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I walk over to our table, gripping the place card in my hand. I find an empty seat and sink into it, breathing a sigh of relief when my toes regain feeling.

“Well, well, well. Nurse Sloane. I didn’t expect to run into you here tonight, but I’m sure glad I found another excuse to come back to Jersey.”

I look up at the intruding voice and manage a tight smile. “Hello, Gianni.” My chest tightens as he pulls out the chair next to me and sits down.

My eyes fall to the silverware in front of me, I toy with the fork. It doesn’t go unnoticed. Gianni lets out a chuckle. “You don’t seem like the kind of girl who likes a good forking in such a public place.”

I giggle and cover my face, dropping the fork onto the table. “Yeah, I prefer a little more discretion.”

He nods with a leer that makes my knees lock together. “I’ll bet you do.”

A hot flush creeps up my neck, and I try to deflect. “Are you here with someone?”

“No, I came alone.” He scoots his chair closer, and a sharp, spicy scent hits my nostrils. “Always want to keep my options open.”

“Oh,” I murmur. “Well, um, how are you affiliated with the hospital? I thought only donors, board members, and employees were invited?”

He nods. “That’s right.”

“So which one are you?”

He smiles, exposing a row of bright white teeth. He creeps me the hell out, but he’s definitely easy on the eyes. Longish dark hair, chocolate brown gaze, olive skin. And tonight he looks like he just stepped out of GQ magazine.

The thought causes a sharp pang to slice through my heart.

Max would have looked amazing in a tux.

Max’s tux would have looked amazing balled up on my bedroom floor.

I clench my fists under the table and force a wide smile, still waiting for his reply.

“I’m a donor.” He looks down at his lap before raising his saddened gaze. “See, one of the reasons why I hate coming out to Jersey so much is because my mom died of cancer here. Right in this hospital, thirteen years ago.” He shrugs. “But I come back every year for this benefit to give back to the hospital that cared for her way back when.”

“Gianni, I’m so sorry to hear that. My mom passed away from cancer, too. It’s why I decided to become a nurse. I wanted to pay all of it forward, I guess. You know, give back to the people who gave of themselves for her.”

“That’s really nice. I bet your patients love seeing your smiling face every day.”

“Well, every day is a struggle for them, so I just want to know that I’m helping as much as possible.” I shift in my chair as his expression changes from one of empathy to one decidedly more…curious. Much more curious than I’d like him to be.

“You’re a really special woman, Sloane. I knew that the first time I met you.” His hand inches toward mine, and I lift it to smooth back a flyaway. I don’t like the way he’s studying me right now. His eyes probe me so long and hard, I feel violated.

And sore.

I clear my throat and sit back against my chair, back straight. My gaze falls to the distinctive tattoo inked across the top of his hand and the sight of it sends a shiver through me for some odd reason. “Well, I think it’s great that you give back. There is no shortage of people who will benefit from your generosity.”

“I just want to be around you,” he continues, staring at me as if he hadn’t heard a word I just said. “There’s so much I want to find out about you, Sloane. Don’t waste your time on guys like Max Oriani. They can never appreciate someone like you. You deserve a man who can appreciate you. All of you.”

Holy crap, did he just—?

My skin crawls at each syllable that tumbles from his lips. I’ve heard the expression, but never actually experienced it before. Until now. It literally feels like slime is oozing all over me, and I can’t shake hard enough to rid myself of it. It sticks and slides over me, making my gut clench.

Oh, yes. He did. I didn’t imagine any of that.

The urge to bolt from this table is overwhelming, and my toes actually twitch in my shoes. Full feeling has returned, and they’re alert and ready to run.

Nice to know if I choose to move my feet that they’ll respond. The nerves aren’t completely deadened.

How is it possible that this guy can make me feel such deep empathy one second and complete nausea the next?

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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