Zenith Rising (Zenith Trilogy, #2) Read online

  “Now, I just make you nervous.”

  “No. Why? Why would you say that?”

  His gaze narrowed onto her lush lips and mouth. “You bite your lip every time you give me something to do. It’s almost like you’re afraid I’ll say no. You’re always back-tracking, and very politely trying to figure out how to act like my boss. I figured it had something to do with you not being very comfortable around me.”

  “Well, it’s a little awkward. I don’t like ordering anyone around.”

  He covered his snicker with a cough. “Bullshit! I’ve heard you with the rest of your staff. You have no trouble with any of them. You have no trouble ever doing what’s necessary, do you, Doc?”

  “No. I guess I don’t.”

  “Except with me?”

  “I don’t know why. Maybe because I knew you personally, or because you’re about the only man in my employ. I don’t know exactly.”

  “You don’t know me personally.”

  “Okay, then maybe because, I know you differently and outside of here.”

  She looked all around her office, anywhere, except at him. Spencer pushed off the desk, and stood up to his full height before her. “Let me know if that guy bothers you again. Just in case.”

  “I’m being paranoid. He only wants to save my soul.”

  “Just let me know, Doc.”

  Spencer walked to the door and stopped when he heard her move. Her damn pants were rustling again. Why could he do nothing but picture the soft material clinging between her legs? She never gave off vibes like that, but that’s exactly what he envisioned.

  “Spencer?”

  He looked at her. “Yeah?”

  “Does it change your opinion of me? Or my practice? Or just being here?”

  Spencer shifted around fully. He was surprised by the hesitant, nearly frightened look in her eyes. She was again biting her lip. What was she so nervous about? His opinion? Why the hell would she care what her lowly handyman thought of the practice she so successfully ran? But she seemed to care what his answer was. What he thought of what she did. The surprise in him was palpable, and he believed she really did care, if the rigidity of her shoulders and her tight-lipped mouth were any indication.

  “What? That you give abortions? No, Doc. I don’t see you doing anything outside of the utmost ethical and morally right path.”

  “Thank you for saying that. Many don’t agree.”

  “Not an easy decision as a doctor, is it?”

  “No. That’s what everyone misses.”

  “Just make sure you’re more careful with those who do have a problem.”

  ****

  Erica entered Nick and Joelle’s penthouse without knocking. She was there often, especially lately. She loved to hold Jody and let Joelle rest. She was also secretly keeping an eye on Joelle for any signs of problems. There was a time when Joelle was depressed and Erica intended to do her damnedest to see that she didn’t suffer through it again.

  “Hey there, Mama,” Erica greeted Joelle. She immediately grabbed the swaddled, sleeping newborn. “Look at you today. How’s my little angel?”

  Joelle sat down and tucked her legs under her. “How come you didn’t tell me Spencer works for you?

  Erica glanced up. Why didn’t she? Why didn’t she tell Joelle about the night at Spencer and Rob’s house either? Or about meeting the rest of the former band? Was she afraid of bringing up bad memories of her friend’s former life? Or was it more? Something strange about Spencer urged her to keep her mouth shut. Perhaps, it was because she wasn’t so sure she could easily gossip about Spencer, not as she knew him now.

  “He mentioned he got laid off, and I had a bunch of odd jobs and some maintenance at the building where I practice. I figured it could keep him busy for awhile, and maybe I figured your friend should be my friend.”

  “Yeah, my friend. But you and Spencer?”

  Erica bristled. “Oh, you mean like you and Nick, perhaps?”

  Joelle laughed out loud. “Okay, I deserved that. I still get the looks and the startled eyes staring at Nick, as if to say, this is your wife? I rarely miss the disappointment painting their faces.”

  “I think it’s more like, you lucky bastard.”

  “Bullshit. Is Spencer doing okay there?”

  “Yes. He’s quiet and intense, and does everything quickly. It’s awkward for me, because I have to keep thinking of more chores for him to do. As an Ob-Gyn, I deal with mostly pregnant women, or menopausal, middle-aged ladies. Sometimes I talk to their scared, but respectful husbands. Suddenly, I’m telling this six-foot-four hunk, who’s not exactly the guy next door in his looks, what to do. It’s not so easy.”

  “Spike as Spencer is gorgeous, isn’t he?”

  “When did that happen? I had no idea who he was when I first saw him.”

  “He shaved his head one day, and put on some normal clothes; and that was that. He said, ‘Call me Spencer from now on, not Spike.’ Not another word. Or another day of transition. He was Spencer, period. I don’t have a clue what prompted it. I don’t always understand him. He’s very nice to me. Always was. Actually, he was invariably considerate, sympathetic, caring, and protective with me. But very private. Extremely private. I never knew what he did or didn’t do. Who he chose to be with, or whom he liked or didn’t. Most of what I knew of him usually came through Rob. Even that was rather sparse. How come you’re so interested in what I’m saying? You don’t like him, do you?”

  Erica turned and pretended to fiddle with Jody’s outfit to hide the blush filling her cheeks. “No. Of course not. We’re like… well, as you said, it’s laughable to even consider. I just happened to notice he was so different, and extremely hot now. But you know he isn’t my type. All that angst and simmering heat. Besides, he’s way too young for me.”

  “Hey, I’m twelve years younger than Nick. Spencer’s only a few years younger than you.”

  Erica paced. “Six. He’s exactly six years younger than me. And so what? There is no me and Spencer. We are not like you and Nick. Spencer is so different from me. I’m looking for stability, success, a family man. Not a musician or a partner for hot sex, going nowhere.”

  “You admit that it would be hot, at least.”

  “Oh, shut up.”

  Joelle outright laughed. “Well, it never hurts a girl, you know. You’re entirely too serious. Besides, your last few boyfriends lacked everything. Like personalities. They were just suits with sticks rammed up their asses. It’s okay to want that chemistry, and witty personality, and someone to have fun with, Erica. Someone to have hot sex with.”

  “If my taste in men is so lousy, why did you marry one of my exes?”

  “Well, Nick was the exception. But even there, you both were too much alike. Have some fun for once. It might change everything for you.”

  “I wasn’t even talking about, considering, or otherwise suggesting that I have sex with Spencer. He works for me now. That’s it. That’s all. Besides, I’m dating Roy Bennett.”

  “You’re wasting your time with Roy Bennett, and temporarily placating your loneliness. Kind of like you did with Nick.”

  “Thanks for that.”

  “Hey, you helped me when I was in a rut. You pointed out things I needed to see about Rob, about Nick, and about myself. So you know what? Now, for the first time, when you seem a little lost, I might just have to comment.”

  “I’m not lost. I’m busy. I’m…”

  “Looking for something; you just don’t know what.”

  Erica paused, her mouth open. She hated pausing. She hated thinking about her shortcomings, and her life. She kept busy, finding fulfillment and satisfaction through her patients and running the practice, as well as her condo. She hated to even think about being lonely, or that she was always alone.

  “Maybe. I just don’t know what.”

  “Maybe you should try just having some fun. Wherever you can find it. It really might just change everything for you. It might even change
your whole life.”

  She glanced at Joelle and considered her simple advice. Maybe everything really was missing in her life. Fun. Passion. Joy. But Spencer? Spencer Mattox? He wasn’t exactly the kind of person who brought the words like fun, passion, and joy to mind. He evoked thoughts of what? Sex. Hot, demanding, passionate sex. He also brought deep, dark, complicated issues to mind, along with sarcasm, and angry resentment. Not exactly what she needed in her life, although she wasn’t sure what she was seeking.

  Chapter Six

  Spencer soon became the go-to guy for Erica’s building. It was four stories tall, and located thirty miles from Downtown Seattle, where Erica lived. It sat right on the border line of Edmonds and Lynnwood. Erica bought the building not long after joining the North Region Women’s Clinic. It was close to the hospital where she delivered babies, but far enough from her condo downtown, thus, rarely allowing her private life to overlap with her professional.

  Besides the women’s clinic, there was a pediatrician’s office, a lab, a dentist, an insurance company, and two start-up businesses. Spencer worked for all of them, in one capacity or another. There seemed to be no end to his talents for odd jobs, and he often surprised Erica with how many things he knew how to fix and maintain. From painting, to power tools, to unclogging the toilets: he was constantly busy. She began seeing him less frequently. He’d stop by if he were around her office, and ask what to do next, or update her on what he’d just done. He was usually in and out of the admitting room. Erica walked in on more than one conversation between her nurses, her bookkeeper, and her receptionist, over how hot Spencer was. She also often heard them speculating about who he was, and where he came from.

  No one knew anything substantial about him. Including Erica. He never spoke about himself. She remained uncomfortable with him as he said very little to her and smiled even less. He was there every day, always on time, always available, and never slacked off on any of his tasks. He worked hard, and didn’t whine, complain or waste time. That was something she didn’t expect. Prior to Spencer accepting the job, the position was usually filled by irresponsible teenagers. After a month or so, she had to fire the kids for failure to perform the job. That was part of why she already raised Spencer’s salary. Quite simply, he was the first one to ever do the job decently or take it seriously.

  Yet, Erica sensed he seemed to detest her. Why? She didn’t know.

  When her patients occasionally ran into Spencer as he moved about the office, and whispered, who was that? in a nearly breathless tone. Erica had to resist smiling. She found it reassuring because she wasn’t the only one who was so obviously affected by Spencer Mattox. Spencer seemed to inspire the lustful imaginations of the strangest females: from a seventy-year-old woman, bent over by arthritis, and a fifty-two-year-old woman, returning for a pap smear, to a young college student, nine months pregnant. Despite their ages, conditions, or medical reasons for being at the clinic, they all seemed to grow hot and bothered at the sight of Spencer. Spencer obviously monopolized the prurient interests of everyone at the clinic.

  Including Erica.

  ****

  “Hey beautiful.”

  Erica looked up from her chart when she heard Roy’s voice through her office door. She clicked her pen, set it down, and stood up.

  “Hi Roy. What are you doing here?”

  “Looking for a dinner date.”

  “Oh. You should have called. I’m swamped right now.”

  “You’re always swamped. Come on. Live a little.”

  Have a little fun, Joelle’s voice echoed in her head. Roy came around, and pulled her up, bringing her against him. They stood head to head and he pushed his groin into hers, so she could feel him growing hard. She sighed, feeling nothing; she was not aroused or wet, much less, even interested. The kiss was expected: sealing her mouth, opening her lips, and deeply probing with his tongue. It was nice. Fine. She eased back, putting some inches between their bodies. She thought about what Joelle suggested, that she was just passing the time with Roy, like she had with Nick. Judging by her own reaction to his kiss, she decided Joelle was right.

  But what else could she do? She had to date these men, and let some time pass to get to know them, in order to see how she felt about them. She had no other way of knowing. She was never one to fall in love or lust over a momentary glance.

  Roy’s hands rested on her hips as he pulled her closer again. It became irritatingly obvious he was feeling frisky. It had been a while. How long? Why couldn’t she remember? It didn’t matter; she wasn’t feeling like it right then.

  The knock at her door startled her. She flipped around to find Spencer in the open doorway. He was about to turn away, no doubt, having just caught her being groped by Roy. She silently cursed his timing.

  “Did you need something?”

  He stopped and turned back towards her, his expression completely blank. Damn, even then, his dark eyes smoldered at her and made her insides quiver in an involuntary reaction. “Sorry, Doc, didn’t know you were busy.”

  “It’s okay,” Erica quickly answered as she stepped away from Roy. Roy took one glance at Spencer, clad in his work clothes, and turned away. He dismissed Spencer that quickly as the custodian, and therefore, unimportant. Erica noticed. It was just like the preacher did to Spencer and it infuriated her. So what if Spencer wasn’t dressed like Dr. Roy? So what? He was a steady, hard-working, reliable employee, who easily deserved as much respect as Roy. With this in mind, Erica said, “I’m not. What did you need?”

  Spencer’s stare was piercing. She stepped around Roy, and came closer to the door, gripping the edge of it. There was something in his face, or his tone, that usually wasn’t evident. Something was wrong. And his demeanor seemed like Spencer’s version of being upset. “What is it, Spencer?”

  His eyes raked over her. Why? What could he be thinking? That she was a gross, old matron, desperately seeking attention from Roy? So desperate that she let him grope her in her place of business?

  “Preacher’s out front, distributing pamphlets about you.”

  Erica jerked back and put a hand to her chest. “About me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Saying… what?”

  Spencer handed her one and Erica opened it. Startled, she stepped back as if someone just took a swing at her and felt as if she’d taken the punch to her stomach. “Oh my God. No. No, I don’t do that. I’m not like that.”

  “What is it?” Roy’s voice came up behind her, alerted by her whimpers of protest. She handed the offensive literature to him. The pamphlet had a picture of her plunging a knife into a newborn’s belly. Erica turned away, utterly nauseated by the photo-shopped image.

  “What’s this all about?” Roy asked, a frown contorting his chiseled face.

  Erica sat down on the couch in her office, feeling shaken like nothing had shaken her in a long while. She rarely performed abortions. She didn’t run an abortion clinic, for God’s sake! It wasn’t even a commonly known service she provided. It was only ever done on a case-by-case basis. And something she strove to keep quiet and confidential. Why would this preacher target her? She thought she mollified the man. But no. Not so. Obviously not.

  “You perform abortions?” Roy didn’t try to sweeten his tone, which oozed anger as well as disgust.

  Spencer’s gaze was on her, then on Roy, and back on her. She could feel him watching her, listening to them, and no doubt, judging her.

  “Rarely. Not very much at all. Private matters, Roy. I am a doctor. A women’s doctor.”

  “I just didn’t think you would that.”

  “You never asked. I help women, however I can with whatever they need. Medically, as well as sometimes, emotionally. I do what I can. It’s not any of your business. Or anyone else’s, for that matter. It’s a private decision, and one I never take lightly.”

  Roy took a step back, moving away from her, as Spencer stepped into the office and moved closer to her.

  Erica was d
azed. She put her face into her hands, shaking her head. How could this be happening to her? She was a good doctor. She did exceptional work here, and now this preacher was trying to suggest that performing abortions was her real objective? She looked up at the two men in her office and licked her lips before whispering, “What do I do?”

  “Nothing. Preacher’s gone.”

  Her gaze jerked to Spencer. “Gone? But how?”

  “I told him to leave.”

  “And he left?”

  Spencer hesitated. “Not exactly. It took a little persuasion.”

  “What kind of persuasion? Like Kenny kind of persuasion?”

  “Something like that.” No smile. No reaction. He simply looked her straight in the eye, waiting for her reaction.

  What had Spencer just done? She could be sued! If he antagonized the preacher, he could go directly to the media! She glanced down again at the lies and filth in her hand that were being claimed about her. Looking up, she saw Spencer’s scowl, and stared deeply into his eyes, saying softly, “Thank you.”

  “Thank you? I was afraid you’d fire me.”

  “Yet you did it anyway?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?” she asked, tilting her head with confusion.

  “Because you don’t deserve having such lies said about you. That pamphlet’s not helping anyone. You help women. So I tried to first explain that to your preacher. When that didn’t work, I convinced him to leave.”

  A laugh escaped her lips and she shook her head. “With the help of a brick wall, I assume. And your undeniable height and irrepressible anger?”

  “Yes, those can be very convincing.”

  “What am I going to do about this? My reputation?” Erica couldn’t even look at the sickening portrayal of her again. Spencer came closer, and picked it up. Then he pulled a lighter from his pocket, and lit it on fire, before throwing it into the sink in her office.