I bury myself in work, hoping to regain some control.It doesn’t help.Every so often, we pass each other in the hallway.And every time, I look at her.I don’t even mean to, but there she is, and I can feel her eyes on me too.We’re like magnets.
Pulling out my phone, I send a message to a dealership contact I know.She needs a car, not just because hers is old and now broken down, but because I don’t like the idea of her relying on rideshares, her dad, or waiting in the cold.I don’t even overthink it.Just text the specs, confirm availability, and arrange for it to be delivered to her address by morning.I’ll tell her it’s on loan until she leaves.I expect her to argue, but I’ll deal with it later.
For now, I head down to the ICU to check on the little boy with the AV canal defect.
The ICU is filled with the sounds of monitors beeping and the nurses talking.I nod to them as I pass and head to the boy’s bed.
He’s so small in the bed.His chest rises and falls under the oxygen, the monitors showing stable signs.Dr.Sullivan’s updated notes are thorough.No complications so far, minimal bleeding, good response to medication.Everything I hoped for.
I stand there longer than I need to, watching him breathe.
He looks so peaceful.Unaware of what he went through and what’s waiting for him when he’s older.
I wonder if his parents are in the waiting room.It makes me think of how my parents would’ve experienced this same scared and sad feeling this little boy’s parents are too.I didn’t understand it then, but now seeing it first-hand, I do.
It’s time to get back to work, so I pass the head nurse as I leave and tell her to keep me updated.
I walk down the hallway, knowing she’ll be there waiting.
I wonder if these last few hours apart gave her time to think about things, and if she’ll decide she’s not going to want to pursue anything with me.
I’m about to approach the office.We need to hand over to the next shift so we can head home.
As I push open the door, there she is, her hair loose and no longer in a ponytail.My pulse jumps as she looks up and gives me a short nod.I want to cross the room, pull her into my arms, and kiss her… but, I don’t.
“We’ll hand over, and then we can go,” I say, keeping it professional.
But inside, my bones are shaking from holding back.My fingers twitch with the need to touch her.I try not to look at her mouth, but I fail miserably.
She nods again.“Okay.”
We finish the handover and head back to my office to grab my briefcase before leaving.Thinking about the conversation we need to have, and if she’s going to say it was a mistake.
“Should we go out separately?”she asks, reaching for her bag.
I pause and turn back slowly.“Do you want to?”
She meets my eyes, and there’s fire behind them, like a silent challenge.“No.”
That one word lights me up.
“Then let’s go.Your father already knows your car’s not working.He’s going to assume someone gave you a ride anyway.”
The mention of her father makes my stomach drop.He’s the man who could ruin my entire career if he caught me kissing his daughter.
I want the chief position.Fuck, I deserve it.I’ve earned it with every sixteen-hour shift, every decision, every sacrifice.A kiss shouldn’t change that.
She’s not even staying.She’ll be gone before long.
So I give myself this one secret moment.Just one more time.
I drop my case, step toward her, my hands find her waist, and I lift her like I already know where this is going.She squeaks, surprised, but wraps her arms around my neck without hesitation.I press her back against the door and finally kiss her again.
Her legs lock around my waist.My hands grip her hips as we kiss.Her lips are soft and passionate under mine.I kiss her like I’m starving, and she feeds me like she knows I’ll never be full.
She moans, and, God, those sounds are everything.I’m so hard it’s painful.Every shift of her hips against mine lights me up.My control’s slipping.
Her fingers bury into my hair, yanking me closer.Groaning into her mouth, I kiss her deeper.My hips press against hers, and when she gasps at the contact, I do it again.Slower this time.
