Igniting Temptation Read online

  "Hey there," Kylie said.

  "Hi." The shyness in Mac started to creep up as a tiny blush on her cheeks.

  "You're amazing, I had no idea you were a doctor."

  "Yeah, I'm actually the Head of Pediatrics. I'm only down here when it's a Pediatric Emergency or I have free time on my hands to help out. I spent my entire residency in the ER," Mac said.

  "Wow, that's crazy."

  "Life's definitely more settled now. I spend most of my time up on the fourth floor with the children and generally behind a desk."

  "You're very good with kids," Kylie said.

  "Thanks."

  "Do you have any?"

  "No, maybe one day, but I'm in no way ready for children. I barely have time for my dog, besides she's my baby so she'd freak out." She smiled and Kylie laughed.

  "What kind of dog is she?"

  "She's a five pound, tan and white Chihuahua." Mac smiled from ear to ear.

  "How cute. What's her name?"

  "Stimpy," Mac said proudly.

  Kylie looked at her awkwardly for a second. "Did I hear that right?"

  "Yes, Stimpy."

  "That's interesting. I bet she's cute."

  "Most of the time. Until she tears something up," Mac said. They both laughed.

  "So how bad is the boy? Do you think he's bleeding internally?"

  "I don't think he is. I believe he inhaled a lot of blood and that coats the wind pipe and he has asthma so that doesn't help his breathing. If it's all clear we'll give him a breathing treatment to open his lungs when he gets back over here."

  "I don't see much in the way of hurt children. I'm a fire fighter, so I'm not on the ambulance much and accident scenes are usually rescue or recovery situations and our EMT's take over."

  "Really? I figured you were an EMT."

  "Nope. I know I'm short, but I'm the station Lieutenant." She smiled. "And driver of the engine. I'm usually inside fires. That's my real job. Our Captain works the outside and I work the inside. I'm only on the ambulance when we need three EMT's because I have to be EMT certified to be a lieutenant. The rest of the firemen only have to have EMS training which is basic," Kylie explained.

  "Wow, that's interesting. Hey by the way, I'm sorry I missed your call. I was with a patient," Mac said.

  "It's no problem."

  "Not what you were expecting when you saw me this morning, huh?" Mac said.

  "You can say that again." Kylie laughed.

  "So, will you go to dinner with me Friday night?"

  Oh shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! "I…uh…I…look, I think you're a nice person and everything, but I'm not looking for anything more than a friendship. I'm sorry," Mac said.

  "No, don't be. You're straight?"

  Mac laughed. "No, in a relationship."

  "Ah…I see. I totally understand." Kylie nodded.

  "Thanks."

  "We can still hang out as friends. I promise not to flirt with you…too much."

  They both laughed. "All right, it's a deal. My girlfriend's working this weekend so I'm free after work Friday night I guess."

  "Cool…" Kylie said as Mac's phone rang.

  "Dr. Trotter."

  "Great, that's excellent news. Thanks." She hung up the phone. "He'll be ok. He has a hairline crack in two ribs, and some internal bruising from the seatbelt, but no bleeding."

  "That's great!"

  "Yeah, so...I need to get ready he's coming back and I need to speak to his father."

  "No problem. My shift ends at six Friday, call me."

  "Sure thing." Mackenzie what the hell are you getting yourself into?

  Chapter 3

  "Let's go to dinner tonight," Mac said when she walked in the door.

  "Why?" Loren raised an eyebrow.

  "You're leaving again tomorrow so..."

  "Yeah, so that's an occasion to go spend money? Damn it Stimpy get off of the couch!"

  "Never mind, Loren, we can cook and stay here. I just thought we'd do something different for a change," Mac stated sharply.

  "Don't get testy with me because you want to go, go, go," Loren growled.

  "What are you talking about?"

  "All you ever want to do is go here, go there."

  "I just wanted to spend time with you before you leave. My God, Loren, you're gone every two weeks."

  "So my job bothers you now?"

  "God damn it, Loren, I'm not fighting with you about your job."

  "What's the big deal then?"

  "I know you have to travel, just like I'm on call twenty four/seven. That's not the point. The point is, when you're here you never want to spend time together. We never make love anymore and I see you coming and going these days. I'd like to spend a little fucking time with my girlfriend, is that asking too much?"

  "Whatever, Mac, you're never here either. Then when you are, all you want to do is go places."

  "Fine, I said we can stay home, it's not that big of a deal. You always have to fight with me over the stupidest things just to make a point, of what, I don't know," Mac flopped down on the couch with Stimpy in her lap.

  ~

  "You're rushing out of here on time, since when?" Dr. Foley, who was one of the Resident Pediatricians asked.

  "I have plans tonight. Besides, I work eighty hours a week, hell sometimes more. I think I can leave 'on time' one night if I want." Mac laughed.

  "Yeah, I guess you can. So where are you and Loren going?" he asked.

  "She left this morning for Washington to cover the new congressman story. I'm actually hanging out with a friend tonight."

  "Friend? I didn't know you had friends, Mac."

  "Ha, ha," Mac said sarcastically.

  "Have a drink for me. I'm here until two am."

  "Good luck. Call me if you need anything," she said.

  "Yes, Ma'am."

  Mac got into her Mini Cooper and drove towards the condo. She scrolled through the phone book on her cell phone and pressed the call button.

  "Neil."

  "Hey, it's Mackenzie."

  "Ah, the good doctor. What's up?"

  "I'm on my way home from the hospital."

  "And where's home?"

  "We have a condo out in Shelter Cove."

  "Nice. I actually live on the mainland so I'm leaving from the station house. Where do you want to go?"

  "I don't care. You decide."

  "All right, want me to pick you up or do you want to meet me?"

  "I'll meet you." Mac pulled into the parking lot next to the empty spot that was usually occupied by Loren's black BMW.

  "Meet me at Salty Sam's. You do like seafood, right?"

  "Of course!"

  "Cool, meet me there in…uh…is a half hour long enough?"

  "Yeah, I'll take a quick shower and go."

  "See you there."

  Mac ended the call and stepped from her car. Behave Mackenzie she's just a friend. A very attractive...friend.

  ~

  Kylie took the fastest shower ever and towel-dried her hair. She threw on a pair of jeans, a light yellow colored polo shirt and flip flops, barely saying bye to the guys as she practically ran to her Jeep.

  Mac showed up right behind Kylie and parked next to her.

  "Cute car."

  Mac smiled. "Thanks. I wanted something easy to maneuver in the parking garage at the hospital."

  "I see, and a large four wheel drive truck just wouldn't fit, huh," Kylie teased.

  "Yeah, something like that." Mac chuckled.

  They walked inside and were immediately seated in a booth by the window.

  "I like your Jeep by the way."

  "It's my baby."

  "I almost bought one, I wanted to use it to drive up and down the coast and ride with the top off, but my girlfriend, Loren, doesn't like them, so I didn't buy it."

  "Oh, what does she, uh…Loren…what does she do?"

  "She's a journalist for the Hilton Head Times and Channel Three News."

  "Cool, is she on
TV?" The conversation stopped long enough for them to order two beers and an appetizer from the waitress.

  "No, she's not an anchor, just a journalist. But, she's guaranteed front page and almost always cover story for the paper. She's also a correspondent for the news channel which is why she is gone so much. She's on TV with them here when there is breaking news."

  "Wow, how often is she gone?"

  "Every two weeks and for a week each time. Sometimes, if it's a really big story that breaks she leaves right away or is gone longer if she's already in the field. The news is twenty-four/seven just like medicine I guess."

  "Man that sucks."

  "It takes a while, but you get use to it," Mac sighed.

  "How long have you been together?"

  "Five years."

  "Wow."

  "I met her at the end of my residency. I became an attending a few months later and she went from writing in the paper to being a news correspondent that travels all over not long after that. Now, five years later, I'm the Head of Pediatrics and she's the number one journalist in the State."

  "Wow, time flies."

  "Yeah, before you know it, you stop and think what the hell has happened? It's like life flashes before your eyes," Mac sipped the beer the waitress set in front of her.

  "I went straight from high school to the fire department. I completed my Bachelor's at the local college and then transferred out here to the Island. I'm originally from Goose Creek, outside of Charleston."

  "That's cool. My family is in Charleston."

  "Wow. Really? Where did you go to school?"

  "I went to Duke for my undergrad and medical degrees. They offered me a nice scholarship and I really liked the program so I left home for eight years. I returned and did my internship at Charleston General Hospital, then I applied for residency at Hilton Head Medical Center and here I am," Mac said.

  "Nice. So what made you become a doctor and a pediatrician at that?" Kylie asked.

  "I had a younger brother that came down with Kawasaki Disease and the doctors did everything they could up until the end. He died a few weeks later. I was ten and he was seven. I made it my duty to help kids with their pain. Those doctors knew they couldn't fix my brother once his organs started shutting down, but they did everything they could do to keep him comfortable and in good spirits. He died happy, even though he was very sick. I love making kids feel better and seeing the smiles on their faces reminds me of him."

  "You're an amazing woman," Kylie said.

  Mac blushed. "Thank you. So miss big bad fire fighter, what made you decide to do that?"

  "Well, it's not as exciting as your story. I'm an only child and my Grandfather and Father are both fire fighters. My father is a Chief in Goose Creek and my Grandfather retired as a Chief in Lexington. I guess it was my destiny. I love it though, whether I'm fighting a fire or helping someone, it's an adrenaline rush."

  "I know exactly what that is."

  Their meal came and went. Both women enjoyed each other's company so much that they lost track of time, until Mac looked down at her watch and realized it was almost midnight. They said quick goodbyes and shook hands, vowing to hang out again soon.

  Kylie walked into her two bedroom townhouse and sat on the couch. "Mackenzie, you're one captivating woman, too bad you're with someone. I only hope she treats you the way you deserve to be treated. If not, move over Loren." On that note Kylie got up and walked up the stairs to go to bed.

  ~

  Kylie finished the paperwork on a fire victim that she transported to Hilton Head Medical. She decided to mosey up to the fourth floor and see if she could find the sexy doctor. She walked up to the nurse's station when she stepped off of the elevator.

  "May I help you?" one of the nurses asked.

  "I'm looking for Dr. Trotter's office."

  "Is she expecting you?"

  "No, Ma'am, I'm a friend and just wanted to say hey if she was in her office."

  "I believe she is." The woman pointed. "It's the fifth door on the right down that hallway."

  "Thank you." Kylie strolled down the hall and stopped at the door with 'Head of Pediatrics, Mackenzie L. Trotter M.D.' stamped in large black letters. She knocked softly.

  "Come in," Mac said.

  "Hi, how's it going?" Kylie asked popping her head in.

  "Hey, not too bad, you?" Mac said waving her inside.

  "I just came from a small fire. We brought an elderly man in for minor smoke inhalation."

  "Oh."

  Kylie sat down in a brown leather chair in front of the large Mahogany desk. She quickly noticed all of the awards and diplomas on the wall, along with the picture of a beautiful woman next to another picture of a tiny little tan and white dog on the desk in front of her. If she had to guess she'd say the woman was a few years older than Mac and definitely had Latin or Italian blood going by her exquisite features. The dog appeared to be queen of the house. Mac noticed Kylie eyeballing the pictures in front of her.

  "That's Loren and Stimpy," Mac said signing another chart in the pile of paperwork in front of her.

  "She's beautiful and she's cute."

  "Thank you."

  "Where is she from?" Kylie asked.

  "Loren's Brazilian, her mother and father are both from there. She was born here in the States while they were vacationing. She spent the first twelve years of her life in Brazil, then her parents moved to the states to let her follow her dreams. They moved back to Brazil when she graduated from college."

  "That's interesting. Is she back home yet?"

  "Nope, I should see her tomorrow evening when I get home," Mac said flatly.

  "Well, I should let you get back to work. I just wanted to stop and say hi since I was in the building."

  "Sure, anytime." Mac looked up at the blue eyes staring down at her and smiled. "I enjoy seeing you." You're adorable and every time I see you I feel a little flutter that I haven't felt in a long time. You're going to be trouble for me, but I just can't say no.

  "Likewise," Kylie said with a wink. She left the room walking straight to the elevator and riding down to the ER.

  "Let's go, Lawson," she said when she found him leaning on the wall.

  "Where did you disappear to?"

  "I went to see a friend."

  "That wouldn't be 'doctor heartbreaker' would it?"

  "As a matter of fact we're friends. Get your ass in the ambulance before I leave you here and tell them you need a colonoscopy."

  "That's great, Lieutenant," he said rolling his eyes.

  "Don't tempt me." She started the ambulance and drove off.

  Chapter 4

  "Welcome home, baby." Mac went to the door when she heard Loren coming in. Stimpy sat on the couch without a care in the world.

  "Hey. How was your week?" Loren kissed her lips and went to the bedroom to put away her luggage.

  "Hectic, but not too bad. I was only in the ER once, which is a rarity I took advantage of. How was your week? Did you get the story?" Mac followed her.

  "Don't I always?" Loren said arrogantly as she emptied her suitcase.

  "Well yeah, I guess. So I take it you had a good week, then."

  "Not bad."

  "Oh." Mac went up behind Loren and took the clothes out of her hand. She spun her around and kissed her softly at first, then passionately. Both women were lost in the moment, until Loren stopped and continued to unpack.

  "What was that for? You must've missed me?" Loren said.

  "Of course I did. Did you not miss me?"

  "Honey, I always miss you." She pressed her lips to Mac's and Mac slowly pushed her out of the closet towards the bed.

  Their love making was quick and to the point, both women got what they wanted, and then Mac jumped in the shower. Loren finished unpacking and took her shower afterwards.

  "A few people are going to Daisy's Bar tonight. I was hoping you'd want to go. I have a friend I want you to meet," Mac said as Loren stepped from the shower.

&nb
sp; "Isn't that the small bar on the tip of the mainland?"

  "Yeah."

  "I guess we can go, I don't want to be out late though. I have to be in my office at six am. This story has to go to print tomorrow night."

  "Sure, we can go say hi and have a drink or two then go. I have to be up early too, I have a full schedule tomorrow."

  ~

  Kylie threw on jeans a tight black polo shirt and flip flops. She met up with Harris and another friend who were riding with her to Daisy's Bar.

  "So is the doc going to be here?" Harris teased.

  "Yes she is, and we're just friends. Don't start, Harris. I'm not in the mood, besides her girlfriend will be with her."

  "That sucks."

  "It's not like that," Kylie said.

  "If you say so."

  She stopped the jeep in its tracks. "Would you like to walk smartass?"

  "No, Ma'am."

  "Okay then." She continued on.

  Kylie didn't think Mac was there yet since she didn't see the Mini Cooper in the parking lot. "Come on guys let's go meet up with DJ and Jennie since Mackenzie isn't here yet."

  "Yes she is. She's over there with a gorgeous woman," he said point at the bar.

  "That woman is her girlfriend." Kylie rolled her eyes.

  "Damn. She's a lesbian?"

  Kylie shook her head rounding up her friends as she made her way over to the bar.

  "Hey," Mac said with a smile when Kylie put her hand on her shoulder.

  "I didn't see your car so I wasn't sure if you were here yet."

  "We're in Loren's car, the black BMW."

  "Oh."

  "Kylie, this is Loren. Loren this is Kylie and a bunch of people from the local fire station that I see all the time and Jennie is an ER nurse at the hospital." Loren shook everyone's hand politely making a mental note to keep a watchful eye on the young woman smiling at her lover.

  "So, what's everyone drinking? First round's on me." Mac waved at the bartender.

  The look on Loren's face let on that she wasn't thrilled about Mac buying the drinks. Kylie noticed the piercing dagger eyes that Loren shot Mac.

  Less than an hour later Loren looked bored.

  "We should go, I have to get up early. I told you I didn't want to be out late."