A snort erupts from my chest. ‘Pity? Is that what you think? A pity sex scenario?’
‘Wasn’t it? I practically forced you into that dressing room with me. What else could you have done without embarrassing me?’ She drags her hair into a ponytail, securing it with a hairband.
‘The only person I pity is me. I wanted to fuck you so badly my balls are blue even after two self-awarded handjobs.’ My fist bangs the dashboard hard enough to make her jump.
‘What I wouldn’t give to be with you, Victoria. You’re the most magnificent woman I’ve ever come across. Or will ever come across again. Not only are you absolutely stunning on the outside…’ My hand gestures to her beautiful body, ‘…but I’ve never met anyone with a heart like yours. Someone so selfless. You could be living the highlife on the back of Ryan and Sasha’s fame, but here you are, tending to others, doing a job that constantly puts you at risk.’
‘And you and I getting involved is another risk, right?’ Her gaze remains forwards the entire time.
She was right. It’s horrible when someone you care for avoids eye contact. I’ll never do it to her again.
‘If your family didn’t employ me, and I didn’t think so highly of them, it would be a different matter altogether.’
I negotiate the rush hour traffic to the university hospital without uttering another word.
When we get inside the building, Victoria changes into her scrubs and I escort her to A&E where Doctor Dickhead is already waiting like a slimy predator.
‘Ah, Doctor Sexton. I trust your injuries are well improved?’ His grubby hands brush over the pale, almost faded bruising on her neck. If he touches her clavicle, I’ll rip them from his wrists.
She offers a curt nod and a tight-lipped smile. ‘Yes, thank you.’
Narrow eyes darken, holding hers for a beat longer than is comfortable. ‘The offer stands if you want to talk. My door is always open.’
She knows. We all fucking do.
I step forwards, towering over him. ‘Speaking of open doors, the Sexton family is insisting on an open door, or rather curtain, policy, as it were.’
Unless we’re in Sublime Secrets,of course.
‘Ryan and Sasha would hate to have to file a claim and complaint against the hospital, and whoever was in charge last week.’ My pointed stare ensures there’s no mistaking I know exactly who was supposed to be in charge last week.
Doctor Dickhead freezes, the full enormity of my words washing over him. ‘I’m afraid it’s not up to me to change hospital policy. It’s a matter of patient confidentiality.’ He coughs.
‘It will be a matter of front-page news if it’s not rectified immediately.’ I remove my phone from my pocket, pretending I’m about to call Ryan or Sasha or any other member of Victoria’s famous family.
Doctor Dickhead raises his hand in protest. ‘Fine. I’ll deal with it.’
‘I need a clear view of her at all times. I don’t give a crap about patient confidentiality, especially when they’re convicted criminals.’
If looks could kill, I’d be stone dead, abandoned in a heap of blood and guts, the favourite bits of my anatomy severed from my bruised and bleeding body.
Thankfully, lookscan’tkill.
But if this punk steps a foot out of line with my girl, thenIwill.
Victoria’s arms fold across her chest as she glances between Doctor Dickhead and me, like she’s watching a tennis match.
When Doctor Dickhead finally nods reluctantly to my demands, I swear I see a flicker of relief cross her fabulous features. She’s bound to be shaken after her last shift in here.
My girl.
If only it were a remote possibility.
Even if I resigned and took another position before telling Ryan and Sasha, it would cause war. Even if I could somehow get Ryan and Sasha to accept a real relationship between Victoria and me, if we were to take the chance, try to make a go of it, it doesn’t change the fact she’s twenty-three and probably nowhere near ready to settle down.
It’s too risky.
She’s too young.
