by Kaylee Ryan
“It’s been crazy today. Then when Martin called and said he was going to be late, I had to miss dinner.”
“Well, now you can refuel.”
“Thank you, Collins, really. This was sweet of you.” He digs in, taking a huge bite. “This is delicious.”
“You act like you’ve never had your mom’s cooking before,” Sasha smarts off. She’s miffed she’s not getting his attention I’m sure.
“I haven’t eaten all day,” he tells her before turning to look at me. “Thank you.” His voice is softer. “You didn’t have to bring this.”
“I wanted to,” I tell him honestly.
Someone I’ve never met before pops their head in the room. “Sasha, we need you. Wasn’t your break over like ten minutes ago?” she asks.
“Yeah, I-uh sorry. Lost track of time.” Grady keeps on shoveling in food, which makes me glad I decided to come. Sasha gathers her things and slips out of the room, embarrassed I’m sure.
“She wants you,” I tell him.
He nods. “I know, but she’s not getting me.”
I’m shocked by his answer. “You know?”
“Yeah, she’s hit on me a few times, asked me to lunch, but I always turn her down.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Nothing to tell, Collins. She’s nothing to me, and never will be.” Reaching over, he runs his finger along my jaw. “You’re all I see.”
“Eat your dinner,” I say, pulling back.
“Are you mad?” He stares at me with his mouth hanging open.
“No, but it pisses me off.”
“Well, there’s nothing I can do about that. You insisted we keep us a secret. I can tell her I have a girlfriend all day long, but girls like her, they don’t care. They see that I’m a doctor and want to latch on. Think it will be an easy ride through life.”
“You still getting off around eight?”
“If Martin shows up. Thank you for this, really.” He places the lid back on the container and tears into the pie. “I need to get back to work. It’s been nonstop all day.”
“I don’t want to keep you. I just wanted you to eat.”
“Thank you, baby.” He leans in and presses his lips to mine. “Will you be there when I get home?”
“Yes.” There really is no other place I’d rather be. We work together to pack up the empty dish, and with one more quick kiss, I’m following him out of the break room. When I pass the nurses’ station, Sasha is there and glares at me. I smile widely, wave, and keep on walking. I want to scream and yell that he’s mine, but I trust him, so there’s no need. He’s been all in since the day he got back to town. This time, things are different. I can feel it.
Eight o’clock turned into ten, and by the time I had finished charting and passed on my patients, it was almost eleven thirty. That’s why I’m just now walking through the door a few minutes before midnight. I’d texted Collins and kept her updated. She said she was going home, but I begged her to stay. Nothing is better than coming home to her. She didn’t commit either way, just told me to be safe. I don’t bother with the lights until I reach the bathroom. I turn that light on and start the shower, then walk back out of the room and to my bedroom door. Peering inside, I see her curled up sleeping peacefully. My shoulders relax and the tension from the day rolls away.
Just because she’s here.
Making my way back to the bathroom, I strip down and step under the hot spray. In medical school, they tell you stories about residency. Long hours, asshole attendings, and when your peers don’t pull their weight that leaves you to do it all on your own. It’s not that I didn’t believe the stories, I did. It’s altogether different when you experience it firsthand. I’ve been lucky in my short stint so far. The attendings have been nice, and the staff as well. There are a few nurses who keep hitting on me, some more obvious than others. I don’t give them any hope. I tell them I’m taken. They don’t even pique my interest, not when I know I get to come home to her.
Collins.
I still can’t believe she’s let me back into her life after walking away like I did. I knew she was different. I’ll never take her for granted. That’s why when Sasha hit on me again tonight, I took it to my attending. Luckily, that happened to be Laura Smithfield. When I told her that Sasha was coming on too strong, touches here and there, badgering me about getting a drink, she didn’t once question me. I made sure to tell her that I was in a committed relationship, one that if I had anything to do with it would go the distance. She assured me she would handle it. I didn’t see Sasha again. My guess is her shift ended, but I hope she backs off. I could tell that she made Collins uncomfortable, and since they both work there, and in just a few short weeks everyone will know she’s mine, this needs to be handled.
Toweling off, I hit the light and head across the hall to my room. Quietly, not wanting to wake her, I slide into bed. Instantly, she snuggles up next to me. “Missed you,” she mumbles.
I hug her tightly to my chest and kiss the top of her head. That’s the last thing I remember before exhaustion takes over and I drift off to sleep.
I’m jolted awake when I feel her pull away from me. I tighten my hold and bury my face in her neck. “Where are you going?” I mumble.
“I have to pee,” she replies with soft laughter.
“Come right back.” I kiss her neck and reluctantly release her. She climbs out of bed and scurries across the hall to the bathroom.
The bed feels cold without her. Hell, I’m cold without her snuggled up against me. When she comes back into the room, I hold the covers up for her, and she dives under them, taking her spot, resting her head against my chest.
“It’s cold in here.”
“I have the air set pretty low. It’s hot as hell outside.”
“It’s like an ice box.”
“I bet I can warm you up,” I tell her.
“Hmmm, you think so?” She places a tender kiss to my chest.
“I know so.”
“Maybe once you’ve gotten some more sleep.”
“Sleep? Who needs sleep when I have you in my arms?”
“You have to go to work in a couple of hours.”
“Nope. I’m off today.”
“I thought you had to work.”
“Me, too, but Sally needed to switch, so I’m off until Sunday.”
“Really? I get you for two days in a row? Whatever will we do?”
“We,” I say, kissing her temple, “are not leaving this bed for forty-eight hours.”
“I’m thinking that’s unrealistic. A girl’s gotta eat,” she teases.
“Fine,” I sigh as if giving into her is killing me. “I amend my statement. We’re not leaving this apartment. We’ll just order takeout.”
“We can cook,” she counters.
“If we cook, we have to go to the store.”
“I went yesterday. I went for Tabby and me, and picked up some things for you, too.”
Just when I think she can’t be anymore amazing. “What else did you do while I was slaving away at the hospital?”
“Well, I cleaned this place, did your laundry, just stuff that needed done.”
“Baby, while I appreciate all of that, more than you know, you’re my girlfriend, not my maid.”
“I know, but I was here and had all of my stuff caught up. I wanted to do something nice for you.”
“I thought the sheets smelled good last night. I just assumed it was you.”
“Wait.” She raises her head to look at me. “What did you switch her?”
“What?”
“Sally, you said she needed to switch. What did you switch her?”
“Oh, I was off next Wednesday, and it’s her son’s birthday. I’m working Wednesday, and she’s working for me today.”
“They just let you do that? Switch when you want?”
“Well, we have to get the chief resident’s approval, but yeah. We can do that.”
“Good to know.”
<
br /> “Now, you go back to sleep while I make us some breakfast.”
“I was thinking I would have you for breakfast,” I say, flipping her over and settling my thighs between hers.
“As great as that sounds, we need real food.”
“Okay,” I relent. “We can have it your way after I have it mine.” I move to the bottom of the bed, gently gripping her ankles, and pull her to the edge. My hands run up her legs. “These have gotta go,” I tell her once I reach her booty shorts she loves to sleep in.
“You think you can help me, Doctor?” Her voice is breathy, and I love knowing that she’s already turned on. That she wants this as much as I do.
“Why Nurse Ward, I’d be happy to.” Sliding my fingers under the waistband of her tight-as-hell shorts, which really look like underwear with more fabric, I slide them and her thong down her legs. I toss them over my shoulder.
“Hey, I just cleaned,” she scolds.
My reply is to kiss her just above her pussy, where I know she really wants me. Lifting my head, I find her leaning on her elbows watching me. My dick pulses. “I’ll make it up to you,” I tell her before running my tongue up her slit.
“Oh,” she moans and falls back to the bed.
I don’t stop. I feast on her, just like I told her I would. When she squirms, I add the pulse of my fingers inside of her. In and out, slow and steady. My tongue traces every inch of her, tasting, licking, nipping at her pussy like it’s my last meal.
“Grady,” she moans.
I pull back and lick my lips. “What do you need, baby?”
“You, I need you inside of me.”
“I’m inside of you.” I push in two fingers to prove my point.
She half laughs, half moans. “That’s not exactly what I meant,” she pants.
“Tell me what you meant, Collins.” I graze her clit with my thumb. “You want me to stop?” I stop all movement, and she groans.
“Y-you know that’s not what I want,” she says; her voice is scolding.
“Tell me, baby. What do you want?”
“I want you to fuck me,” she says, her voice rising.
My hand once again begins to move inside of her, faster than before. “Like this?”
“No. Damnit, Grady.” Her body jolts when I press my thumb against her clit and begin to rub in small circles.
Pushing herself back up on her elbows, she peers down at me. Her eyes are hooded with desire. “I want you to remove your fingers and replace them with your cock.”
“Why didn’t you just say so?” I smile cheekily. Bending, I swipe my tongue over her clit one more time before removing my mouth and my fingers and standing. She wastes no time wrapping her legs around my waist and pulling me into her.
“Finally,” she says, exasperated, causing me to chuckle.
“Baby, if you wanted my cock, all you had to do was tell me.” I align myself at her entrance. “You ready?” Her reply is to squeeze her legs, instigating me to move forward and my cock to slide inside of her.
“Finally,” she breathes.
Leaning in close, I take her lips with mine. She opens for me, her tongue ready for the battle with my own as she kisses me back. When we come up for air, her eyes are blue flames staring at me.
“I don’t want you to be soft and slow, Grady. I want you to take me. I want to feel you everywhere.”
My cock pulses inside of her. Hands on her thighs, I push for her to let me free and slide out of her warmth. “Turn over, on your knees,” I say, my voice gruff with desire. She doesn’t even hesitate as she turns over, settles on her knees with her ass in the air. “Spread your legs.” She does as I ask. I grip the globes of her ass and pull and step in a little closer. Without warning, I grip my cock and slide back into her. I resume my grip on her and begin to thrust, short fast thrusts as her pussy clamps down on me. She’s so fucking tight and wet, and I can’t seem to stop myself as my thrusts grow faster. Harder.
“T-that. Don’t s-stop.” Her plea urges me on even more.
“Fuck, Collins,” I pant, never stopping my stride. Thrust after thrust, I pound into her. My balls tighten and tingles race up my spine. “I need you there.”
“I—Oh, fuck!” she shouts, and the way her pussy is squeezing me, the way her legs quiver, I know she’s found her oasis.
One more thrust, my grip tightens as I explode inside of her. Pulse after pulse, I spill over. She collapses on the bed, her head to the side and a content smile on her face. Carefully, I pull out of her and lie next to her on the bed. She wastes no time, curling up against my chest.
“So, an entire forty-eight hours of that?”
“Anything you want,” I say, not just because she just made me come harder than I have in my entire life, but because it’s her. Collins. I can never say no to her.
“I want. But some recovery time would be nice.”
“Yeah.” I chuckle, kissing the top of her head.
“You go back to sleep. I’m going to clean up and make us some breakfast.”
“I’m good. Let’s take a shower, and we can cook together. I’ll sleep when you do.”
“Deal.” Slowly, we climb out of bed and head for the shower.
Two hours later, we’re snuggled up on the couch. I’m in a pair of basketball shorts, and she’s in one of my T-shirts and those boy shorts she loves, sans bra, per Dr. Carmichael’s request of course. Those tiny little shorts are sexy as fuck.
We’re watching the Lifetime network, and I can’t keep from spouting off about how the doctor did it. You know, being one yourself gives you the insight into these things. We’re in the final ten minutes about to reveal the killer when there’s a knock at the door.
“You expecting someone?” Collins whispers, not wanting whoever it is to hear her.
“No. Just you.”
“Grady, come on, man. We saw your 4Runner outside. We know you’re home. Open up,” her brother’s voice booms.
“Shit!” she hisses and jumps off the couch.
“Hey, calm down.” I pull her close and hold her to my chest. “Let’s just tell him, Collins.”
“No, we have two weeks until the wedding, Grady. Two weeks,” she repeats, keeping her voice low.
“Fine. Go hide in the bedroom. I’ll see what he wants.”
“Grady!” Another knock. This time, another male voice.
“Fuck, that sounds like Alec.”
Scanning the living room, she gathers her shoes, and keys, and phone. I watch as she makes sure her phone is set to silent. “You see anything else that’s mine?” she asks.
“I do.” I nod.
She looks around the room again, scanning for what it might be. “What? I don’t see anything,” she says, turning her gaze back to mine.
“Me.” I grin. “Just relax, baby. I’ll get rid of them.”
“Hold on!” I yell out when there’s another knock.
She accepts the kiss I give her and scurries away to my room. I listen as she shuts the door quietly. I’m sure her ear is glued to the door trying to listen to what’s going on. Taking another look at the place, making sure nothing that can directly identify her is lying around, I open the door.
“What the fuck took so long?” Caleb grumbles.
“I was watching a movie, and it was just getting to the good part.”
“Ass.” Alec laughs, followed by Bryce as the three of them make themselves at home in my apartment.
“Let’s go shoot some hoops. Grab a drink after,” Caleb says.
“Nope.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because I worked over sixteen hours yesterday. I’m fucking beat, and I just want to chill.” I want to add here in my apartment with my girlfriend.
“When do you work again?”
“Not until Sunday, and tomorrow I plan to be holed up with my girlfriend all day before you get any ideas in your head.”
“When do we get to meet this girl? I mean, as soon as she meets me, she’s going to
throw your ass to the curb,” Bryce jokes.
“Keep dreaming, smartass. Not for a while. It’s new, and we’re seeing where things go.”
“You said you loved her,” Caleb reminds me.
I look him straight in the eye. I want him to know that I mean what I say. “I do love her. If I had my way, she’d be living here with me.”
“Why isn’t she?” Alec asks.
“It’s complicated. Look, guys, just leave it be. I promise you that as soon as she’s ready for me to tell you, we will.”
“So, it’s her. She’s embarrassed by you?” Bryce asks.
“Fuck you,” I fire back. “She’s not embarrassed. It’s new. We don’t need you fuckers or anyone else sticking their nose in our business. She wants to be sure.”
“Wants to be sure of what? That she wants to be with you? I’m sorry, man, but this sounds off to me,” Caleb says.
“I hurt her, okay. It was a few years ago, and she’s worried that I’m not here, that I’m not in this for the long haul.”
“Are you?”
I can tell by the tone of his voice that he’s serious. He’s not just fucking off. If I didn’t know any better, I would think he knows it’s Collins that I’m talking about. “Yes. I regretted it as soon as it happened. I needed to go, and she needed to stay, but not once in the time I was away from her did I not think about her.”
“That’s why you left?” he says, as if it’s all finally making sense to him.
“Yeah, that’s why I left. I fucked up, man. I’m just trying to make it right. To show her that she’s it for me.”
“It for you? Like marriage and shit?” Bryce asks.
“Yeah, like marriage and shit. I’ve loved her from afar for years, and now that I’m back, I’m fighting to prove it to her.”
“That’s some heavy shit,” Alec says.
I nod. “Yeah, so lay off a little, will ya? When she’s ready, I’ll tell you. Trust me, I want to shout it from the fucking rooftops.”
“Pussy.” Bryce grins.
“If loving her makes me a pussy, it’s a badge I’ll gladly wear.”
“Damn.” Alec turns to look at Bryce. “We’re the last two holdouts.”
