Grumpy Doctor

By B. B. Hamel

He's got magic hands, a perfect body, and a horrible attitude.

I never wanted to get anywhere near Dr. Piers Hood. He's a total jerk, and he thinks he's the greatest surgeon in the country.

So when I get assigned to him during my surgical residency, I keep telling myself it won't be more than work.

Right up until the point where we kiss in the break room.

Sometimes I wish I could cut off my own ears so I don't have to listen to him anymore. And I definitely regret that honestly super hot make out session.

Except he's stupidly gorgeous, on top of being wildly talented, and I sort of hate how much I like being around him.

The world falls at his feet, and Piers floats along like it's no big deal.

At least he's very good at what he does. I have a lot to learn from him, assuming I don't end up taking a scalpel to his way-too-perfect face first.

Now this arrogant surgeon wants way more from me, and I'm terrified I'm going to give it to him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: B. B. Hamel
• Release date: Feb 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201935153

B. B. Hamel

B. B. Hamel writes steamy stories that make fans squirm. As an Indie author, fan support means everything. For more information, visit BBHamel.com.

Book preview

1

LORI

"I know what you must be thinking, it’s your first day, really scary, very nervous, and honestly? You have no clue what you’re getting yourself into."

Monica talked fast as she walked down the hallway of Westview Hospital. Her short dark heels clacked on the linoleum floor and I wondered what the heck she was doing, wearing heels to a hospital shift, but whatever, I didn’t ask. She was the chief resident, in the last year of her residency and had been given the super fun task of supervising all the new first years, myself included.

I didn’t know why I’d been pulled away from the pack of awkward, out-of-their-depth young people that had gathered in the main lobby of the hospital, waiting to be assigned their eventual attending doctor and future mentor, but when she called my name and gestured for me to follow, I didn’t question it.

So, yeah, she was right: I was nervous. It was my first day of my new residency, and although I’d gone through med school and graduated at the top of my class, and felt like I was ready for this, there was still some part of me that wondered maybe I wasn’t smart enough, maybe I wasn’t good enough.

I pushed those thoughts away. That part of my brain was hard to silence sometimes, but I wasn’t going to let it get the better of me today.

Right, I said, plastering a numb, nervous smile on my face, since I didn’t have anything better to say.

She glanced back. I mean, seriously, I’m not even joking when I tell you this, but wow, do you have any clue how many people want to work with Piers Hood? He’s got a wait list like months long and he’s never taken a resident before. This is a freaking teaching hospital, and he’s an attending that doesn’t teach. It’s sort of unheard of, you know? But he’s Dr. Hood, the Miracle Hands himself. She stared dreamily ahead before clearing her throat. I have no clue how the heck you got assigned to him, but girl, I’m not even joking when I say, you’re lucky. Or maybe not, I can’t really tell.

I kept that dumb smile on my lips and said nothing.

I knew how I got this position. My cousin was filthy rich, one of the youngest billionaires in the country, and on the board of directors. He must’ve pulled some strings to get me attached to this Piers guy. I should’ve known his name, or at least done some research before showing up on my first day, but med school burned me out and I needed the few brief weeks I had before getting thrown into the fire to try and recharge myself.

Besides, I figured I’d learn about my new teacher on the job. I mean, how hard could it be?

Terrible idea, in retrospect. Monumentally bonehead move. If there were Oscars for really, really dumb decisions, I’d be giving my acceptance speech already.

Monica turned a corner into a hallway of offices and pointed up ahead. I’d walk you to the door, but, uh— She stopped and frowned down at me. I feel like I should warn you.

Warn me? I blinked rapidly, feeling color rise to my cheeks.

Dr. Hood is a little… difficult. She glanced from side to side, like she was trying to make sure nobody could hear what she was about to say. He doesn’t usually do this sort of thing. You know, like, follow the rules? He’s an incredible surgeon, don’t get me wrong, and you’re lucky to work with him, but also… be careful. And keep your chin up. And all those other clichés.

Uh, I said. Thanks?

Right. She pointed at the last door on the left. That’s him. Go ahead and knock.

You’re really not coming with me?

Nope. Tell him you’re his new resident. Monica moved past me and was already walking back the way we’d come. Good luck! You’ll do great! Make sure you smile!

She practically jogged off down the hall.

I watched her go and felt a very, very bad sinking feeling come over my chest. It wasn’t a good sign when the chief resident didn’t want to speak with your attending, and even took it upon herself to let me know that he might be a little tough to work with.

Whatever that meant.

I turned toward the office and took a deep, long breath. Now or never, I figured. No turning back and all that. I marched down to his door, raised my fist, and knocked.

I stood there for thirty seconds, and didn’t hear a peep.

I knocked again, a little harder, waited another thirty seconds, and began to wonder if the room was empty. If he wasn’t in there, then I had no clue what to do. I mean, I could go back down to the lobby, but if the other residents weren’t there, or if Monica sent me back or—

I knocked a third time, desperation leaking into my pounding.

What? a man snapped from inside. Are you seriously still out there?

The voice was deep and very annoyed. I turned the knob, cracking the door slightly, and poked my head inside.

The office was incredibly neat and orderly. Filing cabinets on the right, desk up ahead, small couch on the left. Generic black and white photos hung on the walls, and a small snake plant grew near the window.

Uh, sorry to bother you, Dr. Hood, but my name is Lori Court, and, uh, I’m your resident? I think?

Dr. Hood leaned back in his chair and looked at me like I was having a stroke.

He was young and handsome, with dark black hair, a bit long and wild, pushed back and to the side. His face was sculpted, chiseled almost, with that absurd movie-star stubble that never seemed to drift into clean-shaven or into beard. He wore scrubs that fit his muscular frame like angel’s wings, and I couldn’t help but stare at his husky-blue eyes, piercing and gorgeous and really, really terrifying.

Monica did not tell me that Dr. Hood was absolutely, incredibly good-looking, and I really resented her for that.

Who? he asked.

Lori. Your resident? Monica brought me over, she said—

He rolled his eyes. You must have the wrong office. Dr. Baker’s on the other side. He turned his back to me and bent over his computer, reading some article.

I didn’t move, shifting from foot to foot. Sorry, actually, I was told that you’re my attending.

He slowly turned back and looked like he wanted to lift me up off my feet and throw me through a window. I don’t take residents.

Sorry, but I think you’re supposed to this time?

He gave me a withering look. I felt my cheeks turn pink, and I wanted to run and hide, or maybe scream at him, or really do anything but stand there like an idiot—but Monica warned me about this. She knew it was going to happen, and she tried to prepare me, except she could’ve told me Dr. Hood was also model-sexy on top of being a huge asshole.

What’s your name again?

I clenched my jaw. Lori.

All right, Lori. I don’t take residents. I’ve been an attending for six years now, I was the youngest attending ever at this hospital, and not once in all that time have I ever taken on a resident. I’m sorry, I don’t know what sort of prank they’re playing on you, but I’m not interested, so march off and complain to someone else because I’ve got work to do.

He turned around again and I stood there, hands trembling, feeling like a moron. Maybe he hadn’t been told about me, but there was no reason to be a dick about this. Maybe in his brain, he thought I was the problem somehow, even though I was only doing what I was told, and I didn’t deserve this sort of treatment—nobody did.

Actually, I said, trying to keep the anger from my voice. Monica brought me here, she specifically said I’ve been assigned to you, so why don’t we both go find your boss and get this straightened out?

He turned and for a second, I thought he really was about to get up and hurl me bodily to my doom. Instead, his anger turned to confusion, as he crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head.

You look familiar, he said. Do I know you from somewhere?

Before I could answer and tell him to kiss my ass, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned as a woman with long brown hair approached. She had smooth, light brown skin, dark eyes, and a cheerful smile. She was pretty, in her early sixties, looked relatively fit, and wore a long white coat—which suggested she was high up in the doctor hierarchy.

Hello, she said. You’re Lori Court, right?

I nodded and forced myself to smile. I glanced at Dr. Hood, and I saw recognition bloom across his face, as a smarmy smile spread over his lips.

Oh, great. He knew my cousin, which almost wasn’t fair—I wasn’t close with Rees. He was my dad’s sister’s kid, and I saw him once or twice a year growing up, but he was a decade older than me, and ever since he became insanely wealthy, he sort of distanced himself from the family.

That’s right, I said.

My name’s Dr. Gina Holt, head of the Surgical Department, please call me Gina, it’s lovely to meet you. We shook hands and she beamed at me. I got a sense of warmth and kindness, which was a nice contrast to Dr. Dickhead over there.

It’s nice to meet you, I said.

She stepped into the office, slipping past me, and stood looking down at Dr. Hood. I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner, Dr. Hood, but there’s been a change of plans with the new residents this year.

Let me guess, I’ve been assigned this lovely young woman. He gestured at me like I was some kind of statue.

I had to bite back an angry retort.

That’s right, Gina said. I know you’ve been the exception for a while now, Piers, but that ends with this round.

He made a frustrated face. If this is about Nil Tippett—

It’s not about any patient, she said, cutting him off, her tone sharp. Something was happening there, but I wasn’t sure exactly what. There was definitely subtext I was missing, and I wondered how much that was going to affect my life.

It didn’t feel great, getting thrown into a situation where I was already feeling self-conscious and out of my depth, but suddenly I realized that it was worse than I could’ve possibly imagined. At least this wasn’t about me—that was a small consolation, but it helped take the edge off the sting.

Then what’s it about, Gina?

It’s about you finally pulling your weight around here. We’re a teaching hospital.

He snorted and shook his head. Pulling my weight. That’s bullshit and you know it. You haven’t given me a resident because you haven’t wanted to pull your best surgeon and prized possession off the market for any amount of time. This little intern’s going to be a distraction, you know that, right?

You will be professional, Gina said through clenched teeth. Have some respect. You were in her shoes once.

He smirked and tilted his head. And you were a great mentor, Dr. Holt.

Monica stepped closer to him. You will take her on. You will teach her what you can. And don’t make me have this conversation with you again. Do you understand?

He spread his hands. I guess there’s nothing I can do about this then.

I guess not. She turned then and looked at me. Sorry you had to see that. Dr. Hood will be a very good teacher once he gets his head out of his ass. She strode past me, out into the hall, and disappeared, leaving me alone with the dickhead once again.

He looked at me and stroked his chin, looking almost thoughtful. So your dad is Rees Court then, right? The rich board guy?

Cousin, I said. He’s my cousin.

Figured. He shook his head. That’s how you ended up with me. But joke’s on him. I’m a shit teacher.

I can see that.

He laughed, but it didn’t remotely happy or amused. Let’s not kid each other, all right? You don’t want me as your attending, and I sure as hell don’t want some inexperienced leech looking over my shoulder while I work. So how about you go request a transfer and we can be done with this game?

I didn’t know what it was about him. Maybe it was the smug look on his face, or maybe it was what Monica had said to me in the hallway: do you have any clue how many people want to work with Piers Hood? I could guess all those people didn’t realize he was a total bastard—but even still, there must’ve been a reason he got away with not having any residents, and if people knew who he was, then he must’ve been very, very good at what he did.

Which meant he had the most to teach me here.

I wanted to be a surgeon, and not just any chop jockey. I wanted to be the best at what I did. I had good hands and I graduated top of my class from a great medical school. Even if I felt nervous and insecure, I knew I had the ability to do good things.

And my cousin had placed me with this jerk for a reason.

I wasn’t backing off. If he was as good as he seemed to think he was, then I wanted to learn everything he could do and more. I wanted to be the best, because that was the only way I could get ahead. Surgery was dominated by men, and I was always working from a position of weakness in the field simply because I was a woman. It pissed me off, and the more I stood there looking at his smug face, the angrier I got.

And honestly, I don’t make great choices when I get mad.

It might as well be a day of bad choices.

No, I said, shaking my head. I don’t think so.

His eyebrows went up. Excuse me?

You’re my attending. I get it, you hate me and aren’t interested in having me around, but I don’t care. Rees put me here, and your boss clearly thinks you have to teach me, so I’m sticking around.

He leaned forward. You realize I’m going to make your life a living hell?

Good. I hope so. And maybe you’ll teach me something while you’re being an asshole.

He glared at me for a few seconds before he laughed again, leaning back, arms over his chest like he didn’t have a care in the world. But I saw the anger behind the false laughter, and I knew he was annoyed—hell, he was as pissed off as I felt.

Here’s your first lesson then: you exist at my pleasure. Do you understand? You want to be my resident? Then you’ll follow my orders without complaint.

Fine, I snapped.

I don’t care if you think my instructions are below you. I don’t care if you think I’m just some cynical douchebag. You’ll listen, you’ll obey, and maybe you’ll make it through this alive. Understood?

Understood, Dr. Hood.

Good. He turned back toward his desk. You can call me Piers. Now get out of my office.

I hesitated. Where should I go?

Home? Somewhere else? I couldn’t care less. Be back here tomorrow morning at five sharp.

I wanted to argue. I was supposed to spend the day with him getting acclimated, but I knew this was the best I’d get. I left, shutting his office door behind me, and stood in the hallway trying not to hyperventilate. I walked away, keeping myself steady, until I finally reached the elevators and collapsed onto a door windowsill overlooking downtown Philadelphia.

I never should’ve done that back there. It was a huge mistake, and I knew he was going to eat me alive. I should back out now, find his boss, Gina, beg her to assign me someone else, anyone else.

But no, damn it, no way. I’m not backing down now. That surly asshole back there thinks he’s god’s gift to the world and he’s too good to reach a resident. I was going to show him that I was more than worth his time.

I was going to show him that I could be better than him.

I pulled myself together, stood up, and stared at my reflection in the window. I could do this. I definitely could do it.

Probably.

I rode the elevator back down and went in search of the other residents, hoping I could tag along with their tour.

2

PIERS

The bar was crowded as I hunched over my drink, wondering what the hell I did to deserve this fate.

Franco smirked at me over his whiskey. I hear you got assigned a resident. How the hell did that happen?

You tell me. I leaned back in the booth and swirled my beer. Franco was an old friend from back in my medical school days, and we didn’t see each other all that often anymore. He worked at another hospital across town. We met up at some rundown shithole spot around the corner from Westview. The floor was sticky, the tables looked like they were made from plywood, and absolutely horrible jazz blared from the speakers, but the drinks were cheap and there weren’t any other doctors around, so it was perfect.

It can’t be that bad. I mean, you got, what, one? I got a whole damn gaggle of them.

You’re used to it.

He barked a laugh. Franco was a big guy, bearish and broad, with hairy arms and fierce dark eyes. I liked him well enough—he was one of the few doctors I could stand. All the rest were pompous bastards.

Sort of like me.

I’m used to it because that’s what working at a fucking teaching hospital entails, man. You’ve been lucky.

Lucky, or very good. I shrugged a little.

That’s right, Mr. Magic Hands.

I grimaced. Don’t bring that up.

All right, fine. I know that’s a sore spot, so I won’t joke. But come on, it’s one resident, and I heard she’s pretty good. Graduated top of her class from Penn.

I glanced down at my drink. As soon as Lori had left my office, I spent all morning Googling her. Franco was right, she was good: smart, well connected, on her way up in the world. She also happened to be very, very attractive. Long, thick dark hair, startlingly green eyes, amber skin, lips that made me want to shake her father’s hand.

But the real reason I accepted the situation was her reaction to me. Most people I’ve met over the years sort of curl up when I’m a little aggressive with them. They don’t want confrontation, and they certainly don’t want it with the up-and-coming young surgeon. Except she didn’t seem to care about that, and was actually pretty pissed off.

I liked that. Showed a little spark.

I still didn’t want anything to do with her, but I knew Gina would be up my ass if I kept fighting it, so fine, all right, I’ll teach the girl.

I won’t make it easy. But I’ll teach her.

Her cousin’s on the board, I said. That’s how she ended up with me.

Lucky her then. Franco raised his glass. "Here’s