Sighing, Carol nodded. “Yeah, it was probably nothing. You know how some people are just overly grateful for what we do, but he just kind of gave me the creeps.”
Leaning over the counter, Sofia patted her hand, then looked at the clock. “Well, it’s your lucky time, Carol. Your shift is almost over, I’ve got a break coming up, and I want to hear about Mr. Sex on a Stick Detective boyfriend!”
*
After questioning more of the witnesses of the earlier fight, Tom and Jake walked back into the station. Settling their large, muscular frames into their seats, they pulled out the files and reports that needed to be completed. The Chief came over to receive his update and the three men discussed the case against Calvin.
“He’s in the hospital overnight, instead of his ass bein’ in jail?” Jake asked, irritation showing on his face.
Tom swiveled around in his chair, looking at the chief as well. “You’ve gotta be shittin’ me.”
The chief looked over his shoulder, calling for the two patrolmen who had been in the hospital with Calvin to come over. Both men walked immediately to the chief and began answering the questions that were being fired at them from all three.
After reporting the trip to the hospital, assuring the chief that there were two guards at his hospital door, they mentioned the brother. “Seemed harmless, but we left orders that he could never be alone with our prisoner.”
Tom surmised, “Don’t know if he’ll keep showin’ up with a fuck-up brother like that.”
The two officers glanced at each other smiling.
Noticing, Jake barked, “What?”
“Well, gotta tell you the sweet nurse attending Calvin had his brother drooling all over himself tryin’ to get her attention.”
The room filled with dead silence. Tom, standing to his six foot four inch height, followed by Jake standing right beside him, both looked down on the officers.
With deadly calm, Tom asked, “What nurse? What did she look like?”
Now nervous, one officer replied, “A real pretty, blonde nurse. She was real sweet, talked to Calvin the whole time, not that that fucker was thinkin’ about anything except how much pain he was in. She was tiny, looked like some kind of fairy.”
At that, Tom leaned down into the officer’s face, “What about the brother?”
Just then, realization dawned on the other officer. “Shit, I heard you were datin’ a nurse.”
Tom cut his eyes to the last one who spoke, before stealing his stare back to the first reporting officer.
“Tom,” Jake said in warning, placing his hand on his friend.
“What did you say about the brother?” Tom repeated.
Licking his lips, the first officer reassured him, “We were there the whole time. Nothin’ happened, I swear.” Hearing a growl from Tom, he continued. “It’s just that the brother is kind of weasely. The kind who seems harmless, but is creepy at the same time. He was starin’ at her the whole time she was workin’ on Calvin. Tried to make conversation with her. Noticed her name badge. Even heard him say he would like to see her again.”
The other officer was quick to add, “But she just smiled pleasantly and walked away. I could tell he made her uncomfortable, and she sent him on up with us to Cal’s room.”
Tom leaned down and snagged his jacket, throwing it over his shoulder as he stormed out of the door.
Jake sat down at his computer immediately searching for information on the brother. The chief dismissed the other officers, then turned back to Jake.
“He gonna be okay?”
“Yeah,” Jake replied tight lipped. “But he’s gonna’ go check on Carol.”
“Never thought I’d see the day,” the chief said, shaking his head. “Thought Tom would never find someone he cared about.” Walking away, Jake could hear the chief muttering to himself, “Good man. Good man.”
Jake, concerned about Carol, couldn’t help but smile. Yeah, looks like Tom has finally found his match.
*
The knocking on the door seeped into Carol’s consciousness. Slowly waking up, realizing the pounding wasn’t going away, she raised up to look at the clock. It was eleven a.m., and she had only been asleep for three hours. Dragging herself out of bed, she stumbled into the living room to peek through her door’s keyhole. Tom. What is Tom doing here?
Opening the door, she looked up into his blue eyes. Eyes that she couldn’t read right now. “Hey, what’s up?” she asked stepping back so that he could enter.
Tom walked passed her then turned around, looking at her sleep rumpled hair, squinting eyes, and then his eyes traveled down. Damn, she’s gorgeous just out of bed and fuckin’ clueless about it. Her sleep shorts barely covered her luscious ass, and the camisole top did nothing to hide her breasts or her nipples poking through the material.
Adjusting himself, he reminded his dick that he wasn’t here for a booty call. “Angel, I came to check on you.”
Staring up at him in confusion, she replied, “I was sleeping.”
“I know that babe. What I don’t know is why you didn’t call about last night.”
Still confused, she rubbed her sleepy eyes with her fingers trying to focus on the hotness in front of her that seemed to be irritated.
“Honey, I don’t’ know what you’re talking about. Can’t it wait until later? I’ve only been asleep a couple of hours.”
Sighing, he walked over wrapping his arms around her, enveloping her in his embrace.
“Ummm. That feels nice. I could go back to sleep right here in your arms. Although the bed would be nice too,” she said looking up at him.
“Angel, I’m waitin’ on an answer.”
Pulling back from his embrace so that she could focus on his face again, she replied, “Tom, I don’t know what you are talking about. What about last night?”
“You had a patient. His brother made you uncomfortable? You didn’t think I’d wanna know?”
Pushing her way out of his embrace her sleep fogged mind cleared. “Patient? Who told you? It couldn’t have been Sofia or Jon because like me, we can’t talk about patients.” Her voice rose as the anger slowly poured over her. “The cops were there. They told you.” Then as understanding dawned on her, she looked up glaring. “Oh my god. They told you about his brother hitting on me? And you come over here to be the big, bad boyfriend? Oh no, Tom. No way.”
By now, her chest was heaving in anger as she stalked toward the living room before turning around to face him again.
Tom, stance wide with his hands on his hips, glared back. “Angel, not askin’ you to break rules. Not askin’ you to tell me shit about your job I don’t need to know. But some man makes you feel so uneasy that others around notice it, I wanna know.”
“So what, Tom? So you can show up at his door and pound the little man down? News flash, Tom, I’m a big girl. I’ve been on my own a long time taking care of myself. I don’t need you to fight my battles.”
“Like throwin’ up the other night because things got rough?”
She jerked back as his words slapped her. “Oh no, you did not just throw that in my face.”
Tom rubbed his hand over his face and looked down. Taking a deep breath, he lifted his eyes to hers, seeing in her anger.
“Angel, I’m sorry. I don’t ever want to say somethin’ that hurts you and honest to God, that’s not how I meant it.” He walked over to her shaking form, wanting nothing more than to wrap his arms back around her, but knowing she needed a little space.
Carol, wary, looked up at him, judging his honesty. “Apology accepted.” Sighing, she looked down at her feet momentarily, then speared him with her gaze. “What do you want me to say, Tom? I’m not going to run to you every time a man looks my way.”
“Angel, I get that. What I want you to get is that you do your job. You do your job well. People are gonna be grateful and tell you that. But what I wanna know is if or when someone gets in your space or in your mind and makes you uncomfortable. That shit does
n’t fly with me. I don’t wanna hear from someone else that my woman was uneasy. That comes from you.”
Carol looked back down, seemingly in thought. Tom walked the few steps needed to re-wrap his powerful arms around her.
“I’m not tryin’ to take anything away from you, angel. I’m not tryin’ to control you. I just want you safe.”
Nodding against his muscular chest, she felt her anger ebb.
“Gotta confess, babe. I’m a man who likes to be in charge. I like to take care of what’s mine. But I’m new to relationships, so I’m gonna go overboard sometimes.”
Leaning her head way back, she looked into his eyes. “I guess we both have to get used to this.”
“Angel, I meant what I said earlier. I’m never gonna throw anything in your face. I never meant it that way. I know you’ve struggled with makin’ good choices when it comes to stress. I just wanna take some of that burden off of you.”
Sighing, she tucked herself back against his chest. “Tom, I’ve come a long way since my teenage and college years of eating and throwing up or running it all off as a way of dealing with stress. Most things in my daily life don’t affect me at all that way. I handle it and move on. I just still struggle with dealing with my parents. Or reminders of them. That is where my biggest struggle comes from. Not my job. Not you getting mad. All this, I can handle honey.”
He rested his chin on her head, loving the feel of her in his arms. “I guess we’ll figure this out as we go.”
Giggling, she agreed. “Yeah, Tom. That’s usually what relationships do.”
Squeezing her tighter, he kissed the top of her head.
Carol smiled, listening to his heartbeat against her ear. “I hear your heartbeat,” she whispered.
“It beats for you, angel,” he replied.
Chapter 10
For the next several days, Carol noticed Bert coming by the ER security desk but he was turned away each time. Finally on the third day, she walked over to one of the security guards. “Marcus, that man who keeps coming in. What does he want?”
“Carol, I was just going to come look for you. I wanted to let you know that as of right now, I am making a formal report on him and banning him from this area.”
Marcus, known for taking his guard duties seriously but also for having a jovial humor, surprised her. Shocked, she asked, “Why? What did he do?”
“He doesn’t need to be down here. Says he’s visiting his brother, and since his brother came in through the ER, he claims that this is the only way he knows how to get to his brother’s room. He’s been denied for the past two days and shown the front entrance. Now he comes in today, asking about you.”
Eyes wide, she felt a trickle of fear move down her spine. “Me?” she said on a whisper.
“Yep. Said you’d been real helpful, and he wanted to know when you got off shift today so he could thank you.”
“You didn’t tell him, did you?”
Marcus replied, looking hurt. “What kind of idiot do you think I am, girl? Hell no, I didn’t tell him. He gave me the creeps, and I told him to leave and not come back. And, I’m filing a formal report banning him from this ER.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry Marcus. I know you wouldn’t tell him. He does seem creepy, but maybe he truly is just lost and then wanted to say thank you.”
“Now who’s being idiotic, girl? You keep away from him; you see him, you turn and run. In fact, isn’t your shift about over? You let me know, and I’ll walk you to your car.”
Thanking him, she headed to the break room. Seeing Sofia, she told her what was going on.
“You going to call Mr. Hot Stuff?” Sofia asked.
“Can’t you just call him Tom?” Carol asked laughing.
“Why? When my names are so much fun and so much more appropriate.”
“Anyway, to answer your question, I guess I had better. He wasn’t too happy with me when I didn’t let him know. It was weird, Sofia. He was demanding, but not like my parents. He is caring, but in a completely different way than Ronald ever was. I just don’t know what to think, but I will assure him that Marcus is walking me out.”
Giving her a quick hug, Sofia walked out calling, “Honey, that is what I was talking about. There can be a man that likes his control – in the bedroom and out of it. That doesn’t make him an asshole if it is all about you. And from what you are telling me, Mr. Tight Pants is all about you! And you can tell him that I said hello!”
Her mood lighter, Carol grabbed her cell phone as she put on her coat. Tom answered on the first ring.
“Hey angel. What’s up?”
“I’m just letting you know that Marcus is walking me to my car. It seems that Bert has been showing up asking about me, so Marcus is filing a report and …”
“Carol, you stay right where you are. Don’t step outside that hospital. I’m coming.”
She huffed, “Tom, this is ridiculous. Marcus is big, protective, and he’s armed.”
“And angel, I’m tellin’ you this is non-negotiable. Do. Not. Leave. The. Building. Without. Me.”
“You don’t think this falls under the category of you going overboard.”
“Nope. Not until I’ve had a chance to ascertain the situation myself. Jake and I are on our way.”
Carol was standing at the security desk, looking at a grinning Marcus.
“So your Mr. Hot Detective is coming to get you?”
“You’ve been talking to Sofia,” she accused.
He just laughed before his attention was then taken away by an ambulance entering the area. Turning back to her, he warned, “Don’t go out by yourself.”
“I promise,” she replied. “I’m just standing right outside the door so I can see Tom when he comes. See you tomorrow.”
She moved to stand outside the ER doors, walking slightly to the side so that she would be able to see the road leading to the hospital. Suddenly, a movement in her peripheral vision startled her. Whirling around, she saw Bert walking up to her from the side.
Glancing back toward the ER doors, she saw Marcus with his back to her. Backing away from Bert, she moved closer to the doors, next to the unloading ambulance. Feeling protected there, she looked at Bert but did not smile.
“Carol, I’ve been looking for you. I missed you the past couple of days.”
Determined to shut him down, she spoke sharply. “Bert, this is my place of work and you cannot come here looking for me. You have already expressed your gratitude for helping your brother, so there is no other reason for us to talk.”
A kicked-puppy dog look flashed across his face. “But I just wanted to see you again. You’re so nice and awfully pretty.”
Raising her hand, she replied, “Bert, the security guard has informed me that you are going to be banned from here. Do not contact me again.”
Heavy, hard, fast footsteps were heard coming from behind her. I know those footsteps. Oh lordy, this could get ugly.
Whirling around, she plastered a huge smile on her face while walking quickly to him.
“Tom, I wondered when you’d get here honey.”
Tom, sizing up the situation, wrapped her in a big hug and smiled down into her face. “Hey babe. You ready to leave?” Jake stalked up beside Tom, creating a wall of protection. Tom eyed Bert over Carol’s head, staring straight into his eyes.
Bert looked nervous and turned his gaze to the sidewalk.
“Well, I guess I’ll be going Carol,” he said. “It was nice seeing you again.”
Tom pulled Carol back so that he could see her expression. “Tell me now, what is goin’ on, angel. I wanna know what is happenin’ so I know how to respond.”
Just then Marcus walked out of the door. “I see she found you. Good.”
Marcus, Jake, and Tom watched as Bert walked through the parking lot. Marcus cursed, “I told him to stay away.” Looking at Tom he said, “I’ve put in a request to ban him.”
Rounding on Carol, Tom looked down in anger.
“Angel, what the hell were you doin’ out here by yourself? I told you to wait inside.”
Embarrassed to be chastised in front of Marcus and Jake, Carol retorted, “I was just standing by the door, Tom. Marcus was right inside. I was not out in the parking lot; I just wanted to be able to see you when you drove up.”
Tom, his arm still wrapped protectively around her shoulders, looked at Marcus. “What’s up?”
As Marcus explained the situation with Bert, Carol could feel Tom’s body getting more solid. Still. Every muscle tight. Oh Lordy.
Stealing a glance up at his face, then over to Jake’s face, she dropped her eyes quickly. Breathe. Just breathe.
Tom could feel when the change in Carol’s demeanor appeared. He could feel the slightest trembling in her shoulders and noticed her staring at her tightly clasped hands. Comfort. She needs comfort. He slowly rubbed her shoulder and back, rubbing his hand gently up and down.
Jake took notes on Marcus’ reports, noting Tom was holding on to his anger by a thread while trying to comfort Carol.
Jake commented, “We’re gonna check him out more thoroughly. So far, he’s checked out fine. Lives with mom. Dad died a few years back. Has nothing to do with his brother’s drug business. Something’s not right, though.”
Marcus nodded and assured them he would walk Carol to her car at the end of her shift, and when he wasn’t on duty, another security guard would take care of her.
“Angel, you on board with this?” Tom asked, giving her shoulder a slight squeeze.
Grateful that he was finally asking and not just telling, something she was sure he was not accustomed to doing, she looked at all three men, replying, “Yeah. I think that’s a good idea. I’m not afraid of Bert, but I admit he gives me the creeps even if he is just being nice.”
“Nothin’ nice about makin’ someone uncomfortable, Carol,” Jake spoke. What and who was important to Tom was important to him.
She just nodded, feeling safe once again. Noting that Jake and Marcus had been doing the talking, she glanced up at Tom. His expression was hard, but his eyes were warm as they looked back down at her. Smiling a small smile, she felt her body being pulled in tighter to his.
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