Crazy Imperfect Love: A Dirty Dicks/Big Sky Novella (Kristen Proby Crossover Collection Book 3)

by K. L. Grayson

  “I’m looking forward to it.” Drake smiles.

  Just then, Hannah’s pager goes off. She looks down at it, then stands up and grabs her tray. “Gotta go. I’ve got babies who want to come into this world.”

  “Are we still on for tomorrow night?” I holler as she walks away.

  She spins around but keeps walking. “You, me, wine, and pizza. I wouldn’t miss it.”

  I watch her quick retreat for a moment, and when I turn back to my tray, Drake is watching me. He’s got one arm resting on the table and the other draped around the back of the chair Hannah just vacated.

  “Stop looking at me like that.”

  “Like what?” he asks.

  “You know what.”

  Drake laughs and shakes his head. “You’re so prickly today. It’s sorta turning me on.”

  My jaw drops open. “Drake,” I admonish.

  “Abigail,” he mocks before sobering his features. “We need to talk about what happened between us.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about. We had se—” I stop myself and look around, making sure no one is too close. Then I lower my voice and continue. “We had sex. Really great sex. And then I left.”

  “Phenomenal sex.”

  I roll my eyes. “Fine, yes, phenomenal sex. Mind-blowing sex. Better?”

  “Much.”

  “But we agreed it was a one-time thing.”

  “It doesn’t have to be. You live here now. There’s no reason we can’t see where this thing between us goes.”

  “There is no thing between us. There can’t be. Because I’m only here for six weeks.”

  That causes his smile to disappear. “Six weeks?”

  The look on his face makes me wish I could take back my words.

  “I’m not here permanently. I took a position with a traveling nurse agency. Hannah knew the hospital was desperate for help, I was looking for a change, and getting placed here was a win-win for both of us.”

  My night with Drake was so much more than a one-night stand. He renewed my self-confidence. He breathed life into a soul that had been slowly dying over the last several years. He showed me that I can take chances, have fun, and enjoy myself without getting lost in my head. I walked away from him the next morning feeling like a new woman, with a sense of freedom I hadn’t felt in…years. I owe him so much, and I would love more than anything to pursue this attraction that smolders between us.

  Except we can’t.

  Drake runs a hand through his already messy brown hair and rests his elbows on the table. “That’s not exactly what I was wanting to hear.”

  I lean back in my seat. “Plus, you’re the chief surgeon.”

  “What does that matter?” He tilts his head, and I see the moment understanding dawns. He sighs and looks down at his hands.

  “You’re in a position of authority, and the hospital has a strict non-fraternization policy.”

  “Damn,” he huffs, studying his plate as though it holds all the answers. “Now what?”

  “I think we do the only thing we can do: agree that our night together was amazing—”

  He looks up. “Beyond amazing.” He leans toward me and lowers his voice. “The chemistry between us was off the charts. I know you felt it, Abigail.”

  “God, yes. Of course I did. But my job is important, and so is yours, and neither career is worth a relationship that can’t possibly last beyond the next month and a half.”

  “I don’t know if I can work with you every day and not want to touch you.”

  I clasp my hands together under the table to keep from reaching for him. “Why do you think I was so angry to see you here this morning?”

  “I just thought you were upset because I lied. I’m sorry about that, by the way.”

  “You’re forgiven. And I was upset about that.” I give him a wistful smile. “But I was also upset because I knew it meant we can only be friends.”

  “Friends,” he states.

  A thick silence surrounds us. We watch each other, waiting. Eventually, Drake blows out a breath, grabs his tray, and stands up.

  “Drake?”

  “I don’t know if I can be just your friend, Abigail.”

  Chapter 2

  Drake

  If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. I’ve always lived by that rule. That’s why I’m not the least bit surprised by the Abigail situation. In today’s world, women are ruthless, cold, and after one goddamn thing. Few and far between are the good women—the ones with a genuine heart of gold, sense of humor, and a big, beautiful brain. The second I laid eyes on Abigail, I knew she was a good one. And that was confirmed after spending the night with her.

  It killed me to drop her off at the airport the next morning knowing I’d probably never see her again, but I didn’t have a choice. Her life was in Texas, and mine was in Montana. After several long kisses goodbye, we decided not to exchange numbers or emails before parting ways. Keep it simple. That’s what we decided. But I knew the second I merged back onto the freeway that it had been a huge mistake.

  I hate to admit that it took me three weeks to pull my head out of my ass and realize she’d been wearing a bridesmaid’s dress that night, and all I had to do was ask Hannah for her information. Which is exactly what I had planned on doing until the woman herself showed up at the hospital—my hospital—looking all cute in lavender scrubs with her hair piled on her head in a messy bun and that sweet smile that I can’t stop thinking about.

  That’s the moment I should’ve known things were too good to be true. A man doesn’t get a job he loves, great sex, and the girl who gave it to him. That would be way too much to ask for.

  I’ve got the perfect job. I’ve had the best sex of my life. And now I have to forget the girl.

  That last one is proving harder than I thought, and it’s only been thirty-six hours since she waltzed back into my life.

  I unlock the door to my Tahoe, pull it open, and sink onto the front seat. I drop my head back and groan in pure exhaustion. I’m used to working twelve-hour shifts, sometimes longer. Yet typically when I get off work, I’ve still got energy to blow at the gym. Today is different. Today I’ve got nothing but a serious case of blue balls.

  All day I waited to see her. I looked for her everywhere—in the cafeteria, the break room, down every hall. It took me four hours to realize she had the day off, and the only reason I got that far was because Hannah told me.

  After leaving the lunch room yesterday, I went back to my office and pulled up the company handbook to clarify the non-fraternization policy.

  There it was, in big bold letters, telling me what I already knew. Under no circumstances can a supervisor enter into a relationship with a subordinate.

  Stupid handbook.

  Except it’s probably for the best. I need to remember that we live in different states. She might be here right now, but she’s eventually going to leave. I may have been able to let her go after our wild night together, but if I get my hands on her again, all bets will be off. There’s no way I would be able to walk away a second time.

  After starting my car, I let it idle as I look out at the near-empty parking lot. All I can think about is how I’m going home to an equally empty house. Sighing, I press on the brake and move to put my car in drive just as my phone rings. I look down to see Hannah trying to FaceTime me.

  Keeping the car in park, I shut it off and accept the call. Her face instantly lights up the screen.

  “I need a favor.”

  “I’m all out of favors.”

  “No.” She pouts. “Why are you all out of favors?”

  “Because it’s been a long day. I had three emergency appendectomies, one of which was a three year old. Dr. Fullerton lost a patient during a routine procedure. And to top it off, I ended up removing shards of glass from the head of an eighty-three-year-old woman who pressed the gas instead of the brake and rammed through the front of a building.”

  Hannah’s eyes are wide a
s she watches me. “Wow. You did have a long day. If it makes you feel better, I delivered six babies. Four vaginally and two via emergency C-section. One of the babies had a sixth toe I had to remove, which shouldn’t have been a big deal, but the parents freaked out. Another baby suffered from meconium aspiration, and another was born with an unexpected birth defect.”

  “Fine. You win. I don’t know how you work with babies. They’re completely unpredictable. And don’t you have the means to detect birth defects?”

  “Mom opted against the testing during her prenatal care.”

  “Damn.”

  “Now will you do me a favor?” She waggles her eyebrows. “It’s one I think you might like.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I need you to go to Abby’s and help her put a few things together.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to go help her? What happened to pizza, wine, and girl time?”

  “I’ve got a mother laboring, and I can’t leave.”

  It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her no, but the thought of seeing Abigail after such a long, shitty day sounds pretty damn good. I’m a sucker for funny, beautiful women.

  “Fine. Give me her address.”

  “I knew you liked her,” Hannah says, punching the air. I narrow my eyes, and she lowers her fist. “I—I mean, I knew you’d say yes. Because you’re a good guy. The best. And I love you.”

  “Love you too. Goodbye, Hannah.”

  “Don’t forget the pizza,” she adds before I can end the session.

  “Pizza. Got it.”

  “She likes St. Louis style with pepperoni and bacon.”

  “Where the hell am I going to find St. Louis-style pizza? We’re in Montana.”

  “That little pizza joint downtown makes it. But you have to request it as a special order. It’s not on their menu.”

  “Okay,” I say. “St. Louis style, pepperoni and bacon.”

  Hannah nods. “Tell her I’m sorry I couldn’t make it.”

  “Shouldn’t you call her and tell her you can’t make it? And maybe mention that I’m coming in your place? You know, in case she wants to decline.”

  “But that would ruin the surprise.”

  “I’m not sure a surprise is what either of us needs right now.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. Trust me on this, okay? And then thank me later. Gotta go.”

  She ends the call before I have a chance to respond. Ten minutes later I’m pulling up to Alfonzo’s Pizzeria, and twenty minutes after that I’m heading toward the address Hannah texted me.

  I’m about a mile away when the neon lights of a local convenience store catch my attention. In a split-second decision, I pull the wheel to the right and make another stop—one I hope will put a giant smile on Abigail’s face.

  Chapter 3

  Abby

  There’s a soft knock at the door, and I look at the clock. Hannah and I didn’t set an exact time, but she said she’d come by after her shift, which ended over an hour ago. Dropping the screwdriver to the floor, I walk across the small apartment and swing open the front door.

  “What took you so lo…?” I say, my words trailing off when I see Drake standing in my doorway instead of Hannah. “Where’s Hannah?”

  “She said to tell you she’s sorry, but she had to work late.”

  “So, she sent you instead?” Thank you, Hannah.

  Drake holds up a pizza and nods. “I come with provisions. Are you going to invite me in?”

  I cross my arms over my chest. “That depends,” I say. “What kind of pizza did you bring?”

  “Only the best kind. Pepperoni and bacon.”

  I snatch the box from his hands and all but sprint to the kitchen. I hear the front door shut behind me, and I assume Drake has followed, but I don’t turn around to find out. I flip open the cardboard box, and my stomach growls at the sight in front of me.

  Drake laughs. “Hungry?”

  “Starving. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

  He looks at his watch and furrows his brow. “It’s almost eight-thirty at night.”

  “I’m aware,” I say, placing a hand over my stomach when it growls again.

  Drake pushes the pizza toward me. “What are you waiting for? Dig in.”

  Forgoing a plate, I pull a square from the box. The gooey cheese explodes in my mouth, and I moan. “This is amazing.”

  I take another bite, this time closing my eyes, but when Drake clears his throat, they pop back open.

  My cheeks heat as I realize how I must’ve sounded. “Sorry,” I mumble, swallowing my bite of food.

  “I never thought I’d get turned on by watching a woman eat.”

  “You’re turned on right now?”

  “Incredibly.” Drake takes a step forward. “You’ve got a little something…” He raises his hand, inches away from my face, and for a moment I think he’s going to use the pad of his thumb to wipe away whatever he sees.

  My heart beats faster, but he lowers his hand and takes a step back. Stupid, hopeful heart.

  Instead, he points to the side of my mouth. “You have some sauce.”

  “Oh.” My tongue darts out, licking it away. “Thank you. Aren’t you going to have a piece?”

  “If you don’t mind.”

  “No, please, have as much as you want. Want something to drink?”

  “What’ve you got?”

  “Water, sweet tea, and milk.”

  “I’ll have a water.”

  I take two waters from the refrigerator. When I nudge the door shut with my hip, I notice it doesn’t close as fluidly as my fridge at home. After I give Drake his bottle of water, I press my hand to the front of the fridge, give it a little push to make sure it’s sealed, and then run my fingers along the crack down the middle to make sure both doors are shut. At home, if one of the doors isn’t completely closed, they’ll be uneven when I run my hand down it.

  “Is something wrong with your fridge?”

  I spin around to find Drake watching me curiously. “Oh…” I shake my head. “No. I was just… The door sticks a little, and I was making sure it was shut.”

  Because if it isn’t, then all of the food I just bought will spoil, and I’ll have to throw it out and make another trip to the grocery store, not to mention the money that would be wasted.

  And just like that, the familiar uneasiness I’ve grown accustomed to sets in. It settles like a lead weight in my belly, begging me to keep checking the door until the restless feeling subsides.

  Come on, Abby, don’t do this. Not today. Not in front of Drake.

  I take a deep breath and press my hand to the door one last time.

  This is the last time I’m going to check the door. It’s shut. The door is shut, and I’m being ridiculous.

  “Want me to take a look at it? Maybe the hinges need to be loosened.”

  “No, it’s okay. I’m sure it’s fine.”

  Drake shrugs, grabs a piece of pizza, and takes a bite. As my stomach settles and the weight slowly dissipates, I allow myself a second to give him a onceover. He wears a set of surgical scrubs that look identical to the ones he was in yesterday morning, only these are a little tighter around the chest, making me wonder if he works out. Who am I kidding? Drake is probably one of those guys who gets an hour of cardio in and a shower before I even consider rolling out of bed.

  I raise my eyes to Drake’s when he moans, hoping I wasn’t staring too much.

  “This is great,” he says, lifting his pizza. “I’ve never had St. Louis style before.”

  “It’s the Provel cheese—makes all the difference. Did you come straight here from work?”

  He nods, finishes off his square, and goes in for seconds.

  “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I wanted to.”

  I can’t remember the last time a man did something this nice for me. The last memory that comes to mind was when my father made it to one of my dance recitals. Afterward he presented m
e with a bouquet of flowers before darting back to work. It was the only recital he made it to in the five years I danced, and to this day I’d be surprised if he remembered.

  “Thank you.”

  Drake’s hand stops halfway to his mouth. “You’re welcome.”

  We eat the rest of the pizza in silence, enjoying our meal, and when I toss the empty box in the trashcan, Drake perks up.

  “I have something for you,” he says, slipping out the front door.

  A few seconds later, he returns with his hands behind his back.

  “What do you have?”

  “Dessert.” Drake lifts his hands, revealing a bag of strawberry Twizzlers.

  “You remembered.”

  He hands me the bag. I pull it open, grab a Twizzler for myself, take a bite, and hand one to Drake. “And they’re strawberry.”

  “That’s your favorite.”

  “It is. I can’t believe you remember.”

  “I haven’t forgotten a single thing from that night.”

  I rip off another bite and chew it slowly, wondering what I’m supposed to say to that. All that comes out is the truth. “Neither have I.”

  Drake’s eyes fall to my mouth. For a moment, I wonder if he’s going to kiss me. And if he does, there’s no way I’ll be able to push him away. He blinks several times and then shoves his hands in his pockets and spins around.

  “Hannah said you need help putting something together?”

  “Oh, uh, yeah. Follow me.”

  * * * *

  Drake

  It only takes twenty minutes to put Abigail’s bedframe together, so I take my assistance a step further and make the bed using a stack of sheets and comforter I find sitting in the corner. When I’m done, I walk through the small apartment and find her rearranging the cabinets in the kitchen.

  “That bed is huge. It barely fits in the room.”

  Abigail turns around, hops up on the counter, and pulls the band from her hair. Black waves tumble over her shoulders, and my mind drifts back, remembering what it felt like to have the tips of her hair tickle my thighs as she rode my cock. I’m immediately lost in the memory of her nails digging into my chest, sweet moans of whispered pleasure, and the way her body felt wrapped around mine.