Damn if I’ll let her have the last word.
After stripping out of my clothes, I wash my face, place a cool pack on my neck, and climb into bed.
Worried that Savannah is too stubborn to make the call, I email the maintenance team myself, informing them about the situation. I ask them to schedule a time to go clean Savannah’s kitchen and replace her fire extinguisher. With her cooking skills, it looks like she’s going to need it.
I toss and turn as visions of angry amber eyes float through my head until I finally pass out.
nine
Savannah
Myfeetareheavy,like I’m trudging through quicksand, as I drag them across the pavement towards the open and waiting elevator.
I’m so freaking exhausted; I can barely keep my eyes open.
It must be the new moon or something because I had way too many little patients visiting me today. Gashes to the head and broken bones are standard, but the little girl who came in at the end of my shift with headaches, fatigue, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes stumped me.
There’s just something about Madison’s symptoms that niggle the back of my brain. I don’t know what it is, but it’s right there on the edge of my consciousness, driving me crazy. I hope the blood test I ordered will give me a clue about what’s going on with her.
With a yawn, I swipe my card and press the button for my floor. Nothing. I swipe my card again, and the elevator doesn’t budge, which can only mean one thing.
Nico freaking Romero.
I haven’t seen the man since he came to my rescue the other night. My cheeks flush hot with embarrassment. I didn’t mean to fall asleep and miss the beep of the oven. I swear I know how to cook. I’m not the best, but I can make a mean omelet, and I can bake the hell out of some premade cookies.
Work has been extra busy for me with Talia gone on her honeymoon. Her presence makes all the difference. She does so much for me and the rest of my doctors that we’re all a little lost without her.
The roar of a familiar car engine sends my heart galloping out of my chest. I peek my head out of the elevator and glance towards the emergency staircase.
It’s now or never, my brain screams.
My sore feet refuse to take one flight of stairs, let alone twenty.
The engine cuts off, and it’s too late for me to make a run for it.
I watch him climb out of his car and stride my way, unaware of my presence. In head-to-toe black, just like his car, Nico looks like sin and sex on wheels, and every bit the bad boy baseball player everyone says he is.
His black dress shirt is rolled to his elbows, revealing his corded and inked arms, and his black slacks are tailored to his thick thighs to perfection. His dark hair is getting a little longer and is swooped back off his face. Nico rubs his temples as he stares down at his feet, still not noticing me lurking.
My body, being an absolute traitor, reacts like a foolish teen with a crush at the sight of him. My stomach flips, my mouth waters, and my skin crawls with electricity, making the little hairs stand on end.
I step back into the elevator, lean against the back wall so I don’t look like a creep for checking him out, and wait.
Nico steps inside, and his leathery cologne fills the space, smelling clean and delicious. I fight the urge to wipe my mouth to check for drool.
“Hey,” I croak.
At the sound of my voice, his head snaps up. His usually silver eyes are almost black as his left eyelid spasms. He grimaces and grunts at me, not bothering to say hi back.
Rude.
I watch as he slides his black card over the keypad and presses PH. At his command, the elevator doors close and we begin our ascent to the top floor.
“Must be nice,” I mumble under my breath, unable to hide my irritation at him and his stupid card. I could have been in my apartment already if it weren’t for him and his voodoo magic card.
“Excuse me?” His voice is pure gravel, like he hasn’t spoken in some time.
“Nothing.” I zip my mouth shut and cross my arms over my chest.
