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I hate not knowing what’s going on. It’s my job to make sure I have all bases covered, and going in blind isn’t something anyone feels comfortable doing. As we move another two feet before stopping, I finally give in and ask, “Why the hospital? And what’s with the name card?” I glance at Gia as I ask, getting distracted when she sucks her lip between her teeth. I’d like nothing better than to sooth her bitten lip with mine. So not going to happen.
Sighing, Gia turns in her seat to face my profile as I return my gaze to the traffic ahead of us. “I work at the hospital five days a week, and sometimes I’ll go in at the weekend depending on who’s in and what’s going on.” She shrugs her shoulders as though it’s no big deal. “It isn’t for everyone, but I love it.”
How did they manage to omit her occupation from the information?
“I never would have said you worked in a hospital. Then again, I had no idea you worked.” I glance at Gia before concentrating on the traffic again.
“I’ve just figured that out. You thought I lived off my father without a care in the world. My father gives me money on a monthly basis, which goes into a separate account. One that I do use, but I’m always careful as to what I spend because tomorrow we could have nothing. My father didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth and neither did I.” She shifts to stare at me. “I honestly don’t know why I’ve just told you that. I’m guessing by your reaction when I told you my destination that your file didn’t include how I spend my days, huh?”
My hands tighten on the steering wheel at her attitude. She has a right to be pissed really because I’d assumed a lot about her that obviously isn’t true. Or at least part of it isn’t. She must spend enough that if her salary doesn’t cover everything she has to use the money her father gave her.
“Oh don’t you start again.” Gia smacks me on the arm, which startles the fuck outta me. “I can see the wheels turning. For your information, I don’t make a dime for working at the hospital. It’s purely voluntary. I always wanted to be a nurse, but discovered a major dislike for needles so I left the course I was in and volunteered at Mercy. It’s not always easy, especially when a child you’ve gotten close to dies, but it’s reward enough to know that I brought smiles to their faces before it was too late. Not everyone has family to be with them at the end. It’s heartbreaking and usually takes weeks for me to get back into things afterwards, but I can’t stop because I know I do make a difference.”
“Wow.” I’m not usually stuck for words, but I find myself unable to construct an actual sentence after hearing what Gia does. A piece of my resolve slips and I push the emotion away—I definitely respect this sensitive wildcat—which is a problem I hadn’t thought I would have. I really don’t want to know that she isn’t a spoiled princess—that I’m so wrong about her because she’s already under my skin and I need her out, not buried deeper.
“Is that all you have to say after all the assumptions you made about me. And all because I was taken off guard when I saw you lurking in the kitchen.”
I roar with laughter. “Lurking? Are you serious? I was having a conversation with your father.”
“Yes, well—”
“I’m sorry—”
Both of us speak at the same time.
“I never apologize, but I really did get the wrong impression about you, which doesn’t happen often—if ever. So I apologize for thinking that you were a spoiled princess.”
“Apology accepted. Do you think we could stop avoiding each other?”
“I’m not—” I start, but Gia cuts me off.
“Yes you are. And so am I. Do you think we could start from scratch and forget about everything that’s happened before this morning? Please?”
Glancing at Gia, I notice the blush along her cheekbones. I’m not sure how she can forget Saturday so easily when I had to stroke another one off last night—again.
I go for honesty instead of sense. “We can start again…but nothing on earth will make me forget Saturday night.” I smirk and watch her fidget at my words as we fall into silence for the rest of the trip.
No sooner have I parked the SUV she jumps out slamming the door.
Resigned to another argument, I climb out and walk around to Gia’s side. Standing in front of her, I place my hand on my hips and stare. “If we’re going to start again, you need to remember that I’m here to make sure nothing happens to you. From now on, you don’t get out of the vehicle before me. You stay inside and let me come around to let you out, by which time, I will have made sure the area is secure.”
“Okay,” Gia agrees, her lip trembles as her eyes search mine. Sadness flashes across her face making me want to draw her into my embrace to take it away. “My father’s going to be alright isn’t he?”
Taking a minute, I look around us, before answering, “As long as he does what Julian tells him to then I can guarantee he’s going to be alright. Julian’s a marine. He won’t let anything happen to your father.”
Gia nods, looking uncomfortable. “But here you’re going to have to give me some space. I don’t want you frightening the children. I mean, not that you woul
d—frighten the children. But you’re kind of tall with all that muscle and the tattoos going on for you—”
“Gia,” I laugh. “Calm down. I’ve not eaten a child yet, and I don’t intend to start now. C’mon. It isn’t such a good idea to be standing in the open like this.”
Placing my arm across Gia’s back, I rest my hand on her hip as I guide her into the building. She only pauses for a split second when I touch her before she settles against me as we start walking. By the time we’re standing in front of the elevator, her whole left side is pressing tightly against mine.
It feels good. It feels so good that I don’t want to release her. But it obviously doesn’t feel as good to Gia because she wiggles out from under my arm and puts some distance between us.
Frowning down at her, I feel someone focusing on us from behind. My body tenses, ready for action, as I appraise the person—a doctor—barreling down on us, or rather on Gia.
“Gia babe. I missed you Saturday night. Didn’t you get my message about the party?” the doctor asks as he pulls Gia into his arms for a hug—a lingering hug at that.
