Careless (An Enemies To Lovers Novel Book 3)

by Michelle Horst

  He closes the gap between us and wraps me up in another hug. He presses a kiss to the side of my head and whispers, “We’re dating exclusively, which means you do not see any other men and I don’t date other women. I’m going to be an asshole and claim you as my girlfriend.”

  I laugh when he says asshole, remembering that’s what I used to call him when we first met.

  “Okay,” I whisper, too overwhelmed to say anything else.

  “So does that mean you’ll unblock my number on your phone?” he asks teasingly.

  I laugh, remembering the conversation that led to his number being blocked in the first place.

  “I’ll think about it,” I tease back, knowing I’ll unblock it the second I step off the plane.

  Chapter 10

  JAXSON

  Me: How was your day?

  Doc: Exciting. I got to assist with a transplant.

  Me: You’re the only woman I know who gets turned on by cutting into someone’s chest.

  Doc: You still have time to back out of dating me. You never know what I might do in my sleep.

  Me: Now you’re giving me a reason to tie you to the bed.

  Doc: You have a one-track mind.

  Me: It lives in the gutter when it comes to you.

  Doc: How was your day?

  I laugh when the message comes through. She still gets embarrassed whenever I start to make sexual advances.

  Me: Long and hard. The same as my cock whenever I think of you.

  Doc: Do you talk like that to every woman you try to impress? (I say try because I can’t imagine it working in your favor.)

  Me: Nope, I only get dirty with you. (Admit it. It makes you smile.)

  Doc: No.

  Doc: Maybe.

  Doc: Okay, fine. It makes me smile.

  I let out another bark of laughter. Fuck, I’ve missed her.

  Me: Send me a photo.

  I wait for the photo to load and the second it’s clear I frown.

  Me: Who the fuck is the guy hanging on you?

  Doc: Sebastian. I’m having dinner with him tonight which means I have to go now or I’ll never be ready in time.

  She’s having a dinner with another guy? What the fuck? Anger flares through me like a wildfire intent on destroying everything in its path.

  Me: You’re not having dinner with him.

  Doc: Why not?

  Me: He has a cock.

  Doc: So?

  Take a deep breath, Jax. I press dial and wait for her to answer.

  “I have to get ready, Jaxson.”

  I can hear her moving around her room, and then the sound of water filling a bath fills my ears.

  “Are you going to bathe now?”

  “I am. I can’t go out smelling like half the hospital got stuck in my hair.”

  I switch off the TV and walk to my room. Stripping out of my shirt, I say, “Put your phone on speaker when you get in the bath.”

  “I can’t talk to you and wash my hair.”

  “Doc, just put your phone on speaker.”

  I hear her sigh, but she listens to me. I walk into the bathroom and open the faucets so the bath can fill. I step out of my pants and boxers.

  “Are you in the bath?” I ask as I put my phone on speaker, leaving it on the counter.

  “I’m getting in. Just so you know, this is such a weird conversation to have with you.”

  “Are you in?” I ask again, as I shut off the faucets and step into the bath. I sink down in the water and hear her do the same.

  “I’m in. Do I need your permission to bathe?” I hear the sarcastic undertone which only makes me smile.

  “Touch your breast.” I intentionally lower my voice.

  “What?” She sounds a little shocked.

  “We’re having phone sex, Doc. Touch your breast and tell me how it makes you feel.”

  “I’m not touching myself! Have you lost your mind?”

  This time I can’t keep my laughter back. I decide to go first, that way she might feel more comfortable.

  “My hand is on my abs, but I’m imagining that it’s yours as I move it down my body. I want to feel your hand wrapping around my cock.”

  “Jaxson,” she whispers. I can picture her cheeks turning pink, which is only more of a turn-on.

  “Touch yourself, Doc. Place your hand on your stomach and move it down with mine.”

  “This will never work.” I hear her mumble something vague. “There, happy now? My hand is on my stomach.”

  “Close your eyes and listen to my voice,” I instruct as I close my own eyes. “Move your hand down to your pussy. Imagine I’m there with you, Doc. I’m touching you.”

  She’s quiet, and I can only hear the trickling of water.

  “Where’s my hand, Doc?”

  “On my abdomen,” she whispers.

  “Slip my hand between your legs,” I whisper while I fist myself. “Your hand is wrapped around my cock. It feels so good.”

  Her breath hitches, and it makes a groan rumble up my throat.

  “Push a finger inside you and press your palm down on your clit.” I start to pump my cock as I picture her flushed cheeks and parted lips. I can still see her tits clearly as they bounce every time I slam into her.

  “Move your finger faster and press down harder on your clit.”

  “Jaxson,” she breathes my name, and I wish I were there so it could really be my hand getting her off.

  “That’s right, Princess. Let me finger fuck you. I can’t wait to feel you come again. I want to feel your muscles squeeze my cock. I want to feel your body tremble as I push you over the edge.”

  My hips thrust up as I lose my load and seconds later I hear her breaths still as she gasps. I can picture her clearly as she comes.

  “You sound fucking hot, Doc. I really can’t wait to be buried inside of you again.”

  She clears her throat, and I smile when she takes a few deep breaths.

  “That was different,” she whispers.

  “Don’t be embarrassed. Never be embarrassed with me.”

  “Okay.”

  A bell chimes and instantly my after sex bliss evaporates.

  “Shit! I’m not ready.” I hear water sloshing all over the place as she scrambles to get out of the bath.

  “You’re not going on a date, Doc. Don’t make me fly out there so I can beat the shit out of him.”

  “I have to go, Jaxson. I’ll call you when I get back from dinner.”

  “Leigh, don’t you dare fucking hang up on me now.”

  I get out of the bath and wrap a towel around my waist.

  “That’s it. I’m coming there. You clearly do not understand what exclusive dating means.”

  “Shh… you’re overreacting.”

  What. The. Fuck?

  I hear her open the door, and then my eyebrows shoot past my hairline.

  “Baby-girl, you’re all wet. Scoot! Go dry your luscious ass while I mop up this mess.” I rub a hand over my face as I cling to the last of my self-control.

  “Don’t you dare step in those puddles of water. I’ll spank your ass fifty shades of red.”

  My vision goes spotty with anger when I hear Leigh say, “Jaxson, switch to facetime.”

  I switch to facetime as quickly as I can. Her smiling face fills the screen. A flicker of worry flashes over her face when she finally fucking notices how pissed off I am.

  She turns the phone away from her and on two guys and for a second time my eyebrows hit my hairline.

  “Jaxson, these are my friends, Sebastian and Ryan. Guys, this is my… Jaxson.”

  She didn’t introduce me as her boyfriend.

  “Hi,” I say lamely, unable to think of something else while I stare at the one guy who’s dressed in a blouse and heels.

  “Oh my,” he says, and I can’t say that I’m all that comfortable with the way he’s looking at me. “You’ve been holding out on us, baby-girl. That’s one mighty fine chunk of hunk you’ve managed to catch
for yourself.”

  Then it hits. They’re gay.

  Thank fuck!

  A breath rushes from me as relief courses through my body.

  “He’s a bit on the quiet side, but then again that might work in your favor. You know, with his mouth being busy down in your valley of pleasure.”

  I start to laugh, and I’m not sure if it’s from the overwhelming relief I feel or the fact that the guy is hilarious.

  “It’s so nice to meet you. You have no idea how relieved I am that you’re friends with Leigh. I can’t wait to meet you in person.”

  I mean every fucking word. My girl will be safe with them.

  “Aww,” the guy on the left swoons. He actually swoons. Well, there’s a first.

  “I love him already. When are you coming to visit?” He screeches and grabs the other guy’s hands before excitedly looking back at us. “Double date!”

  I start to laugh again, and I just know we’re going to become good friends.

  Leigh brings the phone back to her smiling face.

  “How was that for payback?”

  I chuckle thinking she really had me going there.

  “Wait until I’m there,” I say as I bite my bottom lip.

  Her lips part as her eyes zero in on my mouth.

  That’s good to know. My girl gets turned on when I bite my lip. I’m definitely remembering that for later.

  “I can’t wait,” she whispers.

  “Enjoy your dinner, Doc. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Sweet dreams,” she says.

  “They will be wet dreams.”

  She shakes her head as she starts to laugh before ending the call.

  I sit down on the bed and take a deep breath. I have to get back at her for the prank she just played on me. How the hell am I going to outsmart a genius?

  ∞∞∞

  LEIGH

  Everything is ready for Marcus’ arrival today. Dr. Magliato agreed to assist me with the surgery. It’s just as a precaution.

  I’m a little worried that Marcus’s condition has deteriorated. Both Willow and Jaxson told me that he’s become weaker over the past week. I’ll only be able to assess whether his body will be able to withstand the trauma of surgery once I see him.

  I knock on Dr. Magliato’s office door.

  “Do you have a moment? I’d like to discuss Mr. Reed’s surgery.”

  “I have a few minutes before I have to scrub in.”

  I sit down, and like always, I get right to the heart of the matter.

  “If his condition has deteriorated, I would like to get him on the table as soon as we can.”

  She looks at her schedule and I lean forward, trying to get a glimpse of it.

  “The theater is booked until one am. If it’s an emergency, then we’ll have to perform the surgery at one.”

  That means I’ll be working a twenty-two-hour shift. She sees the worry on my face. I need to be rested for Marcus’ surgery.

  “There’s still time before he arrives. Go sleep for a few hours.”

  I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Doctor.”

  As I walk out of her office, I thank my lucky stars that the hospital is backing me on this. I stop by the nurses’ station on my way to the on-call room.

  “If you need me, I’ll be in the on-call room,” I say to Sebastian.

  “That’s a good idea. Go rest that pretty head of yours. I’ve got you covered.”

  I smile at him and then go get some much-needed sleep.

  When I wake up, and my eyes land on the watch against the wall, I realize I slept three hours. I dart up with a shock. Damn it! I only wanted to nap for an hour. I look for my phone to see why my alarm didn’t go off. When I can’t find it, I get off the bed to look under it.

  “Sebastian has your phone.”

  I swing around at the sound of Jaxson’s voice.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask surprised.

  Then a wave of happiness washes over me, and before I can compose myself, I run to him. My body slams into his, and I throw my arms around his neck. The second his wraps around me I feel a sense of calm wash over me.

  “What did I do to deserve this welcome?” he asks as he presses his face into my neck and takes a deep breath.

  I pull a little back, feeling embarrassed that I just threw myself at him.

  “I was surprised,” I mumble, not ready to admit out loud that I’ve missed him.

  He smiles at me and presses a kiss to my forehead.

  “Yeah, I missed you too, Doc.”

  I shake my head and smile, wondering when I’ll learn that I can’t hide anything from him. He sees right through me.

  “I brought you a sandwich and coffee. I thought you could use it before you get back to work.”

  He has our late lunch set up at a small table in the corner. As I take a seat, I can’t help but glance at him. He’s dressed in a dark grey suit. Every time I see him, he looks more gorgeous.

  I moan into my cup as I take a deep breath of the aroma.

  Jaxson clears his throat, pulling me out of my caffeine-induced coma.

  When our eyes meet, I still. There’s so much heat sizzling in the look he’s giving me that I feel an intense fluttering of desire. I try to hide it by taking a bite of my sandwich.

  “Thank you for this. When you live on cafeteria food, this tastes like a five-star meal.”

  “You’re welcome, Doc.” We eat in a comfortable silence, stealing smiles and secret looks.

  I constantly warn myself not to let things move too fast, but whenever I’m with Jaxson, time doesn’t seem to matter.

  When we’re done eating, I quickly clear the table. Before we leave the lounge, Jaxson slips an arm around my waist. When he leans into me, my heart shoots off into a wild beat. He stops less than an inch from my mouth, and I feel a slither of frustration.

  “Do you have plans for New Year’s Eve?”

  “Just work. My shift starts at seven pm.”

  “Will you spend the day with me?”

  I nod and for the slightest moment, our lips touch. Jaxson grins as he pulls away. It’s the first time I’ve seen him grin in so long, and I’m not prepared for the impact of it. Then he bites his bottom lip, and I’m lost in a fog of lust.

  Shit, that’s hot.

  When I notice the teasing look in his eyes, I slap his shoulder.

  “You did that on purpose.”

  “Just a little payback for the heart attack you gave me the other night.”

  “Oh, so we’re playing that game?” I smile mischievously.

  He shrugs. “Give it your best shot, Doc.”

  I lean into him and raise myself on my toes until I get to his ear. Sending a breath of hot air over his skin, I drop my hand to his hip. As I brush my lips down the length of his jaw, I move my hand down the front of his thigh, dangerously close to his cock.

  I’ve never done something like this, but with Jaxson, it feels natural. I can’t explain what it is exactly, although I’ve spent many hours thinking about it.

  When I feel his jaw clenching under my mouth, I pull back with a huge grin on my face.

  “Thanks for lunch. I’ll see you later.” I slip out of the room and laugh as I hear him growl something about me being a cock tease.

  Chapter 11

  JAXSON

  I follow Leigh out of the on-call room. When she leans over the counter at the nurses’ station, I can’t resist slapping her ass.

  She gasps and looks at me with wide eyes, as a blush creeps up her face. I wink at her which only makes the blush deepen.

  I’m on my way to check on Marcus. When I got here, they got him settled. I went in search of Leigh, and if it weren’t for Sebastian, I never would’ve found her. I never knew how satisfying it could be to watch someone sleep.

  I press the button to call for an elevator and glance over my shoulder. I smile as I watch Leigh shrug on her white coat, while talking to another doctor.

  The
elevator pings and the doors start to open. I step out of the way so the medical staff can exit.

  A commotion behind me has me glancing back at the nurses’ station. Sebastian’s face turns red, and he’s grabbing at his throat.

  I run back to them as Leigh moves in behind Sebastian, wrapping her arms around him. She’s so much smaller and not strong enough to give him the Heimlich. Suddenly a chewed-up pen cap shoots from his mouth and lands close to my feet.

  Leigh rubs his back, checking to see if he’s okay, while I stand with my mouth hanging open.

  Guess I was wrong. My girl knows how to handle herself.

  Tears spill from Sebastian’s eyes, and it’s clear that he’s upset from choking.

  “You don’t have to be so dramatic,” a man snaps at Sebastian. “Get back to work.”

  “Dr. Langley,” Leigh gasps, “That’s unprofessional behavior.”

  The doctor glares at Leigh and takes a step towards her. He gives her a condescending look, which has my heart pumping with anger.

  I step forward, positioning myself behind Leigh and next to Sebastian. I glare at the man, daring him to try anything.

  “If Mr. Ward can’t do his work, he shouldn’t be here,” the man sneers, clearly not recognizing danger when it’s right in front of him.

  I take hold of Leigh’s shoulders and move her to the side, so I can step right up to the doctor.

  It’s clear this guy has a personal issue with Sebastian because he’s gay.

  “My friend just choked and you’re being rude. You owe him an apology.” The doctor frowns darkly at me and I love the fact that he has to look up at me. “Your methods of intimidation don’t quite have the same effect when the person you’re facing is twice your size. How about that apology?” I growl, giving him a final look of warning that he’s about to meet my fist.

  He directs the glare at Sebastian. “I apologize,” he bites the words out.

  “Mr. Ward,” I whisper darkly. “I apologize, Mr. Ward.”

  The doctor rambles the apology off and rushes away from us. I hate bullies. If that had happened on my turf, they would’ve carried him away on a stretcher.