Chapter 33
Madi
True to his word, any time Richard and/or Rose woke up screaming, Matt was there to help. He didn’t hesitate to change diapers, warm up bottles, or rock a baby to sleep after said baby burped formula all over his shoulder.
My heart might have melted more than once watching him.
Despite his help, no one got much sleep. When my alarm went off, every fiber of my being protested. I allowed myself the luxury of hitting the snooze alarm once.
Okay, twice.
After rushing through a shower, I followed the rich scent of bacon to the kitchen.
Matt was standing at Jamie’s counter, cooking breakfast, in jeans and nothing else.
I will not stare at his gorgeous ass, or the stunning ink on his back.
“Is that Robinhood?” Color flooded my cheeks as the words left my mouth.
Nothing like starting the day with a healthy dose of humiliation before coffee.
“It is.” I can hear his grin. “Coffee?” he asked without turning around.
“Please.” Tell me I didn’t sound as horny as I felt.
Get it together, Sheppard. You’re not the kind of woman who drools over a hot man with colorful ink that dances on his skin as his muscles on-top-of-muscles flex while he’s cooking you breakfast.
Or am I?
“You okay there, Madi?”
Of course, he'd noticed the hitch in my voice. I found it seriously annoying that everyone in my life was far too fucking observant.
“Yup, just caffeine deprived.”
“I’d apologize for not getting you Grannie’s, but—”
“We all brew Grannie’s.” I finished as I reached for a mug.
“It’d be a crime to brew anything else.”
“And don’t we know it?”
“Sit, breakfast will be done in a few minutes.”
“You didn’t have to cook.”
“I wanted to.”
“Thank you.” I sat at the table and stared at Matt’s fabulous backside while I hugged my warm mug of magic bean juice.
I took advantage of the view to study the art on his back. Robinhood sat on a brown horse, his bow and arrow at the ready. The longer I stared, the more I noticed. Like the SEAL trident carved into the runes on the saddle.
Needing a distraction so I didn’t think about why I didn’t know about his back tattoo when I’d become intimately familiar with the ink on his chest, I asked, “Is Jamie up yet?”
Nothing extinguished my ravenous lust for Matt like saying my brother’s name.
“No, but I suspect that will change soon.”
No doubt the twins would wake up any second now, demanding attention the only way newborns could—by waking the neighborhood with ear-piercing screams.
“I asked my mom to come over at eight; we can leave after she gets here.”
“Works for me. Grannie’s run?”
“Duh.” I’d need a fucking coffee drip to get me through the day.
The twins let us eat in peace, waiting until Matt was in the shower to scream. Luckily, Mom arrived early, providing us with an extra set of hands.
When it was time to leave, Mom thanked Matt for staying the night. I could’ve sworn there was a hidden meaning behind her words, but was too tired to care.
“No trouble at all. I’m happy to help where I can.”
“Are you staying tonight?”
Knowing I’d told him last night was a one-time deal, I was curious how he'd respond.
“I’d like to, but it depends on what Madi says.”
That fucker. Did he think he could use my mom to convince me to change my mind?
When hell freezes over.
It didn’t matter that his help had been invaluable, and we’d probably need help again tonight; my stubborn side wouldn’t admit I wanted his help.
When I shot him a warning look, he grinned like it was fucking foreplay.
“Isn’t it up to Jamie?” Mom asked, a picture of innocence.
“He’s fine with it, but Madi has the final say.”
Rather than fight a losing argument with my mother, I said, “We have to go.”
“Say hi to Carol and Alice for me,” Mom said, waving.
“Will do.”
I practically tripped myself in my effort to get out the door.
“Slow down, Red. You don’t want to be the clinic’s first patient.”
When I yanked on the door handle, my hand slipped and slammed back into my chest. I screamed through gritted teeth as I stood in front of the passenger door of Matt’s truck.
Sensing curious eyes watching our departure, I forced myself to wait for Matt to unlock the doors.
Being the over-tired fool I was, I expected him to click the remote so I could open the door.
But no. Matt invaded my personal space when he reached for the door handle. “Good girl,” he purred close to my ear as the door unlocked.
His warm, minty breath caressed my bare neck.
That didn’t just shoot flames straight to my lady bits.
Nope.
I’m not irritated and turned on at the same time.
Nope.
I’m not imagining slapping that stupid, sexy grin off his face while fantasizing about him slapping my ass.
Nothing to see here, folks.
Matt behaved himself as he drove to Grannie’s and let me buy his coffee along with the ones I bought for everyone at the clinic.
We lingered a few extra minutes so I could show Beth and Nina the pictures I’d taken of Richard and Rose throughout the night. They made the appropriate sounds of loving adoration for each one.
At the clinic, Matt parked in his normal spot and took up post on the porch.
Inside, Carol thanked me for the coffee, then said, “You look like hell. Let me know if you want to leave early.”
“Thanks.” I laughed, knowing I only looked slightly better than death warmed over because of quality makeup. “No amount of concealer will hide these bags.”
“Newborns will do that.”
“I’ll see if I can rearrange your schedule so you can cut out a few hours early.”
“Thanks, Alice. Who’s my first guest?”
The morning flew by as I buried myself in my work. One more patient until lunch.
“Madi?” Alice’s voice sent an icy chill down my spine. “I’m so sorry.”
“What happened?”
“Paul’s here with his sister, Pamela. She’s your next patient.”
Fuck. I didn’t have the mental or emotional energy to deal with Paul today.
“How’d that happen?”
How’d he get past Matt? Why are they both in the exam room?
“The appointment was made under the name Pamela Jesker.” That answers one question. “Want me to reschedule them?”
“It’s okay, Alice. I’ll help them.”
Wanting the answer to my other question, I asked, “Where’s Matt?”
“He’s in the restroom. I rushed them into the exam room so…”
“It’s okay, I understand.”
The last thing we needed was Matt causing a scene in front of the other patients. “Can you ask Matt to wait here when he comes out?”
“Should I tell him why?”
“Yes, but discretely. And tell him not to create a scene when I walk them out.”
“Okay. I really am sorry, Madi.”
“It’s not your fault.” Sometimes shit happened.
Outside the door, I read the intake sheet, buying myself time to take a few deep, centering breaths.
I knocked, paused, then entered.
“Hello, I’m Madi, you must be Pamela.” My voice sounded shockingly steady, considering how unsteady I felt.
“I am.”
“Hi Doc, sorry, Madi.”
Pamela laughed at her brother. “You’re so silly, Paul.”
No doubt my smile looked as forced as it felt.
“What brings you in today?”
Pamela was a little scatterbrained as she listed her complaints, peppering in praise for her brother along the way. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was playing matchmaker.
Except Paul was focused on his sister as I forced myself not to rush through the appointment.
In the end, Pamela’s only ailment was a fever. I could confidently send her home with a prescription for rest and lots of fluids.
“Thank you, Doc,” Pamela said.
“I’m not a doctor.” It was worth correcting her once.
As we exited the room, Paul turned his attention to me and asked, “Are you still seeing that guy?”
Wow. The way he said ‘that guy’ seethed with vitriol.
“She is,” Matt answered as he closed the distance. “Don’t yell at Alice, I begged her to let me come back so I could surprise you with a lunch date.”
He handled that less aggressively than I thought he would.
“Thank you. Can you wait in the waiting area? I’ll be done in just a minute.”
He made eye contact with Paul, who blinked in a ‘message received’ kind of way.
“Sure thing.” On his way past Alice’s desk, Matt said, “Thanks again, Alice. I hope I didn’t get you in trouble.”
“You’re welcome.” Alice played her role. I made a mental note to buy her flowers.
Paul had the decency to look embarrassed. “Come on Pammie, let’s get you home.”
“Remember, get lots of rest and drink lots of fluids. You can take aspirin as instructed on the bottle if the headaches continue.”
“Thank you.” Paul paid for the appointment and ushered Pamela out the door.
Before the door clicked shut, Matt was at my side, his eyes filled with fear and self-loathing. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry, I never should have left my post.”
I held my hand up to stop him. “Matt, even you need to use the bathroom. And I’m fine, really.” I had an hour to regain my composure before seeing anyone else.
“Do you want to go home?”
“No, Matt, I want to stay and do my job.” Feeling bad for raising my voice, I asked, “So, where are you taking me for lunch?”
“You want to go out?” he asked.
I rarely went out for lunch, even if I didn’t bring my lunch I’d order delivery, but today I needed a breather.
“Yes.”
He looked at me, opened his mouth, then closed it again before saying, “I’m in the mood for a burger. That work for you?”
It did. I’d never admit it, but I appreciated Matt not asking me what I wanted. I didn’t have the energy to decide.