Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train, #2)(9)

Crossing his arms over his broad chest, he tilted his head to one side, surmising me quizzically. “Fine then. No dinner with its somewhat provocative undertones. How about just a drink after you get off?”

“Sorry, but I’m not interested in dating at the moment.”

AJ’s dark brows furrowed in confusion, and I could tell he wasn’t used to getting rejection from a female. Undaunted, he pursed his lips in a smirk. “I get it. You’re a little gun-shy about dating a musician, or you’re career minded, or some other shit is telling you to say no. But I can work with that.” He snapped his fingers. “Coffee it is!”

“AJ, really—”

He held up a hand. “Yeah, I get it. I now can see where coffee might be a little loaded for an outing. You know, with caffeine being an illicit, addictive substance, so maybe I should switch gears. Ice cream’s pretty innocent. How about that?” His gaze honed in on my mouth as he closed the distance between us. “After all, who can say no to some sugary sweetness? Maybe add some smooth whipped cream topped off with a ripe cherry?”

His voice had taken on a deeper edge, a more seductive tone, which caused my resolve to momentarily fade. Instead of being focused on giving him the brush-off, I suddenly envisioned him lying buck naked on a bed while I licked ice cream off what I imagined were his perfect abs. Beads of sweat broke out along the base of my neck. I fought the urge to fan myself. Get a grip, Mia. “Um, no.”

“How about I take you to the party in my pants?”

“Look, I…wait, did you seriously just use a line from Anchorman on me?”

AJ gave me a teasing wink. “I just wanted to make sure you were paying attention.”

I huffed out a frustrated breath, blowing away a few errant strands of hair from my face. At his earnest expression, I held up my hands. “Listen, I’m really flattered by all your offers, but I’m just not ready to date again.”

“Again?” AJ questioned.

Dammit. How could I have let that slip? Glancing away from him, I stared over at the desk. “It’s just this year hasn’t been the best for me in a lot of ways.”

“So, let me make it better by taking you out and showing you a really good time.”

Dee sidestepped us on his way out of the medicine closet. “Trust me, sweet cheeks, baby girl needs a good time in the worst way possible.” He paused to run his gaze from AJ’s head down to his feet. “And you look like just the hot ticket she needs to clear away the vajayjay cobwebs.”

AJ busted out laughing while I screeched, “Dee, you faccia di merda!” I smacked him on the arm. Hard.

Pursing his full lips, Dee ignored my rant and bodily harm. “You can curse at me all you want in Italian, but the truth is the truth.” He eased closer to AJ, lowering his voice. “You see, our girl has closed up shop ever since she caught her dickhead fiancé banging one of her friends.”

It was at that moment that if looks could kill, Dee would be toe up in the floor, writhing in agony with a slow death. I could not believe he had just told my most intimate details to a perfect stranger, especially someone like AJ.

While I debated making a run for it, AJ’s amused expression turned sympathetic. “Damn, I’m sorry, Mia. I had no idea. That f*cking blows.”

I shrugged, trying desperately to play off my heartache. “What can you do? Shit happens.” My voice cracked betraying my emotions. Oh yes, I was going to kill Dee for dredging up my past in front of AJ. Yes, maybe slow torture would better serve him.

With his eyes boring into mine, AJ stepped forward. He swept a strand of hair out of my face. Tenderly, he ran his fingers over it before tucking it behind my ear. “Mia, he must have been f*cking blind, not to mention stupid as hell, to have had you in his life, most of all in his bed, and then gone looking somewhere else.” He gave a quick shake of his head. “His loss, cari?o.”

The intensity of his stare, along with his husky tone, caused my breath to come in rapid pants. Okay, he was having way too much of an effect on me in such a short amount of time. It was time to send him packing. “That’s a very sweet sentiment, but now can you see why I’m not able to take you up on your offer?”

“Actually, I think that’s all the more reason for you to go out with me.”

With a sigh, I shook my head. “I’m sorry. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to my patients.” Sidestepping him, I grabbed a chart and powerwalked away from him. The whole way down the hall until I disappeared into room 410, I could feel his heated gaze searing into my back. Part of me wanted to whirl around and tell him I’d love nothing more than to go out with him. But the more dominant side of me—the one who was still licking its bloodied and beaten wounds—wouldn’t let me.

After putting more distance between us and making a few rounds, I returned to the station to find Dee waiting for me. By his expression, I knew exactly what he was going to say, so I held my hand up. “Please, don’t go there.”

“Oh girl, I’m so going there.”

“Dee, he is the last thing I need right now.”

“Bullshit. He is exactly what you need and then some.” When I stared down at my shoes, he gently pulled my chin up so I would be forced to look at him. “Mimi, he was a hot piece of male flesh who was totally and completely jonesing for you. He just worked harder for a chance at your snatch than I’ve ever seen a guy—straight or gay.”