Page 54 of Day Shift

“Conan!” she screamed, her walls squeezing me tight as her orgasm washed over her. The sensation pushed me over the edge, and we came together in a powerful release that left us both breathless.

“God, I can’t believe it,” she panted, resting her forehead against mine. “You’re amazing.”

“For you, anything.” I pressed one last lingering kiss to her lips before helping her stand and turning off the water. As the steam cleared, I stepped out and grabbed a fluffy towel from the cabinet. Carefully and slowly, I rubbed it up and down her body, making sure every inch of her skin was dry before doing the same to myself.

“Conan…I think I might’ve gotten more than I bargained for with you,” Angel admitted, her legs shaking slightly from exhaustion. “You’ve got quite the insatiable appetite and the ginormous ever-ready dick to go with it.” She laughed as a bright smile lit up her face.

Scooping her up, I carried her to the bed and laid her down gently.

I spooned up against her. She fit perfectly against me, like a key sliding effortlessly into its lock. As she drifted off to sleep, I traced the lines of her face and the curves of her body, marveling at the connection we shared.

Soulmates, true love, and forever were just fairy tales—but then I met her.

It didn’t make sense. Hell, I’d spent my whole life dodging anything that even hinted at real feelings. I’d always been the guy who kept it light, never letting anyone get close enough to see the cracks beneath the surface. But Angel had fallen into my life—quite literally—and changed everything. When she was brought into the ED, bloody and unconscious, something had shifted inside me. I couldn’t leave her side, not then and not now.

For a month, I’d watched over her as she lay there, vulnerable and angelic. The amnesia had stripped her of her past but not her spirit. Even though she didn’t remember who she was, she faced each day with a kind of grace and resilience that left me in awe. No vanity, no pretense—just pure, natural beauty. And that kindness, man, it blew me away. She had every reason to be angry at the world, to feel lost, but instead, she was grateful, gentle, and strong.

There was something about her that drew me in deeper than I’d ever thought possible. Maybe it was how she saw me—not as some carefree playboy but as someone worth getting to know. She didn’t judge me for my past or the walls I’d built around my heart. She accepted me for who I was in this moment, and that scared the hell out of me. Yet it also made me want to protect her with everything I had.

I’d never been one to get attached, but with my Angel, it was different. I could envision myself in her future—not as a fleeting presence but as something real and lasting. Falling for her was like jumping out of a plane without a parachute—dangerous and thrilling. I didn’t understand it, but I was falling hard and fast, and there was no stopping it.

This woman, with her strength and kindness, had broken through the barriers I’d carefully constructed, and I was okay with that. My Angel was more than just a woman in my life; she was becoming my reason to fight, to protect, and to love. And damn if that didn’t make me feel more alive than I ever had before.

My life would never be the same after tonight.

Chapter twenty-seven

The aroma of espresso stirred me awake, dragging me from the depths of sleep. As I stretched, my muscles and most intimate places ached and tingled from a night well spent. Conan had lit a fire in me—a blazing wildfire that engulfed my senses and left me craving more. I’d needed his touch and the lust in his eyes more than I’d ever thought possible. He had a way of tethering me to the now when my past was nothing more than a hazy mirage. The intensity with which he had taken me was as terrifying as it was thrilling. Every move he made was just right, as though he was attuned to all my wants and needs.

His hands had explored every inch of my body with reverence, tracing patterns on my skin that left me shivering in anticipation, only to be followed by his lips tracing the same journey, leaving me desperate for more. God, how I loved that he took his sweet time, stretching out each moment and prolonging every possible pleasure.

With Conan, I mattered. I was even treasured. The way he looked at me—like I was the only woman worth knowing—filled me with a sense of belonging that had been absent since waking up in that sterile hospital room.

Every stroke spoke volumes about his longing for me; every smoldering gaze screamed of his need. Yet he never took without giving first. Each kiss he imprinted on my skin held promises of bliss; each caress sent waves of pleasure crashing over me until all thought evaporated and only raw sensations were left.

Afterward, he’d cradled me so close, and our bodies had tangled together as if attempting to meld into one. His steady heartbeat and protective hold reassured me that I mattered. He saw me as stunning when I was shattered, significant when I felt inconsequential. And even though I couldn’t recall who I used to be, Conan reminded me of who I was—a woman desired and cherished for just being herself.

Rolling over, I reached out, searching for him, but his side of the bed was empty and cold. I peeked around the room and into the en suite, but there was no sign of his massive form.

I rose and quickly took care of my business, not bothering to run a brush through the tangled bird’s nest that was now my hair. I threw on a pair of soft pink shorts and a heather-gray T-shirt that hung off my shoulder, then made my way downstairs barefoot. The wooden steps were cool beneath my feet as I followed the enticing aroma of coffee all the way to the kitchen.

Atticus, Samantha, and Conan were already up and dressed, ready for their shift at St. John’s. The sight of them in their scrubs whiplashed me right back to the hospital. God, how much I’d hated being in that place. Although…seeing Conan’s ink-wrapped muscles bulging against the constraints of the fabric did make tingles erupt in my belly. The thought of playing naughty nurse games later kicked my imagination into high gear.

Atticus cleared his throat, breaking me away from my dirty thoughts. Conan noticed the way I was ogling him and smirked. I turned my attention to Atticus, who handed me a freshly poured cup of espresso from his fancy coffee machine.

“Looks like you could use this more than I could at the moment,” he said, cocking his head and giving my hair a judgmental once-over.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” Samantha said, spreading cream cheese on a bagel. “Don’t pay him any mind. Want some breakfast? We’ve got bagels, cold cuts, fruit…the works.”

“Thanks,” I said, taking a sip of the rich espresso. “What’s with the big spread?”

“Gotta fuel up for the chaos of the ED,” Conan said, shoving a bagel into the toaster. He winked at me. “Didn’t mean to wake you. You must be exhausted after yesterday.”

“Yeah, yesterday was…a lot,” I said, sitting on a barstool at the island. “But honestly, I’m more tired from a certain someone wearing me out last night.” I bounced my eyebrows a couple of times, hoping to get a rise out of Conan.

Samantha burst out laughing. “Well, after what Murphy and I saw, I’m not surprised. Poor dog. I think you and Conan might have permanently scarred him with what he witnessed by the pool!”

“Oh God,” I groaned, cheeks burning. “Sorry about that.”

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