Series: Silver Spoon MC Series by Nichole Rose
Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 38632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
This isn't the hospital.
I fly into a sitting position with a gasp.
"There you are."
I blink rapidly at the man crouched in front of me, trying to jolt my mind into motion. For a long moment, nothing comes. I just stare into the darkest green eyes I've ever seen in my life, my mind wiped clean. I'm not sure if it's the lack of sleep, if it's him, or if it's both causing the reaction. But I think it's him.
He's beautiful. His dark hair is damp and messy as if he recently showered and then ran his hands through it. A day's worth of stubble surrounds his full lips, softening his razor-sharp jawline. Intelligence and humor shine in his eyes as they track slowly across my face.
"Gold," he murmurs, one corner of his lips crooking upward.
"What?"
"Your eyes are gold."
"They're hazel."
I have no idea who he is or where I am, yet I instinctively know that I'm safe with him. I see that truth burning in his eyes—safety, security, sanctuary. Protection blazes in the emerald depths, searing me with softness and intensity in equal measures. So does something else…possession. The flames of it caress my skin like a kiss as his eyes document every feature of my face. From the scar on my forehead to the little freckles scattered across the bridge of my nose to the dimple in my right cheek, he misses nothing. His gaze roves downward, taking in my rumpled hoodie, wrinkled jeans, and ballet flats.
I steal another peek at him, trying to figure out who he is. He's gorgeous, there's no denying that. The white coat hanging open over his broad shoulders and the stethoscope peeking from around his neck finally jogs my brain into motion. Realization dawns with a powerful lurch.
"Dr. Grimes!" I blurt, relief rushing through me…followed immediately by the sting of embarrassment. This is Dr. Grimes, the pediatric heart surgeon Troian and her husband, Gage, sent me to see. I must have fallen asleep on the couch in his office waiting for our meeting. "I'm so sorry. I must have dozed off. Oh my gosh. What time is it?" I press my hands to my red cheeks, trying to calm my racing heart.
"Easy, Samara," he croons, reaching out to place a hand on my arm. An electric charge shoots from his palm to my skin, startling both of us. His gaze tangles with mine again. There's something calming about him…and something a little bit wild too. He's a lion. They're beautiful, powerful, and confident. They even seem peaceful when they're lounging on the rocks, bathing in the sun. But provoke one and you might live long enough to regret it.
This man isn't like any of the doctors I've met this week. There's nothing staid or ordinary about him. Nothing safe. He's an apex predator and he knows it…but his eyes are soft, his expression full of empathy. All week, I've been floundering out of my depth, trying to understand complex medical problems I knew nothing about until a week ago. I've felt the sharp edge of judgement and the arrogant, condescending looks cast my way. Yet this man catches me sleeping in his office and still treats me with gentleness.
For a long moment, neither of us speaks. We just stare at one another again, his scent clouding my mind. It's leather and citrus. The combination is far more erotic than it should be.
Who am I kidding? Everything about this man is erotic as hell. I was expecting a middle-aged, bespectacled man with thinning hair and a perfunctory manner. This man is sex on legs.
"Um, I'm sorry I fell asleep," I whisper, trying to force that thought out of my head. It doesn't matter what Dr. Grimes looks like, how good he smells, or how hard my heart is pounding right now. It doesn't even matter that part of me wants to feel his hand on my skin again. All that matters is Scout. Gage and Troian trust this man to save her life.
"Jules said you drove in from Houston this morning." His dark brows furrow. "Had I known, we could have scheduled this meeting for later in the day."
"My niece has some tests later today," I explain, fidgeting though I don't know why. I don't owe him an explanation. One tumbles out anyway. "This was the only time in my schedule."
He eyes me for a minute, his expression softening with understanding. "You've been staying at the hospital with your niece."
"I'm her legal guardian."
"Her parents?"
A fresh wave of grief wells up before I can shove it back down. All week, I've been waiting for someone to ask outright about Siobhan and Danny, but no one has. They judge without facts, chalk my sister up to a bad mom who made bad decisions, and refer to her death in euphemisms as if that makes it more palatable. Hearing this man ask brings it all roaring back to the surface.