by Susan Stoker
Chief felt his blood pressure increase. He remembered this asshole from the other week. He hadn’t liked him then and he really didn’t like him now.
“Blah, blah, blah,” Sophie mocked. “Aren’t you tired of hearing yourself talk? Why don’t you go bother s-someone else? I’m s-sure there’s an unsuspecting nurse who doesn’t know what an asshole you are that you can impress with your daddy’s m-money.”
Chief was taken aback by Sophie’s words. Not what she’d said, but that she’d said it at all. He’d assumed she was more of the sit-back-and-let-people-rant-and-rave type…maybe because she hadn’t torn into him at the bar.
“If you think you can convince the board to vote against the demolition of that eyesore next door, you’re insane,” the doctor hissed.
“I don’t care if it’s knocked down or not,” Sophie countered. “What I care about are the people who are living inside it. If m-measures are taken to m-make s-sure they’re treated like human beings and not like trash that needs to be taken out, then I’m all for tearing it down and adding on to the hospital.”
“They are trash,” the doctor bit out. “Every one of them. All they do is scare people and make them think this area is dangerous.”
“Go away,” Sophie said, turning her back to the doctor.
“You can’t talk to me like that.”
“She just did.” Chief entered the conversation for the first time. He’d let Sophie have her say, but he was done listening to the other man denigrate her. “I don’t know you, but I find you arrogant and prejudiced. I’m surprised you’re allowed to work in public service. Does your supervisor know what an asshole you are?”
The doctor shifted his anger from Sophie to Chief. “Let me guess, you’re sleeping with the resident s-s-stutterer. I thought about tapping that, but couldn’t stomach the thought of her stuttering her way through our fuck. Everyone agrees, but if you want to give her a pity roll in the hay, that’s your prerogative.”
Chief heard Sophie gasp at his words, and he saw red. He let go of her hand and stood up suddenly, taking a step toward the doctor, startling the other man and making him fumble with his tray.
“You conceited asshole,” Chief said between clenched teeth, keeping his voice down so as not to embarrass Sophie any more than she probably already was. “I bet if I asked around, I’d find that you’ve asked out every nurse in this hospital and were turned down by every single one. You’re a jerk who thinks he’s better than everyone else. I’ve met your kind before, and I’m not impressed…or scared of you. Run along now—find someone else to pick on.”
Shane’s eyes flicked from Chief’s to the fire station logo on his shirt then back up to his face. He shook his head in disgust. “You firemen think you’re God’s gift to women, when in reality you’re only pretending to be doctors. You put your finger in the dike and bring them to us to do the real saving.”
Chief rolled his eyes at the juvenile comeback. “You done?”
“No. I’m going to report you to your superior for being insubordinate, and make sure you’re banned from entering my hospital ever again!”
“You can’t report him for insubordination when you’re not his boss,” Sophie said, with a roll of her own eyes. “Besides, it’s not your hospital, S-Shane. Your name isn’t on the building yet,” she continued from her seat at the table.
He turned to her. “It will be, S-S-Sophie. M-M-Mark my words.” Then the doctor turned on his heel and stomped over to the tray-return area, dumped his tray with all the trash still on it, instead of emptying it in the large cans nearby, and left the cafeteria.
Chief slowly sat, trying to rein in his anger.
“Well, there you go,” Sophie said softly.
Chief turned to her and raised his eyebrows in question. He couldn’t quite unclench his teeth enough yet to speak.
“Proof positive that not everyone at the hospital likes m-me.”
He stared at her for a beat before his lips twitched.
“I m-mean, there you were, thinking I was M-Mother Theresa or s-something. Thinking how popular I am and how I go through life s-sprinkling fairy dust wherever I go. Now you know that isn’t the case.”
Chief couldn’t stop himself. He reached out and framed Sophie’s face with his hands. His thumbs rested by her ears as his fingers speared into her soft hair. He pulled her toward him until they were nose to nose. “I would’ve killed to have someone like you on my side when I was growing up. No one ever stood up to the doctors and representatives who came to speak with the elders about needing subjects for experiments. If you think you telling off that asshole disgusted me, you’re wrong. Way wrong. I’m gonna kiss you, Sophie. If you don’t want me to, tell me now.”
He waited a beat and saw nothing but excitement and a little bit of confusion in her eyes. But she didn’t say no.
He slowly tilted his head, his eyes dropping down to her plump lips, which she licked in expectation of his touch. Instead of mauling her, as he wanted to, Chief brushed his lips against hers once, twice, then nibbled gently on her bottom lip. She opened for him, and as the little puff of air escaped her lips, he slowly used his tongue to push inside her mouth.
She met it with her own, twining around his and sighing as she grabbed his T-shirt at his sides.
Pulling back so as not to embarrass her—they were still in the middle of a fairly busy cafeteria after all—Chief stayed in her personal space as he whispered, “Will you let me make dinner for you?”
“Yes.”
Chief smiled. He leaned forward and kissed her briefly once more, then sat back in his chair and dropped his hands from her face. He stacked her tray on top of his and stood, holding his hand out. “Walk me out?”
Sophie nodded. She put her hand in his and let him help her stand. She reached for the trays with her free hand and he shook his head. “I’ve got them.”
She followed along beside him as they went toward the tray-return area. She waved and greeted several nurses and what looked like patients’ family members before they arrived. She helped him throw the paper trash into the bins and he placed the trays on the conveyor belt.
Without a word, he walked them out of the cafeteria and toward the front waiting room and the doors to one of the parking lots. They stepped outside and he turned to Sophie. “Is that asshole always like that?”
She shrugged. “He wasn’t always, but he’s gotten worse as time has gone by. Chief…is he going to cause problems for you? Because I’m happy to call your boss and let him know that you didn’t do anything wrong.”
Chief smiled. “No, Soph. He can’t touch me. He’s jealous that his boyhood dreams of being a big bad fireman never came true, and of the fact that he’ll never be man enough to have you as his girlfriend. But…just because he can’t do shit to my career doesn’t mean I can’t report him.”
Sophie’s brow furrowed. “But you don’t work here.”
“I don’t. But I know a lot of people, Soph. So does my fire chief. It’s about time someone stood up to that jerk. I can’t get him fired, I don’t have that kind of clout, but I can make sure people in his chain of command know that he’s harassing you, and most likely other nurses and employees as well. If he’s as prejudiced as he sounds, he shouldn’t be treating minorities. Period.”
“I agree,” Sophie said, then looked away from him. She smoothed her free hand down the side of her pants and bit her lip.
“I work for the next three nights, but how about Sunday? Are you free? Wanna come over?”
Her eyes came back to his face and she nodded. “I’d like that.”
“Good. I get off around three. So how about six? That should give me time to go to the store, shower, and get things started in the kitchen. Anything you don’t eat?”
Sophie shook her head. “No, I’m not very picky.”
“Great. I’ll surprise you then,” Chief said.
“Can I bring anything?”
“Just yourself.”
“Not
hing? How about a s-salad? Or a bottle of wine?”
“I’m not much of a drinker,” Chief said
She immediately blushed. “Oh, s-sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. And I don’t mind if you drink, so if you want to bring a bottle of wine, go for it.” He waited until she nodded, then said, “Thank you.”
She looked at him in surprise. “For what?”
“For being an advocate for people who otherwise wouldn’t have anyone in their camp.”
“You don’t have to thank m-me for that. Any decent person would do the s-same.”
Chief grinned at her. “No, they wouldn’t. It’s okay that you don’t see it, but rest assured, I do. From you sitting with Beth and making sure she was okay, to Tadd and his dog, to Mark, to every burn patient you stand up for…thank you.” Chief couldn’t resist touching her one more time and brought his free hand up and smoothed her hair back from her face, curling his fingers behind her ear as he did. He felt her shiver at his touch and satisfaction welled inside him. She appeared to be as affected by him as he was by her. He liked that.
“I’ll see you Sunday,” he said, finally dropping her hand and stepping away from her.
“Okay.”
“Call or text me if your schedule changes,” he ordered.
“It s-shouldn’t.”
“Good. Oh, and Soph?”
She’d taken a step away from him, back toward the doors to the hospital. “Yeah?”
“Don’t be surprised to hear from me before Sunday. It gets boring sometimes at the station, I’d love to talk to you…if you’re not busy.”
The smile that crept over her face told him everything he needed to know before she even opened her mouth.
“I…okay.”
“Later,” Chief said.
“Later,” she responded.
Neither of them moved for a long moment before Sophie chuckled and turned to head back inside.
Chief slowly walked to his truck, pleased as he could be by how the lunch date had turned out. He would’ve loved to have talked to her longer, but he needed to get to the station, and she undoubtedly had to get back to work as well. He didn’t like that asshole doctor, but he’d make sure to talk to his chief, who would pass the word along to some people he knew in his circles.
No one spoke to Sophie that way and got away with it.
Chief wasn’t even freaked out by his strong feelings for Sophie. He’d seen his friends fall hard and fast, and since he’d never felt this way about any woman before, he figured it was his turn.
He hadn’t lied to Sophie. Growing up as he did, he’d been taught to respect every living thing. He strongly felt as if lessons could be found in all things and experiences and that everything had a purpose. He’d been struggling to find his purpose in life, and somehow, he knew meeting Sophie wasn’t a coincidence. Even the way he’d met her had a purpose…it made him realize how quick he was to judge and how cynical he’d gotten.
The way Sophie cared about those around her, especially those who were struggling or looked down on by society, made him realize how well their beliefs meshed. He honestly believed that a person’s emotions were shown better through their actions than their words…and Sophie proved with each and every action how much she cared.
His mother had very rarely told Chief that she loved him when he was growing up, but she showed it day after day in what she did. She always served him food first, forgave him when he was mean to her, and sacrificed things that she needed or wanted for his benefit.
His people didn’t use words to show how much they cared, they showed each other instead. He somehow knew he and Sophie were meant to be together. Time would tell if he was right, or if his neighbor was just another lesson to be learned, but Chief had a feeling she was meant as more than that. It might’ve only been a couple of weeks since he’d first spoken to her, but Sophie was meant to be his.
He started his truck and nodded to himself. Sunday might only be dinner, but for him, it was the beginning of the rest of their relationship, however long that might last.
Chapter 6
“Is that him?” Quinn asked Sophie.
Looking up from her phone, Sophie smiled and nodded. “He wanted to m-make sure I got to work all right.”
“Lord, that man is so in love with you,” Autumn declared from behind her monitor.
“What? No, he’s not. Why would you s-say that?” Sophie asked, her eyebrows practically disappearing into her hairline in shock. “We just m-met and I s-swear it was like yesterday that he hated m-me.”
Autumn pushed back her chair, scooted it to the side, and leaned her elbow on the table in front of her. “Girl, trust me. He’s either already in love with you, or he’s really desperate to get you in bed. And a man like that? He’s not desperate to take a woman to bed.”
“Educate us, oh wise one,” Quinn joked.
“I will,” Autumn fired back. “Look, you guys are young, none of you have been married. I’ve been around the block a few times.”
“Oh jeez,” Tory said. “You’re acting like you’re a little ol’ wise woman or something. You’re not that much older than we are.”
“Sometimes I feel ancient compared to you guys,” Autumn said with a small smile. “All I’m sayin’ is that man most definitely doesn’t have a problem getting women in his bed. He’s hot, exotic, wears a uniform, and spends his days and nights rescuing damsels in distress. You can’t tell me he has to work as hard as he’s working Soph to get laid.”
The pleasure she’d felt in hearing from Chief somehow felt tarnished now. Sophie looked down at the text she’d been so happy to receive a moment ago.
* * *
Chief: Morning, Soph. I hope you had an uneventful ride into the city this morning. Heard there was a bad accident on the interstate. Let me know you’re okay. Say hi to Tadd when you see him. Later.
* * *
“Oh, hon,” Autumn said softly, seeing Sophie’s shoulders slump. “I didn’t mean that in a bad way. I obviously didn’t say it right. What I mean is that if all he wanted was a roll in the hay, he wouldn’t text you all the time. You wouldn’t be on his mind as much as you are if you didn’t mean more to him. Even when I was dating my ex, he never bothered to check up on me as much as Chief has been with you.”
Sophie took a deep breath. “Really?”
“Really. Look, from what you’ve told us, I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about Chief being interested, but you will need to make sure he doesn’t get too bossy.”
“Too bossy?” Sophie asked, surprised. “What do you m-mean?”
“I can totally see that,” Tory said. “He’s intense—really intense. You’re not even officially dating and he texts all the time, wants to know where you are, if you’re okay, and when you’re supposed to be home. You don’t want that to get out of hand.”
Sophie turned wide eyes to Autumn. “You think he’s going to be abusive?”
Her friend held up her hands. “No, no, no, that’s not what we’re saying.”
“Then what are you s-saying?” Sophie huffed. “Lord, you’re killin’ m-me. Just s-spit it out.”
“Just that he’s intense. He seems like the kind of man who, once he loves someone, he does so intensely. Which means wanting her to be safe. Looking after her. Hovering. You’re going to need to be strong enough to reassure him that you’re okay, but not bend under his intensity.”
Sophie thought about her friends’ words for a moment and decided they were right. She could totally see Chief being that way. But even more surprising, it didn’t particularly bother her. She could deal with Chief being protective, and when he went overboard, she’d call him on it.
“I think you’re right,” she told Autumn.
“Of course I am,” her friend retorted, but smiled when she did it.
Sophie shook her head. “Don’t you guys have work to do?”
They all chuckled. Autumn rolled her chair back to her computer screen
and Tory returned to the microscope she’d been examining.
“What are your plans for the day?” Quinn asked.
“I’m headed back over to the hospital. I need to check on Diontray and the chief of s-staff wants to talk to m-me about Tadd and the others who are living in the abandoned building.”
“Do you think that means they’re considering pushing to have it demolished?” Quinn asked.
Sophie shrugged. “Probably. I know it’s the best thing for the area, but I want to m-make s-sure they do s-something about the m-men and women who are living there. I know m-most people don’t think about the homeless and their needs, but I do.”
Quinn put her hand on Sophie’s shoulder as they walked to the door of the lab. “You’re a good person, Soph. If there’s anything we can do, you know all you have to do is ask, right?”
“I know, and appreciate it.”
Quinn looked at their other two friends, then back at Sophie. Then she said quietly, “I have a good feeling about Chief for you.”
“Thanks.”
“No, seriously. If I had a man who worried about me half as much as Chief seems to worry about you, I’d grab hold and never let go.”
“Quinn—”
She held up a hand, interrupting Sophie. “No, I know. It’s just…I’m so sick of people not being able to look beyond this.” She gestured at the port-wine birthmark on her face. “All my life I’ve been made fun of, bullied, and overlooked for jobs, raises, you name it. I can count on one hand the number of people who have stood up for me…and you are definitely on that short list.” Quinn’s smile was weak as she continued. “You and me, we’re a lot alike, Soph. Our imperfections are out there for all to see or hear…and comment on. We were both bullied and are stronger people as a result. But I know, deep down inside, some days you feel exactly like I do. That if you only had someone to stand by you, to fend off those bullies, to tell you that they like you for who you are as a person rather than what you look or sound like…it would be easier to get through the day.”