Mr. Right Now: Vol. 3: Drinks On Us Tonight

by Bellus, HJ

  Two hours late, and no cell phone. He was fucked. There’s no way any woman would forgive him, and after all his flirty talk he can’t imagine her level of pissed off. Throwing all caution to the wind, he drives to her apartment, remembering the route from the night he drove her home from the hospital.

  Ready for anything that flies toward his head, he knocks on the door, with no answer. Knocking louder, he waits and then tries it one more time. When all hope is lost, he begins to walk down the hallway, defeated and ready to kill his fucking brother. He was scheduling an intervention with the fucker first thing in the morning.

  Halfway down the hall, he hears a door open. Looking back, a sleepy-faced Jax peeks out her door. He turns without thinking, racing to her, and stops in front of her and stares. That fucking black dress does something to him, especially mixed with the drowsy look on her face.

  “Doc.”

  Jax crosses her arms, taking a defensive stance against him.

  “You’re awfully dressed up, Doc.” He hopes his smartass comedy act will help save him.

  “Yeah.” She uncrosses her arms and leans on the doorjamb. “Some assfuck promised me a steak dinner and even sent me this dress, but then I guess he found something or someone else to entertain him.”

  “Sounds like an asshole.”

  “He is. One of the biggest I know.”

  “What if he had a good excuse?”

  “I’d still tell him to kick rocks. No man has ever had me this dressed up. Ever.”

  “Business. Would a business excuse get him out of hot water?”

  “Did it deal with women and the notorious Made To Sin crap?”

  Cole is taken back by the question and tries to recall any information he shared about his life. He’s entertained by her question and sees an opening at the end of the tunnel. He drops to one knee with his palms planted on the doorframe.

  “Doc, I need this. My heart is breaking, and I need some medicine.”

  “Were you just with other women or not?” she counters with one eyebrow raised.

  He rises, plucks a piece of popcorn from between her breasts, and seductively brings it to his lips. “No, Doc, I’ve just been dreaming of this hot little brunette wearing a little black dress while I dealt with a delivery truck.”

  “Yeah.” She nods. “I’d say dessert and no naughty nurse costume.”

  “I’d say the poor man already feels bad enough to take that away.”

  “Shut up, asshole. I already ate.”

  Jax steps back, giving Cole room to enter her apartment, and he seizes the opportunity. Looking around at the bare walls and living space, it’s clear she spends all of her time at the hospital. This fact guts him a little bit more, knowing he stood her up.

  He holds up the empty bag of popcorn. “I know this didn’t fill you up. Consider it the appetizer?”

  “Fine.” He watches as she slips on her red high heels and then winces.

  “Wrong size?”

  “No.” A slight blush dusts over her cheeks.

  “Let me see.” Cole guides her down to the couch and looks at each foot. A small blister covers one of her heels. “Where’s the Band-Aids?”

  “Down the hall, to the left, in the cabinet above the sink.”

  Cole follows her directions, and it’s clear the only decoration she believes in is medical supplies. Her bathroom is stocked with every item needed to heal the most wounded person. He finds the box of Band-Aids labeled ‘blister protection.’ He quickly snags one from the box and returns to Jax, who is picking through her bag of popcorn.

  “Damn, you don’t collect stickers or anything cute. Nope, I pick the girl who collects medical supplies.”

  Jax offers him a shy smile, almost like she’s embarrassed of her stash. Cole finds it cute that she’s actually so passionate about something. In his line of work and social life, he only seems to discover the people passionate about advancing themselves.

  “So what? I like Band-Aids.” Jax shrugs and lifts her foot to him.

  Cole cradles her foot and places the Band-Aid in the correct spot.

  “So what’s the difference between a Band-Aid and a blister one?”

  “Blister ones have an extra layer of padding and a gel cushion center to protect the wound.”

  Cole relaxes back on the floor, delighted in her passion for medical supplies. “And a person who only wears boring yet very comfortable doctor shoes cares about blister bandages, because?

  “They’re cool.” Jax shrugs again.

  “Doc, you could have an army of men bowing at your feet with your sweet yet innocent and intriguing answers.”

  “Shut the fuck up, I like Band-Aids. I collect them.”

  “And then you’d lose those men real quick-like.”

  Cole offers his hand and is pleasantly surprised when Jax takes it with hers.

  “I just wanted steak.”

  “Then Cinderelly, slip on your shoes.”

  Cole can’t quit staring at Jax’s legs on the drive over, and every single time he glances her way, she wants to die. The date she never thought would happen is playing out right in front of her. She fights hard to keep her eyes off him, and it’s not easy when Cole is dressed to the nines.

  The man has always been in gym shorts or jeans, but not tonight. He’s clothed in black dress pants with a swag white button up shirt. He’s left the few top buttons undone, exposing parts of a tattoo across his chest. Jax has always known he’s smothered in ink, but it’s not something she can stop and admire when on shift at the hospital.

  Every time his hand covers the gearshift, kicking the sleek black sports car into a higher gear, she wants to touch him, but finds herself asking another dumbass question. “Who was your favorite Smurf?”

  “Papa,” he answers.

  “Why?”

  She watches Cole’s hand slowly move from the gearshift to grope at his crotch. The action makes her thighs rub together against the navy blue leather interior, and when the feeling is gone she feels stupid. This questioning cycles a couple of times, and Cole finds new naughty ways to respond.

  When he pulls into a parking lot, he covers the top of her thigh and runs his hand up her dress. Jax drowns out her muffled gasp with another question, and as Cole aimlessly searches for a parking spot, his hand wanders a bit further up her dress. It’s not until his fingers begin to fiddle with the hem of her panty line that Jax realizes her hips are pleading, bucking, and encouraging him.

  “We’re here.”

  “Yes, we are,” Jax replies.

  Cole’s hand slips from her leg as he pulls himself from the car. Jax watches in awe as he walks around and opens the door for her. He holds his hand out for her, and once again she places hers in his.

  “Don’t get used to this.”

  “What?” Cole asks.

  “Playing me like the other women you play.”

  The couple begins walking into the restaurant. Jax’s never been to this steakhouse, and inside she is giddy about it. Hell, she hasn’t been to a sit-down restaurant since graduating from medical school.

  “Have you been doing your research, Doc?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Don’t always believe what you read.” Cole holds the door open and allows Jax to step in.

  “Pictures don’t lie, player.”

  Cole squirms in an uncomfortable manner and she wonders if her words are more accurate than she’ll ever know. Cole doesn’t muster up a comeback or even a clever response.

  “It’s okay, player, or lover boy. Wait, I can’t remember which nickname you had.”

  “Stop, Jax, it’s just part of the persona.”

  “It’s okay, I just came for dinner.”

  “So, you don’t care I fuck hundreds of women every night of my life and possibly have love children scattered across the country?”

  “Nope. As long as you don’t fuck with my Band-Aid collection, you’re good.”

  “I’m liking this setup, Doc.”
<
br />   A server dressed in a tux approaches Cole, shaking his hand and greeting him with enthusiasm. It’s obvious he’s been here before, and it’s also extremely clear the server knows Cole has money the way he kisses his ass. While Jax observes the men talking, she admires her own outfit and feels good all dressed up.

  She loops her arm in Cole’s while he continues talking to the server, giving him explicit instructions for the evening. She loses him at ‘balcony’ and ‘best bottle of Pinot Grigio.’ Her eyes go to the swarm of women heading Cole’s way, and when she sees their outfits, she steps in even closer to Cole and clasps her hands together while still looped on his arm.

  Something inside comes to life, and it’s not pretty. It’s an ugly green-eyed monster ready to attack. Her action doesn’t stop the women as they come closer and closer, not caring Cole is deep in conversation and has a woman hanging off of him. Jax knows this should be her flashing sign to cut all ties with him, but then her competitive side comes out to play. Plus, the asshole owes her a steak.

  Cole turns his head and studies her face and then he follows the path of her gaze.

  “Jealous, Doc?”

  Jax looks him straight in the face. “Are they serious? I mean, they’re literally flopping a tit out for you in public.”

  “I think you’re jealous, Doc.” Cole’s hand rests on her cheek as he stares in her eyes.

  “I’m not jealous.” Jax shifts even closer into him. “You owe me, and this is my night. You better tell them to leave.”

  The chatter of the women is clear as they stand only feet away. Cole ignores their comments and brash moves. One brunette is even bold enough to brush his shoulder pretending to pass.

  Jax shoots him a warning glare of now or never. Cole’s lips come crashing down on hers, and she flinches. His hand tightens on her jaw, not allowing her to pull away. His lips stall for a second as he gauges her reaction, and when Jax realizes this and is in love with the taste of his lips, she begins to kiss him back. Cole seems to recognize what she wants and kisses her hard. His tongue sinks deep in her mouth. A little moan escapes Jax as he devours her.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Sterling.”

  Jax totally had a lapse in judgment from the seductive powers of Cole’s lips, and can’t believe she just let the man make her melt in public. When her eyes finally focus, she is relieved to see the crowd of women has disappeared.

  “Right this way, sir.”

  Cole laces his fingers in hers and guides her through the restaurant. Jax is still on fire from the kiss and can’t seem to focus on anything else. She’ll be sure to set some limits once they’re seated. The man leads them out a set of large French doors onto a balcony. One table sits in the middle, decorated in greenery and adorned with clear lights and several candles.

  The scene is straight from the movie screens in the most romantic chick flicks. Cole lets go of her hand and moves to a chair, pulling it out for her.

  “Doc.” He gestures for her to sit.

  On wobbly legs, Jax walks over to him. The spiked heel of one her shoes snags in a crack in the cobblestone and she lurches into Cole.

  She crashes into his chest and feels his arms around her back, resting right above her ass, and all she can concentrate on is the feel of his hand on her bare skin. Damn this open-backed dress. Jax pulls her arms up and begins poking him in the chest.

  “Cole, that can’t happen again.”

  “What?” He tilts his head.

  “You know what.”

  He dips his head before she has a chance to protest, and she finds his lips on hers again, but this time she doesn’t freeze or stall. It’s as if her lips have been trained and she begins kissing him back. This time it’s her tongue exploring his mouth and drinking him in. Jax fists his collar and tugs him deeper into the kiss.

  A loud clanking sound pulls them from their passionate kiss. They look up to see a new waiter setting a bottle of wine on the table. Jax blushes and hides her face in the crook of Cole’s neck. He keeps her tucked in his arms until the waiter leaves.

  “Have a seat, or we can keep practicing what we’re not supposed to do.” Cole gestures with one arm to the chair.

  Jax’s heart sinks a bit with the feeling of his skin leaving hers, and she immediately berates herself for getting caught in the man’s emotional trap.

  “Never again.” She points at his chest as she sits down in the chair.

  She studies Cole as he makes his way to his chair. Everything about tonight is fucking hot, and Jax finds herself squirming in her seat and watching him.

  The waiter appears from the shadows. “Are you ready to order?”

  Cole sits and unfastens another button on his shirt. “Do you mind if I order for you?”

  “Go ahead.” Jax smiles at him while fingering the white linen on the table. She starts to remind him she wants a steak, but he’s speaking before she has the chance.

  “We’ll take two filet mignons, cooked medium rare, with fresh garden salads.”

  He continues to rattle off their order, and she’s amazed to find he nails every detail, down to the raspberry balsamic vinaigrette on her salad.

  “Been doing your research?” Jax asks when the waiter leaves.

  “Doc, you’re an open book.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Yeah, and I’m finding you my favorite read right now.”

  Cole plucks the bottle of wine from the bucket and pours each of them a glass. Jax is quick to snag the glass and drink it down. She immediately feels the side effects of the wine, since she’s not a drinker. The tart, dry taste the golden liquid leaves in her mouth doesn’t faze her, as she’s trying to numb whatever she’s feeling right now.

  Cole waves the bottle in front of her, silently asking if she would like another glass.

  “Yes, please.”

  He fills her glass and she takes a drink.

  “Easy, Doc, there’s a lot of night left.”

  “Did you go to a finishing school tailor-made to seduce women? It’s like you and all your brothers were sent off to one.”

  Cole’s deep laughter makes her tummy swirl, as her head swims in thoughts of him naked and on top of her. It’s as if the wine is having the opposite effect of what she intended.

  “No, Doc, it’s all charm.”

  “Sucks it all landed on one man.” Her gaze darts down to the crimson cloth napkin in her lap.

  “You’re a good kisser, an excellent surgeon, and beyond fucking hot. Oh, yeah, and you even make jokes. You’re pretty charming yourself, Jax.”

  She raises her eyes to him when he calls her by her actual name. “No more kissing.”

  “Why? We’re pretty good at it.”

  “That’s what scares me, Cole Sterling.”

  Cole reaches over and covers Jax’s trembling hands. It’s clear he’s had an effect on her. If only she knew the storm of emotions brewing in him, but Cole’s had years of masking his feelings. He knows he needs to change the subject before he fucking tears that black dress from her body and finishes tasting every single inch of her.

  “Tell me about your finishing school of hotness and smarts?”

  His question gets a weak smirk from her.

  “Well, where I grew up there were no finishing schools, just exponentially large expectations.”

  “I have nothing but time.” Cole peers down at his wristwatch.

  “Ironic, being that you were hours late.”

  “Don’t be sassy or I’ll use these lips on you.” Cole runs his tongue over his lips, leaving behind a trail of wetness.

  “Fine. I grew up with a perfect older sister and was raised in a lonely mansion by two parents who were too busy with their own lives to know they had a child. I was raised by a nanny and forced to join every extracurricular activity possible and had to be the best at it.” Jax pauses to catch her breath and continues. “My mom is a cold-hearted bitch, and my father is a pompous asshole. They had my whole life arranged, down to who I would marry and how
many children we’d have. So, you can imagine their faces when I flipped them the bird the day I graduated and left for college. They disowned me when I entered med school. I’m pretty sure they thought they’d persuade me to come home my first couple years of college by threatening to pull all my money.”

  “Wait.” Cole interrupts her and squeezes her hand a bit harder. “They disowned their own daughter for wanting to become a surgeon?”

  “Yes, they did. Bill and Lauren are evil people and haven’t contacted me for years.”

  “Where do they live?”

  “Right here in L.A.”

  “What the fuck?”

  Jax simply shrugs and takes another sip from her wine.

  “Do you have any contact with anyone from your childhood?”

  “Well, I had several nannies growing up. Lauren would always fire one if I failed at something, blaming them and not their average child. I guess it was easier that way. It wasn’t until I was ten that Mimi came into my life.”

  “Mimi?”

  “Her name was Michelle, but she insisted I called her Mimi when no one was around. She was my everything, and I lost her to cancer a year ago next month. So you can see why I collect Band-Aids and immerse myself in work.”

  “You said you have a sister.”

  Jax rolls her eyes and takes another drink. “She’s a real piece of work. She’s lived up to every single one our parents’ expectations and has the mansion, cars, and trophy husband to show for it. “

  “Do you talk much with her?”

  “About once a month. We were really close growing up, but when she hit high school it’s like she morphed into a new person. In fact, I have my bi-yearly dinner with her and her husband coming up.”

  “Bi-yearly dinner?”

  “Yeah, if I don’t throw her a bone every once in a while she snoops around in my life more than I’m comfortable with.”

  “Man, I thought the Sterlings were fucked up.”

  “Well, player, you met your match.”

  Cole cringes every time she calls him that name. Yes, he’s lived up to the title and it’s the persona he’s built, but he doesn’t care for it when she says it.

  “Oh. You know Dr. Fuckface who you stood up to for me?”