by E. L. Todd
“Let’s go.”
He moved off her then kept his gaze averted so he wouldn’t see up her dress. They packed everything and threw it in the back of the truck. Bane jumped inside before they shut the tailgate.
Alex sat in the seat directly next to him, kissing his neck while he drove home. She didn’t want to stop kissing him. The taste of his skin set her on fire. She wanted to feel him everywhere, to know him in an intimate way. Her hand ran up his chest while she nibbled his ear.
Blaise moaned while she kissed him. His breathing was deep and heavy, the bulge in his pants unable to be hidden. “Damn, Alexandra.”
“You should drive faster,” she whispered into his ear.
“Not if I don’t want to kill us,” he said with a moan.
She lightly blew into his ear.
“You’re so fucking sexy, Alexandra.”
She chuckled quietly. “I guess you should hurry.”
Blaise parked the truck in front of the warehouse and practically jumped out. He took her hand as they walked inside. When they reached the ladder, he went first so he wouldn’t see up her dress. After she reached the loft, he pushed her down and climbed on top of her, continuing their make out session. It was dark in the warehouse, hiding most of their bodies from view. The stars started to appear through the wooden boards.
Every moan Blaise made when she kissed him sent her to the brink. Her hands glided through his hair, totally out of control. She clutched him tightly, never wanting to let go. Her nails dug into his skin harder than she meant. She hadn’t kissed anyone like this since high school and she enjoyed it immensely. Blaise was special to her, someone she never expected to find. Now she knew she was meant to come here, to find the person that was waiting for her. She never felt this connection with anyone in her life. Blaise was the one for her.
Blaise pulled away then rubbed his nose against hers. He was out of breath, hot and heavy. His hand cupped her cheek as he pressed his forehead against hers. “I need Chapstick.”
She laughed. “I do too.”
He kissed her forehead. “Alexandra, you’re amazing.”
“You are too.”
He lied on his back and pulled her to his chest. “I’ve never kissed anyone like that.”
“Neither have I.”
He ran his fingers through her hair, his heart starting to slow.
Alexandra wrapped her arm around his waist, hugging him. She stared at the stars in the crack of the wall, seeing them shine bright. Both of them were too tired to leave the loft. And neither one wanted to anyway. The warmth of his arms lulled her to sleep. The last thing she thought about before she fell asleep was Blaise, the star in her sky.
19
Blaise woke up just as the sun rose. His internal clock never allowed him to sleep in. He had work to do.
He looked at Alexandra, who was asleep in his arms. She curled around him, holding him tightly. He never saw anything more beautiful. He could lay there all day, just watching her sleep. Blaise kissed her on the forehead before he climbed down the ladder and headed toward his truck. Bane was sleeping with the other dogs on the porch, snoring quietly. When he turned to the field, he stiffened when he saw Martha sitting on the porch, staring him down. She didn’t look happy.
Blaise walked up the stairs and approached her.
She sat in the rocking chair, as still as a statue. The hard look in her eyes showed her anger and disappointment. “Have a good time?”
He kept his hands by his sides. “Alexandra is in the loft.”
“Yeah, I connected the dots,” she snapped. “I love you like my own family, Blaise. But that doesn’t change anything. You mess with my niece, you mess with me and every shotgun and rifle I own.”
“I don’t understand where this hostility is coming from,” he said simply. “I care about Alexandra deeply.”
“The last time I checked, you were living with your girlfriend, the woman who was carrying your child at one point.”
Blaise sighed, knowing this wasn’t going to be good. “We’ve been broken up for months.”
“And now she’s just a roommate? Are you tight on money?” she said sarcastically.
“It’s complicated…but we haven’t been together in months. I swear on my father’s grave.”
“You really shouldn’t disrespect him in such a way.”
“I just want to assuage any doubt you may have about my intentions with Alexandra.”
“Does she know?”
He averted his gaze. “No...”
Martha looked even angrier. “So you bed my niece without telling her the truth? You’re lucky my gun is in the house.”
“I didn’t sleep with her,” he said quickly. “She and I kissed—that’s it. I would never do that to her. I’m trying to figure out how to…solve my problem with Danielle. But it’s an ordeal.”
“Just ask her to move out,” Martha said. “It doesn’t sound that difficult.”
“Martha, you know me better than anyone, since I was a little boy. I’m honest, loyal, and caring. Please just trust me on this. I can’t explain what’s going on, but I promise that I’m figuring it out.”
Martha rubbed her chin with her fingers, lost in thought. “I have to tell her, Blaise.”
His eyes widened. “Please don’t.”
“Family is first, Blaise. She deserves to know what she’s getting into. I’m sorry.”
He sighed. “Please trust me.”
Martha looked conflicted. “When will you tell her?”
“I don’t know...”
“I can’t wait that long,” she said. “My niece, the child I love like my own daughter, is already falling too deep. I can’t let her get hurt.”
“I thought you trusted me?”
She stared at him.
“I promise I’m not doing anything I shouldn’t be doing. I intend to tell Alexandra everything. Please let me handle it this way. I really care about her, and want to be in a serious relationship with her.”
Martha looked across the field, watching the sun rising over the horizon. “Do I have your word?”
“Yes, I promise I’ll tell her.”
“And you and Danielle are really over?”
“Yes.”
“I have your word?” she repeated.
“You have my word,” he said as he looked her in the eye.
“I’ll be watching you, Blaise.”
“I know.”
She rose from her chair and walked inside. He stayed on the porch and stared at the warehouse, knowing Alexandra was still asleep. The greatest gem had come into his life, brightening the sky and the stars, but it had come at the worst time. If only Danielle hadn’t been such a pain in his ass this would have been different. Or better yet, he should have controlled himself and not gave into his weakness. He should have pushed her away until he figured out how to get rid of Danielle while protecting her at the same time. Then he could have made his move. But it was too late now. He made his mistake and he had to live with it. He just hoped Alexandra would be as trusting as he assumed she would be. His happiness depended on it.
He went into the field and worked for the day. Alexandra didn’t join him, and he assumed she was still asleep. When she finally arrived, she yawned.
“Are you already done?” she asked.
He smiled. “Well that was a coincidence. You show up as soon as I’m finished.”
She hit him lightly on the shoulder. “You know I always want to help.”
He pulled her to his chest and kissed her despite the sweat covering his body. “I had a great time yesterday.”
“I did too,” she said. “Can I see you tonight?”
“I have some work to do. How about on Tuesday?”
“Sure,” she said. “So when am I going to see your place? I don’t even know where you live.”
His heart hammered in his chest. “I’ll have you over for dinner soon.”
“And you live alone, right?”
He
felt cornered. “It used to belong to my parents.” That didn’t answer the question but it wasn’t a lie either.
“Well, I haven’t gotten my own place yet,” she said. “And my aunt is always here…it would be nice to go somewhere more private.”
His cock hardened at her words. He wasn’t sure what she was implying specifically, but he knew he would like whatever she had in mind. “Yeah…”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. “I’ll see you later, then.”
“Okay.” He watched her walk back in the house.
She turned around and waved at him, a big smile on her face, one just for him. His heart squeezed when he watched her go. He got into his truck and drove home. He sat in his truck for a while, knowing he had to figure out a pan today, not tomorrow, not next week. He would feel uncomfortable if Alexandra lived with her ex-boyfriend. It would keep him up late into the night, panicked and anxious at all times.
He walked inside, his determination set into his bones. Danielle was sitting on the couch, crying into a tissue. It seemed like she always crying. “Danielle, we need to talk.”
She blew into the tissue, sobbing. “Where were you last night?”
Now he knew why she was crying. “With my girlfriend.”
She covered her face.
“Danielle, I don’t say this to hurt you, but I really care about this girl…I think I love her.”
She sniffed.
“I need you to leave and find some other way of being protected. We can work something out. But I won’t sacrifice my happiness and let this situation continue. There has to be a way where we can both get what we want.”
Danielle said nothing. She wiped her tears away. “My mom got in a car accident last night. I just came home to change.”
His eyes widened. “What?”
She nodded. “She’s in critical condition. A semi hit her, totally destroyed her car.” She took a deep breath. “She broke her leg and her arm. I hope she’s okay.”
Danielle had made up crazy stories before, usually so he wouldn’t leave her, but he knew she was telling the truth. “I’m so sorry.”
“I should get going.” She stood up then grabbed her purse.
“Danielle, I’m sorry this happened to you. But we still need to sort this out.”
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” she snapped. “What the fuck is wrong with you? My mom might die.”
He knew that was a selfish thing to say. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry I’m ruining your relationship with this tramp, but I have other things to worry about besides figuring out how to stay safe from Evan. Thanks for being so sensitive about it.”
“I’ll pay for you to get a hotel and bodyguard and I’ll move everything for you.”
She slapped him across the face. “You really are unbelievable.” Danielle stormed out and slammed the door behind her.
Blaise felt the sting of his face. It didn’t hurt, but he was annoyed with the abuse anyway. He gripped his hair and sighed in frustration, unsure what to do.
20
After Alexandra finished her classes, she went to the library with Gabe. He was quiet today, not talkative like he normally was. Alexandra was on cloud nine, blissfully happy with Blaise.
She looked at Gabe, seeing the tension on his face. “Is everything okay?”
“Is something going on between you and Blaise?”
She tried to keep a straight face. “No.”
“Good.”
“Do you not like him?”
He stared at her. “Did you see him push me to the ground?”
“He’d been drinking…”
“No, I don’t like him. But if you aren’t dating him, I don’t care. I know he’s close with your aunt.”
She looked at her textbook, avoiding his gaze.
Hannah joined them a minute later. “What happened to you?” she asked Alexandra.
“What do you mean?”
“You totally bailed on the cornfield party.”
“Oh,” Alexandra said. “I wasn’t feeling well. Too much beer.”
“Well, you missed out,” Hannah said.
“There will be other parties,” Alexandra said.
Hannah turned to Gabe. “Did you hear about the accident on the main road? A semi truck totally destroyed a car.”
Alexandra felt alarmed. “Is everyone okay?”
“The truck driver is fine but the driver of the car is in serious condition. No one knows anything.”
“Wow,” Gabe said. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“I’m glad I didn’t work last night,” Alexandra said.
Hannah took out her physics book and turned the page. “I need your brain.”
“Sure.”
Hannah went over her notes and asked Alexandra to help her with a few problems. Alexandra had to review a few of the concepts before she could recall how to complete the problems. She never liked the subject but she couldn’t deny how applicable the discipline was. Physics affected everything even if it wasn’t obvious.
After she finished her classes that day, she went to work at the hospital. Everyone was talking about the accident that happened the night before. Some of the nurses had been there when it happened. It sounded truly horrifying. The trauma was so intense that they just flew the patient out to a larger hospital. Alexandra was shocked something so horrific had happened. It was truly disturbing.
She got to work and put in the order for a chart. Alexandra saw that the patient had pneumonia and a single view chest x-ray had been ordered. She thought that was odd. Three view x-rays were usually ordered to get a bilateral view of the lungs. It was more accurate that way. In New York, the order was almost automatic. She walked into the doctor’s office and saw Dr. Kenley sitting at his computer.
“Hello, sir,” she said.
He turned to her. “Alex, how are you?”
“I’m good. I just had a question about this order.”
He looked at the chart. “Yes?”
“Do you want to change this x-ray to a three view?”
“Portable chest x-rays are easier. Radiology can come to the patient.”
That didn’t make any sense to Alexandra. Medicine was about doing the right thing, not the convenient thing. “But, wouldn’t a three view be more conclusive? If the patient has minor pneumonia, it may not show up.”
He leaned back in his chair and glared at her. “So you catch one thing in the ER and now you’re an expert?”
Alexandra was taken back by the venom in his voice. “No, I…”
“I spent eight years in medical school, you didn’t. Just because you’re a tech doesn’t mean you know anything. You change bedpans and sheets, not challenge my orders.”
“I’m not trying to challenge you,” she argued. “I’m trying to do what’s best for the patient.”
“Get out of my office.” He turned back to his computer, ignoring her.
Alexandra didn’t understand how the conversation got out of hand. She was just trying to help. She went back to her desk and sat down. After a moment of deliberation, she put the order in.
A hour passed and the radiology department took the x-ray in the patient’s room. Alexandra waited for the radiologist to read the shot. It said the patient didn’t have pneumonia. Alexandra wasn’t convinced. When she looked at the chart, she saw the elevated white blood cell levels, indication of an infection. She borrowed an extra stethoscope from the supply cart and walked into the patient’s room. She listened to the patient breathe and knew there was something wrong. The patient didn’t have a history with smoking, asthma, or breathing problems. She walked back to her desk and thought to herself.
A moment later, the doctor handed her the chart without looking at her then walked away. It was discharge papers, sending the patient home. Alexandra was shocked when she saw it. The patient was clearly sick. She didn’t understand what was happening.
“What’s wrong?”
Suzie asked.
Alexandra sighed. “Has Dr. Kenley worked here long?”
“For a few years. Why?”
“Is he a good physician?”
She shrugged. “I think so. He was the doctor who attended the wreck last night. He hasn’t even gone home for the day.”
Alexandra nodded. Now she understood his actions. He was in a hurry to go home, not that it justified the corners he cut. She took a deep breath and approached the charge nurse.
“Hey, Alex,” she said with a smile.
The charge nurse had become fond of her since last week. Alexandra hoped this would make the situation easier. “I’m a little concerned about this patient.”
Betty took the chart and looked through it. “The patient is going home. It seems to be in order.”
“Well, Dr. Kenley ordered a one view chest x-ray. I advised him to order a three view so he could see the bilateral image. He said no.” She kept his rudeness out of it. “And now he’s sending the patient home even though the blood work suggests there’s an infection.”
Betty nodded. “Well, everyone is different. Due to the age of the patient, the CBC levels may always be high.”
“But I checked the lab work last time he was here. His white blood count was totally normal. And I went into the patient room and listened to his lungs. There’s a loud cracking in each one. I think the patient has pneumonia but Dr. Kenley didn’t assess it in his physical exam.”
Betty stared at her. “I’ll check.” She grabbed her stethoscope and walked into the room. Alexandra patiently waited. When Betty returned, she looked at the chart again and sighed. “I think you’re right, Alexandra. Dr. Kenley has been working for twenty-four hours straight. I think his mind needs a break.”
Alexandra didn’t think that was an excuse, but she held her tongue. In nursing school, she had class all day before she went to clinical at night, only to have class again in the morning. Being tired wasn’t an excuse to her.
Betty walked away. Alexandra returned to her chair and waited for Betty to emerge from the physician room. A few moments later, Betty emerged with the chart. She handed it to Alexandra. “Order the three view.”
Alexandra smiled. “I’m on it.”
Dr. Kenley walked by a moment later, notably glaring at her. She heard him mumble something as he passed but she didn’t catch it. She didn’t want to make enemies at work. She always thought of the medical field as a team victory, but that clearly wasn’t so. The south was much different than New York. Alexandra was still getting used to the culture shock. She sighed to herself, trying to forget about the drama she caused. She just wanted to do the right thing for the patient. It didn’t matter if people didn’t like her because of it.
