Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Those two words sent me right over the edge, and I buried myself as deep as I could and let it all go until my legs shook. “Kayla,” I groaned, dotting her neck and shoulders with kisses.
“Why is it like this, so explosive with you?” She laughed, a mix of amusement and disbelief.
“I don’t know, but I ain’t complainin’, Doc.” The fact that sex was like this had to mean something. Didn’t it? “Go out with me tomorrow? Dinner or dancing? Maybe a play?”
She shook her head, and my heart plummeted. “Sorry, I can’t. Working second shift tomorrow. But my next day off is Thursday.”
My body relaxed, and as I pulled out of her, I scooped her into my arms and took her to my bedroom. “Thursday sounds perfect.” I could wait two days.
I hoped I could.
12 KAYLA
“Have fun at the cook-off!” I smiled so hard my face ached, but it had to be done because all my colleagues—nurses, fellow doctors, and even support staff—were giving me looks as if I were the homecoming queen who had to work on her big night.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Kayla? I can stay, and you can go.”
“I appreciate the offer, but this is perfect for the kids, and you have two that you say you don’t get to see often enough, Mark.” I flashed another smile and made a shooing motion. “Seriously, it’s fine. Go.” I would have loved to go, but someone had to stay in the ER and tend to any medical emergencies that might arise, which could be a lot during one of Holiday Grove’s festivals.
It turned out to be a pretty quiet afternoon for the first few hours. Then all hell broke loose. People showed up with all kinds of wounds and injuries from silly accidents. A couple of high school boys had both been hurt practicing throwing knives. There were singed eyebrows from a relationship cleansing ceremony, and the obligatory items stuck in the noses of four separate toddlers.
The good news was that it kept me too busy to think about—okay, obsess about—Mac. The bad news was that my stomach was growling like a hungry tiger, and the only thing left in the cafeteria was fish sticks and pot pie. No thanks.
The moment there was a lull, I stood frozen in the hallway, debating my limited options. Nothing the cafeteria had to offer appealed to me, but it was my only choice, so with a heavy sigh, I headed for the elevator that would take me down two levels. The place was mostly empty except for a couple of nurses gathered in one corner, so I grabbed a garden salad and a plate of fries and settled in to eat.
The fries were too salty, and the lettuce was wilted and drenched in far too much dressing. But it was sustenance, which meant it was better than nothing.
Almost, anyway.
“Now that’s a pitiful sight if I’ve ever seen one.”
A smile touched my lips at the sound of Mac’s voice. I looked up at the hottest man I’d ever known and sucked in a breath at the sight of him. He wore a Kelly green t-shirt that hugged his biceps and showcased his pecs. “Kiss me, I’m Irish?”
“Thought you’d never ask.” His smile spread as he leaned in close and brushed a soft yet really hot and slow kiss against my lips. “Yum. You don’t taste Irish.”
I rolled my eyes, and my head fell backward as laughter erupted from me. “You’re ridiculous, Mac. But also a welcome sight. What brings you by?”
“The thought of you here in this sad excuse for a cafeteria just broke my heart, and I couldn’t possibly enjoy the Irish cook-off without you.” His eyes sparkled with mischief as he produced a thermal bag from behind his back. “So I figured we could have a pre-date tonight at an Irish joint.”
Inside the bag were containers filled with twists on Irish favorites: corned beef and cabbage, colcannon, soda bread, dingle pies, and boxty. “Wow, this is quite the feast. You must really want to impress your date.”
He nodded, looking so pleased with himself as he took the seat across from me. “Well, you can’t be the only impressive one in this relationship, can you?”
My heart skidded to a stop at his words. “You don’t have to say that. Lancaster.”
He groaned. “Oh, come on, Doc. You’re beautiful and intelligent, sexy as hell and hilarious. Sometimes,” he added with a teasing smile. “And I love that you’re a fan, but you’re not with me because I’m Lancaster. You’re with me because I’m hot and sexy and really, really thoughtful.”
“Don’t forget incredibly modest.”
“Psssh,” he waved dismissively. “Modesty is overrated.”
“Seriously, Mac, this is great. Really great. I wasn’t looking forward to my sad meal, but you really didn’t have to do this.” If he were any sweeter, I would fall for him, and then he’d hit the road for the next tour and forget about the small-town doctor he left behind.