Doctor Holy Hotness (50 Shades of Grey's Anatomy Book 4) Page 6

  “I can sew it back at my office,” she said, avoiding my eyes.

  Now she was pissing me off again. “Look at me, Jenny,” I said.

  “This is not me,” she whispered, her expression devastated. “I am not the kind of girl who comes over to a man’s office and lets him fuck her with walls so thin that everyone in the hospital could probably hear.”

  She was already regretting it. It stung like hell.

  “Actually, if memory serves, that’s exactly the kind of girl you are. You barely got through dinner before you were letting me finger fuck you under the table, barely able to wait to ride my dick in the back of my car. Only this time, you saved me the trouble of having to take you out. Works for me, honey. Come by any time you need a good, quick fuck.”

  She couldn’t hide the hurt on her face. I had decimated her, and I already wished I could take it back. Christ, I’m an asshole.

  “I can’t believe I ever thought you had a sweet soul. Thank you for this memorable education, but don’t hold your breath of ever getting near me again.”

  I started to say something, about to take back every shitty thing I had just said, but before I could, she slammed the door and stormed out of my office.

  Besides just having the first orgasm outside my own hand in years, I had nothing to show for my utter loss of control and stupidity. What had I done?

  Chapter Nine

  JENNY

  It had been two days since I had been with Alex in his office and I was still sore between my legs. It was the most delicious ache, one I hadn’t experienced since we were together at the end of med school.

  But today wasn’t for daydreaming about a man in my bed. Instead, I was going to do what I usually did on my day off: write up the latest results for the clinical trials I was supervising. I had a cup of piping-hot jasmine tea in hand and my most comfy yoga pants on, although I was proud to say I’d never actually worn them for anything more athletic than moving from the couch to the bed.

  Then my doorbell rang.

  Okay, that was weird. I lived in a fairly secluded spot, lots of land and no neighbors. I had flat plains on one side and mountains on the other. It wasn’t my dream A-frame home, but it was still something special because it was quiet. I had room to think. In fact, I always sent packages to my work, just so I could avoid any superfluous interruptions from deliveries.

  I placed my tea down and hopped off the couch, making sure to remain as soundless as possible because, once in a rare while, I’d get some wayward Jehovah’s Witnesses at my door. I used to open the door and kindly explain I wasn’t interested. When that didn’t work, I told them they were interrupting my coven meeting. Now, I just pretended I wasn’t home.

  Peering through the peephole, there were no paired boys in matching white button-down shirts and thin, black, polyester ties, with Bibles clutched against their hearts. Instead, all I saw were peonies, in different shades of pink. Pink peonies were my favorite flowers, and I could only think of a couple of people who would even know that.

  Okay, I’ll admit it: I was curious now.

  “Who is it?”

  “Someone you think is irresistible, but also a horse’s ass.”

  I didn’t even think. I just opened the door. He was holding a huge bouquet in front of his face. “What are you doing here, and why are you hiding?”

  He moved them away, only to reveal him making a ridiculous expression.

  I couldn’t help it. I let out a giggle.

  “Don’t make me laugh. I don’t like you very much right now.”

  He placed his hand over his heart, staggering back a couple of steps.

  “Ah, a direct hit. I’m wounded, deeply, deeply wounded.”

  I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. “Are those for me?”

  “They’re your favorite.”

  “I know,” I said, shaking my head. “But how do you know that?”

  His eyes heated. “You don’t remember?”

  “Remember what?”

  A smile emerged as he took two steps closer. “We were in my bed, our first night together, and we had spent hours making love. Both of us were exhausted, but we couldn’t stop talking, asking each other questions. And I had asked what put you in a good mood, no matter what. And you said…”

  I finished his sentence. “A million shades of pink peonies, all around me. Not enough to fill a room, but enough to bury my face in their sweet softness, their subtle fragrance… I remember now.”

  Alex’s face bloomed with his smile. “And I never forgot.”

  We stared at each other, letting all the countless minutes and miles between us catch up. He may have said something hurtful the other day, but I had been causing this man pain for years.

  “I’m sorry, Alex.”

  He handed the bouquet to me. “Me too.”

  “They’re beautiful, by the way.”

  He didn’t respond, just shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

  “Come in,” I said, moving out of the way.

  He walked into my home, and suddenly, I wished I had hired a decorator before allowing him inside.

  “It’s a rental,” I explained. “I keep meaning to do something with the place, but I’m not home much. The place came furnished. Maybe I’ll buy it at some point.”

  “I’m not here to judge where you live,” he said.

  Fair point. Although, having him standing next to me, I couldn’t help view my space through new eyes: unpainted walls without anything hanging on them, all furniture in neutral tones, and only two framed photos—one of me and my nana, and another with Gabby and me at the hospital ball last year.

  I groaned on my exhale. “This is the most boring-looking place ever.”

  He chuckled. “Forget about that. I’ve got a better idea.”

  “Wow, you’re sure of yourself. And what if I have plans for today?”

  “Do you?” he asked, perusing my yoga pants and tee, complete with comfy, fuzzy socks. “Because I’m going to guess you were gearing up for chick flicks at home or working on your research. I’m guessing it’s the latter.”

  I narrowed my gaze. “You are not as charming as you think you are.”

  “Oh I agree,” he said. “But I can’t help it if you think I’m the best thing to ever happen to you.”

  I guffawed and rolled my eyes. “I’m going to put these in water.”

  I got the flowers into a vase with water and couldn’t help but notice they transformed my living room.

  “Thank you, they really are amazing. I love fresh flowers.”

  “This room was a beige nothing, except for you. Now you have a bit more of you in here. That’s the way it should always be.”

  My heart flared inside my chest, beating faster.

  “Now, get dressed. Nothing fancy, but we’re going out for the day.”

  …

  “Are we there yet?” I asked, unable to see a thing.

  Alex was holding both my hands, guiding me through a well-air-conditioned space. He had insisted on the blindfold once we got into his car, but now we were out and inside another building.

  “We’re almost there,” he said. “You’re going to go down three long-paced steps.”

  I chewed on my lip. “Alex, I trip over myself on a normal day, with use of both eyes. There’s no way I’m not going to fall on my face.”

  He stopped walking, giving my hands a reassuring squeeze. “Hey, I’d never let anything happen to you.”

  “I know,” I said. “Just don’t let me get in my own way.”

  Silence. He started walking again. “Just a few steps and then we’re there.”

  I followed his lead.

  “Okay, we’re here,” he said, taking off my blindfold.

  I blinked a bunch, allowing my eyes to adjust.

  We were in a movie theater. In fact, we had the whole place to ourselves, except for two employees in front of us, one holding a tray with popcorn and snacks, and the other with champagne on ice
and two flutes.

  He draped his arm around me. “We’ve got the whole place to ourselves for the rest of the day.”

  “You did all this?” I said, my voice more of a whisper.

  He kissed the top of my head. “So, what’s your pleasure? Personally, I’m all about mixing the Raisinets with the popcorn,” he said, grabbing both.

  “You always did like it sweet and salty,” I muttered, taking a popcorn for myself.

  “That’s true,” he softly laughed. We both took a champagne flute. “Thank you,” he told them. As they left, we got comfy in the middle seats.

  The lights dimmed.

  I let out a happy sigh. “You remembered…from our first date.”

  He glanced my way, smiling. “This was your idea of a perfect day, getting to watch movies with no one else around.”

  “I can’t believe you remembered that,” I said, my eyes blurring.

  He stilled. “I remember everything, Jenny.”

  The lights dimmed.

  “You ready?” He gave a lopsided smile.

  I laid my head on his shoulder. “Can’t wait.”

  It was one of the best days of my life, thinking we had finally put the past behind us. When he dropped me off back home, I was floating on a happy cloud. I thought he was too. But maybe I was wrong.

  Chapter Ten

  JENNY

  “So, let me get this straight,” Gabby said, straightening herself on the stool. “Last weekend, Alex rented out an entire movie theater.”

  “Right.”

  “And you’re holding hands and he’s feeding you popcorn?” she asked.

  I sighed. “Yes.”

  “It was like a platinum version of Netflix and chill.”

  I gave my girl some side-eye.

  “And you haven’t heard from him since?”

  “No. And I knew something was up because when we came back to my place, I got a kiss on the forehead and him telling me he’s ‘glad we’re on good terms again.’”

  “Your man is playing games with your mind,” she said. “That whole thing was one big orchestrated middle finger, his way of saying ‘here’s what you’re missing out on. Good luck to you.’”

  Gabby hadn’t even had a sip of her first drink and she was already on a roll.

  “First of all, he is not my man. And second of all, I can’t believe he would be so calculating.”

  She waved away my comment. “Are you high right now? The man is Russian. Being duplicitous and arrogant are parts of his culture. That movie theater stint was his Putin move of being shirtless on a horse.”

  “Wow, way to be reductive and really, really off base, Gabs,” I said, trying not to draw attention to ourselves. We were out for our usual Girl’s Night at The Resus Bar on Fridays. I usually adored our weekly night out, but tonight I wasn’t all there. Not really.

  I was trying to figure out what was going on with Alex.

  “I’m playing with you. You’re sweating over nothing, by the way. That man is crazy about you. He’s just trying not to overwhelm you like he did ten years ago.”

  I took a big swig of my drink. “I don’t know.”

  She gave me a look. “Why are you so cranky? You’ve got the hottest man to ever grace this place panting over you, while every other woman is panting over him. And half the married ones take off their rings when he walks by.”

  “Angry sex against his office door is hardly panting over me,” I said, signaling to the bartender to bring me another one. “He fucked like he was seeking revenge or something. Then he’s all sweet last weekend, and now? Nothing. He’s totally hot and cold.”

  “Maybe,” Gabby said. “But I think it’s more because he’s unsure what you want, not because he’s unsure about wanting you.”

  “I don’t even know why I’m worrying about this,” I told her, watching her down her drink. “You know my career comes first.”

  Gabby gave me her “oh please” eyes before cracking up.

  “What?” I asked.

  “What else are you planning to do, run for office or something? Save the whales? Steal Wonder Woman’s Lasso of Truth and help her out?” she said, shaking her head. “Girl, you’re closer to forty than thirty, with your loans paid off, money in the bank, and the head of your department in an on-the-rise teaching hospital…and your research is regularly published. What else have you got to prove?”

  I opened my mouth but didn’t know what to say.

  “Face it,” she went on. “Your career is doing just fine. Better than fine. You’re set. You’re just so used to working all the time, you don’t know what else to do with yourself.”

  “You’re wrong. I have a whole life outside of work.”

  “Besides your regular swims, which is basic self-care, how else do you spend your time?”

  My mind was blank.

  I sighed, finishing my wine. “Maybe you’re right,” I mumbled, holding the glass by the stem and twirling it around.

  “When was the last time you had a man in your life?” she asked.

  “Does Dr. McQuinn count?”

  She let out a laugh. “Your therapist? No.”

  “That’s too bad. He’s the longest relationship I’ve ever had with a man.”

  The bartender came over, two full martini glasses in hand. He placed one in front of Gabby and the other in front of me.

  “Oh, we didn’t order these,” I told him.

  “I know. These are from the gentleman on the other side of the bar,” he said.

  We both leaned over.

  It was Darius Jackson, former decorated Marine Ranger and latest physician assistant hire at the hospital. He was a moving mountain of man—all tatted-up muscle at six-foot-five, with a perfect bald head. He may not have been here long, but word was, patients adored him, the other women on staff lusted for him, and the men liked him despite themselves.

  And while he was kind enough to send both of us drinks, I knew he was really only interested in Gabby. That made me smile, huge. Like a crazy loon.

  She swatted the side of my arm. “You’re grinning like a fool. Cut. It. Out.”

  I plucked the sugared lemon wedge out of my drink. “Just go over there already. You know you want to,” I said, bumping my shoulder against hers. I sucked the alcohol from the fruit, the perfect blend of sweet and sour. Yummy.

  “Oh, he’s fine as hell, but he’s also too young. Gabby’s Man-Baby Training Camp closed years ago and isn’t re-opening for anyone, even one as perfect as him.”

  I balked. “What are you talking about? I heard he’s twenty-nine.”

  “And I’m thirty-eight!” she loud-whispered. “That’s nine years.”

  “I can do all kinds of math, honey,” I said as I gave him a little wave, signaling I needed one more minute with her. He chuckled, shaking his head. He knew the score already.

  “I am too old to train some boy pup,” she said, taking a big gulp of her drink.

  I snort-laughed. “Are you blind? That over there is a full-grown man. No puppy. No cub. No training needed.”

  She lifted her glass and gave a polite nod his way but wasn’t moving from her seat. I bit my lip in order not to laugh. She wanted him. She wanted him so much that she was pretending not to want him.

  Darius being gorgeous was a point in his favor. So was the fact that everyone seemed to get along with him. It was also a bonus that he wasn’t a doctor. Gabby thought most of them were arrogant and entitled, two big no-no’s. Looks and an affable personality weren’t going to be enough for my girl, but that was all right because I knew her kryptonite.

  “You know,” I said, swiveling back and forth on my stool. “I heard the other day that he takes his mother and his grandmother to church. Every Sunday without fail. Then he takes them out to brunch and spends the rest of the day either running errands or fixing stuff around their houses.”

  She gave me some side-eye. “You do not play fair.”

  I beamed.

  Before either of us c
ould say anything else, Darius got up and came right for her.

  “Guess that man is done waiting around,” I teased.

  Gabby’s expression shifted.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  She sported a wry smile. “Oh girl, nothing’s wrong, but it’s about to get interesting for you too.”

  I turned around and, sure enough, there was Alex, walking in with a group of other orthopedic surgeons. Oh, and Bridgett, the other gal from HR, right in with them. She was, maybe, twenty-three. I knew the hospital was her first job out of college.

  “Are you shitting me?” I said under my breath.

  “If it’s any consolation, it looks like they came in a big group. I don’t think he brought her, per se.”

  I turned around before he could spot me. “That’s fine. If that’s what he wants, go for it,” I said, now taking a turn of having my drink. “After the way he spoke to me the other day, then ghosted me this week, I’m happy never to see him. Ever.”

  “Mmm hmm,” she said noncommittally.

  “So, tell me, is she hanging all over him? Is he liking it? What are they doing?”

  “She’s making sure to sit next to him, that’s what’s going on,” Gabs informed.

  Darius interrupted. “I wouldn’t worry ’bout it. If he’s any kind of a man, he’s going to go for what matters, not what’s easy.”

  Note to self: the minute we’re alone, tell Gabby how much I LOVE this guy for her.

  He hadn’t been over for a whole minute, and Darius and Gabs already couldn’t stop staring at each other.

  I was officially the third wheel.

  “You know what? I’m being ridiculous,” I said, standing up. “I’m going to go over there and say hello.”

  Bridgett may be younger and prettier, but I looked good. So there was no need for me to hide off in the corner.

  The smile fell right off Gabs’s face. “Oh honey, that is not a smart idea. You’ve already got the whole crazy-eyes thing going on. Maybe we should just go.”

  I grabbed my purse. “No, we’re staying, and this will all be fine,” I said, putting my hand up to my mouth and checking my breath real quick.

  “There is no way this ends up being good, but no worries. I’ve got your back,” she said. “I’ll be right here.”