Chapter 28
Laney
I drew in a deep breath as I stepped in the cafeteria.
My legs were a little wobbly. My back was hurting.
This had been a long shift. After the surgery with the chief yesterday, I had to take over for a colleague who was sick.
I ended up sleeping most of the night here, but this morning, I’d had to go straight into another surgery. Chief had been happy with me yesterday.
I bought a chocolate croissant and an espresso and was now sitting at my favorite table in the corner, right next to the window.
I kept glancing at the clock, willing it to turn to two so I could leave. I’d spent all of last evening trying to convince someone to take today’s shift, but I’d been unsuccessful.
My heart was heavy, my hands jittery.
Now that I didn’t have a surgery to demand my entire focus, I couldn’t stop thinking about Cole.
I needed to talk to him. My heart was breaking just remembering the anguish in his eyes yesterday. He didn’t deserve that, and I had to set things straight. Biting my lower lip, I glanced out the window at the spot where he usually waited for me after a shift.
HOLY SHIT.
Was that Cole under the tree?
I blinked rapidly, standing up so quickly that I pushed the table forward a few inches. It made a screeching sound.
With an apologetic grin at the other patrons, I darted outside, leaving my half-eaten croissant and untouched espresso behind.
I only had fifteen minutes until the mandatory afternoon meeting, but I planned to make the most of it.
My heartbeat intensified with every step.
My legs felt lighter; my whole body did.
I took in Cole as I approached him. He hadn’t seen me yet.
Sitting on the bench, he was staring at the small fountain in front of the entrance.
He looked freshly shaved, and to the untrained eye, he seemed his usual self.
He definitely was wearing one of his ready-to-take-on-the-world suits.
But he was a little pale, and I detected a few creases in his brow that were very unlike him. God, I loved this man. So, so much. I didn’t want him to hurt, least of all because of me. He was too wonderful to deserve that.
“Hey,” I said, then I realized it came out stifled because my throat was clogged. There were so many emotions bubbling up inside me.
Clearing my throat, I tried again. “Cole.”
He snapped his head in my direction the next second, rising from the bench.
“Since when are you here?” I asked at the same time he said, “I couldn’t wait at home, so I just came here.”
I beamed, putting a hand on my belly, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
I was in my scrubs, my hair still twisted in the strict bun I always wore during surgeries.
I reeked of disinfectant. Cole didn’t seem to care about any of those things.
He just watched me intently, without saying one word.
I felt my heartbeat in my throat. I knew I was the one who needed to talk.
Stepping closer, I took his hands in mine, looking down at them, my grip tight.
“I am deeply sorry that you’re hurting. That you had all that on your chest. I love you, but you already know that.
Seeing that white dress in the picture made me nervous, but in a good way.
Cole, I can see myself with you in ten, twenty, thirty years.
You’re my future. I didn’t… I didn’t think I could feel this way again, that it was possible to get over my fear, but you did it, babe. ”
I pressed my lips together, drawing in a deep breath. What was he thinking? I wanted to know.
“Laney, look at me,” he said. “And maybe let go of my hands. I think you’re stopping blood circulation.”
Laughing, I freed his hands, clasping mine behind my back. My palms were sweaty.
“That’s not how blood circulation works,” I croaked out.
Cole laughed, putting a hand on my tail bone, pressing me closer to him. I loved it when he touched me there, all possessive.
“I love you. You’re my everything, Laney. And I’m all yours. I want—” His voice wobbled before completely breaking.
“Anything.” I nodded, feeling those emotions bubble again. My eyes were a little misty too. He pulled me even closer, until our hips were touching. I placed my hands on his shoulders. I was shaking slightly.
“Let’s go to my place,” he murmured. “I want to do so many things to you.”
The tremor in my body intensified. I pouted. “I can’t. There’s a meeting in—oh shit, five minutes. This was just a break.” I was still pouting. Cole drew his thumb over my lower lip, locking his eyes with mine.
“I’m going to kiss you, Laney.” His voice was commanding and determined. My knees became a little weak.
“Yes, please.”
Laughing, I went on my tiptoes until my lips were almost against his. He tilted his head forward. When he captured my mouth, I braced my palms on his shoulders, needing support. My knees buckled.
The way he explored me just whipped every thought away. He was holding me in that possessive way I loved—where one hand was at the back of my head, the other on my tail bone, pressing me into him. I hummed against his lips, exploring him just as fiercely.
When we stopped to breathe, I stumbled backward. My eyes still closed, I basked in the afterglow of the kiss for a few more seconds before opening them.
“Your kisses are dangerous, Mr. Winchester,” I teased. “They make me lose my direction, track of time. In fact, you’re dangerous altogether. You’re wearing this suit on purpose, huh? To be irresistible?”
His lip curled upward. “Never come to a meeting unprepared. That’s my motto. And since when do I need a suit to be irresistible? I do my best work naked.”
I burst out laughing, shaking my head, taking another step back as I saw that seductive glint in his eyes. That usually meant trouble.
“I need to go back in. I finish in one hour,” I said in a shaky voice.
“Good. After that, you’re all mine. I can’t wait to take you home, take care of you. Make the tension in your shoulders go away.” Oh, wow. I was completely melting. Stepping closer, he brought his mouth to my ear, feathering his fingers up the side of my body. “Sink inside you.”
Heat shot through me. My toes curled; my stomach flipped. Licking my lips, I backtracked a few feet before turning around. I smiled at him over my shoulder before heading inside the building.
Holy shit, it was a good thing that I didn’t have another surgery right now. Not because I couldn’t focus—pushing out the outside world was my specialty—but I didn’t want to. I wanted to bask in all of it, and bask I did while Mr. Blackwell droned on about a research program.
I only piped in when they needed information from me; otherwise, I just daydreamed about the upcoming afternoon with Cole.
I was so different from the person I used to be when I first joined the team here two years ago. If I was honest, I was different from who I was before I met Cole too. I just had this immense happiness inside me all the time, and this insatiable need to make him happy too.
The shift inside me was so fundamental, I couldn’t describe it, not even to myself. I simply felt it. Before, I had this sadness that was part of me. I’d pushed it to the back of my mind, but it had still been there. Now, my past was just a fond memory.
Cole was my life.
After the session was over, I smiled at my colleagues, politely declining when one of them suggested that we go to the doctors’ lounge and discuss the latest clinical trials.
“My shift is over,” I said, which was a bit unnecessary, because they all knew that.
“That hasn’t stopped you before,” Dr. Blackwell commented. We’d both been the designated workaholics of the team.
Anthony, a fellow surgeon, just laughed. “She’s got a guy to go to, doc. Give her a break.”
My cheeks flushed. My jaw dropped.
Dr. Blackwell did a mock salute. “Got it. I’ll just go be a workaholic by myself.”
Grinning, I hurried to change.
Cole had just seen me in my scrubs and wearing Eau de Disinfectant, and I was determined to replace that with Seductress Laney .
I changed quickly, showering in the special unit, rubbing gel all over my body twice to make sure I smelled like strawberries.
Hurrying out, I dried quickly, putting on my clothes: a summery dress and white sandals. Checking my phone, I gasped when I realized how late it was.
Cole: It’s twenty past two.
Laney: I’m coming.
Cole: Yes, you will. All afternoon. Now, hurry up.
Holy shit, my cheeks were on fire. This man. Just to tease him, I typed back quickly.
Laney: I’m stopping by the cafeteria first. I need to eat.
Cole: I’ve got you covered. Already bought two croissants: one with chocolate, one with strawberry jam.
Oh!
I pressed a palm to my chest, just smiling from ear to ear. Yup, my heart was fluttering. I decided I just wouldn’t care that it was a medical impossibility. His care for me just overwhelmed me every time.
He was still under the oak tree, smiling brilliantly as I approached. The snack was on a paper plate on the bench.
“That suit,” I said on a sigh. “Those croissants.”
Cole laughed, but his eyes were snapping fire. “I like your priorities.”
Grinning, I took the paper plate from him, sitting on the bench.
“Well, I’m going to need lots of energy to put all my… priorities in action.”
He smiled but said nothing. Ah, but he didn’t even need words. His body language was enough to make me squirm. His shoulders were slightly hunched, his gaze hot and determined. How could he be so potent?
I toed off my shoes, leaning against the backrest. Next thing I knew, Cole lifted my feet, pressing his fingers in my soles.
Oh, heavens. Was there anything more perfect than this? Eating croissants while this fabulous man gave me a foot massage?
Half an hour later, I had my answer. There definitely was something better: being alone with Cole in his loft.