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Chapter 5
Tony
The whiskey in my glass was dwindling, the amber liquid reflecting the dance of the flames from the fireplace. As I moved to freshen up my drink, I caught myself sneaking glances at Jude from the corner of my eye. I took in her casual pose, the firelight illuminating her face, and the calm composure of her expression. There was an undeniable pull about her, a vibrant energy that I found impossible to ignore.
A tumbler and a bottle in my hands, I poured another measure of the fiery liquid, the clinking of the ice cubes breaking the silence in the cabin. The scent of aged whiskey filled the air, embracing the space like a cozy blanket.
The cabin was quiet, save for the comforting crackle of the fire and Sadie's soft snores. As I watched Jude across the room, I realized that I should have been paying more attention to this vivacious woman all along. I typically didn’t mingle with OR nurses who didn’t work directly with me. She spent her days in the clutches of the ortho docs. I knew her reputation as a responsible and capable nurse, which was why I’d requested she be the one to deliver the files. Now I found myself wanting to know more about her.
As if sensing my stare, Jude turned to look at me, a playful spark lighting up her eyes. "Enjoying the view, doctor?" she teased, a half-smile playing on her lips.
A rush of heat surged through me, stronger than the whiskey. I grinned back at her, lifting my glass in a silent salute. Rather than address her comment about how she’d completely busted me leering at her, I changed tracks.
"I understand you applied for the OR management position," I said, more to myself than her.
Her eyes became two pools of mystery and intellect that held me captive. She nodded, a hint of resignation in her sigh as she leaned back in her chair, the big, ceramic mug of tea cradled in her slender hands.
"Agreed to doing this trip to accomplish a little ass kissing," she declared, her tone light yet bitter. “Might as well admit it.”
A surprised laugh escaped from me. It wasn’t the reply I had anticipated. It was honest, blunt, and utterly Jude. The words, laced with her unique blend of sass and vulnerability, made her even more attractive. Here was a woman who wasn't afraid to say what she felt, a woman who commanded attention and respect.
I took another sip of my whiskey, my eyes never leaving her. I hadn't expected to feel this way, hadn't anticipated this pull toward her. But as the evening rolled on, I found myself becoming increasingly intrigued. There was something so refreshingly real about her, something that drew me in, wanting more. In between sips of whiskey, I turned the conversation back to the elephant in the room. "Ass kissing isn't a prerequisite for the position," I began, catching her off guard. “You actually have to be able to manage people.”
“I wouldn’t be putting myself in the running if I wasn’t already damn good at that,” she replied, total confidence in her voice. “Just ask anyone on my team.”
"But are you sure you're ready to take on the whole OR?" I asked. It wasn't a question meant to belittle her, but rather to test the waters, to see what she was made of.
Her eyes narrowed at me, her lips tightening into a thin line. "What’s that supposed to mean?" she snapped back, her feisty spirit flaring up again.
"No offense, Jude," I said, raising my hands in a gesture of peace, "But you can't be more than thirty. That's not a lot of years on the job to be experienced enough to manage a whole operating room."
The cabin fell silent, the crackling of the fire and the rhythmic breathing of the dog again the only sounds. Jude stared at me, her eyes boring into mine, the light from the flames reflecting in their depth. And then, without warning, she threw her head back and burst into loud, hearty laughter.
My eyes traced the line of her throat, exposed and vulnerable, her laughter like a melodious symphony playing in the quiet cabin. My gaze dropped lower, lingering on the perky breasts that bounced subtly with her laughter.
A grin tugged at the corners of my lips, despite the fact that she was laughing at my expense. There was something infectious about her laugh, it was genuine and not forced.
"What's so funny?" I asked, genuinely curious, as I watched her beautiful face light up with pure joy. I had never seen anyone laugh like that before, with such unabashed delight. It was enchanting.
"I actually turned forty today" she casually confessed, still chuckling from her earlier burst of laughter.
Surprised, I blinked at her, my whiskey momentarily forgotten. "You're kidding?"
She shook her head, her long hair swishing around her shoulders. "Nope. My mom is sixty-five, but people still think she's forty and mistake us for sisters all the time. Good genes, I guess."
I eyed her skeptically, my gaze sweeping over her youthful features. "You're pulling my leg."
Without a word, she stood and walked over to where I was. She whipped out her phone, her fingers dancing across the screen before turning it toward me. On the screen was a photo of a couple who could pass for being in their early forties. A woman with bright, vibrant eyes just like Jude's, and a man with the same type of youthful features. They were standing in front of a beautiful house, their arms wrapped around each other, their smiles wide and full of love.
"These are my parents," she said, a hint of pride creeping into her voice.
I couldn't hide my surprise. They looked so young. "Where do they live?"
She pulled her phone back, sliding it into her pocket. "Oregon," she said, meeting my gaze with a smile. I didn't know what to make of it, but I couldn't deny that I was utterly fascinated by this woman, her age just one of many surprises she seemed to have in store.
The close proximity was a trap, but I welcomed it. My eyes fell on her lips, curved in a soft smile. She sucked in a sharp breath, then spun away quickly, the sudden distance between us like a punch to the gut.
"Your mother is a very lovely woman," I said, striving to steady my voice.
