Damn it. What was it about
her that always got to him? The tilt of her head? The
disappointment in her eyes when she realized who was in his house?
Why should he care if she didn’t like what she saw? Why did finding
her on his doorstep, dressed in one of her trim, professional,
conservative, business suits, with her hair pulled back in a tidy
clip, and her glasses perched on her straight, perfect nose, do
things to him? Things that even Tamira couldn’t do for him as
yet.

Tamira came out of the kitchen.

“What was she doing here?” The
she
was
enunciated with a high-pitched squeal.

“Needed a favor.”

“What?”

“I mess around on the piano sometimes. She
wanted me to play somewhere.”

“Oh. That’s nice. Are you any good?”

He shrugged, moving past Tamira, and down the
hall, barely listening when Tamira started talking about some
friend of hers who played the drums. He grabbed a beer out of the
fridge and popped the top.

Who did Erica Heathersby think she was to
lecture him about what he did in his own house? Wasn’t her prick
boyfriend rubbing his hands all over her ass in the office, with
the door open? Didn’t Spencer walk in on that? And not like it? But
did he say anything to Erica? No. He said nothing. And she… what?
Thought she could suggest he was some kind of deviant because
Tamira wanted to fuck him? Tamira volunteered, and nearly begged to
come home with him.

He never knew what to make of Erica. On the
one hand, she was cultured, well-spoken, and part of high society,
orbiting charity events and grand galas. She dated a prominent
doctor and dressed as classy and fashionably as any socialite.

On the other hand, there was Erica, the
doctor. She was gritty, determined, and passionate, pushing the
envelope, and doing whatever was necessary, and right for her
patients, despite controversy. She didn’t waffle, waver, or
hesitate to tell lactation consultants off. Or perform divisive
procedures. Spencer checked around and talked with her staff. There
was more than one preacher insinuating threats towards Erica.
Spencer didn’t like that. None of the other doctors in the area
would perform the procedure.

She was tough and strong and conducted her
doctoring like a general in battle. Yet beyond that, she was soft
spoken, sometimes unsure, always classy, and perpetually, so far
out of Spencer’s league, it wasn’t even funny.

And beautiful. No woman should possess such
beauty without being a model. He caught her occasionally in her
scrubs and had to quickly turn away, before she saw how longingly
he was looking at her. She turned him on like no woman he knew.
Much more than even Tamira, who was trying ever so earnestly. Erica
just had an undeniable sex appeal. She had a long, curvy body, long
legs, long torso, and long, thin arms. She was graceful, and
feminine; her waist narrowed and blended into her hips like an
hourglass. It drove him nuts. He had to physically flex his fingers
to resist the urge to run his hand over her, and feel her warm
curves. Her breasts were large and firm, and oh so much sexier than
any model. She always wore expensive clothes. Even when changing to
go home, she wore designer made, tailored pantsuits, skirts and
sweaters, blouses and slacks, in attractive pastels and other
feminine colors.

Working for her only increased his attraction
to her. She was firm and decisive, but with the tone of voice that
was cool, soft, and feminine.

Spencer turned back to Erica’s bookkeeper. He
really didn’t know she was just twenty. Not that it mattered, she
was old enough. Tamira was a turn-on, sure. One he could find in
any strip bar, or porn magazine. Poor Tamira was eagerly trying to
seduce him. She kissed him, undressed salaciously, and did manage
to make him horny; but unfortunately, in the same way a porno flick
would have: cold and quick. Sex. That’s all Tamira could inspire:
hot, anonymous sex.

Erica? Well, his attraction to her was
anything, but simple. It was the most complicated situation he’d
ever found himself in with a woman. He preferred that she not be
sexy, and not suggest that to him. All the things she didn’t know
she did. There was something subtle and unconscious about her
appeal, her caring smile to a worried, pregnant, new mother, her
constant concern for her patients, even Tamira. Erica acted like a
mother to all women. Their feelings, emotions, and physical well
being were always uppermost on her mind.

But tonight wasn’t his fault. He was
blatantly offered sex, so why not partake in it?

Tamira wiggled up to him, sliding her body
alongside his, and kissed him. He pulled back. “You get that this
is just for fun, right? It’s no big deal and I expect no hurt
feelings.”

“I get how it is.”

“I mean it. Doc saw you, and she’s worried
about it interrupting office procedure. It’s not going to, right?
Because it’s no big deal.”

“Dr. Heathersby wouldn’t know fun if it came
up and sucked her tit. She’s always busy, and always busting balls.
Her idea of sex is an examination. I heard her talking out there.
Don’t let her worry you; I’m a big girl.” Tamira took his hand and
placed it on her breast. “A very big girl, as I think you’ll
see.”

Spencer saw and engaged physically. But
emotionally, he was miles away. He didn’t need a name, face, or
even a voice. Just a body. He knew exactly what to do with women,
and how to get them off: be it quick and hard, or slow and long.
They always left, wanting more sex from him. He could do that and
be that for women. Even Tamira.

Anything more, like a spiritual connection or
intimacy, was beyond Spencer’s capability. He wasn’t interested.
Didn’t do it. Couldn’t do it. And had no desire to even try. A
problem invariably arose with the women who didn’t believe him.
Most didn’t, but soon learned he wasn’t kidding. He wasn’t looking
for salvation or love. He wanted sex with them. That was it.
Simple, basic, mindless sex. Emotionless ecstasy. That’s all he
intended to offer them.

Except he couldn’t ignore Erica as easily as
he could Tamira. He couldn’t banish her from his mind. Why should
he do her any favors? He shouldn’t.

But he knew he’d do just about anything she
asked of him now.

Chapter Seven

Friday morning found Erica bright and early
in her office. Marge, her receptionist, was already fielding calls,
and waved her fingers at Erica as she passed by her. There were two
bookkeepers already typing away at their keyboards: Nadine and
Tamira. Tamira was at her desk, wearing a little skirt and tiny
shirt, as usual. She was a petite girl, dark-haired, with a small
waist and big boobs. Tamira was also a patient of hers, and had a
troubled history. A very long, complicated history that Erica
couldn’t share with anyone. Sighing, Erica wished now that she knew
nothing about Tamira Tobison.

“Morning, Dr. Heathersby,” Tamira’s voice
chirped. She was smiling with a gleam in her eye, and her eyebrows
raised, as if to say,
Ha!
Erica paused with surprise. Was
she misreading Tamira? Because there was no logical reason for
Tamira to think that she bested her by sleeping with Spencer
Mattox, since Spencer was nothing to her.

“Good morning. Can I see you in about twenty
minutes? I have a few bills I want to review with you.”

“Sure. Bills. Yeah, I’ll be there.”

What was the attitude about?

Erica shook her head and went into her
office, hanging up her coat and purse, before grabbing her lab
coat. She sat down at her desk to review the morning appointments.
Tamira knocked, opening the door and coming in at the same time.
She sat down in the chair opposite Erica, tugging at her skirt as
it rode up her thighs.

Erica showed Tamira what bills she wanted to
go out for two patients from the day before. Tamira, a recent
graduate of medical billing, nodded at her with quick
understanding. She was a smart girl and a good worker too. She was
just troubled and had deep, emotional issues. She was also such a
little girl. To Erica, she was no more than a trained high school
student, and certainly, no more mature than that.

Out of nowhere, Tamira announced, “So now you
know that Spencer is my boyfriend! We weren’t going to tell you,
but now you know, that’s good. We don’t have to hide it
anymore.”

Erica tilted her head in confusion and
carefully set down the pen she was holding. Why would Tamira think
she cared one way or another about Spencer? “Yes. That’s nice.”

“I know. He just adores me. Told me so. I
think he’s in love with me.”

Red flags fluttered in Erica’s mind. Tamira
looked flushed as she spoke and her eyes were bright. Too bright?
Too excited? Or was she just in the throes of a new
relationship?

“Well, I’m very happy for you.”

“Are you? Because I didn’t think you were
last night. You seemed actually jealous. You seemed like you wanted
to ruin it.”

“No, Tamira, I didn’t. Why would I be
jealous? Spencer works for me, nothing more.”

“Well, just so you know, he’s mine. Hands
off. You don’t need to keep visiting him after hours.” Tamira got
up suddenly and stomped across Erica’s office to leave.

“Tamira,” Erica said quietly when Tamira
reached for the door, “is everything all right with you?”

“Me? What do you mean? Oh that stuff from
last year? Oh yes. I’m great. Wonderful. Now that I’ve met Spencer,
that’s all better.”