by Beau Brown
“I know. But it’s still so fucking sad.”
His emotional reaction to the situation surprised me. I’d have never guessed Liam was a man who let his work get to him, but it was obvious he felt upset at losing the mom.
“At least we saved the baby. She’d want that. Any omega would,” I said.
“Sure.” He nodded, turning his back on me. “Hopefully he’ll make it through the night.”
“Yeah.” The baby had a battle ahead of him, but because he’d been born so late in the pregnancy, I held out hope he’d survive. I made a mental note to check on him tomorrow, although I’d probably hear about his fate through the grapevine either way.
I pulled off my cap and gloves and threw them away. “You need anything else, doctor?”
He glanced at me over his shoulder. “I don’t think so.”
He looked like he could use a drink, and I wished I had the courage to ask him out. But since he hadn’t attempted to see me again, I couldn’t quite bring myself to ask. “Okay if I take off?”
“Uh… sure.”
“My shift was over, and I was on my way home when I ran into Nurse Swenson.”
Nodding, he said, “No problem. I’m about to head out too.”
I studied him, not wanting to leave, but not really having any reason to stay. I sighed and turned to go. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself gawking at him. I reminded myself for the millionth time, that if he’d wanted to spend time with me, he’d have called. “Have a good night,” I said, heading to the exit.
“Hey, Fox?”
I hesitated in the doorway. “Yeah?”
He cleared his throat. “Thanks for your help.”
“Of course.”
“That would have been a lot harder without you in the room. Nurse Swenson needs more hours under her belt before I want her anywhere near me for anything other than a normal delivery.”
Grimacing, I said, “I’m sure she did her best. It was pretty traumatic.”
“If she can’t handle trauma, she shouldn’t be a nurse.”
I pulled my brows together. “Ouch.”
He shrugged. “She wasn’t ready. She should never have been the nurse assisting me.”
I tried not to bristle at his arrogant tone. He was probably tired and still rattled from what he’d just gone through. “That’s how she’ll learn. You can’t figure out how to handle that stuff from books.”
“Maybe that’s true, but whoever threw her in here with me needs to think things through. If you hadn’t been here too, it would have slowed me down, and the baby might have died. We had minutes. Her inexperience could have been deadly.”
He was right. There was no point in arguing. “I guess you should take that up with whoever threw her into this situation.”
He lifted one dark brow. “Maybe I’ll talk to her superior.”
I frowned at his response because he could easily cost Nurse Swenson her job if he specifically complained about her. “I’m sure she didn’t request to be in here. She was probably randomly assigned because she was the labor nurse on duty.”
“She should have said she wasn’t up to it.”
I gave a hard laugh. “Uh, sure. That would be great for her career.”
“This wasn’t about her career. This was about the baby’s life.”
“Obviously.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Is she a friend of yours or something?”
“No. But I’ve worked with her before and think she has potential. Plus, I remember what it felt like to be a new nurse. She simply needs more time, and I think she’ll be a great nurse.”
“I have my doubts.”
“She was intuitive and hardworking when I worked with her before. This was just too much for her experience level.”
He shrugged. “Or she’s just not cut out for the job.”
“Because of one bad moment?”
“Yeah. This job requires excellence at all times.” He pursed his lips. “At all times.”
“Nobody is perfect.” Not even you, doc.
“She failed at her job today. It’s that simple.”
I shook my head. “She did her best. Jesus, you’re a hard man to please.”
He opened his mouth as if he was about to say something else argumentative, but then he closed it again. Rubbing the back of his neck, he grimaced. “Why are we fighting again?”
I studied him, noticing he didn’t seem angry anymore. He just seemed exhausted. “We seem to naturally butt heads.”
He glanced toward the body of the omega that was now covered by a sheet. “I don’t want to fight. Life’s too short to waste it bickering.”
The resigned tilt of his head and the lines of exhaustion under his eyes got to me, and my anger melted away. “I don’t want to fight either.”
“Good.” His smile was relieved.
My chest warmed at the look he shot at me, and it gave me some courage. So what if he hadn’t called me? I hadn’t called him either, and I’d definitely enjoyed our night together. I cleared my throat, gathering my nerve. “Would you… would you want to grab a drink with me?”
He hesitated, and then he gave a weary smile. “Do you feel sorry for me?”
I frowned. “What?”
“Is this a pity invite? You feel like you need to cheer me up?”
Grimacing, I said, “I don’t feel sorry for you. I mean, I’d love to cheer you up, but that’s not why I asked you out.”
He blew out a tired breath. “Sorry I haven’t called.”
My face warmed because his flat statement made it clear he was aware he could have called, but hadn’t. “You don’t owe me anything. It was a fun night, that’s all.”
“Yeah,” he said softly. “It was fun.”
But not fun enough?
He cleared his throat. “I’ve had some personal stuff going on.”
“You don’t have to explain.”
Biting his lower lip, he winced. “I feel like I do.”
“Seriously, you don’t.”
He sighed. “I wanted to call you but… my dad died.”
I widened my eyes. “Your dad died?” My first emotion was relief that he’d had a good reason for not calling me, followed closely by guilt because I was being so self-centered. “That’s… that’s awful.”
“Yeah.”
“Damn. I’m so sorry.”
His lips moved in a weak smile. “Thanks. My mom lives out of state, and I had to go be with her to handle things. She’s a wreck.”
“God. Of course. Again, I’m so sorry.”
There was a sad tilt to his mouth. “He was sick for a lot of years. Maybe it’s for the best he’s not suffering anymore.”
“Logically that’s probably true, but it’s still a blow to your family.”
“Yeah. It is.”
I shifted and met his clear gaze. “If you’re too worn out to grab a drink, I get it.”
He studied me, his gaze difficult to read. “I really did plan on calling you.”
I was pleased to hear that, and I smiled. “I’m glad.”
“Actually, a drink sounds great.”
Excitement buzzed through me. “Yeah?”
“Definitely.”
I glanced at my watch. “I’m sure The Watering Hole is still open.”
“I uh, can meet you there in about a half-hour.” He glanced at the body of the dead omega, and his jaw clenched. “I need to fill out the paperwork on this case.”
“Sure.” I swallowed hard. “I’ll save you a seat.”
He turned his back on me, and I left the room. The drive to the bar was short, and even though it was almost two in the morning on a Thursday, the place was busy. I managed to snag two seats at the bar, and spent the next forty-five minutes fending off drunks who either wanted to take the seat, or hit on me. I was beginning to think Liam had changed his mind about joining me for a drink, when he came in looking tired. When our eyes met, tension seemed to drain from his shoulders and he made his way
over.
“Sorry I’m late.” He slid onto the stool beside me, his leg brushing mine.
“No problem.” I signaled the bartender, and he nodded. I’d already told him I had a friend coming, and that once he arrived, he’d need his drink quick.
“The husband arrived at the hospital.”
He didn’t need to tell me which husband. I knew exactly who he meant. “God. That must have been horrible.”
He closed his eyes. “Yes. It was.”
“At… at least he has a son.” That wouldn’t replace the fact he’d lost his omega, but if nothing else, it would give the man something to focus on besides his grief. If the baby lived.
“For now,” he said, as if reading my mind.
“Let’s hope for the best.”
A smirk fluttered over his full lips. “Are you suggesting positive thinking will protect that baby?”
I screwed my face into a frown. “Not exactly.”
“Good. I’d hate to have to argue with the man who just bought me a drink.” As if on cue, the bartender set Liam’s martini in front of him, and Liam took a sip.
“But I actually do think that sending good thoughts out into the universe might be helpful.”
He started coughing like he’d swallowed wrong. He patted his chest, and with watery eyes looked at me aghast. “Thoughts can’t influence the human body’s ability to heal.”
“There are studies that show prayer and positive attitude helps patients heal.”
“No. There are people who want you to believe that so you’ll join their church.” He shook his head. “I’m surprised someone like you would believe that sort of nonsense.”
I held my irritation in check. “I’m not saying that if you have cancer, all you have to do is think positive thoughts. But studies do show that people with a good attitude heal more often, and quicker, than those who have a crappy attitude.”
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”
I studied him. “Do you believe negative thoughts can make a patient sicker?”
He hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. “I don’t accept that a higher power is listening and pulling strings. I think that having a bad attitude interferes with healing because the patient may not follow through on taking medication, or treatment because of depression.”
“I think it’s more than that.”
“Like what? Angels come down and heal the happy people?”
I laughed against my will. “No.”
“Then what?”
I shrugged. “I think good things attract good things.”
“And bad things attract bad?”
“Sometimes.”
He twisted his lips, as if trying not to smile. “You look kind of cute all riled up.”
My face warmed. “Are you attempting to change the subject by distracting me?”
“Not on purpose. I was just sidetracked by the passionate spark in your eyes.”
I rolled my eyes and finished off my margarita. “You don’t take me seriously because I’m just a nurse.”
Pulling his dark brows together, he looked insulted. “That’s bullshit.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. If you had a doctorate, I’d say all the same things to you that I’m saying now. I’m not disagreeing with you because I don’t think you’re smart or qualified to speak about this. I simply don’t believe a positive outlook can change fate.”
“So you believe in fate?” I raised my brows. “Seriously?”
He drained his glass and signaled for another. “This is a much deeper conversation than I expected.” He added quickly, “Not because you’re a lowly nurse, but because I thought you only asked me out so we could have sex again.”
Heat crept up my neck to my cheeks. “You thought that?”
Now it was his turn to look embarrassed. “Maybe.”
“And you said yes to meeting up.”
“I did.” He took his drink from the bartender. “I told you I planned on calling you.”
“Okay, well, in that case, yeah, I was kind of hoping we’d have sex,” I admitted.
His chuckle was warm. “That’s what I like about you, Fox, you speak your mind.”
I snorted. “Suddenly that’s something you like about me? You didn’t find it nearly as charming when we first met.”
He licked his lips, running his gaze over my body. “I’ve changed my mind about you. I like a challenge, and you challenge me.”
I allowed a slow smile. “I’ve got tons of things we can argue about if you want. Is this like foreplay to you?”
He grinned. “Why don’t you ask for the check, and then we can get out of here?”
“You want to take me home and argue some more?”
He leaned in, a salacious gleam in his eyes, and whispered, “No, Fox. I want to take you home and fuck you so hard you’ll still taste me tomorrow morning.”
The warmth of his breathy words sent a thrill through me. Holding his heated gaze, I shivered. “Check please!”
Chapter Five
Liam
I wasn’t sure what it was about Fox that got me so turned on, but as we tumbled into his bed, I felt excited and breathless. I’d slept with plenty of sexy guys in my time, but Fox connected with me on a deeper level than most guys. What we shared was physically satisfying, no doubt about that, but he was also mentally stimulating to me.
He kicked off his pants, holding my gaze with a cocky grin. “You want this ass? You’ll have to work for it.”
I eyed his erection, seeping against the tight cotton of his briefs. “You look awfully ready to me.”
“Maybe.”
“Take off your underwear.”
He shook his head, dimples deep in his cheeks. “Make me, alpha.”
Licking my lips, I lunged toward him, pinning him to the mattress. He grunted and laughed, wiggling against me, and I covered his mouth with mine. His tongue twisted around mine as we humped, and groaned, seeking that beautiful friction of skin on skin. I slipped my fingers under the waistband of his underwear, tugging them down below his ass cheeks. He twisted and pushed at me, making it harder to get them any lower. I laughed and pinned his arms above his head, holding his wrists with one hand, and managing to slide his briefs down to his knees.
Breathing hard, I covered his body with mine, still holding his hands over his head. “Stop fighting what you want,” I panted.
He smiled slyly. “Who says I want this?”
I laughed because his cock was full and seeping against my stomach. “Want me to go?” I arched one brow, and let go of his wrists. “I can just take off if you’re not interested.”
“Don’t you dare.” He wrapped his arms around my neck, his eyes burning with lust.
“That’s better,” I said softly, kissing the side of his mouth.
He moaned, and turned his face so our lips met. I traced his lower lip with my tongue, then I kissed him. He responded hungrily, opening his mouth greedily. Once the kiss ended, he whispered, “I wasn’t sure you wanted to do this again.”
I frowned. “How could you think that? We fucked four times that first night. I obviously want you.”
“When you didn’t call.” He shrugged.
“How about I show you how much I like fucking you?” As I spoke, I slid his briefs all the way off with my foot. I rolled my hips, dragging my full cock over his. He shivered and groaned, spreading his thighs for me. “I thought about fucking you a lot the last few weeks.” I cupped his swollen balls, squeezing gently. “I’ve jacked off in the shower remembering how good it was with you.”
“Yeah?”
“Oh, yeah.”
He lifted his head, kissing my neck, his breath warm on my flesh. “Good.”
Lowering my head, I claimed his mouth again in a long, sensual kiss that left us both breathless.
He trembled under me. “Fuck me, Liam.”
“I will.” I smiled slowly. “Be patient.”
“I don’t want to
be patient. I want you inside me,” he muttered.
Chuckling, I slid my finger between his firm ass cheeks, and he hissed. “You want my cock inside you bad, don’t you?”
“Yeah. Fuck, yeah.”
“I want that too. In fact, I’ve had fantasies about cornering you in the supply closet at the hospital, and fucking you up against the wall.”
He looked surprised, but aroused. “Really?”
I nodded, licking my lips. “Right there with all of our co-workers walking by the other side of the door.”
He shivered, and his cock pulsed against me. “Oh, God.”
“I’d pull your scrubs down and you’d let me. You’d beg me to take you right there.”
He moaned. “Bare? Would you fuck me bare?”
Lust roared through me. “Oh, yeah. I’d shove you against the wall, and push inside without a condom.”
He shuddered and humped against me urgently. “Yeah? Would you come inside me?”
“I’d flood your hole with my seed,” I growled, fingering his puckered hole. “My cum would drip out of you and run down your legs. You’d stink of me.”
He whimpered and spread his thighs. “Fuck me, Liam. Please,” he begged.
My stomach clenched with anticipation at his pleading. I moved to grab the lube and a condom, still holding his hungry gaze. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes bright as he rubbed his dick, spreading his legs wider. I pressed one slick finger to his hole, caressing the tender skin. He moaned and pushed against me, and the tip slid inside him. He hissed as if it was uncomfortable, but he also clamped his inner muscles on my finger letting me know he liked it.
“You’re so fucking tight and warm.” When I added two more fingers, pushing deep into his ass, he groaned and arched his back.
“Fuck.” He slid his hands down my shoulders, to my arms, finally landing on my hips where he tugged impatiently.
Keeping my fingers inside him, I adjusted my position so I could take his ruddy cock in my mouth. He gasped as my lips closed around his stiff length, and he bucked his hips. His fingers tangled in my hair, and I sucked and licked until he was panting and wiggling with pleasure. His body shuddered each time I increased the suction, and he whimpered when I softened the pressure. His precum was tart and thick on my tongue, and the musky taste and scent of him just made me need to fuck him even more desperately. When I finally pulled my mouth from his dick, he was trembling, his eyes bright with need.