Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
“It’s my first day.” I square my shoulders, trying to inject authority into my posture. “Don’t fuck this up for me.”
He doesn’t move at first. Then, without warning, he clamps a hand around my nape, fingers tangling in my hair.
“Leo—”
His mouth crashes into mine, and he kisses me with the wild, feral anger that lives inside him. He kisses me like a man starved, as if he waited a lifetime for this moment. His lips demand and bruise, leaving no space for hesitation or second thoughts.
I should push him away, should remind him—and myself—this is neither the time nor the place. But the fire in his kiss consumes me, igniting the desperation between us. I climb his mountainous frame, fingers digging into the muscled slopes of his shoulders, losing myself in his vicious raid.
Time ceases to exist. There’s only the heat of his mouth, the roughness of his touch, the taste of him—his danger and desire. I don’t want this moment to end as he tears us apart and puts us back together again.
Too soon, he pulls back, leaving me breathless and aching. His hand lingers on my neck, fingers caressing my skin.
“Remember that.” He steps back, grinning through his anger.
“Dammit, Leo.” I touch my mouth and straighten my bun. “Does it look like I’ve been making out?”
“Yeah, love. Swollen lips for days.”
With that, he turns and strides out, leaving me dizzy and trembling.
What was I thinking? I shouldn’t have let him kiss me here.
Idiot.
The scent of him lingers, pissing me off as I try to gather the shattered pieces of my composure.
I’m here to do a job, a meaningful one. I can’t afford to let him distract me.
But as I force myself back to my duties, the taste of him still on my lips, I know he didn’t leave. I sense his eyes on me, a burning brand that both comforts and suffocates.
The trauma unit is a whirlwind of activity, but I slip back into my role with ease. My hands remember the motions, my mind the protocols. I’m a nurse, capable and competent, and no amount of time away can change that.
Even with Leo watching and following me like one of the guards.
I see him in the hallway, his eyes locked on me. It’s distracting, infuriating. I can’t do my job with him hovering like this.
Not to mention how often I jump when someone walks up behind me. I’m constantly looking over my shoulder, fighting random shivers, and trying to convince myself I’m not being watched.
But I am being watched. Not just by Leo and security. Someone is out there, a murderer, a stalker, monitoring everything I do.
Hours pass, and I’m engrossed in my tasks, but the atmosphere remains tense.
As I tend to a patient, I struggle with a tricky IV setup. The sterile packaging and intricate components feel foreign in my hands after so long.
Paul, a fellow nurse and an old friend, steps in. “Need help with that?”
“Please. It’s been a while since I’ve used one of these.” I pass him part of the kit.
As he quickly assists me, we exchange a brief smile, a moment of camaraderie.
“Good to see you back, Frankie.” He helps me finish the task, resting a hand on my arm for balance as he leans around me.
“Thanks.” I turn to find Leo storming into the private cubicle.
“What are you talking to her about?” His eyes flare with possessive jealousy, his posture aggressive.
“Just work stuff, man.” Paul steps back. “Chill.”
Leo doesn’t chill. He never chills. His fists clench, and steam rises from his ears. “Keep your hands off her.”
I step between them, flattening a palm on Leo’s chest. “Paul is my coworker, and you’re not supposed to be in here.”
“He’s flirting with you,” Leo snaps, his eyes never leaving the other man.
“Seriously?” Anger spikes, slamming my molars together.
I have a patient lying in the bed two feet away, for fuck’s sake.
“Back off.” Paul stands his ground, refusing to be intimidated. “You’re overreacting.”
The situation escalates in a blink.
Leo shoves Paul, sending him stumbling back. My heart races as the security guards spring into action, separating them and escorting Leo out of the hospital.
“Get your hands off me!” He roars, but the guards outnumber him.
“Leo, stop!” I shout, but it’s too late.
As they drag him away, a cold, nauseous stab of pain pummels through me.
Every instinct urges me to run after him.
I don’t want to send mixed signals, but dammit, I love him. He was thrust into a new world, and he’s still adjusting and adapting. He deserves grace, and I need to find a way to give him that while standing my ground.
Following them outside, I ask the guards to give us space. When they step away, I reach for Leo’s scowling face and guide his forehead down to mine.
“I love you,” I whisper against his warm mouth. “Forever.”