Chapter 28 #3
His smirk deepens as he leans closer, lips grazing my jaw. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
We kiss again, deeper this time, like it’s the only language we speak. I barely manage to pull away, breath catching.
“I should get out of here,” I whisper against his lips.
Brant groans softly. “I wish you didn’t. But yeah… I guess I’ll go back to watching you from afar like some pathetic man.”
I laugh under my breath. “Can you meet me later?”
His eyes flash. “Depends. Will I get to find out what inappropriate clothing you’re hiding under that dress?”
I lean up, brushing my lips against his ear. “I’m not hiding anything. I’m not wearing anything under this dress.”
His groan is more like a growl this time. “This is officially the most painful party I’ve ever attended.”
I smirk. “Want to leave now? Meet at your place in half an hour, while the party’s still going?”
“Definitely. I’ll see you there.” He kisses me once more, but this time, it’s more passionate, and I feel the heat of it all the way down to my toes.
I slip into the bathroom, heart fluttering against my ribs like it wants out.
A couple of nurses glance at me curiously as I pass, and I don’t blame them. When I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I wince.
Lipstick smeared, my cheeks flushed, and my hair a little messy. My look is screaming that I made out with someone. And then it dawns on me his mouth might have my lipstick… God, I hope he cleaned himself up before returning to the party.
Though, a part of me likes the idea of him walking around with my lipstick on him. As if I claimed him as mine.
I freeze at that thought.
What the hell is happening to me?
The music fades, and someone taps the mic.
The speeches are starting.
I pause near the back of the room, trying to look casual, eyes scanning the crowd for Brant. I don’t see him. Maybe he already left. Maybe he couldn’t stand the wait. It makes me worry.
Conversations hush, and all eyes turn to the front.
My dad stands at the podium, wearing a dark suit, crisp and commanding, the kind that says he was born for this spotlight. I cross my arms, forcing myself to stay neutral and focused and not let my brain drift to Brant as I listen.
He surveys the room like he owns it, which, in some ways, he does. The hospital is as much a legacy as it is a workplace to him.
“Good evening,” he begins. “Tonight marks something far more meaningful than a simple ribbon-cutting. This pediatrics ward is a symbol of growth, not just for Pulse Point Medical Center, but for this entire community.”
A wave of polite applause rolls through the crowd. I glance around at all the proud faces. Scarlet’s mom wipes a tear discreetly at the corner of her eye. It hits me hard, and I choke up myself.
“We built this not to impress cities larger than ours or compete with hospitals that run on billion-dollar funding.” My dad continues, “We built this for the parent or guardian who shouldn’t have to drive three hours when the child requires a specialist. For the grandparents raising grandkids who deserve access to state-of-the-art care right here, where they live. ”
Applause again, but longer this time. I feel a tug in my chest I wasn’t expecting. His speeches always hit.
“We’ve had a lot of bright minds contribute to this ward,” he says, looking across the crowd.
“From dedicated nurses to relentless administrators, visionary architects to generous donors. And of course, the physicians who show up every day and go above and beyond, not just in medicine, but in heart.”
I know who he’s referring to, but he doesn’t say names. Probably to keep it professional. Still, my gaze drifts, involuntarily, toward where Brant had been earlier. He’s not in the crowd. My pulse kicks up a notch.
“And in that spirit, I know many of you are wondering about the Chief of Pediatrics position. Let me address that briefly,” he says, and the room collectively leans in. Oh God, Brant’s name is going to be announced, and he isn’t even here.
He straightens. “The decision is not made yet. While we’re nearing the end of the selection process, there are still a few final steps we’re asking our top candidates to complete.
I understand the anticipation, and I assure you, we’re just as eager to name the right person.
But when it comes to leadership, we don’t rush.
We choose right.” This is definitely about Brant.
There’s another round of clapping, but I can feel the ripple of curiosity running through the staff. Everyone wants to know who the frontrunner is. I already know. And I also know how hard he’s worked for it.
“I’ll close with this,” my dad says. “This hospital has always stood for more than just medicine. We stand for people and the community. And this ward is just the beginning of what Pulse Point Medical Center will become. Thank you, all of you, for being a part of it.”
With that, he steps away from the mic. The applause grows louder.
I clap too, but my hands feel heavy. My throat is tight.
He deserves the title. No one’s earned it more than Brant.
And if my dad knew about us, he might take it all away, or worse… He would be disappointed in us for lying and sneaking around.
As the speech ends and the crowd begins to scatter, I make my quiet exit. Scarlet catches my arm just before I reach the doors.
She’s leaving too.
We exchange a single look. She knows exactly where I’m going. And I know I’ll be telling her everything tomorrow.
“Goodnight,” I say softly.
She nods, smiling. “You too.”
Oh, I will.
I slip outside, nerves tingling, lips still swollen from his kiss, and the thought of what’s waiting for me stealing every ounce of hesitation I have left.
I step out into the night air, heels clicking against the ground as I make my way to the car. The cool breeze rushes over my skin, teasing along my bare legs in my dress. My fingers shake slightly as I unlock the door, not from the cold, but from anticipation.
By the time I reach Brant’s place, my pulse is already racing. I barely register the drive over, except for the aching need that’s been building ever since he whispered in my ear at the party.
His porch light flicks on before I even knock.
The door swings open, and he’s standing there in his suit. Looking every bit polished, except his hair’s now a little messy, like he’s been running his hands through it, and for once, I want to be the reason it’s like that.
Neither of us says a word.
I step inside. He shuts the door behind me, and then his mouth crashes down on mine in an urgent, hungry kiss that makes my knees weak. I clutch at his tie, pulling him closer, breathing him in. He tastes like bourbon and mint.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you,” he rasps between kisses, lips skimming along my jaw and down my neck.
My hands trail down his chest, undoing his tie, then down over the buttons of his shirt. “I told you I wasn’t wearing anything under this dress,” I whisper, tugging one of his hands down to the curve of my hip.
“Rae,” he groans and lifts me effortlessly. My legs wrap around his waist as he walks us through the house like a man on a mission.
“I was going to be good tonight,” he mutters, pressing kisses along my neck as he kicks a door open. “I was going to keep my hands to myself.”
“You were screwed the second I walked in,” I breathe against his ear, kissing his jaw just enough to make him curse.
The bedroom’s dim, the bedside lamp casting just enough light to catch the lust shining in his eyes.
He sets me down in front of the bed, then takes a step back, letting his gaze drag over me.
“Take it off,” he commands.
I raise an eyebrow, knowing he prefers my bratty attitude. “Why don’t you?”
He’s in front of me in seconds, hands on the hem. “You’re driving me insane,” he murmurs, dragging the dress up and over my head slowly.
And then I’m completely bare for him. Which is easier because it isn’t the first time. I feel way more confident.
“You’re going to be punished tonight,” he growls, lifting me onto the bed and kissing up the inside of my thigh. “You hear me?”
My head falls back. “I was hoping for it.”
He tugs at his pants, removing them swiftly and the same with his boxers until he’s naked in front of me.
“Brant…” I whimper.
“Now come here and let me spank your pretty ass and pussy for tormenting me tonight. I couldn’t even stay at the speech.”
“You didn’t hear it?” My dad was talking about the final steps of the chief position and Brant missed it.
“No, but you can tell me about it after I spank you.”
I moan at the first touch of his warm hand on my ass as I drape my eager body across his lap, enjoying the way his thick cock hits my lower stomach.
There’s no slow build tonight, just raw need from both of us. He spanks my ass as I recite the speech, telling me I’m a good girl and to keep going. I lose track of how many times he makes me fall apart.
I lose track of time, period.
And when we finally collapse together, slick with sweat and satisfaction, I curl into his chest, breath still catching.
“You’re dangerous.” He presses a kiss on my temple.
“So are you,” I whisper against his skin.
I’m sneaking up the steps to my dad’s place, heels in hand.
The hallway is dark as I ease the door open, careful not to let it creak. Which I don’t mind, feeling like a giddy teenager and not a grown woman. I like the lightness I feel around Brant.
Inside, I tiptoe through the entry, but a light glows from the living room.
Shit.
I pause, heart skipping. I follow the light, each step heavier than the last.
Dad’s sitting in his chair, elbows on the armrests like he’s been waiting.
“Where were you?”
“I was with Scarlet.” The lie comes out too easily. I ignore the guilt churning in my stomach and the person I’m becoming, but what choice do I have?
His eyebrow arches slightly. That look tells me he doesn’t buy it. But to my relief, he doesn’t press.
His gaze sweeps over my face, pausing. I resist the urge to touch my cheeks, to smooth my hair.I know I don’t look like I’ve just been thoroughly fucked; I made sure of that before I left Brant’s. Still, my body feels it. Every muscle aches.
“You’ve been acting strange lately,” he says, narrowing his eyes.
My stomach tightens because this is it. This is the moment he figures it out. This is where everything falls apart, and I’m no longer the daughter he’s proud of. “I’ve been busy.”
“Are you seeing someone?”
I snort without thinking, a dry little laugh. “With what time?”
His jaw tics. “Don’t be smart. I’m asking a question.”
I roll my eyes, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. “Well, I’m not a teenager with a curfew anymore.” Even though I’m acting like one…
The silence stretches. A familiar tension flickers between us, one I remember too well from high school nights out.
“I’m aware. But I care about you. What if you went missing?”
Guilt pricks at my spine. I soften, dropping my heels gently onto the floor.
“I didn’t mean to worry you. I’ll be better about it.”
He nods, but his expression doesn’t ease. “You sure there’s nothing I should know?”
I force a smile, even as my pulse pounds in my ears. “Positive.”
He watches me for another beat, then sighs, leaning back. “Go get some sleep.”
I nod, already stepping toward the hallway, with tightness in my chest, unsure if he believed me.