Free Flaming Desire - Part 1 (An Alpha Billionaire Romance) by Helen Grey

which didn’t really surprise me. Nothing about this guy surprised me.
    As he tapped on the screen and then transferred information into the hospital’s main computer system, I wondered what had drawn him into nursing. Then again, what had drawn me into nursing? Why did most people, men or women, go into the nursing field? It certainly wasn’t money. Nursing was hard. A lot of work, even more stress, oodles of frustration, and moderate pay at best.
    “Finished,” he said.
    I glanced down at the tablet and then at the computer screen, comparing the data. “Okay, after you click Save, all this data goes to the health information department. Everything will be updated into the hospital system’s database and input into the tele-health system as well. Her primary physician can access the information of everything that happened here, access her chart, and coordinate her care from his office in the event that he can’t get here to see her this evening.”
    “She’s not going to be released?”
    I shrugged. “I have no idea, but it’s doubtful. I would assume, with half her scalp lifted from her skull, that they’re going to observe her for a while for signs of subdural hematoma. Even if she is released, I doubt she’d leave the hospital, not with her daughter here.” I shook my head. “I hope they’re able to save her leg.”
    Neither of us said anything for several minutes, and then I looked up at the clock and realized it was time to clock out. “Shift’s over. We’ll clock out, and then you can walk me to my car. We need to talk.”
    Five minutes later, we emerged from the building. The sun was just beginning to descend into the western horizon, but the early evening air was cool and a slight breeze tugged at my hair. I sighed. I loved my job and wouldn’t trade it for anything, but there were times like today that I really wished I had a full-time job that I could do outdoors.
    “What do you want to talk to me about?”
    I got right to the point. “I’ve been told that you’ve alienated one of the doctors—”
    “Doctor Linder?” Matt asked.
    I nodded.
    “He’s a prick.”
    Startled, I almost laughed. “Didn’t take you long to peg him, did it?”
    He shook his head. “I didn’t say anything earlier because I didn’t want to embarrass you for one, and for two, I’m not familiar with how things work at this hospital. But I did see the good doctor leaving the supply closet just moments before Vanessa did. I could tell by the look on his face and the smirk he gave you what had been going on in there.”
    I said nothing, surprised that Matt had seen and not said anything.
    “Look, I know stuff like this happens in the workplace—any workplace. But what’s the protocol here? Has that happened before?”
    I nodded. “It’s a tricky situation,” I explained. “I can’t report him without evidence to back it up. You see, Matt, we’re just nurses… and as you know, nurses don’t have that much power when it comes to the doctors and surgeons.” I shrugged. “Most of the physicians here are good people. Still, there are some, like Doctor Linder, who take advantage. I’ve seen it happen elsewhere too. Santa Fe General is not unique.”
    “He’s an arrogant ass,” Matt said. “But your point is well taken.”
    I nodded and began to walk toward my car, not really surprised that Matt kept in step with me. I didn’t want to be rude and tell him to go away, because to be honest with myself, I didn’t. Still, I had to be careful. I was his mentor, even if it was only for the next couple of days. We would also be going on the ride-alongs with the paramedics in the morning. I was supposed to set a good example, but I didn’t suppose there was anything wrong with him walking me to my car, was there? Besides, it was getting dark, and I appreciated the escort.
    “So, Jesse—”
    “Jessica,” I sighed.
    “So Jessica, what do you do in your downtime?”
    I glanced up at him in surprise.