12. Harley
Chapter Twelve
HARLEY
Several days later, I was back at the doctor’s office, and Quinn was waiting patiently. I stared down at my hands before lifting my eyes to his again. He was a little too handsome to be a doctor, but I liked him. He had this comfortable, relaxed manner to him.
“I don't want to take medication,” I finally said.
He took a breath, nodding in acknowledgment before replying, “I understand that, but I think it would help. I'm concerned if you don't?—”
I shook my head, anger rising swiftly inside. “Why? It's just an irregular heartbeat,” I argued.
“It's not quite that simple. It's erratic, and it affects the oxygen flow in your system. That’s what’s causing the fainting episodes. Can you help me understand what you're concerned about, and why you're so opposed to medication?”
My irritation felt prickly. I wanted to shake the feeling away. I didn't want to explain. That meant admitting I didn't like having weakness of any kind. “I've been doing fine without it,” I finally said, my voice sounding a little sharper than I intended.
“Okay. Look, let's schedule a follow-up. I'd like you to think about it. I'm going to give you some information that explains what's happening and how the medication will help.”
“Okay. Aren't you supposed to listen to what I want?” I pressed.
Quinn was entirely unruffled by my snappiness.
“I am listening, but as your doctor, it's my responsibility to be honest with you about what I recommend and what's best for your health.
I do respect if you choose not to take the medication.
Maybe when you're more comfortable with me, you can explain why.
In the meantime, let's schedule a follow-up. You can review the information and think about the medication.”
I kept my temper in check. It wasn’t his fault. This was actually the same thing my other doctor had told me.
“This will significantly decrease your likelihood of having these episodes.”
“What episodes?” I asked as if I didn’t know.
“The fainting, the breathlessness, and temporary weakness.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I'll think about it.”
He stood and was opening the door when I said, “Dr. Haynes.” He turned back. “I'm not annoyed with you. I'm annoyed with the situation.”
“You can be annoyed with me, but I appreciate the clarification.”
Between that and having to have a conversation with Diego and our sisters about this, I was feeling, well, snippy about it. Apparently, there was a family history of heart issues. I'd had to listen to a little lecture from my oldest sister. My mom's sister had the same thing I did.
I’d lied to all of them and told them it was mild and no medication had been recommended.
I didn't like to lie, but I also didn't want to deal with my family's overbearing attitude since I was the youngest of five siblings with bossy sisters and an overprotective older brother.
For the first time since it had happened, my mind flung itself in the direction of Grant.
It was a relief to think about him later that night even though all of that mess was an inconvenient and consuming distraction. He was a better option than worrying about the stupid heart thing.
It still chafed me that he had told Diego. Like I needed another overprotective guy in my life. That evening, Cat wasn't at the staff house. She was in Anchorage with a friend for the whole weekend. Which meant it was just Grant and me.
That didn't have to mean anything, or so I told myself.
It wasn't like he was here every night anyway or that our schedules aligned.
I often hung out at the lodge with Daphne and Nora.
Or I holed up in my room to read and work late on projects.
With my job primarily online, my bed could be my desk. I didn't have to interact with Grant.
Except tonight I wanted to. I wanted a distraction. Badly.
When I stopped by the lodge, Daphne was busy with guests.
With Cat up in Anchorage, she was busier than usual.
I offered to help. I basically just followed her instructions in the kitchen, stirring this, cleaning that, putting things on the table for the guests, and playing tourist guide for those with questions about the area and what to do.
I kept wondering if Grant would make an appearance. Staff usually swung by and grabbed something for dinner unless they were otherwise occupied. The moment he showed up, I felt a fiery prickle of awareness race down my spine.
I forced myself to finish what I was doing, putting the latest round of dishes through the industrial-sized dishwasher in the back.
I turned to see him standing at the counter laughing at something Flynn said.
He reached for one of the stuffed savory rolls Daphne had made for appetizers. She had left extras out for the staff.
Flynn turned his attention to Daphne, leaning over and asking her a question. As Grant chewed, his eyes arced around the kitchen before they landed on where I stood in the back by the dishwasher, drying my hands with a towel.
Our gazes collided. I felt caught in a beam, and my belly shimmied, sending tingles through my system. I paid close attention to what I was doing. I finished drying my hands on the towel and looked away, tossing it in the laundry basket under the sink.
I told myself to play it cool. Daphne turned when I stopped beside where she was putting away the pots and pans.
“Thank you for your help,” she said with a smile. “With Cat gone, there’s extra for me to do.”
“Always glad to help. You want me to help over the weekend?”
“Well, you don't have to.”
“I'm offering,” I replied with a smile.
“I'd love it. Thank you.” She leaned over, curling an arm around my shoulders and squeezing me before stepping away.
“Are we done?” I asked.
“Everything's put away,” she said.
“Daphne, these are amazing,” Grant commented as he finished another savory roll. “What's in them?”
“Swiss cheese with caramelized onions and roast beef.”
“The pastry is seriously good,” he replied.
“Well, there's a lot of butter in it,” Daphne replied with a grin. “You can take the rest with you if you'd like.”
“Hey, wait a sec,” Flynn interjected, his eyes widening.
Daphne rolled her eyes. “I already put some in our apartment.”
“Oh, thank God.” Flynn sighed.
Grant smiled at them. “Dude, you are so spoiled. You know she'd stay up and make you extra if you wanted.”
“I know, but I wouldn't ask her.” Flynn scoffed.
Daphne shrugged. “I wouldn't mind. I love to bake. Here.” She crossed over to another counter and returned with a piece of foil to neatly wrap the remaining rolls.
“There’s my breakfast tomorrow,” Grant said. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
“Good night,” Flynn said, rounding the counter and reaching for Daphne's hand.
They disappeared through the door to the hallway that led to their apartment, leaving Grant and me alone in the kitchen.
I glanced up at Grant. The space suddenly felt crowded, and it wasn't small by any stretch.
Daphne had already turned out the lights in the dining room area, leaving just the dim lights on in the kitchen.
I glanced toward the windows, looking for any distraction. The moon rose above the mountains, casting a pearly glow over the landscape and illuminating a cluster of cottonwood trees nearby.
The sound of my swallow was audible as I turned back. Grant was simply standing there with his hand resting on the edge of the counter. I sucked in a quick breath, and even that seemed loud. My heart was pounding, the rush of blood echoing in my ears with every beat.
“Well…” I heard myself whispering, my voice coming out raspy.
Grant’s gaze was locked with mine.
“Well, what?” he pressed, his low voice sending my belly into spinning flips.
I swallowed again, making a quick and perhaps disastrous decision. This chemistry between us wasn't going anywhere. After the other night and knowing the magic he wrought with his touch, I couldn't stop thinking about him.
The hum of attraction between us snapped and crackled every time we were near each other. I desperately wanted a distraction, anything to stop thinking about my health worries. I knew my heart wouldn't get involved with Grant. Definitely not.
The air around us felt charged. I cleared my throat.
Oh, for fuck’s sake. I was annoyed with myself. I wasn’t a nervous woman, not usually. I took two strides, closing the distance between us, and lifted a hand. He arched a brow, and his lips twitched at the corners.
“What?” I asked, grabbing onto my prickly response to him like it was a lifeline.
“I was just wondering if you were about to point at me again.”
My forefinger literally itched. “No, and why would you say that?” I retorted.
“Because you do it all the time, Harley. Not just to me.”
I was already simmering with the heat of my raw lust for him. I got even hotter, my anger stirring the cauldron of desire. “No, I don’t.”
“Should I ask your brother, or maybe everybody else who knows you?” he countered dryly.
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. So what if I do?”
He shrugged. “You were about to say something. What did you want?”
One more step and I was right in front of him with mere inches separating us. Grant was all coiled strength and heat and energy. And I wanted him.
I curled my fist around his shirt, tugging him down and murmuring, “This,” right before our mouths collided.
Our kiss exploded instantly with our tongues practically at war. Grant shifted closer, his palm landing between my shoulder blades and sliding down my back. His touch was a burning path of heat.
I let out a gasp when his palm curved over my bottom, pressing me tight against his arousal. We broke apart.
I knew my eyes were wide with a combination of shock and need.
“This is stupid,” he said flatly.
“No, it's not,” I insisted even though a big part of me knew he had a point.
“No?” His gravelly voice sent shivers through me.
“It doesn't have to be anything but this.”
“This kiss?” he pressed.
I knew he was daring me to clarify, daring me to take it further.
“Just us, friends with benefits. Nothing more than that.” Recklessness and need drove me.
“That's a recipe for complications,” he pointed out.
If I was in the mood for logic, I would’ve agreed with him. “No, it's not. You don't want a relationship, and neither do I. We've been busy avoiding each other. This way, we don't have to do that. This will scratch the itch, and it'll go away.”
I mentally congratulated myself on that twisted logic.
He studied me quietly for several beats. “You think it'll go away?” His tone was laced with doubt.
I nodded, waiting with my pulse thrumming at an all-out gallop and flickers of heat lighting little fires everywhere inside me.
He finally nodded before dipping his head again and claiming my mouth. He took complete control of our kiss.
He held me fast against him. I could feel the brand of his arousal pressed at the apex of my thighs. I was wet and restless, shifting my thighs to relieve the ache and feeling the slick moisture already drenching my panties.
The sound of the front door opening and closing reached us. We broke apart quickly, practically leaping away from each other.
“It’s just a guest,” I whispered between ragged breaths.
“Yeah, and they can walk in here. Come on.” Grant grabbed my hand.
We heard the sound of footsteps coming in the direction of the kitchen just as he tugged me through the doorway into the back hallway.
He closed the door quickly, catching it at the last second before it slammed.
I stopped, needing to catch my breath. I rested against the wall, my shoulder blades pressed into it as I stood there for a moment.
Grant turned to face me, one palm resting against the wall and the other palming my cheek as he took my mouth in another breath-stealing kiss. I was tingling all over, my breath ragged and my heart pounding wildly.
When he lifted his head, I whispered, “No fair. I was trying to catch my breath. That made it worse.”
His eyes were dark with a sly gleam. After a moment, he replied, “This isn't fair.”
He reached for one of my hands, placing it over the hard ridge of his arousal. His cock was swollen and hot under my touch. Heat and electricity shot through me as we stared at each other.
He dropped my hand, curling his around mine and leading me outside. We stumbled through the trees, bursting through the door to the staff house moments later.
Grant’s mouth and hands were on me the second he kicked the door shut.