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Beck mentally jerked on the reins of his libido by extracting an envelope from his pocket. “When you mentioned you were writing a paper on Guillain-Barré Syndrome, I did some research and talked to Dr. Litchfield, who’s the head of neurology.”
Heavenly plucked up the envelope and eased it open with glee. She scanned the information he’d printed off for her, along with several medical journals with articles about the disease. Her baby blues went wide. “This is great. Thank you so much!”
“You’re welcome. I didn’t know much about the disease when you first asked, but I do now. You picked a rare and ugly disorder to focus on.”
Her happiness faded into a somber nod. “The way the virus strikes with little or no warning is frightening. But the way it assaults the patient’s immune system, which turns against the nerves, is even more terrible.”
Beck agreed. “I’ll keep wading through my medical journals for more articles and bring you what I find.”
“I would really appreciate that. I want to know as much as I can.”
“You’re welcome.” Picking up his sandwich, Beck finally took a bite. He watched Heavenly pore over the documents as he washed down his food with a gulp of coffee. “How’s your paper coming along? Shouldn’t you be turning it in soon since the semester is ending?”
“What?” She didn’t lift her head, just kept drinking in the words on the page. “Oh, it’s…good. I’ve got a few days. Online classes have a more flexible schedule… It’s taking a little extra time because I’ve decided to make this a case study. I’ll learn more that way.”
She was dedicated. And compassionate. She really would make a great nurse. Beck vowed to do everything he could to help her.
“Great idea.”
She kept reading. “Thanks.”
He gently grazed his fingers over her delicate knuckles to get her attention…and for the pure pleasure of touching her. When she lifted those big blue eyes to him, Beck held in a groan. “Are you sure you won’t let me buy you lunch?”
“I’m positive. As usual, I got full on the goodies at the nurses’ station.”
Still, he felt guilty for stuffing his face every day while she sipped water. “Those ‘goodies’ probably aren’t healthy. You need protein, fruits and vegetables, and complex carbohydrates, little girl.”
Heavenly lifted her chin in a defiant tilt. “I learned about the food pyramid in grade school, Dr. Beckman. I’m just not hungry.”
God, he’d love to slide his fingers into her hair, bend her over the table, and rip away her pastel-green scrubs before he spanked the sass out of her. After she counted, begged, and cried, he’d curl her onto his lap, hold her tight, and reassure her…right before he fucked her raw.
Down, boy. Down.
Seconds later, Heavenly’s stomach let out an audible growl. She ignored it. Beck wasn’t fooled. He didn’t know what she was up to, but she sure as hell wasn’t going hungry.
Without a word, he pulled out his wallet and plucked out a twenty. Gripping her wrist, he shoved the money in her palm and curled her fingers closed. “You will get yourself something healthy to eat now.”
“But—”
“It wasn’t a request.” He dropped his voice and pinned her with an expression ripe with displeasure. “Go.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I do. We’re done discussing this.”
The sleeping Dominant inside him stretched and roared. Beck mentally tightened the leash on his dark side.
Begrudgingly, she rose to her feet, resolution stamping her face. “Just this once.”
Beck raised a brow at her. We’ll see about that.
As she walked away, he watched the smooth sway of her ass.
“Ahem.” The not-so-subtle clearing of a woman’s throat caught his attention.
Reluctantly, he dragged his stare from Heavenly and peered up, half expecting Kathryn or one of her slut squad. Instead, he found the hospital’s nursing administrator standing over him.
He stifled a guilty grimace. “Good afternoon, Nurse Lewis. Can I do something for you?”
“I’m sorry to interrupt your…lunch.” A knowing smirk curled the corners of her mouth. “I wanted to thank you for watching over Ms. Young this past week.”
Bridget Lewis said the words like he was a gentleman.
Beck shrugged, playing it cool. Heavenly was merely a volunteer now, but if she wanted a future at the hospital, Bridget could either make that happen…or make her life hell. “Well, I remember my first year in med school. It’s a lot to deal with. I’m trying to help Ms. Young learn while she juggles her duties here.”
“Of course,” she said in a tone that told Beck they both knew better. “Heavenly is a sweet girl. She’ll make a good nurse. She’s smart, dedicated, and an extremely hard worker. I see a lot of potential in her.” Bridget shot him a shrewd stare. “It would break my heart if she left.”
Left? “Why would she do that?”
“I thought she might have told you about the challenges she’s been facing.”
