The Spinster's Club

Cass: Eight

As they walked away from the maternity ward, Urs continued to tease her about the Village people and Cass couldn't decide if she was more annoyed or intrigued by his behaviour. Nothing quite matched up with this man and it was doing her head in, she thought. He was dressed as a member of a bike gang, but he wore an expensive smelling cologne. He looked like a redneck, but sounded utterly European. He had a half grown beard on his chin, but a glance at his hands showed manicured nails. He was surly one minute, then playful the next. What was it with this guy?
She'd tuned out his nonsense while she pondered the enigma, then suddenly realised he'd stopped talking and was looking expectantly at her. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

They'd stopped at a window overlooking the street. The first thing that Cass noticed was the coffee shop where she'd first seen him and let her imagination kick into lustful gear. How embarrassing! She shook her head in frustration. Why did she have to find bikers so damned hot? And why did this one have to be her patient's brother? Surely there was some rules about fraternisation with patient's family members, weren't there?

Then she realised he was talking again and she'd missed his comment a second time. Had he said something about Karaoke?

"I beg your pardon?"

"I was wondering if your Village People fetish extended to the music side as well..."
It was too much. "Will you stop prattling on about Village People!"

His grin faded. "I'm sorry..."

She didn't let him finish. "The only reason I haven't called Security on you is because I like your sister."

"I..."

"Listen to me. I'm trying to do my job here and I didn't appreciate you making a fool of us both in front of the nurses."

"So you didn't want to speak with me in private?" He looked genuinely surprised

Cass flushed with embarrassement. " No, well yes, I mean NO. I only wanted you out of the way of prying eyes."

"Ah so you DID want to speak with me in private then?" And he favoured her with a knee weakening smile.

Cass' hands curled into fists. "Grrr. What is it with you? Just because your sister heard I'm interested in ...ummm Motor cycles, doesn't give you the right to make a pest of yourself. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other patients to see before the end of the day."

She tossed back her hair and prepared to stalk off.

"When do you finish work?"

Cass stopped mid-turn. "Why do you want to know?"

He shrugged and offered an apologetic smile. "You're right, I was being an ass. But the truth is, you interest me."

Cass' defences were being breached, but she resisted hard. Letting this guy into her life would be sure to lead to heartbreak. "And I should care, why?"

"Well, don't you care? Just a little bit?"

She folded her arms over her chest. "That's irrelevant. I could be married – or anything..."

His gaze travelled to her ringless finger. She flushed and quickly put her hands in her scrubs pockets.

He nodded calmly. "That's true. Well, are you?" His gaze pinned her to the wall and breathing became an effort. This was exactly like her last dream.... The one where he.... And then they.... Oh God no, she felt her colour rising – and hoped no one she knew was seeing this.

Cass opened her mouth to put him in his place, but nothing came out. How had he reduced her to this state with just one look? She was the professional, he was nothing to her. He was a fantasy figure, a rebellious, free spirited biker figure, the James Dean of her dreams. God, it has all the makings of a romance novel, she thought in dismay. She'd have to tell this one to Cece if she ever got back from Mexico.

Cass felt hot and bothered now. She was really on the backfoot. "It's none of your business!" Oh crap, was that the best you can come up with?, she chastised herself.

She put her hands to her flaming cheeks. "If it wasn't not bad enough that you invaded my dreams, now now you're messing with my daytimes too! Oh my God, did I just say that out loud?"

She peered out between her fingers and shut her eyes again tightly. "I think I want to die... again," she murmured.

"So you are interested in me too?" he persisted.

Her eyes flew open "Yes damn it. But I don't need you complicating my life. My life is complicated enough right now," she snarled.

He caught her gently under her elbow and steered her to handy seat. She sat down and when she looked up, saw only compassion in his eyes.
"I must be thick. Why would you want to know that?"

"I told you. You interest me."

Cass struggled to maintain her composure. There was something devastatingly attractive about his voice and smile. Things were so much easier when he was simply a fantasy figure – without a name – or a sister.

"Are you going to tell me when you finish work?"

Cass looked at her watch fob in resignation. "In a couple of hours."

"Can I meet you then? Buy you a cup of coffee somewhere?"

She looked back over to the window. "OK, but maybe not at Aroma's, OK?" Aroma's had been the site of their first humiliating encounter.
He looked confused.

"You don't want to know." She shook her head.

"OK Where then?"

Cass leapt to her feet, her face draining of colour as she saw a distant figure approach. Urs stepped back, momentarily startled by her sudden movement.
"Surprise me.' she said hurriedly. "Look, I really have to go now. My boss is coming I'll meet you at the main entrance at five, OK?" and with that she hurried off.
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Urs appreciatively watched her rear view hurry away from him. His gaze lingered on her swinging hips and he grinned. I know just the place, he thought and returned to the ward to wait for Jools. This visit was proving very productive. At this rate he was in no hurry to go back home. He shook his head. He refused to get bogged down by thoughts of what was waiting for him back there. This was the first true holiday he'd had for years. He decided he quite liked being incognito like this.

Cass, She was a refreshing change from his usual type.
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"Ahh there you are, Cass." her supervisor said. "I'm glad I saw you. Can you pop into my office before you leave today, please?"

"Uh sure. Would half past four be OK?" She felt her knees start to shake. This must be about her job interview.

"Fine. I'll see you then, " and her boss continued on her way as if nothing had happened.

Cass' knees were shaking so much she had to steady herself on the wall. How bad was it that she couldn't walk down a hallway any more? What would the others say if they could see her now? She shook her head as she remembered that damned Spinster Club challenge. After the 'change your look' business suit disaster, maybe she was on the verge of fulfilling not one but two of the challenges today? Even if going out for coffee with a strange biker wasn't quite the 'new experience' they'd discussed. What about the Amy's challenge though? She resolutely didn't think of that one. This guy was definitely not a candidate. She'd have to set her sights quite a bit higher than that one to beat Amy's cutie, Dr Izambard.

Still, she felt warmth spreading low in her belly as she recalled the way he'd made her feel with just a look. Has someone turned up the AC, she thought.

She looked at her fob watch again and briskly set off down the hallway. She'd have to work fast to get to her meeting on time.