by K. S. Smith
The first police officer to speak directed his question at the frat brothers, he was talking loudly enough for everyone to hear, but the pounding in my head drowned out his voice. My legs began to shake beneath me and I saw white specks flashing in my eyes right before my body went sailing to the ground for the second time that night. A set of thick masculine arms catching me just before I face planted on to the concrete.
The crowd rushed to me and I heard his deep voice speaking to the paramedic, “She’s bleeding, she must have hit her head when that motherfucker slammed her into the bar.”
I could feel the heat radiating off of this stranger's body as he held me snugly in his arms while the paramedic began to check me over, “We need to get you to the hospital, do you think you can walk to the ambulance?” he asked loudly like I was hearing impaired.
I nodded my head and tried to stand, but the lights were so bright, flashing in my eyes. Before I knew it the strong arms hoisted me up -his masculine scent filling my nose- and carried me to the ambulance, climbing in and sitting down with me on his lap.
My eyes frantically searched for my best friend, “Meg...Megan, where are you?”
I finally heard her voice as she quickly jumped into the ambulance with me, looking up at the stranger and then back down at me, “I’m right here, apparently we’re going to the hospital, do you want me to call your parents?” Her face looked concerned.
I swiftly shook my head no before reaching up to the hairline of my temple to see if I was really bleeding. I felt hot liquid on my skin and when I examined my fingertips the sight of dark red blood caused me to pass out in the arms of the giant stranger.
When I finally woke up I looked around the white sterile hospital room. Where am I? I thought to myself before I spoke, semi panicked, “Megan?” My eyes darted around the room, but it was empty. I called for my best friend again, this time louder, “Megan!”
The door swung open and standing there was the beautiful stranger I remembered from the club. I stared at him, finally able to see him for the first time and wondered who is this man?
His body was tall and muscular, you could tell even through his clothing he was cut in all the right places. He reminded me of someone in the military, his dark brown hair was incredibly short and the only hair on his face was obviously what had grown back since he’d shaved last, which was probably first thing this morning.
I noticed he’d lost his blue button up shirt and was left wearing a white undershirt that clung to his chiseled upper body, dressy blue jeans hanging perfectly on the V of his hip bones and a detailed tattoo that ended just above his right elbow.
I couldn’t help but stare at him, unable to speak and also hoping he’d tell me where I was, “Megan had to run, apparently your other girlfriends didn’t have a ride home and none of them had cash for a cab. She promised she would hurry. I offered to have some of my buddies pick up your other friends, but they weren’t too keen on that idea, being that we’re total strangers and all.”
A smiled tugged at the corner of my mouth and a whisper rolled off of my lips, “Good, they know better than to get into a car with strangers, unlike myself obviously.”
He laughed and the sound sent a bolt straight down my spine, “Actually, you got into an ambulance with me, Megan and the paramedic, so I’d say you were pretty safe.”
I did my best to jog my memory as I replayed the earlier events of the evening, “What happened to that frat bastard?” I asked curiously.
His eyes filled with anger and fists clenched at his sides, veins bulging from his arms, “The cops took him to jail, but I’m sure daddy will have him bailed out in no time, which is fine with me, it’ll give me a better chance of killing that prick.”
Confused my eyes darted to his, “Kill him, isn’t that a little much? He must have really roughed up your girlfriend or something before he ran into me.”
I watched on as his giant body paced in front of the hospital bed as he ran a hand through his too short hair, “Girlfriend? No, kill him for hurting you. I’d been sitting at the bar with my buddies the first couple times he ran into you, you were handling him pretty well on your own, but when he knocked you down that was it. My only reaction was to beat the fuck out of him.”
I giggled softly and he looked over at me, his eyes angrier. “What’s so funny?” He snapped, apparently ticked off by my laughter.
“I’m sorry; I don’t even know you. Why in the world would you want to kill someone on my behalf? I can’t imagine jail time over a perfect stranger is high up on anyone’s to-do list.”
His eyes narrowed in on me while he walked over to the side of my bed, crossing those huge arms over his chest, “Sorry, I should have introduced myself. I’m Duke Thrasher, and I don’t take lightly to a man who knocks women around. That fucker is just lucky my buddies got a hold of me before I killed him.”
I couldn’t help but laugh again as I pushed up on my arms adjusting myself so I was sitting up in bed, “I highly doubt he’s a wife beater, he was just drunk, granted, I didn’t appreciate him knocking me down, I really don’t think that warrants you killing him. Besides, I can take care of myself, but I appreciate the chivalry.”
I could tell he was looking for the right words to retort back when Megan burst through the door, “Is she awake?”
I smiled and waved to her. I could tell she was worried, it was written all over her face.
“Is there a reason we are still here?” I asked sliding my legs off of the bed and looking for my clothes.
Megan grabbed my legs and plopped them back onto the bed, “Yes, you hit your head pretty hard. They had to give you twelve stitches and think you may have a mild concussion. Now lay down, you aren’t going anywhere until the Doctor gives you the okay.”
I glared at her before crisscrossing my legs and folding my arms over my chest, “I need a mirror.” I pouted hoping the stitches weren't too bad.
Megan shuffled through the drawers in the room, but came up empty handed, “I’ll go see if they have one at the nurses’ station.” She hurried out of the room and Duke stepped back up to my bedside handing me his iPhone.
I pushed his hand out of my face, “Thanks, but I don’t need to call anyone, I need to see how bad these stitches are.” He took in a heavy breath and held the phone closer to my face, making sure I was fully aware that he’d turned his camera on so I could look at myself through his iPhone.
“Oh,” I flushed, “sorry, I didn’t even think about that.” Reaching for his phone I smiled up at him, noticing his blazing green eyes. Quickly averting my stare I lifted the phone and studied the stitches that were sewn into my hairline, right above my temple. Thank goodness these won’t be noticeable once I’m fully healed, I thought to myself.
Megan was back in the room quickly with a pocket sized mirror, “Here, I found one.”
Duke tucked himself back into the corner, which I realized he’d done earlier, the first time Megan came into the room.
“Thanks.” I took the mirror and set it down in my lap, continuing to look at myself through the iPhone camera instead. I studied myself for at least ten minutes when the phone began ringing in my hand, the noise startling me.
Duke stepped back up to my bed swiping the phone from my hand and walked out into the hallway.
Megan plopped down on the edge of the bed, “What is it with this guy? He won’t leave your side, do you know him? I swear, if you do I’m kicking your ass for not bringing him around more often, because he is hot as sin and so are his friends.”
I laughed at her comment, then thought about her question. A strange look taking over my face, “I have no idea who in the hell he is, I’ve never met him before, at least I don’t think I have.”
His voice echoed from the hallway and we both went silent, trying to eavesdrop on his conversation. He must have been on to us, because our silence was followed by his and a few seconds later he reappeared in the room, backing himself straight into the corner.
I glanced at Megan giving her that best friend stare and she just grinned all the while shrugging her shoulders. He was hot, so she wasn’t going to get rid of him.
“So, Duke, thanks for sticking around, but I’m fine. Megan isn’t going to leave my side; I think we should be able to handle it from here. You can go on home, or back to your buddies, or wherever it is you came from.”
I stared at him as he leaned his head back against the wall, his eyes locked on mine and I could feel the intensity that was radiating through them, “Not going anywhere, blame it on the job, or whatever you’d like, but once I start something I have to see it through until the end.”
I looked back at Megan and she had a wicked grin on her face. I knew where her head went with that one and I kicked her under the covers, her body flinching as she erupt with laugher.
She turned to face Duke after calming herself down and started in on him, “So G.I. Joe, if you aren’t going to leave then at least answer a few questions for us.”
His eyebrow raised and he shot a quick glance over to me, then back to Megan.
“Who are you and what do you do?” She quizzed.
His response was gruff, “I’ve already introduced myself and as for what I do, I do whatever I want.”
Her smile growing wider, “Well, maybe instead of G.I. Joe I shall call you The Grouch.”
“Megan!” I snapped.
Her head went flying back from laughter, “Okay, okay, I won’t call you The Grouch, I’ll just think it. Anyway, why didn’t you take off with the rest of your friends when they all left?”
He ran this hand through his hair again and I caught a glimpse of his sculpted abdomen, my lips parting slightly as I admired his muscles.
“She needed help, so I helped. Like I said, I see things through.”
I could see the agitation in his body as he tensed with each question.
“Are you single?”
Oh my gosh, she didn’t just ask that, did she? “Megan, I’m starving, would you run down to the cafeteria and see if they have any fruit or a bagel?”
She scooted off of the edge of the bed and sauntered toward the door, pointing at Duke, “Don’t think I’m done with you buddy” and on that note she slipped down the hall.
“Sorry about that,” I whispered, “she gets on a roll and there’s no stopping her.” I watched his frame relax when he stepped out of the corner, and up to the edge of my bed. “So, you aren’t much of a talker?” I questioned looking down at my fidgeting fingers.
He sat down in the chair next to me and took in a deep breath, “I’m just selective, I don’t like people in my business, especially people I don’t know.” His eyes glanced at the door and I knew he was referring to Megan.
“Well, what about me?” I asked, grinning from ear to ear.
Duke rested his elbows on his knees and wiped his hands over his face, “I’m still thinking about that one.”
My eyebrows furrowed together and I looked angrily at him waiting to see if he was messing with me, but he wasn’t. “That’s bullshit, I have no idea who you are, other than your name and you think you have the right to tell me you aren’t leaving because you always see things through? I don’t give a damn who you think you are, if you don’t start answering some questions, I’ll have security throw you out on your ass.”
He scoffed, “I don’t think you want hospital security ending up like the other asshole who fucked with you tonight, do you?”
“Oh please, you aren’t that reckless.” I blurted out, calling his bluff.
He stood out of the chair and leaned closer to my face, gripping his hands around the bed rails, his breath caressing my lips, “Try me.”
The door flung open and Megan was standing there with a bowl of fruit, grinning from ear to ear, “Well, well, I see you’ve made some progress since I’ve been gone.”
Duke released his hands from the bed rails and retreated back to his corner, his arms flexing over his chest, for the umpteenth time that night.
My hands reached out for the bowl of fruit before I began to pluck out all of the melons, only to be left with a few strawberries and grapes. Popping a grape into my mouth I scanned the room for a clock, it was three in the morning and I was tired. “Look, I’m thankful to both of you for wanting to stay here with me, but I’m tired and if they are going to force me to spend the night then I want to do it in peace and quiet. Megan, why don’t you head home and I’ll call you in the morning when they release me. And as for you, well, I’m not sure where you have to go, but you aren’t staying here.”
Neither one of them moved an inch, “Guys, come on, I’m tired.”
Megan jerked her hands to her hips and tapped her foot against the floor, “I’m not going anywhere unless G.I. Joe leaves too.”
We both stared at him and he just shook his head side to side as he mouthed the word nope.
I slowly reached for the call button and pressed the button with the blue nurse’s picture on it hoping neither of them saw me do it.
A few minutes later a short heavyset nurse with a southern twang came walking in, “What can I do ya for sweetie?”
Megan laughed, instantly knowing my plan and Duke glared at me from the corner of the room.
“I’m really tired and would like my guests to leave, but they seem to be having a pissing contest right here in my room, she won’t leave until he does and he’s not leaving, any help would be great.”
A loud laugh escaped her mouth, “Oh honey, I've been dying to get my hands on you all night.” She walked over to Duke and slung her arm around his hip, his body instantly tensing under her touch, “I ain’t tellin’ ya you have to leave, but ya can’t stay here. This little thing needs her rest and y’all aren’t helping.”
She drug them both out of the room and Megan hollered, “I’ll call you in the morning.” Meanwhile Duke looked over his shoulder and shot me an angry stare.
Finally, peace and quiet. I fluffed my pillow, adjusted the bed and cozied up as much as I possibly could on the flat mattress, dozing off to sleep as I dreamt about Duke Thrasher and those mysterious green eyes.
About the Author
K.S. Smith is a twenty eight year old contemporary romance author. When she is not writing you will most likely find her nose in a book, spending time with her family and friends or dedicating her time to the military through her favorite non-profit organization.
K.S. Smith was born and raised in Tampa, FL and continues to build her life there in her historic 1928 Bungalow with the love of her life, Jo.
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Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY TH
REE
CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
EPILOGUE
UPCOMING BOOKS
About the Author
