Page 34 of Doctor Neighbor

The world seems to hold its breath as he thrusts into me, filling me completely. A gasp escapes my lips, the sensation of him inside me overwhelming. It's intense, almost too much, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Our movements are frenzied, a dance of desire and need that builds with each passing second. The railing creaks beneath us, a reminder of how precariously we're balanced, but I don't care. All that matters is the man in front of me and the pleasure that's quickly spiraling out of control.

Buster's lips find the sensitive spot where my neck meets my shoulder, nipping and sucking as he drives into me again and again. My orgasm builds, a tidal wave of sensation that threatens to consume me.

"Buster, I'm close," I pant, my nails digging into his shoulders.

He groans in response, his pace quickening, his breaths coming in short, ragged gasps. "Let go, Cole. I've got you."

With his words as the final push, I shatter around him, my body convulsing with wave after wave of pleasure. Buster follows me over the edge, his release pulsing inside me as he buries his face in my neck with a guttural moan.

We stay like that for a moment, our bodies joined and our breaths gradually slowing.

The world around us returns to focus, the city lights twinkling below as if nothing out of the ordinary has just happened.

But everything has changed.

ELEVEN

Buster

Wednesday, August 14

4:30 am

I wake with a start, my Apple Watch vibrating against my wrist. Darkness envelops me, and for a split second, I'm disoriented. Then I feel Cole's warmth beside me, and it all comes rushing back. I'm in her bed.

Silencing my watch, I carefully slide out from under the covers. I've got surgery first thing this morning, and I need to get moving. I hear Cole stir as I fumble for my pants in the dark.

"Everything okay?" Her voice is thick with sleep.

"Yeah, just gotta run. Early surgery," I whisper, pulling on my clothes. "Can I call you later?"

"Mhmm," she murmurs, already drifting back to sleep.

I lean down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. Her skin is warm, and I catch the faint scent of her shampoo. I’m tempted to crawl back into bed for a moment, but duty calls.

With one last glance at Cole's sleeping form, I slip out of her bedroom and reach the door. The living room is bathed in the soft glow of dawn peeking through the curtains. I navigate around Madeline's toys scattered on the floor, careful not to make a sound.

Once in the hallway, I take a deep breath. The events of last night replay in my mind as I walk the short distance to my apartment. I need to shower and change into scrubs before heading to the hospital.

As I step into my place, the stark emptiness of it hits me. Boxes still litter the floor, a reminder that I've only just moved in. But for the first time in a while, I feel a sense of home, of peace.

5:19 am

The peace doesn't last long. As I drive to the hospital, my phone pings with a new email. I glance at it briefly at a stoplight—it’s from Jake. My stomach tightens. He's got an answer from Lara and wants me to call him when I can.

I guess I’m not the only one working earlier than should be legal.

My grip on the steering wheel goes tighter, turning my knuckles white. Not now. I would rather have a peaceful start to my day.

If I call him at this hour, first of all, it’s too early. He can’t possibly be at the office already. Second, I know whatever he tells me will ruin the rest of my day.

The light turns green, and I accelerate, trying to push thoughts of Lara and her ridiculous demands out of my mind. Instead, I focus on the warmth of Cole's skin, the softness of her lips, and the way she looked at me last night. It's been so long since I've felt this... content.

But reality is creeping in, threatening to shatter this fragile peace. I force myself to think about my patient, Mr. Harrison. His surgery is complex, and I need to be fully present for it. I can't let Lara's drama distract me from saving this man's life.

Pulling into the hospital parking lot, I take a deep breath. For now, I'll compartmentalize. I'll be Dr. Hankel, focused solely on my patient. I'll deal with Jake's email and Lara's response later.

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