“I used it to stop the bleeding, like you asked me to.”
“I didn’t ask you to use your clothes,” I respond with a little too much sarcasm, but I’m having too much fun rubbing salt into her wounded pride.
“What else was I supposed to use?” she asks indignantly.
“There are towels in the cabinet behind you.” I point my finger over my shoulder.
“How was I supposed to know that?”
“I figured you’d look around,” I retort.
She raises her voice. “I didn’t think there was time.”
Deciding to fix the situation, I turn, sliding my scrub top off over my head.
She squeaks. “What are you doing?”
Pointing to the table, I answer, “Your coat and shirt are ruined.”
Blake’s arms are still wrapped around her chest. “So your idea is to take off your clothes too? Even the playing field?”
I give her a lop-sided smile and hold out my shirt. “For you to wear.”
She blinks. “Oh.” Grabbing my shirt, she steps closer. “Thank you.”
I take another step. The shirt I handed over is the only thing preventing me from feeling her skin against mine.
I shouldn’t want her. Not Blake Jennings. Not Landon’s daughter.
She left Evergreen Falls a girl and returned a woman.
The longer I stare into her eyes, the faster my will dissolves.
She closes the gap between us, her chest pressing against mine as her breathing increases. Her eyes leave mine for a brief moment, dropping to my lips.
Fuck.
She wants this too.
“Don’t look at me like that, Blake,” I warn her.
“Why not?” Her voice is barely a whisper. She places her hand just over my heart.
Leaning down, my lips brush against hers as I say, “Because it makes me want to?—”
A voice clears from the doorway. “Am I interrupting something?” Santiago stands at the door to the exam room with a huge smile on his face. All that’s missing is the popcorn in his hands.
Blake jumps back. “Nope!” She slips the shirt on, covering herself up. “Thank you again, Levi. I’ll check on the dog later.” She moves to leave, but I stop her, grabbing her arm.
“Let me give you a jacket so you don’t freeze out there,” I insist.
“No need,” she brushes me off. “The shirt was more than enough. I have another coat in my motel room anyway.”
“Then at least let me give you my number.” I run over to the cabinets and retrieve a business card, placing it in her hand. “Call me. I’d love to catch up.”
“Will do,” she says with a small smile. “It was nice seeing you, Levi. You too, Santi,” Blake adds as she slips past Santiago and out of the clinic.
“Very smooth,” Santiago jests as I move to stand next to him. We both stare at the clinic door, as if hoping Blake will come back.
