Page 52 of One Reckless Night

21

JARED

Isat at the luncheon, picking at my food, my mind elsewhere. The morning had been a blur of conferences and panels, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Amelia.

I’d had to leave the warmth of her this morning and that sucked. It had taken all my self-control to get out of that bed. But I couldn’t miss the conference. And staying in bed with her would have been a fatal mistake. I had a feeling it would have led to more sex and that would lead to regrets.

She was across the room, talking to a group of people, her laughter carrying over the many conversations between us. She looked radiant. I couldn’t stop thinking about last night.

It was on a continuous loop in my mind. Every touch, gasp, and the way she kept calling my name rocked me to my core.

I’d woken up this morning with her warm and soft beside me, her hair fanned out across the pillow, her breathing steady and calm. For a moment, I’d just lain there, watching her, feeling something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Something I didn’t want to name. But then reality had set in.

Reality that came in the form of panic. I slipped out of bed, heading to the gym to clear my head. After working up a sweat, I thought I knew what I wanted. I had rushed back up to my room hoping to talk to her, but she was gone.

Hours later we’d been in the same room, but we still hadn’t talked. I could only imagine what she was thinking when she saw I was gone this morning. I didn’t want her to think I used her.

The luncheon was wrapping up. I was going to snag Amelia and pull her somewhere private for a serious conversation. I wanted to have the awkward conversation now before we got back on the jet.

I saw Amelia still deep in conversation with one of the doctors attending the conference. I knew him. He was from New York. One of the older guys that was trying to keep up with the changing times.

Gemma appeared, sliding into the seat beside me. She was the last person I wanted to see right now. Her presence was like a dark cloud.

“Jared,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “I was hoping I’d run into you.”

I forced a smile because we were surrounded by colleagues. Almost everyone knew something happened between us, but they didn’t know what. Although some people guessed right. Most people assumed I was the one who cheated on her.

“Gemma. What can I do for you?”

She leaned in, her hand brushing against my arm. “I was thinking… I might be spending more time at the lab in the coming weeks. I have some free time, and I thought I could lend a hand with some of your cases.”

Gemma was a great surgeon, and I did have cases that could use her expertise. But the thought of having her around more often… it didn’t sit well with me. Still, I couldn’t deny that she could be an asset.

“We’ll talk about it,” I said, my tone noncommittal.

She smiled, her eyes lighting up. “Great. How about dinner tonight? We can discuss it then.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could say anything, she stood up, her hand lingering on my shoulder. “I’ll see you at eight.”

I didn’t remember agreeing to dinner, but Gemma had a way of twisting things to her advantage. I glanced back to where Amelia had been chatting with people. She was reaching into her purse, excusing herself from the group and stepping out into the hallway.

I followed her with my gaze. The expression on her face made me think something was wrong.

“You’ve got it bad, don’t you?” Gemma said,

“What are you talking about?” I snapped.

She nodded toward the hallway where Amelia had disappeared. “Her. I didn’t realize people like that were your type.”

I scowled, my patience snapping. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Gemma shrugged, her expression innocent. “Nothing. Just, well, she’s not exactly your usual type.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I shot back, keeping my voice low to keep from attracting any attention. Gemma had a way of pushing buttons I didn’t even know I had.

“Oh, come on, Jared. You’ve always gone for polished. Sophisticated. Amelia’s sweet, sure, but she’s not exactly in our league.”

I clenched my fists. “Our league? What are you, a high school clique now? Amelia’s brilliant, Gemma. She’s dedicated and passionate about her work—qualities you seem to have forgotten exist.”