Impossible To Resist (BWWM Romance Book 1)(13)

“Yep, sure. Let’s all go back to your house and celebrate some more.” Jared played along and helped navigate Rick toward the cars.

“I see what you’re doing, boys,” Rick slurred as he stumbled into the back of the SUV.

“You go ahead and ride up front, Jay. I’ll stay in back with Dad,” Max suggested.

Jared closed the door behind Rick and limped around to the passenger seat. His leg ached and all he wanted was a nice, soft bed. As expected, Rick passed out before they made it back to the house. With Jared’s leg he could only hold doors open while Paul and Max carried their Dad into the house and got him tucked into bed.

“I can take you home if you want, Jay,” Paul offered, “or you can just crash in the guest room. Mom will make a huge breakfast in the morning and then we can get you home.”

Worried about what his leg would be like in the morning after being on it for so long, Jared asked Paul to drive him home. He fell into bed without even undressing, too tired all of a sudden and he had a lot of planning to do before Monday.

**

“Calm down,” Rick told him yet again.

“I’m calm,” Jared snapped.

“Yep, real calm,” Rick muttered. He pulled up to the hospital and put the SUV in park. “Good luck.”

Jared didn’t respond, just slid out of the car and shut the door, albeit with a bit too much force. His heart beat so fast he felt sure everybody in the lobby could hear it as he walked through, but they just waved at him, apparently oblivious to his inner turmoil.

“Hey.” A.J. greeted him first.

“Hi.” Jared grinned like an idiot in response. He couldn’t help himself.

“How’s the leg?” A.J. asked.

“Sore, actually,” Jared admitted, “I may have overdone it a bit this weekend.”

“Let’s see it.” A.J. gestured for him to take his pants off.

“Whoa, I don’t know what kind of guy you think I am but it definitely takes more than a kiss, even that kind of kiss, to get me out of my clothes,” Jared joked.

“Funny,” A.J. commented, not so amused. “Did you want that date or were you just going to talk yourself right out of it?”

“Touche,” Jared said and pulled his track pants down to show A.J. the scar on his leg. She bent down and palpated around the wound. Jared hissed.

“You definitely overdid it,” A.J. agreed. “Why didn’t you tell me it was that bad?”

“It wasn’t,” Jared said as he pulled his pants back up. He stepped toward her so that their noses practically touched. “Nothing about Saturday night felt bad, except maybe when you left.” He reached up and touched his fingertips to her cheek. “You are so beautiful, do you know that?”

A.J. exhaled sharply. “Wow. How often have you said that one?” She stepped back, putting some distance between them.

Jared’s eyes burned through her. “Never.”

“Right.” A.J. turned away from him but he could feel her respond to his attentions.

He crossed the room, took her arm, and turned her toward him. “I have never said those words to another woman.” Jared didn’t let her respond, didn’t let her call him a liar, he kissed her. He put his arms around her, determined to kiss the truth into her. For a second she hesitated, held back, but then she arched into him and returned the kiss. His fingers trailed along her sides causing her to shiver. Jared pressed her up against her desk.

A.J. paused the kiss and put her fingers over his lips. “We shouldn’t do this here.”

“Why not?” Jared asked and leaned in for another kiss.

“Because it’s unprofessional,” A.J. began, “and you are technically my patient.”

“Actually, I’ve got that figured out,” Jared began. “I’m good with PT at this point, it’s more about training and getting back in shape. So, discharge me from PT and we can date, no ethical issues at all.”

A.J. laughed. “We still can’t do this here.”

“Then let’s go somewhere else,” Jared suggested. “I have a few ideas if you’re up for it.”

“I can’t, I still have work here,” A.J. protested.

“I know. The kids, right?” Jared asked.

“Yes.” A.J. nodded. “I can’t let them down. It’s our thing.”

“I know.” Jared nodded his head. “Sheesh, you thought I was suggesting we do something dirty?”

A.J.’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Seriously?”

“You think you’re the only one with skills?” Jared taunted. “Come on, let’s go.” He led her out of the office and toward the pediatric wing.

“What did you do?” A.J. hesitated at the double doors.

“Come on, it’ll be fine,” Jared assured her. “I’m actually pretty good with kids as it turns out.”

“Again, I ask, what did you do?” A.J. arched an eyebrow at him.

It was unbelievably sexy but he managed to suppress the urge to push her into one of the empty rooms to show her what he really wanted to do.

“Me? Now why do you suspect me of nefarious behaviors?” Jared feigned offense and pretended to stab himself in the heart. “You wound me.”