Chapter Sixty-five Estera Roberts’ POV (Present Time)

I tapped gently on Cole's office door and walked in. His head was bent over some papers and he had his glasses on.
"Well?" he said without looking up.
"After the dinner party organized to celebrate the end of our internship, I intend to transfer—" I said, wriggling my hands. He dropped the pen in his hand and raised his eyes to hold mine as he took off his glasses. I swallowed softly.
"So, it is positive," he said and I swore his broad shoulder seemed to droop and an intense emotion clouded his beautiful eyes. My heart clenched. He let out a soft sigh and added, “Are you going to let him know?”
“No… yes… I… I haven’t decided yet—”
“You should, no matter what must have happened between the two of you, no man deserves to be kept away from his child—”
“It’s complicated, Cole—” I replied. He sighed.
"In regards to you transferring to another hospital, I can’t imagine why, Roberts. You love working here. The team will need you… your friends will miss you."
"Cole--"
"If you want to do that because of me, then you shouldn't bother. No one is worth you jeopardizing your career and peace of mind for. Besides, I would not be here anyway--"
"What do you mean?" I asked suddenly apprehensive.
He sat back, stood up and slipped his hands into the pockets of his trousers. I could see his biceps muscle bulging under his shirt.
"Dr. Madison asked if I would be interested in a volunteer work program in Columbia, and I said yes. It is an all-expenses paid gig and I was going to ask if you would not mind getting away from here for a couple of months. There’s going to be a lot of work in the surgical field — complicated cases that I know you would excel in. A program like this would be an opportunity for you to gain more on-field experience, boost your resume, and get your name out there; in the general medical news, media and whatnot, but as it is now. I think it's best I—-"
"How long is the program?"
"Sixteen months—"
"What?! You were going to be gone for sixteen months?" I asked and he arched an eyebrow at me, leaving the back of his desk, he walked to stand a few feet from me.
"Do you know how you sound to me right now? You sound like the thought of me being away that long scares you, Dr. Roberts." He moved closer to me, leaning in so our faces were just about an inch away, he open his mouth to say more but I beat him to it.
"Take me with you as intended," I urged.
"Roberts, you are pregnant, and the work is not going to be child’s play—"
"But you will be there with me, right? As you said, it is a great opportunity for me. And I know you, you don’t just plan this kind of thing without careful thought. If you thought it would help my career then take me with you, Cole."
"Dr. Roberts, If you go with me to Columbia we are going to be sharing a house with one other doctor. I had thought aside from the benefit of the program, the two of us would have a chance to be alone and get to know each other more -– intimately. So I must warn you, even though you are carrying another man’s child, it would not change the fact that I want you and if at any point you give me the green light, I will have you, Roberts," he said, framing my face, his eyes darted in their socket as he peered into my eyes. The turmoil of emotions in them made me raise a hand to cup his jaw. He was such a passionate man and he spoke about pursuing me with such intensity that got me wanting him to.
"Remember that day in my room … I didn’t want you to stop, you did."
"Roberts…" he groaned, lowering his head to draw my lower lips into his mouth. And I kissed him back. He backed me up against a wall running his fingers through my hair, his labored breathing mixed with mine and I felt his hand pull out my blouse from the band of my trousers. He dipped his hand inside my blouse and cupped my full breast. He moaned into my mouth, pulling the bra cup down to stroke his thumb over my sensitive nipple. I jerked and groaned. He twirled his tongue with mine. Pressing me hard against the wall he reached for one of my legs to raise it to rest over his and he pressed his obvious erection against me, making me feel how aroused he was.
"Cole … Take me with you … " I whispered against his chest.
"No," he rasped firmly.
"If I volunteer, you can't stop me."
"You have a child coming. You need to stay here. I am still your boss and you need my signature—"
"I'm going, Cole," I replied.
"You know very well what's going to happen if we are living under the same roof, Roberts, I already said no," he said, drew back from me, cupped my chin and kissed me hard. I clung to him, feeling breathless.
Dr. Cole Foster was stubborn and when he made up his mind about something even the hospital director can not change his mind, but I have one advantage — Dr. Cole Foster cared a great deal about me. And he would assist in any way he can to ensure I keep going up in the medical field.