AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I feel relief wash over me. She’s fine. She can go home.
I thank him, my gratitude sincere this time. Ten minutes later, Lucía and Dr. Fuckface walk out. He’s laughing. She’s smiling up at him, too. As soon she feels my gaze, she looks at me and our eyes meet. Relief and joy war for prominence in her expression. When we reach each other she mumbles, a shy, “Hi.” I take her in. Her left arm is in a sling and her hand has a huge dressing on it. I drop to a crouch so we’re face-to-face.
“You okay?” I ask her. She nods, but her eyes tell me everything I need to know. I’ve missed you. I need you.
I reach up and brush her hair back from her face. Her head sways so that her cheek rests in my palm.
“You scared me,” I whisper. I feel a slight shudder wrack her body
“I know, I’m sorry. I was scared, too.” Her smile is wistful, but her eyes shine as she whispers, “Come closer.”
I lean in so we are an inch shy of being nose to nose.
“Closer,” she says again. I bring my nose to brush the side of hers. We’re so close that our lips are almost touching. My hand combs through her silky hair. I know what’s coming; my need and anticipation reach a fever pitch.
She tilts her head and presses her lips to mine. I sigh in relief at the feel of her mouth, soft and pliant as she kisses me . . . quickly, softly. As soon as my lips start to search for more, she pulls back. Like warmth of the sun covered by an errant cloud, the loss of her lips leaves me cold.
“Thank you for taking care of me, Reece,” she whispers, still close enough for me to feel her breath on my lips.
“That’s not enough,” I say gruffly. Almost reflexively, I start to reach out to bring her closer to me. Then, I hear a cough. I’d forgotten Dr. Fuckface was standing there. I stand up slowly to meet his eyes.
He looks amused and returns my gaze easily. “She has a sprain in her right arm, and a deep cut in her palm on the same side. Luckily, no major muscles or arteries were severed. But she needed several layers of stitches. I used dissolvable stitches, so she won’t need to come back to have them removed. I’ve given her a pain reliever, a very strong one, so she might be a little ‘high’ for a few hours. I’ve written her a prescription for more, you should stop and get it filled on your way home. Otherwise, she’s fine. And she can return to work tomorrow if she feels up to it. She’ll have to rest her hand and arm. So, typing is probably out of the question.” He glances down at Lucía fondly. “She’ll be pretty sore, so try to make her take it easy. I have a feeling that might be difficult.”
Why is he acting like he and Lucía are friends? I start to step around her wheelchair. I’m ready to get the hell out of here. “Thanks, I’ll take it from here.”
He steps aside and moves to stand in front of us.
“I’m sending a nurse to wheel her out and wait while you go and get your car. It’s hospital policy.”
His smile has a little bit of a challenge, but I’m not sure my mind isn’t playing tricks on me. He puts a hand on her shoulder and smiles at her.
“Take care of yourself, Lucía.”
“Thank you, Dr. Maxit,” she returns
“It’s Gael. It was a pleasure to meet you,” he says and with a curt nod at me, he walks away as the nurse approaches.
“I’m Sue, Ms. Vega, I’m going to wheel you out.” the tall, redheaded woman wearing nurse’s scrubs says to Lucía. She grabs the handles of the wheelchair before she addresses me. “Can you go bring your car around, Mr. Carras? I’ll wait with the patient in the pick-up lane outside.”
I stoop to look at Lucía and give her a reassuring smile before looking at the nurse. “Yeah, sure.” I push Lucía’s hair out of her face and tell her, “I’ll be right back.”
When I pull up, I can see the nurse laughing at something Lucía’s saying and I’m relieved she feels well enough to speak.
As soon as I stop the car, the nurse opens the door and then helps Lucía out of the chair. By the time I’m around to their side of the car, Lucía’s already in the passenger’s seat. “Drive safely. She has her discharge instructions.” And she starts to turn away.
She stops and then looks back at me, an expression on her face that I recognize. She wants to ask for a picture or an autograph. I don’t say anything, but hope her better judgment will win out. It does and she keeps walking.
I lean over her to buckle Lucía in and I want to press a kiss to her mouth as I stand back up, but I don’t dare. Not with the way I’m feeling. If I start to kiss her, I might never stop.
We’re on the road, heading to her house before I speak.
“So, you and that doctor were fri
endly,” I say to her. Trying to keep my tone light, but I can hear the accusation in it.
“Excuse me?” she says, her affront clear. She jerks her head to the side to look at me.
“I’m just making an observation.” But I already feel like fool. How could that be the first thing I say to her after this ordeal.
