Page 43 of One Reckless Night

I shrugged. “I don’t have a lot of time to mess with stuff.”

Her head tilted to the side. She was looking at me like she might be thinking about the moment in her office when we gave into the tension. Her hazel eyes were dark, guarded, but there was a flicker of something else in them—something that made my cock jump. I shouldn’t be thinking about this. Not here, not now. But I couldn’t stop.

Her lips. That’s what does it. The memory of them pressed against mine, soft and hesitant at first, then firmer, hungrier. I was treading into dangerous territory.

Sitting across from her in this plane with the faint scent of her perfume in the air, it was all I could think about. What would happen if I leaned over the aisle right now and kissed her? Would she push me away? Or would she kiss me back the way she did before?

Her gaze dropped to my mouth for a split second, and my heart skipped. Did she feel it too? This stupid, impossible tension between us? I wanted to ask her—no, I wanted to show her. To pull her into my arms and remind her how good it felt, how right it felt.

But just as I was starting to lean in, the pilot’s voice crackled over the intercom. “We’re approaching Miami. Time to buckle up.”

I leaned back, my heart pounding as I fastened my seatbelt. Amelia did the same, her eyes avoiding mine. The moment was gone, but the tension between us remained, thick and unspoken.

That had been close. I was certain she was feeling the chemistry. She wanted the kiss. That gave me hope while also unsettling me. It meant there was a chance. Obviously, I wanted it, but it was dicey. This could end in trouble. Heartbreak. Tears. That was the most likely outcome.

She would burn me if I got too close and I would burn her right back. She didn’t seem open to something casual, and I didn’t do serious relationships. There was no bigger distraction in life. Anything we started would be doomed to fail. Unless we could agree to something purely physical.

Hank’s landing was perfect as always. We walked down the stairs, the Miami heat slapping against us. My car was waiting, but I had a change of plans.

“Take her anywhere she wants,” I told Roger, my regular driver, handing him a generous tip. “She wants to do some shopping. I suggested the Design District. Anywhere she wants to go.”

“Got it,” Roger said, taking her suitcase.

“You don’t have to do this, Jared. I can get a cab.”

I shook my head. “Nonsense. You’re here on my dime, remember? Just enjoy yourself.”

“Thank you,” she said. “For everything. Can I please give you your card back?”

“Nope. Take it. Use it. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Thank you.”

She nodded, climbing into the car. I stepped back, watching as it drove away. It wasn’t the plan I had when I invited her to come with me.

I’d been looking forward to taking her with me to the hospital, having her watch me work, seeing the look on her face when I dug around in someone’s brain. I wanted to impress her.

But why did I care what she thought of me? This was supposed to be about sex and nothing else. I didn’t give a shit what anyone thought about me.

Usually.

But Amelia was different.

Another car pulled up. I climbed in, giving the driver the address of the hospital. As we drove, I tried to push thoughts of Amelia out of my mind. But it was no use. I was thinking about seeing her tonight. And what she might wear.

The car rolled to a stop in front of the hospital. I stepped out and grabbed my bag. The automatic doors slid open with a soft whoosh. I didn’t even have to check in at the desk—the moment I walked through those doors, heads turned. Nurses paused mid-stride, their eyes widening as they recognized me. A young intern nearly dropped his clipboard as he scrambled to get out of my way.

“Dr. Welch,” a nurse greeted me, her voice tinged with awe.

“Where’s Dr. Patel?”

“She’s in surgery,” the nurse replied quickly, falling into step beside me as I strode toward the elevators. “But she said if you arrived early, you’re welcome to scrub in.”

“Good,” I said, pressing the button for the surgical floor. The doors closed, and for a moment, I was alone with my thoughts.

Amelia.

Always, Amelia.