13. Soren
I don’t know what I expected Doc’s house to look like, but the white and gray modern structure in front of me isn’t it. I know what I’m getting paid is more than I could make in any other healthcare environment, and I have to assume Doc is making even more than that, but it still doesn’t quite explain how he could afford such a place. Another piece of the puzzle that is Doc Wescott has made itself known, and I have to work hard to ignore my curiosity.
Doc leads me through the house and I try to take in as much of the bright, airy space as I can before we get to the ‘sitting room’ he’s converted to a recovery space. We have very different definitions of what a sitting room is. It’s as big as my living room and kitchen/dining space combined, easily fitting not only the medical bed and all equipment, but there’s a dresser, some nightstands, and a second twin bed off to the side.
“Oh great,” the guy sitting on the side of the hospital bed says. “Some fresh meat to witness my humiliation.”
“Be nice, Enzo. Cristian said we’re not allowed to break him,” Doc replies, heading straight for the man.
I’m not put off by this Enzo, I’ve dealt with far worse.
“Ignore the grump,” the other person in the room tells me as he walks up. “It’s…not been a very good day.”
“It’s fine,” I assure him. I hold out my hand. “I’m Soren, by the way.”
“Kail. I’ve heard a lot about you from Rose and James. It’s nice to meet you.” He smiles at me, and the warmth in his dark blue eyes tells me he means those words. “How have you been doing? Doc driving you crazy yet?”
I laugh, the tension of being in a new environment with people I don’t really know easing a bit. “Just a little, but I’m getting used to it.”
“Hey!” Doc protests from where he’s now looking over Enzo’s post-amputation wound. “I am a delight.”
Kail snorts. “Sure you are, sir.”
Kail and I both sidle up to the bedside, and once Doc steps back from the bed, I hold my hand out to Enzo. “Sorry for barging in on you like this. I can wait outside if you want me to.”
Enzo rolls his eyes and gives my hand a firm, brief shake. “Doc will never agree to that, but thank you. It’s fine. I… It’s just been a long day, is all. I’m not normally such an ass.”
“Liar,” Kail says under his breath.
Before anyone can say anything else, James knocks briefly on the open door, taking our attention. “Jayden and Dr. Watts are here.”
“Thank you,” Doc says.
When introductions are made, I’m surprised to learn the Amatos’ personal physical therapist is James’s youngest brother. Though it’s easy to see as they share similar features; Jayden’s bright red hair is a few shades lighter than James’s more copper tones, though.
Dr. Watts is a tall woman, with a no-nonsense tone and professional aura about her, but her eyes are soft, and the way she handles Enzo is with kindness and respect.
I don’t know much about post-amputation care, so I make sure to pay attention to what Dr. Watts and Jayden have to say.
Enzo isn’t happy to learn that he might need another surgery to take some more bone, because Dr. Watts isn’t impressed with the way the post-amputated limb is looking, which means more healing time and a longer process before he can get fitted for a prosthetic. Though the orthopedic surgeon Doc has coming in will be able to give a better assessment of how much reconstruction will be needed.
“You’re looking good, all told,” Dr. Watts says. “Losing a limb in such a traumatic fashion usually isn’t cut and dry, and I’m impressed with the level of care you have. Don’t worry if you need an additional surgery, it happens. Taking care of it now will mean you have a better chance of taking to your prosthesis later on. It’ll be worse if we fitted you for a limb but ended up having to take you in for surgery because you didn’t get the bone cut down enough, and it ended up causing more problems than you started with.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Enzo says, a defeated look in his eyes.
She hands him a business card. “Call me or send a message if you have any questions.”
“Thank you again.”
She gives a gentle smile. “I look forward to working with you, Enzo. It’ll be okay. I’m here to help you through this life-changing event.”
He gives a wooden nod, and it’s not long after that before the doctor leaves.
“Right,” Jayden says. “There’s nothing that says we can’t do your exercises now.”
“Seriously?” Enzo glares at the physical therapist. “I was just told I might need another surgery, where they’re going to take more of my leg, and your first thought is exercise ?”
Jayden raises a fiery red eyebrow. “That is exactly why you need to keep to a routine. Not only is it good for your body, but your spirits as well. It will take your mind off of the news you’ve just gotten. Forty-five minutes to work your body and mind, so you can digest everything we just went over. It’s not going to kill you.”
“It might,” Enzo mutters.
“Don’t be a baby,” Jayden says cheerfully.
“I see you’re in good hands,” Doc says. “I’ll leave you to it, and will check in once you're done. Are you staying for dinner, Jay?”
“Is my brother cooking?” Jayden asks.
“He is,” Doc replies.
“Then yes, I’ll stick around.” He turns to me. “It was nice meeting you, Soren. You ever get tired of Doc’s cranky ass, come see me, yeah?”
“Stop trying to steal my assistants,” Doc tells him, putting his arm around me and leading me from the room after I give a hasty, slightly awkward goodbye.
“Do you want to stay for dinner?” Doc asks once we’re outside Enzo’s room.
“Thanks for the invitation, but I don’t want to overstep.”
“Why would you be? I just invited you. I wouldn’t have done so if I didn’t want you there. Those aren’t the types of games I like to play.”
The way he says that… Without thinking, I step closer and lower my voice. “What type of games do you play, Doc?”
His eyes darken to a gorgeous amber as he says, “I think you know, Soren.”
The way he gives in to me, taking a step back and letting me crowd him against the wall… My breath hitches and my heart races at being this close to him.
“Do I?”
He nods. “Yes, but why don’t you show me?”
Ignoring what a bad idea this is, I surge up onto my toes, grabbing Doc behind the neck and pulling him down to me.
When our lips meet, the kiss is soft, almost sweet, until he moans and my control snaps.
Shoving him hard against the wall, I crowd him. It doesn’t matter that he’s taller than I am, I own him. Dominating the kiss with teeth and tongue, fucking his mouth like I want to fuck him with my cock.
Doc reaches for me and I allow him to pull at my hips, forcing our groins to rub against one another. Feeling his hardening cock against mine has me moaning into his pliant mouth.
The need for more burns through me, and it’s that thought that has me pulling away, panting for breath and watching the way Doc’s dark, thick eyelashes flutter open. His eyes are a beautiful golden brown, and I want nothing more than to drown in them.
“I need to go,” I say. “This was inappropriate, in so many ways.”
“Only if we say it was,” he replies. “I’ll let you go because I don’t believe in holding people against their will. But wanting each other isn’t wrong, Soren.”
Swallowing, I press a soft, lingering kiss to his too tempting lips, before pulling away and stepping back so we’re no longer in touching distance. “I’m sorry,” is all I can say.
Doc gives me a soft smile. “I’m not.” He straightens up against the wall, adjusting his clothes, drawing my attention to his still-hard cock. “I’ll have James take you back to your car.”
The reminder of Doc’s…best friend, lover, whatever he is, helps deflate my erection. “I’ll see you on Monday.”
He nods. “Monday.”
Taking one last look at the man I want to devour, no matter how bad of an idea that is, I turn on my heel and make my way to the front door, hoping fresh air will help me get my head back on straight. Even though every step away from him seems like the wrong choice.