Chapter 14 #2
“Rocker agreed to come work for us,” Leo informed him.
“Sparky’s a good judge of character. He seemed cool. I give him my vote,” Taco said, putting the toast in his mouth while he grabbed a cup and poured some coffee.
“We all have issues, and you adopted all of us,” Shadow said to Leo. “Bring him on.”
Leo turned to the new members of the team.
“Usually, Doc and Michael get a vote, too. But since Doc has started full-time at the hospital, we only use him as backup. Michael volunteers when he can since he’s the pediatrician for the entire town.
You still get a vote. If you want to see his qualifications or ask the Alpha Team, we can hold off until you have the time. Whiskey, what’s your vote?”
Whiskey paused. “I’m not working the teams. He’s responsible for having your six.”
“You’re a member of this team as much as any of us,” Leo said, staring at one of his best friends.
“He has my vote,” Whiskey agreed quietly.
“Stormy already gave me hers, and I’m waiting to catch Archer when he arrives today.
In the meantime, Sparky will give you the rundown of the territories, and Bear will present the last attacks.
I’ll be back this afternoon around fifteen hundred.
I have some things to take care of before we leave.
Liam, you’re free to go, and we’ll catch you up later,” Leo said, standing.
The team nodded, and the mood grew somber as everyone knew Leo’s argument with his wife, Catherine. Liam saw the worry on the close-knit team’s faces as they watched their boss go down the hall and leave a few minutes later.
The team got to work, leaving Liam with free time.
He went to his SUV and sat there, debating whether to go to the hospital or text Addy.
She might not appreciate getting interrupted at work, but he needed to see her.
Liam wanted to ensure she didn’t have any misgivings about their night together.
If anything, the unforgettable night made him want her even more.
* * *
Addyson checked the charts on two new admissions.
“Abby, where are the medications for the new admission to room 416?” she asked as she entered his information into the chart.
“I wanted to talk to you about it. He has a prescription for pain meds, which he filled two weeks ago. The bottle’s over half empty, and he demanded something stronger when he arrived from the hospital.”
Nodding, Addyson made a note to visit the new admissions room.
“Where’s the discharge paperwork for room 219?” she asked Clara.
“He didn’t bring them. I’ve already sent a request to his primary physician’s office,” the nurse informed her.
“Code Blue Room 244, Code Blue, Room 244,” the intercom announced overhead.
Addy ran down the hall, directing her team. Doc entered the room and took over, and the two of them worked the code. When they stabilized the patient, Doc turned to her.
“Didn’t I give you three days off?” he asked as they walked down the hallway.
“Liam and I got everything replaced yesterday except the furniture. Oh, crap. It’s arriving today,” she said, glancing at her watch.
“Annabelle’s here. When did you schedule the delivery?” he asked as he noticed his wife walking toward them.
“It’ll be here in an hour,” she said in dismay.
Kassie smiled as she gazed at Addyson. “I distinctly recall saying no work for three days. Did you come to pick something up?”
“I needed to finish some paperwork before you met for patient updates, and then we have two admissions. The nurses seemed busy, so I helped input their information.”
“Good,” Kassie said, putting her arm around her. “It’s the perfect time for you to leave,” she said, steering her toward the door. “We’ll see you in two days.”
“But there’s a lot to do,” she protested.
“And it will still be here when you come back,” Kassie assured her. “It’s the beauty of the hospital. Have a great two days off, and I’ll see you Thursday morning.”
Addyson muttered as she went out the door, recalling she had left her purse inside.
Wanting to avoid her boss, she walked to the ER entrance and went in, then headed to the locker room.
She grabbed her purse and keys, then headed to her SUV.
As she opened the door, an SUV pulled in beside her.
Immediately recognizing the vehicle, Addyson rushed to get into hers, needing a barrier between her and Liam.
Heat flooded her face as the memory of the night before resurfaced, reminding her why she ran like a chicken before dawn to avoid him.
Liam tapped on her window and motioned for her to roll it down.
“Shit,” she muttered under her breath as she cracked the window. “Hi, Liam. I’m on my way out.”
Gazing at her, Liam sent her an arched brow.
“Why do I get the distinct feeling you’re running from me?” he asked gently.
“I’m a… not. I came in to finish admissions and forgot about the furniture people arriving. Kassie sent me home,” she explained.
“Oh, it’s good timing then,” Liam said, keeping the amusement from his face as Addy squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. “I didn’t show you how to set the alarm. I came to ask what time your shift ended. Then I can show you how to use it.”
“I’m sure I can figure it out,” she assured him as she started the SUV.
“And if you don’t? The entire team and the police will be at your house in minutes. It’ll take me ten minutes at best to review it with you.”
Addyson bit back her groan. It seemed she needed him after all. “Can you follow me to the house?”
“Sure,” he said, turning to get back into his SUV.
Her heart raced as she put the SUV into reverse, backed out of her stall, and drove toward home.
What did she plan to say to the man who gave her multiple orgasms, making her go limp?
He explored every inch of her body with his tongue and proved himself insatiable by the multiple times they made love.
No, not love, she reminded herself. It was pure, unadulterated lust.
Pulling into her driveway, she opened the garage door and shut off the engine. She heard Liam pull up as she got out of the car, grabbed her phone and purse, and headed toward the house door.
“Wait, Addy,” he ordered. “You have to disengage your alarm.”
She paused, waiting for him to show her how to do it.
“When you enter, you have thirty seconds to input the code. Right now, we set it up as a basic code you can change on your own,” he explained. “It’s currently set up using your badge number at work.”
Addyson punched in the numbers, and the light turned green. “How did you know my badge code?”
“I work for a security company,” he reminded her. “You use the pin at work, and we thought it might be easy for you to remember. If you want to change it, press this for five seconds, then enter the new code. It’ll prompt you to give the old one, and then it’s good to go.”
“Thanks,” she murmured when she realized how close he stood behind her.
The furniture truck pulled into the driveway, and two big men got out and came toward her.
After recent events, her heart sped up at the sight of them, and she thought of how easily they could overtake her in her own home.
Her body involuntarily shuddered, and Liam rested a hand on her shoulder, giving her a sense of security.
“We have a furniture delivery for Addyson Parker,” one of the workmen explained.
“Yes, we expected you. Why don’t you go open the front door for them while I close the garage?” Liam asked, turning toward her and gently sending her toward the living room. “She’ll open the front door for you,” he said to the worker.
Addyson allowed the two men inside and pointed to where she wanted the couch and recliner. Liam watched as the two men returned to the truck and unpacked the items.
“Do you want me to leave, Addy?” he asked.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I don’t want you to leave while they’re here.”
“If I’m staying, we’ll be having a discussion about how you left this morning. I called and asked Kassie what time your shift ended, and she didn’t know you even came into work today.”
Closing her eyes, she didn’t bother to confirm or deny his accusation. She knew she ran out of the house at the crack of dawn and showered at work to keep from waking him.
The two men returned with the couch, maneuvering it through the door. Then, they returned for her recliner.
Liam examined the furniture before sitting down and beckoning her to join him. Addyson swallowed, held her chin up to show she wasn’t intimidated by him, and sat beside him. The two men brought in the recliner and she signed off on the delivery.
“Do you want something to drink? I’m parched,” she said, going into the kitchen.
“It’s almost lunchtime. Why don’t we go to Ty’s?” he suggested.
“No. I’m busy today,” she rushed.
“Addy,” he growled. “Why do I feel like you’re avoiding me? Did I do something to make you feel uncomfortable?”
Addyson set her glass down on the counter and poured herself a glass of water.
“You’re making me uneasy right now. I don’t want to rehash last night,” she said, agitated.
“I see,” he said, rubbing the scruff along his jaw. “Remember to set the code once I leave. You should reset it as soon as you come in or go out. There’s a panic button if you need to use it. I’ll ask one of the team members to help you with Zeus.”
His words made her feel like an ass. He made his intentions clear last night, and she thought she felt the same until she saw Sam’s photo by the bed. She enjoyed sex with another man in the same bed she slept in with her husband, former husband. It made her feel retched.
“I’m sorry, Liam. I don’t mean to hurt you. What we shared last night felt special, but I don’t think I’m ready for more,” she faltered. “Sam will always have a place in my heart, and I can’t forget him.”
“I never asked you to,” he said gruffly. “He’s a brother who got killed in action. His memory doesn’t die with him. You carry it with you. It doesn’t mean you can’t have a life of your own.”
“I do have one,” she insisted.