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And every day, I fight to ignore how her eyes turn to molten silver when she’s experiencing strong emotion. Will they do that for me as I sink inside her tight heat?
Jesus,I need to rein this in. I shake my head and release a frustrated breath.
“Everything okay?” Grace asks, glancing at me from the driver’s seat of the ambulance.
We’re on our way back to the station after a particularly busy shift, and I’m knackered. I haven’t slept well the last few nights. My phantom pains have flared up, and the tiredness is getting to me. I haven’t mentioned it to Grace, but I know she’s picked up on it. That’s what happens when you work together so closely—you get to know when your partner isn’t running on all cylinders. It would explain why she’s offered to drive during our last few shifts.
“Fine. Just tired. How are you doing? That was a tough one today.”
Grace nods and swallows hard, keeping her eyes on the road. “Yeah. As far as losing a patient goes, I suppose going in your sleep is one of the nicer ways if there is such a thing. But it must be devastating to lose your loved one after so many years together.”
We were called to the house of an elderly couple to discover that the wife was already deceased. Her husband of sixty years had woken to discover she’d died in her sleep and called 999. Sadly, she’d been dead for several hours, likely from a massive stroke.
The husband was inconsolable. What can you say to someone who’s lost his best friend and soulmate? But Grace was amazing, making him a cup of tea and holding his hand while he talked about his wife and showed her pictures of their wedding, the children, and grandchildren.
“I’m glad he has kids and grandkids to support him,” Grace adds as she turns into the station. “I can’t imagine how lonely it would be if it were only him.” Sadness settles over her face as she parks and pulls the handbrake.
I reach for her hand and squeeze it in a rare display of affection. I’m always careful not to overstep any physical boundaries when we’re working, even if my cock has a dirty mind of its own where Grace is concerned.
“I’m bloody proud of you, Grace. You handled it with professionalism and empathy. I was a fucking idiot that first shift when I said you weren’t here to save the world with idle conversation. You talking with Mr Hendry today was anything but idle. You gave him comfort and understanding until his son arrived, and I could see how much it meant to him. I may be your mentor, but you’re teaching me things too, and it’s making me a better paramedic. So, thank you.”
Grace’s mouth drops open in surprise, and her silver eyes look suspiciously shiny. “I–”
Whatever she was about to say is cut off by my groan as pain lances through my leg. I reach down, digging my fingers into the spasming muscles of my thigh to alleviate the tightness.
“Fletch?” Grace whispers, her expression concerned.
“It’s okay,” I say as the spasm passes. “Does that sometimes.”
She bites her thumbnail, something I’ve noticed she does when she’s unsettled. “I’m so sorry you have to deal with pain like this. Do you want to skip drinks tonight? I don’t think either of us is in the mood for a busy pub.”
Shit. It’s Friday. Our “not a date” night. Not something I’d usually forget, but pain tends to give you tunnel vision. I don't want to cancel. I want to spend time with her. More than anything I’ve wanted in a long time. I’m a better man when I’m with her. She brings light to all my dark spaces.
“It’s fine,” she says, misinterpreting my hesitation. “We can do it another–”
“How about a beer and takeaway?” I cut her off.
She beams. “Sounds good. My place is only twenty minutes on the tube, and there’s a great Chinese food place on the corner.”
I nod. “Why take the London Underground when I can drive us? My car’s in the staff car park.”
“Youdriveto work?”
“Uh, yeah, although you make it sound like a criminal offence.”
Grace shakes her head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that most people use public transport in London, what with parking restrictions and the ultra-low emission zone requirements.”
“Lucky for me, my disability grants me accessible parking, and the Merc is electric, so it’s ULEZ compliant.”
“Wait, wait,” Grace wafts a hand between us. “You’re a paramedic. How the hell can you afford a Mercedes?”
I shrug. “I got a good pay-out and an excellent pension when I was honourably discharged from the Army.” I shake my head wryly. “Believe me, I didn’t become a paramedic for the salary.”
“Ugh, don’t get me started,” Grace says in disgust. “Being a paramedic is a vocation, like nursing, and all the other public sector jobs that are under-funded and underappreciated by the government.” She pauses and grins. “But let's not open that can of worms. It’s a discussion for another time. Right now, a beer and chicken chow mien sounds amazing.”
I smirk. “Now all I can think of is worms and chow mien. How about we grab a curry instead?”
* * *
