Aria's Alpha

3. Aria

I glanced in the mirror one last time before I left my hotel room for the interview. I looked sharp. Wearing my favorite plum colored dress, with a simple gold necklace, and nude pumps, I put on my gray blazer and headed to the hospital. I wore my blonde hair in gentle waves down the middle of my back, and the plum dress made my hazel eyes sparkle. I was a bit nervous and had this building sense of anticipation since yesterday that I still couldn't describe.

I walked in the main entrance of the hospital and was met by the hospital administrator. She was a lovely older woman--mid-50's I guessed, with a pleasant expression.

"Dr. Brown? I'm Susan Davies, the hospital administrator. We're delighted to meet you and glad you've come."

She handed me a copy of the itinerary that had been emailed previously. "I'd like to start with a tour of the facility, lunch, and the formal interview at the end of the day. I have to say we were quite impressed with your credentials and I'm excited to show you our little hospital."

"Thank you," I replied, "I'm looking forward to it."

The morning passed quickly. I was thoroughly impressed with the hospital and outpatient clinic facilities. The hospital was recently renovated and updated. The updates showed some significant foresight and planning especially in regards to the available technology and the potential for more. A challenge for rural maternal healthcare was accessibility, and the hospital worked hard to develop a solid telemedicine infrastructure to go along with an outreach program to the surrounding smaller communities.

I met the other three doctors I would potentially be working with over lunch. We developed an easy rapport. They had all been at the hospital and in the community for ten plus years. While male, I was impressed with their progressive ideas towards women in medicine, their insight into maternal rural healthcare challenges and their overall approach towards practice.

Currently, I was in a tastefully decorated conference room reviewing some of the information they had given me over the morning as I toured. The formal interview with Susan, and a few of the hospital trustees was next. The door opened and several people entered including Ms. Davies. I looked up as the last man entered and my heart skipped. The most handsome man I had ever seen was standing directly in front of me. Built like an Adonis, he had short, wavy black hair, a strong jaw line, and perfect pink, soft lips, that I would now be fantasizing about kissing. I looked directly into his eyes, and I think the world might have stopped spinning for a minute. His eyes were the most perfect azure blue and I could swim in their depths. Without saying a word, his persona commanded respect and he was dripping with s*x appeal. Or maybe it was just me that was suddenly dripping. I had never been so physically affected by a man before and I was transfixed. Who was this person in front of me?

Susan started introducing the various people in the room, and I pulled my attention away from this man who was having such an overwhelming effect on me. Finally, she gestured to him, "this is Xavier Stone, one of the trustees for the hospital. Xavier, this is Dr. Brown."

I extended my hand to shake his, "Ariande," I said. As he grasped my hand, I inhaled sharply. A shocking, but wonderful warm and tingling sensation traveled up my arm and shot straight to my core with our contact. Our handshake lingered and I swear I saw his eyes darken to a perfect deep blue as he inhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring. I didn't want to let go. The feeling was delicious and I wanted more. What was happening to me?!

And then I think I heard the word "mate" muttered under his breath. He cleared his throat, "Dr. Brown, it's a pleasure to meet you, finally."

I closed my eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and removed my hand breaking our spell. I had to focus. I wanted this job and this perfect man in front of me would not be a distraction. At least not too much.

The rest of the interview was a blur, but I felt Xavier's intense gaze on me the whole time. It didn't make me nervous, in fact, I liked it. It's like my subconscious was rising to meet his unspoken challenge. Sure, he could have a ridiculous effect on me and my now raging libido, but I was a professional who had spent years training, I could handle this.

As the interview wrapped up, Susan asked if anyone had any other questions. "Dr. Brown, I believe I speak for the group when I say we're very impressed with everything we've heard from you today, and we will be in touch within the next few days. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions," she commented.

We all stood up to leave the room. Xavier was sort of hanging back as Susan and I continued chatting. "I was actually wondering if you could recommend a good real estate agent. I would like to get a bit more familiar with the town before I go," I directed my question to Susan.

Before Susan could answer, Xavier jumped in "I would be happy to show you around. I'm quite familiar with the real estate market in this town. Plus, I won't pressure you into a sale," he said with a smile.

Mercy, his voice was like velvet. Deep and a little husky, I was never going to get tired of listening to him. I clenched my thighs together as I looked up at him. "Mr. Stone, right? That sounds great. Are you available tomorrow? I'm planning to stay another few days to explore."

"Call me Xavier, please. And, yes. I'm available. How about I pick you up at 9 tomorrow morning and give you a tour?"

"Xavier, that sounds perfect." He held the door for me and I walked out of the conference room. As I passed him, I think he sniffed my hair, but it was so quick, I couldn't be sure. He ended up walking me to my car but didn't say anything as we walked and I was too preoccupied by the feelings coursing through me to think of any small talk.

"Could I get your number in case anything comes up?" he asked.

"Umm. Sure." He handed me his phone and I typed in my number.

"Thanks, Dr. Brown."

"Please, call me Aria. No need to be so formal."

He grinned at that as he opened my car door. "See you tomorrow, Aria." He winked at me and waved as I drove away.