Page 7 of Heart of a Fighter

Lauren steps between my sprawled legs, shining the scope light on her palm. Her knee brushes against my inner thigh, sending a jolt of energy straight to my groin. It only adds fuel to the flame already burning low in my gut. Every moment spent with her feels like walking a tightrope. I’m treading as carefully as possible, balancing what my body wants with the reality of the situation I’ve thrust myself into.

She’s off-limits.

“Look to your left without moving your head.” She points to the wall with her right hand outstretched, then leans closer to peer into my eyes. She takes a deep breath and holds it, wavering before recovering quickly. But I notice. I notice everything about her. “Now to the right.”

Her voice strains an octave higher than before. Her breath falters and wafts along my cheek. The thought of pushing boundaries lingers thick and heavy in the air. When I walked in here, I hadn’t planned on picking up where we left things yesterday, but when her knees drift higher up my thigh, I’m ready to risk everything for a chance with her.

I place my hands on her hips, drawing her closer as she lowers the scope. Our eyes lock, a silent exchange passing between us. I lean in, and my lips graze hers, soft and unsure. The rush of emotion is intense–the chemistry building between us, off the charts.

“Stop me if I’ve read the room wrong.” My heart pounds as the words hang between us, hoping she won’t tell me to stop.

“We shouldn’t,” she murmurs without pulling away. “Saints’ policy.”

“There aren’t any rules for this.” A silent plea lingers in my heart. It’s only now that I realize my need for her goes well beyond what I imagined. She’s the oxygen I need to breathe and the life preserver keeping me from drowning.

“No rules,” she replies, her voice barely a whisper.

“There’s no going back from this.” I have to know she’s thought this through long enough to know there will be consequences.

She nods, a slight smile playing on her lips. “Then kiss me like you mean it.”

I do, and I mean it with my heart and soul.

CHAPTER 3

INJURIES

***

Lauren

A thrill runs through me as our lips meet, the moment electric and charged. This is what I’ve fantasized about, and Granger doesn’t disappoint. He tugs me closer, clutching my hip with one hand and fingering through my hair with the other. His tongue dips between my lips, feverishly hot. I whimper as he scrapes his teeth over my lip, nibbling and sucking, teasing me with his touch.

A surge of warmth sprinkles through me like pixie dust. The softness of his lips surprises me, a gentle contrast to his cocky demeanor. I dreamed a thousand scenarios of how our first kiss might play out, but I hadn’t expected my insides to spontaneously combust into an inferno of light and electricity.

The medical room door swings open, and Granger catches my surprised screech on his tongue. I tear away from him and jerk my head, expecting to see Zach. But it’s Daniel, a senior medical staff member, with his eyes glued to the file he’s carrying. Daniel’s a less worrisome problem than my brother, but consequential just the same.

My heart races, and I fumble with the scope, trying to regain my composure. “Everything looks clear. No signs of swelling or injury.” I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, covering my bases.

“What’s going on?” Daniel approaches, concern etched on his face. He holds out his palm, signaling me to hand him the scope.

Granger lets out an exasperated breath as Daniel lays a hand on his shoulder, keeping him seated in the chair. He flashes the light from one eye to another, and the crease spanning Granger’s brow deepens.

“It’s just a headache.” Granger brushes Daniel’s hand away and snaps his head to the side. “Lauren was just being thorough.”

We exchange a quick look, our shared secret hanging between us. If Daniel has an inkling what he walked in on, he doesn’t let on.

“Keep me posted if the headaches continue. We might be looking at a concussion. You’ve been knocked around a few more times than necessary.” Daniel pauses, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “You wouldn’t be in here so often if you’d keep your temper in check and listen to your captain–and your father.”

Granger’s face hardens, a mix of irritation and frustration flashing in his eyes. His jaw tightens, the interruption and reprimand clearly getting under his skin. I steal a glance at Granger as Daniel pulls a prescription pad from a drawer and scribbles on it.

“Get this filled.” He leaves the slip of paper on the counter. “Lauren will grab you a dose to tide you over for now.”

The tension in the room shifts as soon as Daniel leaves. We had a close call, and it isn’t something I want to repeat. I can’t let this happen again.

***

Granger

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