by Ash Johnson
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it back in here sooner to hang out with you and Blake, but I had a few other patients come in that needed to be looked at. Are you ready to get the hell out of here and back into the comfort of your own bed?” I ask him, trying not to get lost in his chocolate brown eyes and failing miserably.
“Does it mean you’re done for the night and are going to join me in the comfort of my own bed?” he smirks at me and waggles his eyebrows, not helping to break me out of my lust filled haze. I would totally get back into his bed if I could right now.
“Don’t think so, Casanova. I still have nine hours left of my shift. I don’t think my boss would like me leaving in the middle of my shift to go sleep in your bed,” I smile at him and put my flowers down on the tray table and then walk around his bed so that I can take his IV out of his left elbow.
As soon as it’s removed and I’ve placed a bandage over it he quickly sits up, swings his legs over the side of the bed, and wraps his arms around my waist. Then he’s pulling me in between his open legs, leaning in, and nuzzling my neck. I can feel the goose bumps start on my arms and I have to fight the shiver that’s trying to overtake me.
We are now almost at eye level, with him sitting on the bed and me standing between his legs. He’s still sitting a few inches above me, but it’s much better than when he’s standing. After he leans down and kisses my shoulder a few times, he whispers in my ear.
“I wish you would have stayed in bed with me the other night. You don’t know how much it sucked to wake up without you in bed with me the next morning.” I pull back so that I can see his face, and I eye him skeptically. He has to be joking with me, right? I have to be sure.
“Really? Why would you want me in your bed the next morning? I thought it was a one night type of thing for you,” I crease my brow and then look down because I don’t want to be upset when I see that he might be lying when he tells me that he wanted me to be with him the next day. Jay puts his index finger under my chin and lightly lifts it up.
“Well, before I met you I was looking for a one night thing, but after spending all night laughing and dancing with you, I realized that I want to get to know you better. I would really like it if we could see each other again,” Jay looks into my eyes and gives me the sexiest smirk I’ve ever seen.
I tilt my head and narrow my eyes at him, wondering how many times he’s used that line on other women as well. I give him half a smile before I continue.
“Do you play this game with every girl who rocks your world in the sack?” I ask him with humor in my voice, but only half joking with him. He drops his head back and chuckles.
“No. Even though you did rock my world, I don’t do this, ever. I haven’t asked a girl on a date since I was a freshman in college, Ada, but I can’t seem to get you off my mind. I’d really like to spend more time with you, if that’s okay,” Jay states, his eyebrow raising and one side of his mouth pulling into an ice melting smile.
That smile is going to be the death of me.
He’s so freaking hot and I haven’t been able to get him off my mind either, or the dirty things he did to me, so I decide that spending more time with Jay could be a good thing. I’m sure it couldn’t hurt me.
“Yeah Jay, I’d really like that,” I say, smiling in return. He wraps his arms around me and rests his cheek on my shoulder, then sighs.
We both hold each other in silence in the middle of his hospital room for a few minutes until we hear someone clear their throat in the doorway. We pull apart and see Blake smirking at us, leaning against the door frame.
“I hate to break up the cuddle fest, but is Romeo here ready to go yet? I’m beat and my bed is calling my name,” Blake says, then takes a sip of the travel cup of coffee in his hand. I giggle and then look back to Jay who then leans forward to place a small kiss on my lips.
I’m a bit dazed when he pulls away and smiles at me. After a few seconds, I shake my head to clear it of the dirty thoughts that are now running wild and answer Blake, but I can’t divert my eyes from Jay.
“Um, yeah, let me get your discharge papers from the nurse’s station and you’re good to go. I’ll be right back.”
I walk out of the room with my flowers and place them at the nurse’s station while I grab the proper paperwork. When I print out Jay’s papers I look up to find Cassie glaring and shaking her head at me. I decide to ignore her and grab Jay’s papers off the printer and make my way back to him.
When I come back into the room, I notice that Jay is dressed in some plaid shorts and a white t shirt and he’s sitting next to Blake on the right side of the bed waiting for me. I walk up to Jay, holding out papers attached to a clipboard.
“Okay, I just need you to sign this paper telling me that you’re feeling well enough to be released from the hospital and you’re free to go,” I smile and reach into my scrubs for a pen to give to him. Once I find one, I hold it out for him to take. As soon as Jay signs the release form, he looks up to me with hopeful eyes.
“So, are you free tomorrow night?”
I smile at the slight shakiness I hear in his voice when he asks me and realize that I would love to get to know more about Jay. Like how is it that a girl like me can make this sex god nervous. It’s about time I got back into the game and Jay is the perfect person to play with.
“Yeah I’m free tomorrow night, around eight,” I bite my lip and look down to his discharge papers then write down my phone number and address. I hand it to Jay and then wink at him before I turn on my heels and make my way out his hospital room.
I’m smiling to myself at how well I played that, but before I can relish in my game playing skills I hear Jay call my name. I smile and turn around to look up at him, marveling at how much taller than me he is. Instead of saying something else, he leans down, way down, and plants a long and solid kiss on my lips before pulling back slightly.
“I can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” he whispers and then pecks me on the lips three more times before backing up and walking into his room. I smile and then try to shift my focus back to work instead of the yummy man whose been occupying my brain for the past week.
As soon as I’m around the corner, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I’m apprehensive to see who it’s from, but my curiosity wins out.
Unknown- You stupid bitch, you’re in big trouble now
I look around once again hoping to see someone, but the halls are empty. I’m standing in the middle of a long floor to ceiling glass hospital hallway, cell phone in hand, scared to death, and waiting for the boogey man to come get me.
Chapter 14
Jay
I was so excited that I get to see Ada again that I didn’t sleep very much last night. Blake started to worry that it was from the concussion, but when I explained to him how concussions work, he flipped me off, quit staring at me from the corner of my room, and went to his room to sleep.
I sat up a bit longer and tried to come up with ideas for my date night with Ada. I haven’t had an actual date in at least seven years and I don’t know what people are doing for the customary date anymore.
Should I take her to dinner and a movie or mini golf? I’m not even sure if those things are cool anymore, but I suppose they are safe date ideas. I fall asleep trying to come up with some sort of plan for Ada and me tomorrow night.
I wake myself up bright and early at nine thirty in hopes of texting Ada before she goes to sleep, but then I remember that she said she doesn’t get off until ten so I lie back on my pillow and close my eyes, remembering how gorgeous she looked last night.
Her light blonde hair, looking like sunshine on a gloomy day, was pulled away from her perfect face. Those amazing eyes that pierced right through me held so much care and tenderness in them as she helped me last night.
I spend another forty minutes letting my memories of Ada switch between her caring disposition in the hospital last night and our awesome dance sessions last week; both vertical and horizontal. Mostly horizon
tal.
I reach over to grab my cell phone from the night stand and pull open the text screen. I know I’ll be seeing her tonight, but I can’t help but want to talk to her more before then.
Jay- I can’t wait to see you tonight- Jay
I slightly cringe after I send it. That sounds a bit stalker-ish or maybe a bit like a clingy girl, but I can’t stop thinking about her. Ada has occupied some part of my brain since the second I met her.
One minute and an intense staring contest with my cell phone later, my phone buzzes, signaling an incoming text.
Ada- I can’t wait to see you either. What are we doing?
Oh shit, I still haven’t planned out our date. I have no idea what we’re going to be doing so I figure vague is the best approach for now.
Jay-It’s a surprise
Ada-Are you planning on taking me to the desert and killing me? Is that why it’s a surprise?
I chuckle at that. She is funny, even through a text message.
Jay-How did you know? Now you’ve ruined my plans
Ada-I’m sorry, I’m just not good with surprises lately. Plus I need to know if I should dress for something fancy or wear jeans.
Just then an awesome first date idea pops into my head, making me grin.
Jay-Dress comfortably, jeans and sneakers are good. Something that you can move around in easily.
Ada-Okay, I trust you to not take me to the desert and kill me
Wow, she’s really dragging this ‘take you to the desert and kill you’ joke out, isn’t she.
Jay-I’m not going to kill you Ada. I’d never get you back in the sack if I did that
Ada-Good point. If you want some more lovin’ you’re going to have to keep me alive then. I’ll see you tonight at 8
Jay-See you in a while, beautiful.
I hop out of bed with a spring in my step, excited for the rest of my day. I make my way toward the kitchen to have breakfast with Blake, who I know is already awake. When I walk around the corner I see him perched on a barstool sidled up to the island, scowling at me.
“Good morning Jay,” he mutters behind his linked fingers that are in front of his mouth.
“Blake,” I respond with a nod.
“So, I only got about four hours of sleep last night because of some jack hole who decided it was a better idea to spend the night in the hospital flirting with the hot nurse instead of doing his job in the cage. I do believe that same jack hole needs to make me breakfast before I go to the gym today.” Blake raises his eyebrow at me and smiles smugly, challenging me to start an argument with him.
He caught me on an exceptionally good day, so instead of starting a fight with him I walk around the island and begin making us both a huge breakfast. After I’ve made us both enormous plates of pancakes with eggs, turkey bacon, sausage, and wheat toast, Blake breaks the silence with the same question from last night.
“So, Ada huh?”
I smile just hearing her name. I nod and look at him, smiling wider when he narrows his eyes at me.
“She’s gorgeous I admit, but are you sure that you’re ready to commit to just one person?”
“It’s just one date Blake. I don’t think that really means that I’m committing to Ada after one date. I’m not giving her an engagement ring at the end of the night or anything,” I chuckle.
“I know man, but I’ve known you for about seven years now and in that time I’ve never seen you go on a date with a girl. Ada must mean something for you to want to see her again, and I don’t know if that’s endearing or sickening.”
I cock my head to the side as I see Blake deep in thought about something. Then he shakes his head and slaps the countertop before he stands and starts walking out of the kitchen.
“Have fun with that commitment Jay,” he calls over his shoulders as he jogs up the stairs.
I pull my brows together and contemplate what Blake is saying to me. Am I ready to commit to Ada?
I shake my head to clear my thoughts and decide to take this whole thing one step at a time. Right now I need to focus on my big date tonight. I just hope that what I have planned for us doesn’t backfire.
Chapter 15
Ada
At exactly eight the doorbell rings. I get up where I had nervously been sitting on the couch with Elle and take a deep breath before I open the door. When it swings open I’m pleasantly surprised.
Jay is wearing a short sleeved gray button up, his tattoos proudly displayed down his left arm and barely peeking under the sleeve of the right arm, and dark wash jeans that hang low on his hips and cover the tops of his black tennis shoes.
After my eyes do a slow, greedy once over, I look back up to Jay’s face to see that he’s smirking at me.
“Do you like what you see?” he asks, holding his hands out by his side and lifting a brow at me. I finally realize that I’m almost biting a hole through my lip, so I let it go and try for nonchalant. I shrug.
“It’s okay I guess. You’re still decent eye candy,” I smirk back and then turn to grab my purse off the small table just off the entrance. When I do, my eyes widen in Elle’s direction, trying to tell her how freaking hot he looks without words.
Elle slaps her hand over her mouth to try and contain her laughter, but it doesn’t work and she snorts behind her hand. I shake my head at her failed attempt to play it cool and turn back to Jay, who’s standing inside the foyer.
“Have fun you crazy kids, but don’t stay out too late now, ya hear?” Elle shouts from the living room.
“I hear you mom, we’ll be back before curfew. Love you,” I shout back to her. I smile when I hear her giggle again.
We walk out to Jay’s green Jeep that’s parked at the curb and I smile widely when he opens my door for me. Rob never opened any door for me, so I wasn’t expecting Jay to either. When he jumps in on the driver’s side I look over to better examine his face.
The cartilage around his nasal bone is still a bit swollen, but not much. He has barely any bruising under his eyes which tells me that he must have kept the ice pack on his nose all night like I told him to. His ear also looks normal again, thankfully. Jay turns to look at me and smiles.
“How are you feeling today?” I ask and point to his nose.
“I feel awesome. I don’t hurt anywhere,” he beams.
“Your ribs don’t even hurt?”
“Nope, I feel great everywhere. I promise I would never lie to you, Ada.” He leans over and grabs my hand, pulls it up to his mouth and sweetly kisses my knuckles.
“You do know that one of my talents as a nurse is that I’m a human lie detector, right?”
“Is that so?” Jay questions raising his brow and smiling at me while I nod. I lean over his body to reach his left ribs and lightly poke a few times, looking for a flinch or a wince, which I see a few times when I hit a certain spot.
“Feel great everywhere, huh?” I giggle and lean back into my spot.
“Okay, I felt great until you started prodding me like I was cattle, how about that?” he laughs. I want to laugh along with him, but I’m so caught up in how good he looks that I’m frozen. I might look like a freak because I can’t stop staring at him, but I have to take a second to get a better look at his beautiful face.
His chocolate eyes are shining as he laughs, making the rest of his face glow. His strong square jaw is lightly covered in a five o’clock shadow that I remember scraping against the insides of my thighs.
Then instead of getting a better look at him, I begin to daydream about his rippling muscles covered in tattoos and flexing with every thrust and the feel of his soft lips against mine.
“Ada, are you okay?” Jay’s voice cuts into my fantasy and brings me back to the now. I shake my head and release my lower lip that I didn’t even realize I was biting.
“Yeah I’m fine, sorry about that.” I answer. Jay chuckles at me like he knows what I was thinking about and then pulls away from Elle’s house.
“So, where are we headed
for this date then?” I ask, still curious, but not as nervous as I was when he told me it was a surprise. The idea that someone was sending me threatening text messages and then Jay not telling me what we were doing tonight had me freaked out for a good hour. Then I really thought about how comfortable I was around Jay, to the point that I’d already slept with him, and I calmed down.
I knew that if I wasn’t comfortable and didn’t have some level of trust with Jay I never would have slept with him. These texts have to be coming from someone else, and I just have to wait to find out who it is. My mind briefly travels back to my conversation with Ronan this morning.
“Okay Ada, we have the number but it will take about six to eight weeks for us to hear back from the phone company. We as police officers aren’t allowed to just trace random numbers, so we’ll have to wait for information from the company that owns that number. So, save the texts that you receive and let me know if you feel threatened at all, okay?” Ronan said, looking at me wearily.
Jay clears his throat and my attention shifts back to him.
“We’re going to go paintballing. Is that okay?” Jay asks glancing sideways at me. Great, this guy likes two things that I absolutely hate- guns and fighting. I’ve never been paintballing, but I’m pretty sure you can’t get seriously injured from it, so I decide to try it just once.
“Um, yeah that sounds fun,” I answer, not feeling the conviction in my voice. Jay must not either.
“We don’t have to do it if you don’t want to,” he mumbles and shakes his head.
“No, it’s okay, really. I’ve never been before but it’d be fun to try,” I smile and turn my attention back to the road.
“Alright, but if at any time you want to quit just tell me and we’ll quit and do something else. Okay?” Jay glances at me, a bit of anxiety written across his gorgeous face. I nod and look back to the road for the short trip to the paintball field.
When we park I can see a large open plot of land. There is a rickety shack in the middle with old, rusty cars and giant logs scattered in different areas around it. There is a battle going on right now, so I get out of the Jeep and walk to the bench seats that sit on a large hill above the field.