by Chelle Bliss
I stood there and tried to think of him as “The Iceman,” but he should be called the “The Raging Inferno.”
19
Michael
Walking through the hospital, I looked over my shoulder, paranoid that I’d run into Tammy. I still hadn’t done a damn thing to deal with her the last week.
I’d been too fucking busy with the shop, family shit, and Mia.
With a smile, I pushed open the door to Joe’s room, and found it empty. The bed was neatly made and everything was back in its rightful place, but no Joe. My smile evaporated.
“Can I help you?” a nurse asked behind me.
Walking out of the room, I approached her. “That’s my brother’s room. I was coming to visit.”
“Ah, they released him a couple hours ago. He went home, darlin’.” She smiled.
“Thanks, ma’am,” I said before walking away.
Pulling out my phone to text my ma, I headed to the elevators.
Me: Mom, why didn’t anyone bother to tell me they released Joe?
I loved that my ma had finally decided to join this century and learn how to text. It was easier to keep the conversations shorter, because she always found something else to say when we actually spoke. If I ignored her texts, she’d call anyway, but for the most part it was the best way to communicate with her—at least for me.
Mom: We weren’t there when it happened. We’re not going to see him until tomorrow. Let him rest and enjoy your night.
My night would be spent without Mia. I had plenty to do. The shop needed to be organized and cleaned, and I could use an extra workout. The match would be here before I knew it.
The elevator arrived, and I pushed the button for the first floor. I leaned against the wall and thought about what to do first. When the doors opened, I saw a sign for the emergency room and the decision was made for me.
I sweet-talked the receptionist. I explained that I was Mia’s boyfriend and I was here to see her, but only if she wasn’t busy.
“Let me go see if she is. Take a seat and I’ll be right back.” She smiled as she stood from her desk, smoothing her skirt with her palms. She swiped her badge and disappeared behind the door.
I cracked my neck, rolling it on my shoulders, as I sat in the chair and stared at the door. The people sitting in the chairs around me looked miserable. They were coughing, moaning and grimacing. I knew the people beyond the doors were worse than those sitting here.
The door opened; the receptionist stuck her head out and motioned for me to come.
“She’s in between patients right now. Come on.” She opened the door, and I stepped into the noisy corridor. “She’s grabbing a cup of coffee down the hall on the right, last door.” She pointed, smiled.
I nodded and smiled. “Thanks.”
“Mm hmm,” she said, eyeing me up and down, before leaving me to find Mia.
I debated if I should walk in and surprise her or wait in the hallway. I didn’t want to scare the shit out of her. The hall was empty as I approached the door marked “Staff Only.”
I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms as I waited patiently for her.
A few people gave me dirty looks as they walked by at the other end of the hall, and I smiled and waved. Fuck them. I couldn’t wait any longer. I knocked on the door to get her attention. “Mia, are you in there?”
The door cracked open and she smiled at me. “Hey, what are you doing here?” she asked, stepping out into the hall.
“I’ve come to live out my fantasy.” I smirked, resting my shoulder against the doorframe.
Her hazel eyes grew wide as a smile spread across her face. “Why are you really here?” She crossed her arms and laughed.
“Came to see my brother, but my family forgot to mention that he was released.”
“Good for him.”
“Now I’m the only one in need of attention.” I stepped closer to her. “Can you spare a moment to take a look?” I looked down and back at her.
“Is stamina your problem?” Her eyes twinkled.
She was a total fucking ball buster.
“Why don’t you tell me, doc?” I whispered against her lips. Her hair was perfectly slicked back into a tight bun, with her lab coat over her scrubs. The scrubs I could’ve done without—not sexy at all.
The corner of her lips twitched as she grabbed me by the shirt, pulling me down the hall. “I don’t have long,” she said, looking around to see if the coast was clear before pushing me inside the storage closet.
Fuck yes. Finally.
I locked the door and turned my attention on her.
Kneading her ass in my hands, I ravaged her mouth. Hard breaths and small moans fell from our lips. Finding her breast, I squeezed gently, caressing the hard nipple under my fingertips. Her body quaked at the contact. My dick ached to be inside her, not content with rubbing against her leg through my pants.
“Fuck, Mia. I want you,” I growled, my erection straining to break free.
We nipped each other’s lips.
She smirked, reaching in her pocket. She laughed, pulling a condom out.
“Did you know I was coming?” I unfastened my pants without hesitation. My cock sprang free and bounced off her stomach.
“I knew it was a possibility,” she said against my lips.
“Better not be for anyone else, Mia.” I grabbed the wrapper from her hand and tore it open with my teeth.
“There’s no one else,” she said with a straight face.
“Turn around, hands on the wall.”
As she placed her hands on the wall, I pulled her scrubs and underwear down to her knees. The lab coat covered her ass, but I’d handle it.
Pushing down on the small of her back, I tapped her feet apart, giving myself a better angle. I placed the condom over my rock-hard dick carefully in the dim light. It glided easily against the silky wetness as I rubbed the tip against her.
She wanted it.
Grabbing her hips, I thrust myself inside in one quick move.
She cried out when I was fully seated, and my piercings stroked her depths.
“Shh. You’re going to get us in trouble,” I whispered in her ear, placing my hand over her mouth.
I pumped into her, searching for my release as I held up her lab coat. My body slammed against her ass, moving her with each thrust.
There was nothing tender about this type of fucking.
For the first time in a long while, I didn’t care about my partner getting off before me. Mia always left me with a hard-on, and for once, I’d leave her wanting more.
Releasing her mouth from my grasp, I used both hands to steady her hips, and pulled her against me. She fucked me back, moving in my hands, as my cock disappeared inside of her.
Watching my dick move in and out was better than any porn movie I’d ever seen.
She whimpered as I pounded into her flesh. God, she felt fucking amazing—tight and wet as her pussy pulsated against my shaft.
She’d be sore and hopefully walking a little differently for the rest of her shift.
Biting down on her neck to stifle my moan, I gripped her tighter and pumped into her one last time.
“Fuck,” I said against her neck, my teeth still biting down as my body twitched and shook. Dizziness and exhaustion overcame me as I rested my face in her back, trying to catch my breath.
“Hey, that’s not fair,” she said, wiggling her ass with my cock still inside her.
“All is fair in love and war. I’ll make it worth your while, Mia…tomorrow.” I grinned against her coat before I felt her body stiffen.
I pulled out, grabbing a piece of crappy brown paper from a roll on the shelf. I folded the condom inside before stuffing it in my pocket. She bent down to grab her pants, and I could see the redness my body had caused when it slammed into her.
I smiled, knowing she’d feel me on her for a while.
“You’re an asshole,” she said, glaring at me as she smoothed out her scrubs and coat.
; “I’ll own that.” I smirked, stuffing my dick inside my pants and zipping them.
I kissed her on the lips, rubbing my nose against hers. “You made my fantasy come true, and we didn’t even get caught.”
“Yeah, but I would of at least liked to get off too.” She glared.
“Tomorrow,” I said as I tapped her on the nose. “Lemme make sure your clothes are right before we walk out.” She turned around slowly, and I checked her out from head to toe. “You look like nothing happened.”
“Good.” She smiled.
“Shit, I didn’t do it right.”
Her laughter filled the small space as she opened the door. We walked into the hallway and she closed the door behind us. “Where are you headed now?” she asked.
“I’m going to head to the gym. Enjoy your night, doc. Think of me.” I winked at her.
“I’m sure I will. That was so unfair, Michael. It’s going to be the longest shift of my life,” she said, frowning.
“Gives you something to look forward to.” I reached out to grab her hand.
“You!” someone yelled from down the hall.
We both turned toward the voice as I pulled my hand back to my side.
At the end of the corridor was my worst nightmare.
Tammy.
Motherfucker.
I closed my eyes and held my breath as I waited for my fucking world to fall apart.
I went from ecstasy to agony in under one minute.
20
Mia
Michael looked like a trapped animal as a nurse walked toward him screaming. Not just any nurse, but the one I had soothed in the bathroom days ago.
Her hands were balled into fists at her sides as she approached with a red face, sneering.
I looked at her and back to him.
Fuck me, it couldn’t be possible. Was he?
No, no.
Son of a bitch!
“Where the hell have you been?” She placed her hands on her hips, standing toe to toe with him.
“Do you know her?” I asked, hoping I was wrong.
She turned her glare toward me. “This is the asshole I was telling you about.”
“Wait a minute,” Michael said. “Let me explain.” His face turned white as he reached for my hand.
Suddenly, my mouth felt dry as her words hit me full force. “He’s your fiancé?” I asked, still in shock. I stared at them, blinking as my mouth hung open.
“Yes and the father of my baby.” She smiled as she stood there with her hands on her hips. Her right eye ticked at the corner.
My heart sank as a wave of nausea hit. “Is this true, Michael?” I asked, turning to him, needing to hear his answer.
I looked at him and could see sheer terror.
He shook his head with wide eyes. “No, it’s not true at all. Please, let me explain, Mia.” He tried to touch me again, but I backed away.
I felt like a fool.
How did I honestly think I was the only woman in his life?
I knew better than to believe the bullshit of a smooth-talking, beautiful man, but I listened to my heart instead of my head.
I looked at the floor, shaking my head as I tried to decide if I should stay or go.
“Tammy, you’re a crazy bitch. I’m not your fiancé. For fuck’s sake, don’t do this to me,” he pleaded with her, as the veins on the side of his neck protruded and visibly pulsed.
“What’s this, then?” she asked, thrusting her hand in his face.
He gawked, his mouth moving but nothing coming out.
“You asked me weeks ago before I even told you about the baby,” she said, pushing her hand closer to his face.
She shoved the large princess-cut diamond ring in my face and wiggled her fingers, with a wide grin. My chest ached as my heart thundered against my insides.
I felt sick. I wanted to curl into a ball and cry.
“You knew about the baby?” I asked in horror.
His nostrils flared as he blinked slowly. “She’s not having my baby, Mia,” he said through gritted teeth.
Tammy pushed on his chest. “How can you deny your own child?” she screeched.
“Shut the hell up, Tammy,” he roared as a crowd began to form in the hall.
I had never been so embarrassed in my life. I hung my head, gathering my thoughts.
I needed to get the fuck out of here.
“Mia, you’ve got to believe me. She’s crazy and making it up,” he begged, holding out his hand to me.
Looking at his hand, I took a step back. “She has a ring, Michael. I don’t know what to think. I need time.” Wiping the tear with the back of my hand as it slid down my cheek, I said, “Don’t call me anymore.”
“But Mia.” His eyes were large and sad.
“No,” I replied quickly. “Don’t touch or talk to me. You need to work things out with your fiancée and future mother of your child. There’s no room for me in your life. I don’t date cheaters, and I certainly don’t fall in love with men that run out on their responsibilities.”
His hand dropped to his side as he stared at me. “Mia, you know she’s crazy, right?”
“I’m right here, dickhead,” Tammy yelled, punching him in the arm.
His arms flexed and his hand twitched. “Don’t fucking touch me, you insane bitch. I know where the fuck you are; you’re like a crazy nightmare that won’t go the fuck away.”
“I don’t have time for this bullshit.” I shook my head, tears threatening to turn into sobs. “You two deserve each other,” I said before turning my back to them.
“Mia,” Michael yelled as I walked away.
Hanging my head, I hid my eyes from the onlookers that had gathered in the hallway. I could hear their voices as I disappeared in the bathroom.
Finding an open stall, I closed myself in and shut the outside world out. I sat on the toilet and rocked. Silent tears racked my body. I realized the only person that had made me feel safe had turned into my biggest fear, heartache, and devastation.
Michael Gallo crashed into my world and turned it upside down.
I couldn’t sit here and cry over a man that I’d only known a couple of weeks, even though I wanted to. Patients waited for me. I couldn’t spend another moment wallowing in what could’ve been and will never be.
Fuck Michael Gallo and that crazy whore too.
Anger bubbled inside as I stood and walked out of the stall to dry my face.
My phone started beeping, text messages coming in rapidly from Michael. I turned the ringer off and stuffed it in my pocket before reaching for the door.
It was going to be a miserable shift at the ER.
21
Michael
“Sit down, baby. Tell me what’s wrong,” my ma said, pulling out a chair for me.
She really was sweet, and I felt shitty to throw this on her, but I needed her.
“I didn’t know who else to come to, Ma.” Sitting down, I rested my hands in my lap. I stared her straight in the eye as I leaned back and figured out how to break this to her.
“I’m always here for you. You look like shit, Michael.” She reached out and caressed my cheek, with a small smile.
I smiled and leaned into her touch as she soothed me. “I don’t even know where to being with this clusterfuck,” I said, scrubbing my hands across my face.
“Only because you’re so upset will I let that word slide in this house today.”
“Sorry, Ma.” I shrugged. “All right, here it is.” I let out a breath before speaking. “About six weeks ago I started seeing this woman, Tammy.”
“Seeing as in dating or…” She looked at me with one eyebrow higher than the other.
I sighed, wishing I could avoid the entire conversation. “We weren’t dating. We hooked up a couple of times.”
“God, I hope you used protection.” She shook her head. “All these horrible diseases out there today.”
“Ma, can I tell you the story or are you going to interrupt me?”
She laughed, patting my hand. “You go ahead, son. Sorry. I’ll sit here and listen.” Resting her head in her hand, she stared at me.
Her facial expression changed as I told her the story. Her eyes were as big as saucers and her mouth hung open by the time I finished. “Can I ask some questions now?” she asked.
Nodding, I motioned for her to ask.
“So you didn’t ask her to marry you?”
“Nope.”
“And she’s not pregnant either?”
“Nope.”
“Are you sure she’s not pregnant?” she asked, tilting her head as she rubbed her chin.
“Fuck if I know, Ma. I wore a condom the couple of times we did it. Not one busted and all came from my pocket.”
“You said she’s crazy, how crazy we talkin’—Kathy Bates Misery crazy or what?”
“She could be Kathy Bates’ daughter.” I laughed.
“Jesus Christ, son. Didn’t we raise you boys right?” She rubbed the back of her neck. She shook her head, leaning back in her chair, and stared at me.
“You did, Ma. Sometimes we just kinda let our other head do the thinking.” I looked down at the table, flicking a crumb near my arm.
“We’re going to have to talk with your father about this. We may need to call George and get a restraining order against her. Maybe you can get a pregnancy test done, and if necessary, an ultrasound to determine the date of conception.” Her cheeks puffed out before letting the air escape slowly.
“I hoped she would just forget about me and move on. She ruined everything with Mia.”
I was miserable without Mia. I never felt lonely, ever, but I felt the emptiness when she had walked away from me, from us, in the hospital a couple days ago. The longest two days of my fucking life.
“Is Mia the doctor from the hospital?”
“Yeah, you know about her?”
“Your siblings can’t keep a secret worth shit, son, except for Joe. He’s like a rock, and it makes me nuts.” She laughed, her smile almost kissing her eyes.
“Well, Tammy confronted me when I was with Mia. Mia’s confused and doesn’t know what to believe. She hasn’t returned my phone calls or replied to a text in days, Ma. I have to fix this.”