Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“I’m glad you think so,” she responded.
“So does every other man watching you.”
She laughed softly, shaking her head as a waiter offered her champagne. “I think you are a little biased.”
Her coworker Sally came over, handing Sofia a glass. “Iced tea,” she said. “Looks like we’re drinking, but we’re not.”
I smiled at her and tilted my head in acknowledgment.
“You clean up well, Egan.”
I threw her a fast wink, and she laughed.
“We need to mingle, Sofia.”
Sofia looked at me and I nodded. “Go enjoy your evening. I’ll be watching.”
I felt the brush of her hand over my back as she moved away. “I know.”
The dinner and the speeches were over. People were dancing, some still perusing the auction items. It would close in about an hour, then there would be more dancing for some, and for others, it would be the time to depart. As Sofia claimed, it was fairly dull, but the keynote speaker had been interesting and passionate, and I planned on donating some money to the cause of the evening. Funds were being raised to upgrade the pediatric oncology area of the hospital. As the speaker claimed, the area gave the kids a chance to escape from their treatments. They unveiled the plans, and I wanted to help make sure they achieved their goal. But at the moment, something else was on my mind.
I watched, annoyed, as Sofia was asked yet again to dance. Even if she tried to say no, she ended up on the floor with yet another admirer. Another man holding her in his arms. She was graceful and classy. It had been difficult enough to stand by and watch her during dinner. Laughing, talking—relaxed and beautiful. Unknowingly sexy in her guileless mannerisms. She seemed oblivious to the admiring stares, the frank appraisals of many of the men. I, however, noticed every single damn one.
The room had gotten warmer with the large group of people, and she had slipped off her shawl after dinner. The first time she stood, I saw the way the dress dipped low in the back, exposing her beautiful skin. I had to endure other men touching the bare skin of her back as they danced. Holding what was mine. Feeling the softness of her flesh. How it stretched over her spine. More than once, I had to hold myself back from walking over and ripping someone’s arm off when their hand drifted too low for my liking.
It was when the newest doctor in the ER asked her to dance that I lost it. He was younger than me. Handsome. Cocky and sure of himself. The way he held her was too tight. Too aggressive. More than once, I saw her head shake and she stepped back, putting some distance between their bodies. Seconds later, he was pressed up into her again.
Leo had decided to work the event as well. He enjoyed the occasional easy-to-handle event, and this hospital meant a great deal to him. They had saved his life when he was brought in after a vicious beating at the hands of a perp we were after at the time.
He sidled over to me. “Um, if you are going to mentally murder the man, you might as well go over there and break them up,” he said. “Everyone in the room is accounted for. We’ve seen nothing suspicious, and I don’t think Sofia would object. Consider yourself off the clock.”
That was all I needed. I moved toward her, skirting around the dancers on the floor and appearing at Sofia’s side. I heard enough to step in right away.
“I said no, Dr. Slater. I don’t date colleagues, and besides, I have a boyfriend.”
“Where is he, then?” he challenged.
“Right here,” I growled. “And unless you want to lose your hands, I suggest you move them.”
He stopped moving, glancing at me. Young and good-looking, yes, but he was soft. His muscles lacked any great definition, and he was weak. As soon as he saw me, he stepped back, holding up his hands. “Just dancing, man.”
“And now it’s my turn.”
Ignoring him completely, I swept Sofia into my arms and twirled her away. As soon as I held her, inhaled her lovely fragrance, I relaxed. She leaned her head on my shoulder with a small laugh.
“Hello, caveman.”
“You said you never dance,” I growled.
“Tonight seems to have been the exception,” she agreed. “Must be all the new staff.”
“I tried,” I said. “I couldn’t take it anymore. All those men touching you.” I ran my fingers over the silky skin on her back. “Touching what is mine. He’s lucky I didn’t break his hands.”
She tilted up her head. “Don’t do that. He is a gifted surgeon.”
“He’s weak to be a surgeon.” I sniffed.
“Not everyone is built like a brick shithouse, Egan.”
I had no idea what that meant, but I was certain it had to do with my size. I scoffed. “How he stands on his weak legs and performs surgery is a mystery to me. And how old is he? He probably still needs naps in the afternoon.”