worried. You almost always answer at night. We’ve had a beer three times during the last week.” His friend stared at Bridget and gave a low whistle. “And who do we have here?”
Irritated, Ryder scowled. “Show a little respect. Prin—” He stopped when Bridget pinched his arm. Staring at her in disbelief, he could see that she didn’t want him to reveal her title. “Bridget Devereaux, this is Marshall Bailey.”
His friend moved forward and extended his hand. Bridget stood and accepted the courtesy.
“Nice to meet you, Bridget,” Marshall said. “It’s a relief to see Ryder with a woman.”
Embarrassment slammed through Ryder and he also stood. “Marshall,” he said in a warning tone.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. The poor guy hasn’t had much company except me and the twins.” Marshall cleared his throat. “How did you two meet anyway?”
“Okay, enough, Mr. Busybody. As you can see, I’m fine, so you can leave.”
“Oh no, that’s not necessary,” Bridget said and glanced at her watch. “I really should be leaving. I have an early flight tomorrow.”
“Where?” Ryder asked.
“Chicago. They have a teaching hospital. I’ll be meeting with the hospital chief to present the proposal for Chantaine’s medical exchange.”
“Oh,” he said, surprised at the gut punch of disappointment he felt when he should feel relieved. “I guess this means you’ve given up on our residents.”
“No, but you haven’t been at all receptive. My brother Stefan has instructed me to explore other possibilities. Your program was our first choice due to the quality of your residents and also the fact that you have so many family doctors and prevention specialists. But because you’re unwilling to help …”
“For Pete’s sake, Ryder, help the woman out,” Marshall said and moved forward. “Is there anything I can do?”
Marshall was really getting on Ryder’s nerves. “Not unless you have a medical degree and are licensed to practice,” Ryder said.
“I believe my driver is here. Thank you for an action-packed evening,” she said with a smile full of sexy amusement.
Ryder would have preferred a different kind of action. “I’ll walk you to the car,” he said, then shot a quick glance at Marshall. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Ryder escorted Bridget to the limo waiting at the curb. A man stood ready to open the door for her. Ryder was disappointed as hell that she was headed out of town. Stupid. “So how long will you be gone?” he asked.
She lifted a dark eyebrow and her lips tilted in a teasing grin. “Are you going to miss me, Dr. McCall?”
His gut twisted. “That would be crazy. The only thing I’ve been missing for the last month is sleep,” he lied.
“Oh, well, maybe you’ll get lucky and get some extra sleep while I’m gone. Ta-ta,” she said and turned toward the limo.
He caught her wrist and drew her back against him. The man at the car door took a step toward them, but she waved her hand. “Not necessary, Raoul.”
“You must enjoy tormenting me,” he said.
“Me?” she said, her blue eyes wide with innocence. “How could I possibly have the ability to torment you?”
“I don’t know, but you sure as hell do,” he muttered and kissed her, which only served to make him hotter. He turned her own words on her. “So, Your Highness, what are you going to do about it?”
She gave a sharp intake of breath and her eyes darkened as if her mind were working the same way as his. She bit her lip. “I can call you when I return from Chicago.”
“Do that,” he said.
Ryder returned to his house to find Marshall lounging on the sofa and drinking a glass of red wine. “This isn’t bad,” he said.
“Glad you like it. In the future, give me a call before you drop in. Okay?”
Marshall looked injured. “I did call you. You just didn’t answer.” He shook his head and gave a low whistle. “And now I understand why. That’s one hot babe, and she reeks money. A limo came to pick her up? You sure know how to pick ‘em. How did you meet her?”
“In an elevator,” Ryder said, not wanting to give away too many details. As much as he liked his old friend, Ryder knew Marshall could gossip worse than an old lady.
“Really?” Marshall said, dumbfounded. “An elevator. Was it just you and her? Did you do anything—adventurous?”
“Not the way you’re thinking,” Ryder said in a dry tone, although if it had been just him and Bridget in that elevator without the twins, his mind would have gone in the same direction.
“Well, I’m glad you’re finally getting some action,” Marshall said.
Ryder swore. “I’d say you pretty much nixed that tonight. Between you and the twins, who needs birth control?”
Marshall chuckled. “Sorry, bud, better luck next time. I thought I’d see if Suzanne was hanging around tonight. She stays late for you sometimes.”
Realization struck Ryder. “You didn’t come by to see me. You came to see my nanny. I’m telling you now. Keep your hands off my nanny. She’s not your type.”
“Who says?”
“I say.”
“Why isn’t she my type? She’s pretty. She’s nice,” he said.
“She’s six years older than you are,” Ryder said.
“So? She doesn’t look it. She’s got a fresh look about her and she’s sweet. Got a real nice laugh,” Marshall said.
“I’m not liking what I’m hearing,” Ryder said, stepping between Marshall and the television. “So far, Suzanne is the perfect nanny. I don’t want you messing with her. The boys and I need her.”
“She’s an adult. She can decide if she wants me to mess with her,” he said with a shrug.
“Marshall,” he said in a dead-serious voice. “She’s not like your dime-a-dozen girls running fast and loose. She’s not used to a guy like you who’ll get her in the sack and leave her like yesterday’s garbage.”
Marshall winced. “No need to insult me. I’ve had a few long-term relationships.”
“Name them,” Ryder challenged.
“Well, there was that redhead, Wendy. She and I saw each other for at least a couple of years.”
“She lived out of town, didn’t she?” Ryder asked. “How many other women were you seeing at the same time?”
Marshall
