by Robin Leaf
I turn her, so that her back is to the wall, and one step closer has us almost touching, with my arms almost caging her in; she can’t run this time.
Her eyes turn darker, and I’m tempted, so tempted to close the gap between us and make good on my thoughts from earlier in the cubicle. Instead, I lean down and speak so only she can hear.
“What do you know about Dr. Sellers?”
She takes a deep breath, and I’m not sure if it’s because of his name or if it’s to control her quickened breathing.
“He’s a dermatologist,” she says, and the sudden husky quality of her voice gets my cock tingling. “He works in the ER once a month like all the doctors who work in the hospital are required to do,” she swallows, and takes another deep breath. “He asked me out once, but I turned him down. And he’s left me alone since I told him off.”
She told him off? Good for her. For a reward, I want to kiss her… so fucking bad. I lean closer, still not touching, but really fucking close.
“Could he be your stalker?”
Her eyes refocus, and she stiffens, so I back two inches away, giving her a little space to work this out. Looking away, her eyes dart back and forth, searching for some memory that would be a smoking gun. Her eyes look to mine again, and she shrugs.
“I can’t think of anything that points to him, but I can’t think of anything that would let him off the hook, either.”
“Is there anything you can remember from the emails, some detail that might point to him?”
“Other than knowing my work schedule, no. In fact, the emails weren’t exactly worded like an educated doctor would have written them.”
I stare at her lips. “But he could be doing that on purpose so you don’t figure out it’s him.”
She shrugs. “I guess, but Ryan is the narcissistic type who tries to impress people with his intelligence. I can’t see him dumbing down his vocabulary just so I wouldn’t figure out his identity.”
“But it’s possible.”
“I mean I guess so, but he already has another girlfriend, a nurse from the doctor across the hall from the doctor he works with. He made it a point to tell me about her. And I can’t see him doing something he thinks is nice, like cleaning my apartment so I could relax over the weekend.”
I lean back in, inhaling the scent of her coconut shampoo. I find that it’s currently my favorite scent in the whole world.
“You don’t mind if I have Noah’s guys run a background check on Dr. Douche then, do you?”
She takes a ragged deep breath in, letting it out slowly while shaking her head.
“Good,” I say. “By the way, your little stunt earlier won’t go unpunished.”
Her eyes flash, and she stands taller. I notice her eyes have gone almost completely black. When she licks her lips, I feel all my blood rush south.
“It was in retaliation for not telling me Mabel knew the truth.” She takes a breath. “As far as I’m concerned,” her hands are shaky, but they land on my wrists, trailing her fingers upward, while she leans in and lowers her voice to just above a whisper, “we’re even.”
“Ember,” Jasmine calls from the doorway. “Oh, uh, sorry to interrupt, but we have a few ambulances with multiple injured coming in from a vicious car wreck. I’m supposed to tell you we need all hands on deck.”
“Okay,” she says at normal volume, not taking her eyes off mine. Her head lowers, but her eyes don’t move as she steps very close to me, smirking. “I’m… coming,” she mutters huskily, before ducking under my arm, grazing her breasts slowly against my lower stomach, dangerously close to my dick, which is now at full attention.
Fuck.
She’s definitely gonna pay for that one as we are no longer even.
I really want to literally give her a reason to say she’s coming.
And I will do just that. We need to find her stalker.
Now.
Fifteen
Ember
“Holy shit, Ember,” Jasmine says lowly while we prepare to help each other slip into our protective gowns. “I don’t know what I walked in on a minute ago, but there were visible sexy vibes bouncing off every wall in that room. Jesus, I had to step back so I didn’t get knocked out by them.”
Yeah, what the hell was that? Aggressive flirting is so not like me. She says she almost got knocked out, but I was struck by the lusties and felt the need to push the envelope. What happened to my promise to strengthen my resolve and back the hell away from this man? It apparently went out the window when he backed me into that wall. I go from running from him to throwing myself at him? It makes no sense.
All I know is that I wasn’t about to back down. I would have let him do anything to me in that moment, and I do mean anything.
Oh God, I’m now the wanton woman, no better than Room Service Brianna.
I look around to see if anyone is near, and there’s Ned standing at the supply closet. His small smile indicates that he could have overheard what Jazz said, but then again, Ned always seems to be smiling, like that’s his natural expression. He never looks my way, so it’s hard to tell.
Shaking my head quickly, I smile, despite what I’m about to say, as I help her into a PPE gown. While I tie it behind her, I lean in and whisper, “Jasmine, I really don’t want to discuss this right now.”
She nods. “Right, right, right. Sorry.”
She turns to hold out my gown, and I slip my arms in.
“It’s just that, well, if I hadn’t walked in when I did, I bet you’d be doing… things right now.”
I can think of at least ten things I’d like to do with him.
Shit, woman. Focus. Lives are at stake and all.
When the first ambulance rolls in, my nurse side dominates. Jasmine stands close, watching, only doing what she’s told. We are assigned to an older married couple. The husband has multiple contusions, a broken leg, and possible cracked ribs, and his wife has a head injury and shattered right arm that will require surgery. Since both aren’t critical, they are made more comfortable until radiology can see them. Jasmine and I wait in the wings to see if we’re needed for the two critical patients.
Honestly, trauma is Tiffany’s forte. She is one phenomenal ER nurse who was born to care for life-threatening injuries. She’s been the hero on multiple occasions, so the rest of us usually stand close but out of her way until she asks for us.
Since we’re busy, the afternoon goes by quickly. I don’t see Doug but twice, and that’s only to bring Jasmine and me each a sandwich, which we take five-minute turns to scarf down in the hallway. There’s no time to get swoony over that little tidbit. The second time is when he wordlessly brings me some tea. I don’t get a chance to ask why he forces a smile on his somber face before a patent’s alarms go off, and Jasmine and I are called to assist.
But the concern for him never completely leaves my mind.
~ ~ ~
“Today was fucking awesome,” Jasmine says over her soda, a look of awe on her face.
We sit in the bar where Douglass brought us; he obviously feels comfortable here, standing at the bar with his friends. Since it’s closer to where Jazz’s boyfriend lives, she agreed to come when Doug invited her. I am not sure if it’s appropriate that we are drinking together, but since this is the last day of her ER rotation, I didn’t put up a protest. She has plans with her boyfriend tonight, and he’s picking her up here in a few minutes anyway.
“Still thinking about quitting?” I ask, nudging her with my shoulder.
“No,” she admits, shaking her head. “I’m not.”
“Good, because you were born to do this job, Jazz.” Patting her arm, I add. “Don’t let some stupid asshole get in your head and make you doubt yourself ever again.”
“What’d I miss?” Kelly asks, sliding into the booth, setting her purse in the spot previously occupied by Douglass.
I invited Kelly to join us, and Dugger invited his friends, who arrived a few minutes ago. They’re involved in some
conversation huddled together at the bar. They look to be comforting him. I wish he’d tell me why.
“I helped to save a fucking life today,” Jasmine proudly admits, holding out her hand to Kelly. “I’m Jasmine.”
While they talk, I look to the bar to check on Doug. The woman, who looks strangely familiar, blatantly turns in my direction, smiles, and looks back to Douglass, grabbing his elbow and nodding her head our direction. He looks over his shoulder and catches my eyes, and the intensity in his… damn. I feel a zap across the room, not as powerful as yesterday’s or any of the others, but it’s there, making my whole tired body crackle.
“Well, it was nice to meet you, Kelly,” Jasmine says, forcing my attention back to the table, “but I need to go. My boyfriend is in the parking lot.”
I throw my arm around her, pulling her in for a hug. “You did good today, kid.”
She grins. “Thanks, Ember. For everything.”
I nod, swallowing down the awkwardness begging to be set free. “Have Doug walk you out.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’ll be fine.”
“Humor me, please.”
She nods, sliding out of the booth and making her way to Doug and his friends. They talk for a minute, and she holds her hand out to the couple. The other male and Jasmine move toward the door, but I watch Douglass stay behind with the woman.
“God, girl,” Kelly breathes, “you can’t keep your eyes off of him for more than a minute.”
She’s right, but it’s because of more than the one obvious reason. I can’t stop watching him interact with this woman; it’s obvious how much she cares about him. When Kelly clears her throat, my eyes return to my best friend, who’s sporting a goofy grin.
I lower my voice and lean forward. “I’m worried about him, Kel. Something happened today, and he hasn’t told me what.”
Her grin vanishes as she leans across the table toward me. “Have you asked him?”
I nod. “He avoided the question.” Casually taking a sip of my rum and Coke, I add, “He’s not super share-y.” I look down into my drink, playing with my straw. “We did have a bit of a moment before things got hairy at work.” Pausing, I sigh. “I just hope that’s not what’s bugging him.”
“I’m sure it’s –”
My hands slap the table, cutting her off.
“I threw myself at him, Kel.” Glancing toward the bar to see if I drew any attention, I sigh in relief because Dugger and the woman are too involved in their own convo to notice my outburst. “I made it very clear what I was willing to do with him, and it wasn’t exactly rescuing puppies or feeding the homeless.” I drop my voice to a whisper. “I’m so embarrassed.”
Her silence is unnerving, so when I look back to her, she’s grinning again, and it pisses me off. I sit back and cross my arms over my chest.
“I love that you’re enjoying this.”
Chuckling, she nods her head. “I’m just trying to picture how you threw yourself at him. I’m sorry, but every scenario I come up with is amusing.”
“How are you guys doing over here?” a Scarlett Johansson look-alike asks. She turns to Kel. “Can I bring you something, hon?”
“I’d like to try the cherry-apple lager.”
“Oh, good choice,” she approves, flouncing toward Dugger and his female friend at the bar.
The waitress side-hugs Dugger, and they exchange friendly words while she waits for the bartender to prepare Kelly’s beer. I know this is a bar he frequents, but I wonder why he’s so familiar with the waitress. More unease settles in my chest, and I’m not sure why.
“Stop it,” Kelly hisses.
“What?”
“Stop glaring and looking like you want to start a bar fight.”
My eyes snap to her still amused ones. “I do not look like that. I’ve never wanted to fight anyone in my life.”
“It’s the same look you had on your face when you watched Brianna walk out of your room the other night.”
I curl my lip at the mention of that girl’s name.
“I hope you talked to that little trollop.”
The way she spit laughs… well, I’m just glad she didn’t have her beer yet. I’d be covered in it.
“Trollop?” she wheezes. “Oh, God, girl, you’re killing me.” She grabs a napkin and wipes her mouth. “Yes, I talked to Brianna. She had a bit of a different story than you told.”
I take a quick sip of my drink. “Of course she did. She’s not going to admit to her boss that she was blatantly coming on to a guest.”
“Oh, she said she may have been a little… friendly,” she points at me, “but she said you were beyond rude to her.”
Looking at her over my glass, I mutter, “Too friendly’s ass.” I set down my drink. “She was damn near stripping for him.”
“Here ya go, hon,” the waitress interrupts, setting down Kelly’s beer. “And Dugger paid for it already.”
“How do you know Dugger exactly?” I ask before I can stop myself. And yeah, if I allowed myself to pay attention to the look Kelly’s shooting me, I’d have to acknowledge that she is right about the rudeness this time, which would force me to back down.
The waitress smirks at me. “He used to be a regular here.” She looks over her shoulder at him, and her smile widens. Turning back to me, she leans in and says quietly, “He’s absolutely the best man I know.”
A million thoughts fly through my head at once. Is she an ex? If so, why would she say he’s the best? I mean most relationships don’t exactly end on good terms, at least I don’t think so. Did she sleep with him? Was he that good? Or does she want to sleep with him? She seems like more his speed. First of all, she’s tall, and her short skirt showcases her fabulously long, toned legs. Secondly, her flaming red hair, trussed-up cleavage, and the tasteful tattoos decorating her arms are in line with someone he’d have on his arm. If anyone has a shot, it’s her, and not little ole me, with my boring, tattoo-less skin, my not-flaming, light brown hair, my smallish boobs, and my barely-five-foot stature.
“Yeah, he is pretty terrific,” I hear myself say sincerely, all rudeness draining from me. I pick up my drink to take a long sip. “From what I know about him anyway.”
She smiles at me and reaches over to touch my arm. “I know he’s hard to get to know, but…” She shoots another glance over her shoulder, then bends down at the knees next to me, still holding my arm. “Look. I know you didn’t ask, but I want you to know. He’s the only customer in here who’s never hit on me. Besides, he’s not a sleaze ball, so therefore, he’s not my type.”
I raise my eyebrows in question.
“Like I said, he’s a great guy, and I have the worst taste in men. Like the absolute worst. Dugger saw me one night, limping into work after the latest horrible decision decided to beat the shit out of me. He ditched the two girls who were throwing themselves at him to talk to me. Asked me why I felt I deserved to be treated the way I allowed men to treat me. He sat on that barstool all night and tried to convince me that I was worth way more than that. He told me in the years he’s been coming here, he could just tell that I was a badass woman who could break up a bar fight with the best of them. He helped me move out of the bastard’s apartment the next day and got me to a safe house. He helped me decide to press charges and took me to therapy appointments, telling me that I needed to get myself right so that I could break the dick cycle.”
“And you’ve never had a thing for Douglass?”
She stands, chuckling. “God no. It’d be like dating my brother.”
Stepping back, she bumps into the Devil himself. He rights her politely and lets go quickly. His friends, who followed him to our table, stand frozen. The tight-lipped smile on his face lets me know he overheard what she said.
“Hey, I was just telling…” she nods to me and looks expectant.
“Oh, I’m Ember,” I offer.
“…Ember here that you’re the best man I know.” She pats his arm and winks. “And she agrees with me.�
�
His eyes snare mine. When his eyes flash and his nostrils flare, that familiar zing smacks me between my thighs, and I moan.
What the hell was that?
Sixteen
Dugger
“Hey, Dugger. I’ve been worried about you,” Desiree says, hugging me from the side. “Where’ve you been? You haven’t been in here in months, and when I called to make an appointment for a new tattoo, Shayla said you were on hiatus.”
“I’ll be back in soon if you want to wait, but you ought to let Shay tat you. She’s wicked talented.”
“I already did,” she says, holding out her arm to show me her latest, a puzzle piece with a watercolor background, “and you didn’t answer my question.”
I study it for a second. “You made the right choice because I suck at watercolor.”
She nudges me. “Dugger! Stop avoiding the question. Where have you been?”
I set my glass down on the bar and face her. “I got a new job working for a security company.” I admit, nodding my head in Ember’s direction. “I’m actually working right now as a bodyguard for Ember, the woman at the table you just came from. She has a stalker.”
She smirks. “The woman who ordered the cherry-apple beer or the one who thinks you’re upset with her?”
“See?” Emily says, nudging me from behind. “What have I been telling you?”
Ignoring Emily, I put my hand on Desiree’s arm. “Put Kelly’s beer on my tab, D.”
She places the filled pilsner glass on her tray. “You got it, sweets.”
“Dugger,” Emily whispers. “You need to tell her.”
I shake my head. “Not yet. I want her to have a good night with her friend. She’s already had a shitty week. Telling her about Mabel will just make it worse.”
“It’s nice that you are thinking about her, Sunshine, but she’s a nurse. I’m betting she already has a clue that this thing with Mabel won’t be good news.”
