He settled her on the couch and she bit her lip to stop the moan of disappointment from escaping. She liked being in his arms far too much. “I’m fine. Jerry said I could have some dizzy spells. His only concern was if it happened to me all the time. This one happened because I bent down. I should’ve squatted.”
Mitch looked at her, he’d switched into doctor mode and was assessing her for himself. To see she really was all right. “You know head injuries aren’t ones to be taken lightly.”
Annoyance replaced the joy she’d felt while being in his arms. “Yes, Mitch, I’m well aware of head injuries. In case you forgot, I’m also a doctor. And I’m not one of those stubborn ones who ignores signs of ill health.”
“Really?” There was a wealth of skepticism in that one word and she rolled her eyes, making sure Mitch saw her reaction.
“Okay, so last night I didn’t, but I can honestly tell you, once you arrived any pain I felt disappeared. I know it was pure adrenaline racing through me that kept me going. If I didn’t have to help the others, I know I would’ve been in a lot of pain and would’ve gotten help sooner.”
Nothing she said was a lie. How many times had there been stories about women who were injured but found superhumanpowers to lift off a large lump of wood from their babies pram to save their child. She’d experienced that phenomenon last night.
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Yes I am.” Nadia scooted to the edge of the couch and stood for a moment. No dizziness. “Can I get you that drink now? I’m not sure what we’ve got but I’m pretty sure there’s soda, water and juice. Cerise has a bit of a Coca Cola habit.”
“I’m as bad as Cerise, I’ll take a Coke, thanks,” Mitch said, a wide grin on his face. Looking at him she never would’ve guessed the man could suffer from traumatic PTSD attacks. She supposed that was normal too. He seemed to smile more freely around her than she suspected he did around others. How she knew that, she didn’t know, she just did.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t plan on going anywhere.” To prove his point, Mitch settled back into the cushions of the couch and hitched his leg up so that his ankle rested on the opposite knee. Classic relaxed man pose. The action stretched the denim from his jeans over his thighs, showcasing his strength.
How would it feel to have those thighs brushing against hers while he took possession of her?
Damn, these wayward thoughts needed to settle down. Maybe the hit on her head had unlocked a sensual inner part of her she had no idea existed. Well, whatever it was, she needed to curb it. Mitch was a complex man. Hell, she didn’t even know that much about him, except he was a former military surgeon, suffered PTSD attacks, was a volunteer firefighter and kissed like nobody’s business.
Giving herself a mental shake she walked down to the kitchen lecturing herself on the reasons why jumping his bones was not a good idea. The most important point being, that she’d just suffered a head trauma, so physical activity needed to be kept to a minimum.
Grabbing a Coke out of the fridge for Mitch and a water for herself, she rubbed the cool plastic bottle over her cheek in an attempt to temper her desire for the complex, yet mysterious, man in the living room.
Once she had herself under control, she strolled back to the living room, handing him his Coke before taking the seat next to him.
“Please tell me you don’t like glitter? That’s another of Cerise’s bad habits.” Why on earth did she just ask that question? Mitch was a man, of course he didn’t like glitter.
Mitch chuckled. “Can’t say that I do. But I wouldn’t call liking glitter a bad habit.”
“Okay maybe obsession would be a better word for it then. Do you know she wears glitter eyeliner to work?”
“Well, I can assure you I’m not obsessed with glitter. And I definitely don’t wear glitter eyeliner.” He winked. “So does this mean I get a tick in the good column? I mean I’ve got a cross already with liking Coke like Cerise.”
Nadia laughed as well. “No, you’re all good. I don’t do good or bad columns. I don’t see the point. I also don’t hold anyone’s habits against them. I’ve got a few of my own that people probably don’t like.”
Mitch leaned closer and she had to stop herself for swaying toward him. She could totally picture the two of them cuddling together on the couch. “Hmm interesting. Do tell.”
Nadia took a second to comprehend that the man who kept to himself was flirting with her. She liked it. She likedhim.“I always forget to turn lights off when I leave a room. Used to drive my brothers and sister crazy.”
Mitch shook his head. “Lame Boston. Apart from wasting electricity, that’s not a bad habit. Come on give it to me.”
“I hate to lose. Whenever we played board games as kids I would always throw a tantrum if I lost. Although I’m pretty suremy older siblings cheated to make sure I lost. I know they did that when we played a trivia game.”
“Hmm remind me not to play board games with you. Or if we do, I’ll let you win.” He sidled closer to her and now their thighs brushed against each other. Her body heated from the connection. “What else ya got?”
“I suppose you would call this more of an obsession than a habit. I love all things New England Patriots. I even have a Patriots sheet set on my bed.” She ducked her head, already feeling the bloom of a blush on her cheeks.
Mitch laughed again, this time a full belly laugh. Glancing over at him she could see the surprise in his eyes, as though it had been a long time since he’d laughed like that. “I should’ve known, with you being from Boston and all. I can’t deny that team always seems to make it work. You gotta admire them.”
“Yes you do. Although I’m fully aware that in a couple years’ time they’re not going to be as successful, but they’re my team and I will love them no matter what.”
“Loyalty is a good thing. You don’t see much of it these days” he commented. He reached out and took some of her hair, curling it around his finger. The gesture sweet—just like when he brushed his fingers down her cheek.
