Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Leena
Wednesday morning, even jittery and running behind, I badge into the building. I regret skipping my morning coffee. It’ll at least be mid-morning before I can step away to consume the heavenly elixir. This really is a dangerous game of chicken, seeing how long I can function without it.
I quickly change into my scrubs with a long-sleeved undershirt underneath and my work sneakers.
Grabbing my bag from the locker room bench, I hightail it to my office, tuck it in the drawer, and rush to the front desk.
Gathering my hair and twisting it to tuck in my scrub cap, I stumble to a stop, releasing the hold on my tresses as the charge desk comes into view.
Julian is leaning against the counter, casually looking around as he sips from a disposable cup.
When he hears me approaching, he straightens to attention, eyes locking on me immediately.
My heart gives a thump when his beautiful face brightens with a smile.
Gulping, I shuffle to the desk, plopping my cap and badge down.
“Hey, pretty girl.”
I almost whimper at the nickname, my core clenching at the remembered feel of his fingers between my legs as he called me that. Even missing the husky quality from that night, his voice still makes those two words sound really good.
Cheeks warm, I stammer out, “Good morning.” When I move to bring the computer to life, I see a matching cup, steam rising from the lidless opening. My eyes cut to Julian.
“Vanilla breve latte with two extra shots,” he says with a self-satisfied smile and the sexiest rumble that makes me want to climb him like a tree.
“Oh . . . Thank you.” I reach for the cup to take a sip when it dawns on me. I look over the counter at him. “Wait, you remembered my coffee order,” I say. Not a question, but a fact.
“I did.” His stormy-blue eyes shine with amusement as his large body gracefully moves around the desk. “As if I could forget anything about you.”
“It’s just a coffee order.”
“When it comes to you, there is no just.”
Warmth blooms in my chest. I lift the cup to my lips and inhale. I draw the toasted vanilla aroma into my nose as I breathe deeply to resist the urge to throw myself at this man, my craving for him stronger than any need for coffee.
I shake my head to clear the thoughts of him that are not work appropriate and take a sip. “Thank you,” I mutter over the rim.
“You’re welcome.” He grins, then rests an elbow casually on the desk, leaning in close enough that my breath catches in my throat. Without moving the cup away, I peek at him through my lashes. “Do you think it may be enough for you to stop ignoring my messages?”
Spluttering, I plunk down the cup and watch as some of the precious liquid sloshes over the side. Julian chuckles when I spin around, grabbing some tissues to mop up the mess, knowing the clumsiness reveals my guilt.
Instead of responding, I focus on the relief coursing through me that I didn’t lose much of my desperately-needed drink, and swallow another large mouthful. Turning my attention towards the computer screen, I log in to the surgery schedule.
“Any cases you need to add today?”
Still leaning against the counter, he holds out a piece of paper. He keeps a tight grip when I try to pull it from his fingers, and my eyes once again fly up to his, heat crawling across my cheeks.
“I love the way you blush so easily. That pretty shade of pink just may be my new favorite color. After green, of course.”
“You can’t say things like that to me here,” I whisper, trapped in his hot gaze.
“Can I say them over dinner?”
“Julian,” I chastise with a giggle.
“Say it again.” His breath flutters over my lips. I hadn’t noticed how close our faces were until his eyes darken when I bite my lip.
After a heated moment, our gazes meet and I shake my head, my lower lip still between my teeth.
“Alright. Just know I’m a patient man.”
With a snap of my wrist, I snatch the paper towards me. Knowing I’m playing with fire, I look into his eyes and say, “Noted, Doctor.”
Rubbing a hand over his beard and groaning, his unwavering attention is a magnet I can’t resist. Reluctantly, and with a smile I can’t hold back, I go back to the keyboard to enter the information.
With that, we begin a daily routine. Julian waiting with a cup of coffee, a purred “pretty girl,” in greeting, and some teasing remark sure to bring a blush to my cheeks.
Each morning, he has continued to stand behind the counter with me.
When I didn’t call him out on his proximity the next day—I only smiled as he raised his eyebrows in silent question because I like it too much—he’s claimed the spot right next to me as his.
The heat from his body wakes me up in a way a delicious cup of coffee never has.
It's getting harder to resist this man. When he’s this close to me, I forget my reasons for believing this isn’t a good idea.
Almost.
Today’s the last morning of his week-long shift. We’re side by side and he’s once again leaning one elbow on the counter with his body angled towards me, softly inhaling my hair that I have taken to leaving out until I move to the back hallways.
Our closeness feels exciting and dangerous, but also natural in a way we can carry on a conversation as I type and click away on my computer.
“You’re finishing up your first shift. What are you planning to do with your time off?” I ask, curiosity about him getting the better of me.
Huffing, he begins twirling a curl around his index finger. “I was supposed to move into my new place this weekend, but the rental fell through. So I thought I’d explore Bayberry a little. Any suggestions where I should eat?”
Suddenly breathless at the rough inflection in his voice on the last word, my fingers still. I tip my head up to meet his eyes.
The sound of Benny’s familiar clomping feet and off-key humming breaks the spell. Taking in our lack of space, my spine stiffens. There would be no mistaking what's going on between us to anyone seeing his proximity to me, but Benny in particular, with his wagging tongue, is a recipe for disaster.
Julian must see my alarm, and thankfully slides down to the next computer, hunching against the counter. He winks at me before he begins scrolling on his phone moments before the interloper rounds the corner.