Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Gaines
“You’re fucking kidding me.” Evan approaches where I’m sitting on a chair in the corridor outside the cardiac care unit. “You’re in the running as a finalist for that show, aren’t you? I was sure it was Sexton.”
I point at the chair next to me. “Sit.”
He adjusts the white coat he’s wearing over his blue button-down shirt. When he sits, he shoots me a ‘what the hell’ look.
I lobby one back his way with another one word demand. “Explain.”
“You explain,” he volleys back like we’re two feuding eight-year-olds on the playground.
“What the hell would I be a finalist for?” I go on because the questions inside me are plenty, “What’s going on with Dr. Sexton?”
“That dating show.” He smirks. “I’ve heard the rumors. They were scouting the ED for single doctors.”
I shrug. “I’ve never heard of that show or the rumors.”
“You’re not serious.” He’s staring at me like I have a third eye in the middle of my forehead. “The word around the cafeteria is that a huge production company is looking for a handsome as fuck doctor to cast as their lead in a reality show where he’s looking for love.”
I try my best to follow that but pounce when I see the opportunity to tease the shit out of him. “You think I’m handsome as fuck?”
“Who doesn’t?”
I laugh. “I have no knowledge of the show.”
“So, it’s not you?” He rubs his chin. “It has to be Sexton, then. He does have those dreamboat hazel eyes and talk about abs.”
I shake my head. “Logan Sexton? The trauma surgeon?”
“The one and only.” He taps my knee. “Enough about him. Why are you dressed like you just won the lottery?”
I feel like I have. The hours I spent with Eloise tonight were like a dream, a fantastic fucking dream.
I glance at my suit. “You’re talking about this old thing?”
“Old?” He tugs at the sleeve of my jacket. “Italian made. Custom-fit, and I’m guessing at least five thousand bucks for the entire look. Although, your shoes could use an upgrade.”
I don’t bother with a response because he’s dead wrong. The shoes are worth a small fortune, too. I learned a very important lesson during my days as a resident. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable, so I’ve never spared any expense when it comes to footwear. I can thank my inheritance for that.
“Shut up, Evan.”
He laughs that off. “You were on a date, weren’t you?”
I know he won’t drop it, so I throw him a bone. “I spent time with someone tonight.”
“Let’s be clear about this.” He rests a forearm on his thigh. “You’re not talking about Mr. Torres, are you?”
I glance at the doors to the CCU, where Mr. Torres is now resting comfortably. A slight adjustment to his medications and a few moments spent talking about his grandchildren slowed his heartbeat enough that he was able to drift off to dreamland.
I could have left that to someone else, but he requested a few minutes of my time when one of the nurses checked in on him, so I made the trip.
The truth is that I welcomed the opportunity to come back here. I needed fresh air and a chance to catch my breath after my night with Eloise. The intensity I felt when I had my hands and mouth on her, and my cock buried in her, was overwhelming in a way I’ve never experienced before.
“Did you have a look at his file?” I ask to steer this conversation in another direction.
Evan takes the wheel immediately, charting us back on the course he set. “You had some fucking fun with someone tonight, Dr. Morgan, and it wasn’t in this hospital.”
“True.” That’s all I offer, and he accepts it greedily with a grin.
“Don’t read anything into it,” I warn with the wag of my finger. “Don’t start talking about marriage and kids.”
He mimes, locking his lips and tossing the key.
“As if you can keep your mouth shut for longer than five-seconds.” I laugh. “Say what you need to say.”
His expression turns serious. “Don’t let your job consume you, Gaines. I promise you there’s a whole lot of life to live outside of this place and your fancy office.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Are you done here?” He jerks a thumb toward the doors of the CCU.
“For now.”
“I need a burrito,” he says with a sigh. “I’ve had a craving all day, and I know you’re going to tell me to work out or do deep breaths to get past that urge, but it’s not that simple. Sometimes, you have to give in to a craving.”
I’m aware. I gave in to mine tonight and plan on doing it again as soon as possible.
“I know a place that’ll satisfy your craving, but you’ll get the greens you need, too.”
“Sounds gross, but I’m in if you’re buying.” He pats my shoulder. “And you should be buying because who the hell can afford a suit like that?”
“I’ll buy,” I agree as I push to my feet. “We both know you can afford a suit just like this, but you spoil your wife and daughter rotten.”
“Busted.” He holds both hands up in the air as if he’s surrendering. “I’d yank the moon down from the sky and paint it blue if either of my girls wanted that.”
“I know you would.”
“You might feel that way about someone one day.” He stands, too. “I can tell you that it feels a hell of a lot better than anything you’ll accomplish as a doctor.”
That might be true for him, but it’s not for me.
I made a vow to myself to devote my life to saving others, and that hasn’t changed yet, and it never will.