Her Dominant Doctor (7 page)

Moving back to a more benign topic, Thomas added, “You know, my grandmother was an avid gardener. She belonged to the Boston Horticultural Foundation and volunteered at their annual flower show.”

Annie bounced with excitement. “Oh, I love going to that flower show. It’s usually in March, when the promise of spring is right around the corner. I’ve gotten some great ideas from their displays and picked up some cool gardening tools at the vendors expo.” Annie paused, her voice softened. “Is your grandmother still with you?”

“Yes, she’s still alive. Sadly, she is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease. She requires round-the-clock care now. My family and I were able to place her in a nursing home down the street from the hospital so I can frequently visit and watch over her.” Sadness filled his voice.

Annie leaned over, placing her small hand on his arm. It was such a sympathetic gesture, demonstrating the depth of her compassion. “Oh, Thomas, I’m so sorry. It’s such a terrible disease.” She was so warmhearted, radiating a goodness that touched him deeply.

“It is a heart-wrenching disease,” he agreed. “There is nothing worse than watching someone you love slowly slip away until they cannot recognize you any longer. She’s still alive, but… not present.” He looked away, swallowing down the heaviness of his emotions.

Annie was gently rubbing up and down his forearm, providing comfort. “I understand what you mean. I have several clients who suffer with Alzheimer’s. I cannot begin to imagine the agony of watching the affliction consume a loved family member.” Annie truly was an old soul, one who held great wisdom and depths of humanity. He appreciated her empathy and was touched by her compassion and comforting words. He resisted the strong urge to scoop her up into his arms, wanting to feel her embrace as much as he felt compelled to envelop her in protection. Her next question broke him out of his stupor.

“You are close to your family?” she asked, withdrawing her delicate hand.

Thomas resisted the desire to reach out and place her palm right back where it was. “Yes, most assuredly. My parents are retired now. My father was a lawyer, partner in a large law firm specializing in business and labor law. My mom is a retired fourth grade schoolteacher. They are great people and I don’t just say that because they are my parents. They are compassionate, loving people who would take a stranger into their home and make them feel as if they were related.”

“I can hear the fondness in your voice,” she replied. “How wonderful that you had such good role models to instill those values in you.” Thomas noticed the longing in her brown orbs. Before he could try to uncover the reason why, Annie continued. “Knowing what I do about you, I’m sure it was your parents’ loving influence that helped you to become the skilled and dedicated doctor that you are. I can only imagine the endless hours your career demands. I’ve no doubt that men and women who become doctors and nurses have a higher calling to their profession. The heartbreaking situations you must encounter, not to mention the lack of sleep you must experience!” Annie chuckled. Thomas watched the tip of her tongue lick her bottom lip. It was innately sensual, yet innocent.
I’d love to lick that lip myself.

“No worries there, Annie. I manage to get a good seven to eight hours of sleep per night,” he joked. “Dedication early in my career affords me the freedom to determine my schedule now. It took a long time to reach that level of privilege, but I have full control over myself and my time. I have power over my own destiny, if you know what I mean.” Thomas watched as her pupils dilated and her nostrils flared at a pronounced intake of air.
Those words have an effect on her. Hmm, the plot thickens on the Annie mystery.

In the few moments of silence that followed, Annie gazed downward. To most it would look like a gesture of shyness, but Thomas had his suspicions. It was the second time she made the classic submissive gesture. It made him more curious, as he tried to uncover her true essence.

Purposely wanting to keep her off guard so he could continue his assessment, he changed the topic of conversation. “This room is very nice. Pleasant color scheme.” The room was decorated in colors of sage green, cream, and burgundy. “Comfortable and inviting. You’ve created a room with a warm atmosphere. Exactly like its owner,” he complimented.

It had the desired effect. Thomas watched as the flush crawled up from her neck to make her cheeks rosy. He loved making her blush almost as much as he loved watching her nervously lick her bottom lip.

“Thank you, Thomas.” Annie smiled at the praise. She appeared proud of her home and seemed to appreciate the acknowledgement of her hard work.

Thomas was very much looking forward to the opportunity to learn everything there was to know about Annie and thought that dinner out might provide a relaxed environment, lending itself to Annie offering more information about herself. Thomas continued to be taken by her ethereal quality. She was a dainty and refined woman. He was eager and fascinated to uncover the layers of her temperament, especially given her self-confidence and self-reliance. He wanted to know the origins of her personality. It confounded him how he came across this beauty of a sprite, but he was very grateful that he did.

Thomas glanced at his watch. “Shall we head out for dinner?” he inquired.

“Absolutely. I’m starved,” she replied.

Thomas stood, reaching out to assist Annie off of the couch. “As am I, Annie, as am I.” Although Annie was referring to hunger for food, Thomas’ double entendre was not. His hunger was a visceral need to acquaint himself with every aspect of Annie.

* * *

While Annie had moments of nervousness, for the most part, Thomas put her at ease with his gentlemanly charm and attentiveness. They enjoyed a leisurely meal and comfortable rapport as they conversed. Thomas was controlled in his mannerisms, but Annie could see a boy’s wonder in his eyes as he spoke enthusiastically about his life and his interests. Thomas was an interesting enigma. Charming and likeable, he was highly attuned to the environment around him and the vulnerabilities of those in his presence. She had no doubt he could lead a platoon of men into battle as easily and as skillfully as he could train a puppy to do tricks.

It was apparent to Annie that Thomas liked control and she found this fact appealing. His pure presence alone commanded respect from those around him. His actions were authoritative and demonstrated competence. He anticipated her needs and took the lead at getting them met—even in small ways, such as opening the car door for Annie or pulling out her chair in the restaurant.

When perusing the menu, Thomas asked her what she wanted just as the waiter returned to take their order. As she was unable to decide between the decadent choices, Thomas made the suggestion and told the waiter what they would have before she could agree or protest. While these acts could also demonstrate that Thomas was just old-fashioned, it was the manner in which he performed the tasks that implied his dominant nature.

As they settled into their meal, Thomas asked about Annie’s job. “Tell me about your work as a behaviorist, Annie. I have only a vague knowledge about it and I’m curious to learn about your background and training in the field.” He leaned forward and focused his sapphire eyes directly on hers, holding her captive. It was as if they were the only two people in the restaurant.

“I’m a licensed psychologist and certified behavior analyst. I work for a human service agency headquartered in Boston, but with satellite offices across the North and South Shore.” She laughed, adding, “Sorry if I sound like a resume.”

“Not at all. So your work requires a lot of travel?” he asked inquisitively.

“Yes, I float between three main sites that have both day programs and residential group homes. Plus there is a school in Beverly. I am needed there only once per month though. The rest of the locations are with adults.” Annie felt uneasy talking about herself so much, feeling a bit put on the spot. Before she could steer the conversation back to Thomas, he asked another question.

“What exactly do you do to help these people? You alluded to developing plans when you were in my office.”

“Ah, yes, my appointment in your office. I remember you getting a bit hot under the collar actually when I mentioned the intensity of some situations I have encountered,” Annie teased.

There was a spark of emotion in his eyes as his expression grew serious. His jaw was set in a hard line. “I distinctly remember you saying something about people throwing things at you, Annie and, yes, this did get me ‘hot under the collar’ as you say. I don’t like the idea of you being harmed in any way.” His voice was low, but forceful.

Annie’s stomach dropped at the ferocity of his statement. That image of Thomas as a lion popped into her head again. So regal and stately, but fierce when provoked. She was not sure how she felt about the protectiveness he displayed in regards to her job, but she tried to see it from his perspective. The conclusion she drew was that he cared and that revelation was even more jolting. It had been far too long since another person cared about her in such a vigilant way.

Unsure how to respond, Annie side-stepped around his last statement. “To answer your question about my work, I help identify the behaviors that interfere with a person’s ability to live independently and within the confines of social norms. Ultimately, I try to determine what purpose the negative behavior serves for the person and develop a plan to reshape that behavior using positive reinforcement techniques. In a nutshell, I develop and subsequently train staff in the implementation of behavior plans.” Annie paused, then added, “I hope that does not sound too clinical an explanation.”

Thomas noticeably relaxed, sitting back in his chair. Taking a sip of wine, he responded. “No, not too clinical at all, Annie. In fact, I love listening to you talk about your job. It is undoubtedly your passion. Your commitment is quite commendable and your clients are very fortunate to have you on their side.” He nodded his head. Moments of silence passed until Thomas spoke again.

“I am sorry if I offended you, Annie. It was not my intent, I can assure you. You… you bring out my protective instincts. You have since the first day I met you. It’s not very rational, given we don’t know each other very well, but I cannot deny the intense feelings I have toward you.” Shaking his head, he added, “I recognize that you might identify my protectiveness to be more along the lines of caveman, but it is genuinely how I feel… about you.”

Annie sharply inhaled, absorbing the unexpected forcefulness of his words. “I appreciate your honesty, Thomas. I must admit I was a bit surprised at your reaction. But I do understand what you mean by intense feelings. I have them too. About you.” She whispered as if it were a secret. Thomas smoothly reached for his wine glass. His lips sensuously sipped, looking almost as if they were caressing the crystal. Annie envisioned those lips on her. She wanted to confirm he tasted as good as he looked. She knew without question he did, but wanted to be thorough in her appraisal.

“You take my breath away, Annie,” Thomas crooned, adding, “I am elated to hear you say your feelings are similar.” Thomas leaned in close, fingers tracing circles on the back of her hand. Annie noticed the elegant gold watch on his wrist. She was bowled over by his honest disclosure and equally astounded at her own confession. Normally Annie was a thinker, ruminating over just the right thing to say at just the right time. Rarely spontaneous or impulsive, her admission was uncharacteristic; however, for once in Annie’s life, she did not care. It was a true and honest response from her heart.

Her skin tingled, not only on her hand, but over her entire body. It was sizzling from the heat of her desire. His blue eyes held her prisoner, intensity reflected with a simmering potency. “Wow, this is getting heavy. I think we need to lighten things up a bit, don’t you?” Annie’s voice was shaky. A few more minutes and the erotic charge in the air would ignite, consuming them both in flames.

Thomas sat back, looking relaxed and comfortable. “I agree. Our conversation has taken a serious turn and it might be best to postpone further discussion on that particular topic until we are alone.” The tone of his voice grew serious. “But make no mistake, Annie, I wish to return to it at a more opportune time.” His expression was contemplative. “Now, please, tell me more about human services. I seem to recall a recent article in the paper about funding cuts to disability services.”

Annie exhaled the breath she was holding, happy to return to a topic she never tired of. “Oh, it’s a never-ending struggle,” she explained, feeling confident on solid footing. “A constant challenge trying to get people in society to understand that the disabled are the most vulnerable citizens in our communities. Many of the people I work with cannot communicate, so they rely on staff such as myself to advocate on their behalf. It’s an exhausting and frustrating battle.” Annie placed her fingers to her lips, in a gesture of abashed awareness. “I’m sorry, I get extremely worked up about it and drone on and on. I’m sure you don’t want to hear any more of my soapbox,” she said, adding, “Goodness, it’s too early in the evening to run out of topics of conversation.”

Thomas let out a boisterous laugh. “I am certain that is not the case. I have only just begun to uncover the fascinating mystery that is you, my dear Annie.” He raised his wine glass before taking another sip. Again, Annie watched as his lips touch the glass, wishing his lips were on her. All over her body.

Annie was taken with his well-spoken ease. “I’m not a mystery at all, Thomas. Believe me. Now, enough about me. Please, Thomas, tell me more about yourself.” Annie reached for her wine glass and, before she could pick it up, Thomas silently and expertly poured more wine from the bottle they shared, already half empty.

Smiling, she savored the delicious, slightly sweet Riesling. As she carefully observed his posture and expression, Annie had no doubt that Thomas would be an outstanding lover. He was so attentive to her needs, and he had those long, perfectly manicured, skilled fingers that would, in all likelihood, have no difficulty reviving her long-suppressed libido.