Hotshot Doc(62)

I’m scared she’s going to roll off, so I wrap my arm around her knees and prop my other arm up under my head like a pillow. It’s not that comfortable, but it’s…nice. It’s the first time I’ve felt some semblance of calm since I agreed to take on this case.

I have a meeting with the hospital’s legal team in the morning. Apparently, they caught wind of the situation and have a few issues they’d like to discuss before things go any further. There’s a pretty good chance I won’t like what they’ll have to say, but I’ll worry about that in the morning.

Bailey stirs and sits up, wiping her eyes.

“Matt?” she asks sleepily.

I hum.

“Are you comfortable? Here.” She takes the blanket and splays it out over me. “This isn’t big enough for us both. I should go home—”

She starts to move off the couch but I keep my hold on her legs. “Don’t.” She pauses and my attention drags up from her mouth to her questioning gaze.

It’s late. I have no business thinking about kissing her, but I am. I’m imagining what it would feel like if she put her lips on mine, how easy it would be to untie those scrub pants and tug them down her legs.

“I won’t stay if you keep looking at me like that.” I quirk a brow and she shakes her head. “Fine, okay, but I’m going to flip around so we’re both lying that direction. My feet probably smell.”

I smile, but I don’t protest. I lift the blanket and help her shift around so her head is only a few inches below mine. She plays at keeping a little distance between us, but the couch isn’t big enough for that. I reach out and tug her close. Now she’s nestled against my chest. Our legs are tangled. Our bodies are molded together and whatever need for sleep I felt moments ago is gone. Her soft curves and the feel of her hand pressed against my heart sends a shot of adrenaline through me. My palm rests against the small of her back under the guise of keeping her on the couch, but it brings her hips against mine and now she can feel how she affects me. We’ve done nothing but touch and I’m starved for her.

Her nervous gaze shifts up to mine and there’s apprehension there.

If this were any other time, if she weren’t half-drugged with sleep, she’d pull away and insist on putting space between us. I almost feel like I’m taking advantage of her, but she’s here, isn’t she? She’s the one who insisted on staying and helping. Even though the temptation is killing me, I won’t seduce her. My hands will stay exactly where they are and I’ll only drop one chaste kiss against her forehead before telling her to go to sleep.

“Good night Matt,” she says, her voice soft and sweet.

I stay awake a long time after her eyes flutter closed, studying her features and letting the rhythm of her heart steady my own. It’s enough to have her in my arms. It’s the peace I’ve been craving, the quiet calm that’s been missing from my life since those early years with Victoria, and maybe not even then. I wasn’t in need of a partner when I was younger like I am now. I was so focused on proving myself as a student and a resident, and then as a fellow. I regret the way I handled things with my ex-wife, but I don’t regret that we went our separate ways. I can’t recall ever lying awake and appreciating Victoria’s presence like this, feeling grateful just to be near her.

Bailey’s ponytail is loose and most of her blonde hair spills out around her. I can smell her shampoo. It’s feminine and sweet and makes my stomach ache with need. I hate that tomorrow is an important work day. I want to jostle her awake and ask her about her life, about the hardships of the last few years and the fear she must have felt when she took on the role of Josie’s guardian.

In sleep, she looks so innocent and young, her freckles dotted across her cheeks. I have the sudden need to care for her like she’s cared for her sister.

Who takes care of you, Bailey?

Who’s your guardian?





Bailey’s awake before me the next morning and when I blink my eyes open, she’s hurriedly trying to fix her appearance in front of my office’s large windows. I chuckle and close my eyes again, craving a few more minutes of sleep.

“You can use my shower,” I offer.

I don’t have to look to know her head jerks in my direction. “You’re awake!”

I hum and burrow deeper under the blanket. “Not willingly.”

“Wait…you have a shower in here?” She scoffs. “You surgeons are seriously spoiled.”

I groan and force myself to finally sit up. “Hurry if you’re going to use it. I need to rinse off before my meeting with legal.”

“What about your clothes? They’re all rumpled from sleep. I think someone—er…not me, but someone definitely drooled on your shirt a bit.”

I smile despite myself. “I keep a spare suit in the closet. This isn’t the first time I’ve slept here.”

I sweep my feet off the couch, prop my elbows on my knees, and rub the heels of my hands against my tired eyes.

“Oh.” I look up to see her looking down at herself. “Any chance you keep a spare pair of women’s underwear in there too?”

Laughter spills out of me before I can help it.

She throws up her hands in defeat. “Oh well, I’ll deal with that after I shower. Would you mind running down to grab me a new set of scrubs? I don’t want anyone to see me like this.”