Surgeon Book Boyfriend (Book Boyfriend Dating Agency)

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

S he had actually agreed. Kane hadn’t thought Kimora would accept his offer of a date. What was a woman like her doing on the app? And how did the app know that they were a match? This was something he couldn’t explain.

But it didn’t matter. He was on his way to pick her up from her house. He’d made a call and was able to get them reservations at the Cleveland Steak Company. It just so happened that the owner was a patient of Kane’s. John had been trying to get Kane to come down to his restaurant for a while now. It paid to save a man’s life.

John Woods had come into the emergency room one night with severe back pain, nausea, and a rapid heart rate. Most people would have been sent home with prescription for pain medications and a referral to therapy for their back. Lucky enough, the emergency doctor who had been working that night was one of the best and had identified what was ailing John. He’d been diagnosed with an abdominal aorta aneurysm that was close to rupturing. Had he been sent home, John would have certainly died that night. Instead, he’d ended up in the operating room with Kane as his surgeon. Now he was living his life to the fullest and forever grateful to Kane.

But Kane didn’t do what he did so he could call in favors. It was seeing the smile on his patients’ and their wives’ faces during recovery that kept him doing what he did. His job was grueling, and he literally had patients’ lives in his hands when they went under the knife. He understood they put their trust in him, and he fought to become the best so he could continue to see his patients smile afterward.

Kane navigated his luxury sports vehicle through the city. The Cleveland Steak Company was an upscale restaurant. After getting off the phone with Kimora, he’d jumped in the shower and dressed in a nice pair of slacks, a button-down, and a blazer. For some strange reason, he wanted to look his best for Kimora. The woman always looked good in the hospital.

Prove it’s you, Kane.

He grinned at the sass that had come through the message. She’d had a right to be suspicious. The woman was highly intelligent, and one would never know who would be on the other end of a text message. The moment he’d read her response, the day she’d worn that red dress and those heels during her presentation came to mind. Dr. Kimora Tucker had been the smartest person in that room that day, and her research spoke for itself. The hospital had been lucky to recruit her. She was going to go places with her research. He had been fascinated with not only what she had been presenting, but there was just something about Kimora the woman.

That’s who he wanted to get to know.

He arrived at her home and pulled his vehicle into the driveway. He killed the engine and stared at her well-manicured yard and brick home that was located in the suburbs on the outskirts of Cleveland. He was a few minutes early. He hoped she didn’t mind. He exited the car and stalked to the porch. He took the few stairs and arrived at her door. He tugged on his jacket sleeves to make sure they were in place before he pressed on the doorbell. He took a step back and waited.

Footsteps sounded, drawing near. Kane wondered what she would wear. He’d seen her around the hospital at times when she hadn’t even noticed he was there. She wore her white lab jacket most of the time while in the hospital, but it didn’t hide her sexy calf muscles that were highlighted by her heels.

His pants grew tight at the thought of her in heels. What would she look like with nothing but those damn heels of hers on?

The door flew open, and there she stood. Kane’s breath caught in his throat as he took her in through the screen door. Her dark curly hair was kept short, stopping around her ears. Her makeup was light, her lips painted a bright ruby red. Kane admired her black dress and the heels he knew she would be wearing.

“Kimora,” he murmured.

“Dr. Livingston?—”

“Seriously, Kimora?” He arched an eyebrow at her.

A small smile played on her lips. She tilted her head to the side, and it was then he stared at the column of her neck. He had the sudden urge to want to lean down and press his face to her and breathe in her scent.

“I mean, I don’t know you all like that.” She shrugged. She opened the door and stepped down onto the porch. She shut the door and locked it before turning back to face him.

“Then that means I should call you Dr. Tucker?” He reached out and took her hand in his. He entwined their fingers together and brought her close to him. Even with her heels, she was much shorter than him. He gazed down into her big brown eyes that held a slight twinkle in them.

“I mean, you could. I wouldn’t correct you. I worked hard for that degree.” Her smile widened.

He took notice that she hadn’t stepped away from him or taken her hand back. The slight floral aroma of her perfume reached him. He inhaled sharply and felt a stirring deep inside for this woman. She was gorgeous, intelligent, and currently standing in front of him.

“Well, then, Dr. Tucker, I hope you have brought your appetite.”

Something flared in those brown orbs of hers. He brought his hand up to rest on her waist to keep her anchored to him. He wanted this woman, and what Kane Livingston wanted, he always got.

“Dr. Livingston, you let me worry about what I’m about to consume. You just better make sure you are paying. Cleveland Steak Company is way above my pay grade.” She giggled.

Kane barked a laugh. He did love when a woman had a sense of humor. Their chuckles died down, and they were left staring at each other.

Kane leaned down and couldn’t help but take a taste of those ruby-red lips that were beckoning him. Kimora leaned into him and opened her lips to accept his tongue sweeping inside her mouth. This was moving fast, but Kane didn’t care. He was one to go with the flow, and at the moment, he needed to kiss her. Taste her. Have her. A moan slipped from Kimora, and the kiss deepened. He tilted his head to the side while clutching her to him. She tasted of warm sunshine and a slight hint of mint.

Kane slowly lifted his head and blinked. Kimora’s eyes were still closed. They were both breathing hard. From the looks of her, the kiss apparently affected her just as it had him.

“I’m supposed to be taking you to dinner,” he murmured. His lips brushed hers as he spoke. He ached to take them again, but if he did, he doubted they would make it to dinner.

“That you are,” she replied.

Her eyes finally opened, and he was hit with the burning desire in them. He bit back a curse. As much as he wanted to carry her away, preferably where there was a large bed, he couldn’t.

At least not at the moment.

“Come, then.” He released her from his hold and took her hand again in his. He led her down to the car and opened her door for her. Once she was tucked in safely, he shut the door and ambled around the back. He adjusted his damn cock that was stiff and pushing against the fabric of his underwear. He slid into the driver’s seat and hit the button to start the car.

“You seriously were able to get reservations at the Cleveland Steak Company on such a short notice?” she asked.

Kane glanced over at her and took in her now swollen lips. The color of them wasn’t smeared as he would have thought it would have been. He’d have to do something about that later.

“Did you think I wouldn’t?”

Kimora couldn’t shake that damn kiss from her mind. She didn’t know what came over her, but she had been two seconds from dragging Kane inside her home. Had he kissed again, as she was sure he had planned to, they wouldn’t be sitting in this luxury restaurant enjoying one of the best meals she’d had in a long time. She hadn’t been joking when she’d asked if he was paying, because a restaurant that didn’t have the prices on the menu was not one she would be able to afford.

“What are you thinking about?” Kane asked.

The restaurant certainly had a romantic ambience going for them. White tablecloths, candles were lit, the lighting was low, and there was a jazz band playing some great music. There was even a small dance floor where a few couples were currently swaying to the slow song that was playing.

Did she ruin the moment and really tell him what she was thinking? Or at least what had been on her mind before he’d lain one hell of a kiss on her? For the sake of science she had to, but she should wait until after he’d paid the bill?

Kimora bit back a snort. Their conversation had been amazing so far. They had both spoken of their upbringing, schooling, and places they had traveled. She hadn’t expected to learn so much from Kane. They shared a lot of the same interest from movies, to food, to even traveling.

“I’m not sure if I should say,” she said. She reached for her glass of wine and took a hefty sip. The reviews she had read about this place hadn’t lied. The wine list was extravagant, and the waiter had been very patient in helping them choose a wine that would pair well with their dinner.

“Why not?” Kane cut into his steak and popped the piece in his mouth. Those hazel eyes of his practically glowed in the candlelight.

She hid behind her glass as she contemplated bringing up the issue of him not allowing his patients into her study anymore. She glanced around and took in their surroundings. The place was packed, and it was crazy to think that he had been able to pull a last-minute reservation.

“Kimora. Quit stalling. What is it?”

She turned back to him with a smirk on her face. She was quickly learning that Kane could be straight forward and she could appreciate it. Well, since he wanted to know, she would go ahead and get her issues off her chest.

“Why are you blocking my research?”

He held her gaze while he continued chewing his food. Once he swallowed, he sat back and rested his fork and knife on his plate.

“What are you talking about?” A frown appeared. He shook his head and reached for his glass.

“For the past month, I have been unable to speak with your patients who would fit in with my study. I was told that you no longer wanted your patients to participate, and I’ve been trying to get a meeting with you for the past month. Your secretary told me that your next available meeting wouldn’t be for another few months.” She placed her glass down on the table and rested back.

“I still don’t know what you are talking about. I was the first physician to have my patients enrolled into your study. I read your entire thesis and voted for you at the IRB. Why wouldn’t I put my patients in your study?” he countered.

Kimora was at a loss for words. She knew that, and that’s why she was frustrated. After all of that, then he’d changed his mind and wouldn’t allow her to at least speak with his patients. It was ultimately up to them if they wanted to be a part of the study.

“I was told that I wasn’t allowed to have your patient list anymore?—”

“By who?” A muscle ticked on his jaw. He narrowed his eyes on her as he waited for her response.

Suddenly, Kimora had the feeling that he was unaware of what was going on. Kane was a wonderful surgeon who was passionate about what he did. It just didn’t make sense that he would keep an opportunity that could help save patients in the future.

“Your secretary.”

“Don’t worry, Kimora. It will all be taken care of.” He leaned forward and rested his forearms on the table.

Kimora’s breath caught in her throat. She jerked her head in a nod. The glint in his eyes gave away that he would get to the bottom of this issue. Now if only she would have been able to have this conversation with him earlier. This all could have been settled and worked out.

“So you weren’t trying to sabotage my study?”

“Absolutely not. I’m hoping you are able to achieve everything that you are hoping for. Just think of all of the patients you would help. That is the ultimate goal, is it not?”

Kimora jerked her head in another nod. She couldn’t believe what was happening. If only she had found a way to speak with him earlier. It wasn’t him, but his secretary? Why would she want to block Kimora’s research? Kane stood from his chair and came to stand next to her. He held out his hand to her. She glanced down at it before sliding hers into his.

“Now that I have assured you of one thing, it’s time for me to assure you of one other thing.”

She stood from the table and allowed him to lead her over to the dance floor. He swung her around in the center of the dancers and pulled her close to him. She rested her free hand along his shoulders and gazed up at him.

“And what is that?” she breathed.

Tonight was going much better than she ever could have hoped for. She wasn’t going to think of the research or patients at the moment. She was in the arms of one of the sexiest men she had ever seen. His smoldering eyes connected with hers, and the heat that flared in them took her breath away. She leaned into him, her body swaying with his. Everything around them seemed to fade away. Kimora only focused on Kane. He leaned down, his lips coming to rest next to her ear.

“There won’t be a single part of your body that I won’t taste tonight.”