Page 82 of Filthy Lovin Heroes

Besides, I couldn’t be anything but honest with Holly. Maybe all that time together at work hardwired me for truth. There was no time for bullshit when lives were at stake.

Holly stabbed the ice in her glass with her straw. She concentrated on her task. Gray eyes leveled on me. “For the whole hour, you knew we were together, huh? I could feel your eyes on me, you know.”

“Another truth. You two didn’t fit.”

In the six inches of space between us, her scent poured over me. The hospital’s soap mixed with her own light lavender scent.

Her lips pulled into a smile. “This from the man who whores his way through New York. Your little black book and Scottish burr must be your biggest weapons.” She might not be powerhouse flirt, but tonight Holly projected a new persona I didn’t recognize. Tonight, she didn’t hold back and didn’t try to hide when her gaze slipped past my belt.

She raised her eyebrows when she saw what our little talk was doing to me. In appreciation or not, I don’t know. But I would like to find out.

She dropped her eyes to the table when what I really wanted was for her to lift them to mine again. Wanted her to see just how much I craved to have a connection with her.

Why? I didn’t have an answer yet.

I was silent, thinking hard about this overwhelming need for her that had hit me like a tidal wave tonight.

“Doctor—”

“Malcolm,” I corrected her, wanting my name on her lips.

“Malcolm. Nothing is ever going to happen between us.” Holly sipped her drink. Naturally, she knew what I was thinking. Did she know I wanted those lips of hers wrapped around my cock?

“Let me try changing your mind.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement; I was used to getting my way.

She shook her head. “Sorry, the stats aren’t in your favor. I don’t need the complications either.”

I couldn’t fault her for that. Up until an hour ago, avoiding complications was my life goal, too.

Something had changed between us. It was like an arc of current connecting us; she felt it too. Even in this crowded bar, it was as if we were on an island.

“I’ll walk you home.” It wasn’t a request. There was no way she was leaving this bar and walking the city streets alone. It was New York, after all.

“No need for that. I live three blocks away.” She grabbed her purse and slid out of her seat.

“Humor me.” Again, not a question.

I knew she lived in the hospital’s subsidized housing for staff, residents, and medical students. Housing in New York was a nightmare. I didn’t need subsidized housing, nor did I care to live right next to where I worked. Only Lucas and Oliver knew I had a brownstone townhouse in swanky Greenwich Village. It was a benefit of coming from a ridiculously wealthy family.

But Holly didn’t come from money.

Cool air greeted us outside and Holly pulled her arms around her chest.

I slipped off my jacket and a part of me loved seeing her inhale as I draped it over her shoulders.

We didn’t talk, but it didn’t feel awkward because I’d never known Holly to enjoy small talk. It was one of the many things I admired about her as a colleague.

Around us, the streets were busy with people heading home from work and others heading out for the evening. Street vendors were closing down their carts for the night while others opened.

Within minutes we reached the unremarkable brick building where she lived. There was no doorman on duty, and the keycard entry looked pathetically easy to bypass with any hospital ID. I couldn’t believe she really lived here. What was wrong with the hospital that their security was so lame? Tomorrow I’d be calling administration. I made significant contributions to the hospital, which I asked to keep it anonymous, but the admin knew the donors’ identity.

“Aren’t you going to ask me up for ginger ale?” I angled my body to shelter her from the breeze blowing off the East River.

A corner of her mouth quirked. “Malcolm, I know you. I’ve worked with you daily for the last year. The only reason you could possibly want to see my room is for hot, kinky sex.”

I put my hand against the brick wall by her head, trying to block more of the breeze. Goosebumps peppered her bare arms beneath my jacket. But what I really noticed were the hard tips of her nipples pressing against her dress.

“My interest in residential fire safety inspection might not be well known, but it is important nonetheless.” I dipped my head lower. Even with her heels, I towered over her.

---