Chapter Thirty-Five #2
He leaves me standing in the space between the living room and the kitchen, then takes the stairs to the second floor.
A puddle grows around me as I wait for him to return.
When he comes back down, he’s wearing a pair of red flannel pajama pants and a clean white T-shirt that reads, ‘Baby Bear’ in brown lettering with a teddy bear on the front.
“Don’t laugh.” I try to hide my smile as he passes me the same outfit. “These are from our family Christmas photos, but it’s all I have.”
I shake it out and frown. “Mama Bear?” My eyes lock on his. “Does this mean I’m your mama?”
“Only if you want to be.”
Heat rises in my face, and I know I’m blushing, which makes me feel awkward and vulnerable. I look around the room for somewhere to change.
“Over there is the half bath.” He points to a door beside the electric fireplace.
“Want any help?’ He slides his hands into his pockets, the tension stretching the gap at the front of his pants, exposing flesh and hair.
He’s not wearing any underwear. If he pushes his hand any further into his pockets, the button keeping the front flap of the pants together may burst, releasing his cock.
There’s a twitch between my legs, and I quickly turn away from him. “No, thanks. I can do it.” I quickly shut the door behind me and cover my mouth with my hand.
Hold it together, Tessa.
I slide my pants down and kick them away from me, before pulling up the flannel ones one-handed.
They are a little big but should work. After fighting for my life to get the wet T-shirt clinging to my skin off, I realize I may have an even harder time putting on the fresh shirt.
I lay it across the vanity, feed my bad arm through it first, and then my head and the other arm.
The t-shirt rolls over my wet skin, bunching it up around my upper body.
I dig into the fabric, trying to get it to unravel and pull down, but it’s stuck.
“Umm, Joshua. I think I need some help.”
The door rattles, and I grip the handle, holding it closed. “Wait. Close your eyes.”
“What? Contessa, how am I supposed to help you with my eyes closed?”
“Just do it,” I say, raising my voice.
“Okay, they are closed.”
I open the door a crack and peer through the gap.
Joshua’s eyes spring open.
“No, peeking,” I yell.
A broad smile stretches across his face. “Okay, fine.”
He holds the smile, his eyes pinched closed as I slide into the space in front of him. “Reach out with your right hand.”
He does as he’s told, and I take his hand, guiding it along my waist to where the material of the t-shirt is tightly crumpled against my skin. “Feel it? It’s all bunched up.”
His other hand slides up my opposite side, and his smile fades away. “Yes, I can feel you.”
A tremor rises in my abdomen, and I take a step back. He grabs my waist, holding me there, grips the sides of the shirt on both sides, and pulls it down. “Can I open my eyes now?”
“Yes,” I murmur, his hands still holding the bottom hem of my shirt.
Our eyes lock, and the heat rises between us. I can feel his longing for me and me for him. I want to dive into his eyes and swim for eternity. Fuck, Tessa, break away. Don’t let him be so close. His head angles just so, and he leans toward me, his eyes drifting from mine to my lips and back again.
“I can’t.” I push him away, and he staggers back several feet. “I’m sorry. It’s too dangerous.”
“No, I’m sorry. I crossed a line I shouldn’t have. You’re my patient.” He gestures to the couch. “Have a seat.” He clears his throat. “I’ll go grab the supplies I need to take care of your arm.”
“Aren’t you crossing the line, just by having me here?” I say to his back as he walks away.
He stops walking, putting his head down before nodding. “Yes.”
That’s it. That’s all he says before disappearing into the next room.
I’m jeopardizing his life and career just by being in the same room as him.
When he comes back into the room, I say, “After you’ve rewrapped the cast, I think you should take me home.
I don’t want you to get into any trouble, having me here. ”
“Contessa.” He sits on the coffee table in front of me, setting a saw and supplies beside him. “My job as a doctor is also to protect you. Now, is being here crossing a line? Yes, but I’m doing it to keep you from getting hurt.”
“I can’t sleep with you,” I blurt, closing my eyes and pressing my lips together, immediately regretting my presumptive statement.
When I open my eyes, Joshua shakes his head. He takes my arm, blows out a relieved breath and says, “Well, I wasn’t planning on sleeping.”
The tingle returns, and my legs inadvertently clamp together. God, I want this man so bad, I can taste it.
“My plan was to watch you sleep. I’ll stay awake so you can get some sleep—keep an eye on you. You look like you could use a good night’s rest.”
Oh, now I feel dumb. He wasn’t going to be awake because he was fucking my brains out; he plans on babysitting me while I slumber. I don’t know if I can sleep when someone is watching me.
“It’s fine,” I say, swiping my face with my hand. “I can just go home after this. You don’t need to watch me.” When I rest my hand on my knee, it trembles, the thought of going home sending a fresh wave of fear through me.
Joshua places a heavy hand on mine. “You’re staying here, at least for tonight.
” He picks up a remote from beside him, holds it over his shoulder and presses a button.
The electric fireplace kicks on. “You know, you’re the reason I wanted to be a doctor.
That night, the night of your accident, sparked something inside me.
I became driven, determined almost. It was like I was meant to find you. ”
“Really?” I raise my eyebrows. “Well, I’m glad at least one thing good came out of this whole mess.”
Heat filters around him and into my face as the fireplace blower kicks on. “Ready?”
I gaze down at the cutting tool that hovers between us. “Ready,” I say with a nod.