Page 81 of Doctor Neighbor

We're both silent, lost in our thoughts as we come down from the high of our lovemaking. The world around us feels different now, charged with the memory of what we've done.

We'll have to face reality soon enough, with all its challenges and uncertainties. But for now, I'm content to float here in Buster's arms, the water cradling us in its gentle embrace.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Buster

Friday, September 6

5:21 am

I wake early, my mind already shifting into surgeon mode as I prepare for the day ahead. After a quick shower, I head back to Cole's bedroom to say goodbye. The soft morning light filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow on her sleeping form.

As I approach the edge of the bed, Cole stirs and opens her eyes. A sleepy smile spreads across her face when she sees me. I lean down to give her a quick peck, but she has other ideas.

Cole wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. "Oh no, you don't," she murmurs, her voice husky from sleep. "You're not leaving without giving me a proper good morning."

I chuckle, raising an eyebrow. "I have surgery in an hour, Cole."

She grins mischievously. "Then you better make this count. I need something to hold me over for the next few days while you're at the hospital."

Her fingers thread through my hair, and I feel myself melting into her touch. The urgency of the upcoming surgery fades into the background as I lose myself in her kiss. Cole's lips are soft and insistent against mine, igniting a fire that spreads through my entire body.

I pull back slightly, breathing heavily. "You're making it very hard to leave," I whisper, tracing the curve of her cheek with my thumb.

Cole's eyes sparkle with a mix of desire and playfulness. "That's the idea, Dr. Hankel."

She pulls me onto the bed, and I go willingly, all thoughts of time and responsibilities momentarily forgotten. Our bodies press together, familiar yet thrilling, as we savor these precious moments before reality intrudes once again.

I smile, intending to extricate myself and reassure her that I'll see her soon. But the look in her eyes is unmistakable—a mix of longing and urgency that mirrors mine. "Cole, I have to go," I protest half-heartedly, even as my body betrays me, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

She sits up, the sheet pooling at her waist, revealing the tempting swell of her breasts. "Then make it quick, Buster," she challenges, her eyes locked onto mine.

Who am I to resist such an offer? With a groan, I surrender to the magnetic pull between us, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Our tongues spar in a frantic rhythm, each stroke fueling the fire that burns within us.

In one swift motion, I pull her to the edge of the bed, my hands roaming over her curves with a desperation born of the knowledge that our time is fleeting. Cole's fingers fumble with the drawstring of my scrubs, pushing the fabric down just enough to free me.

I enter her with an urgency that leaves no room for hesitation. Cole's gasp of pleasure echoes in the quiet room, her legs wrapping around my waist, pulling me deeper. Our bodies move together, each thrust punctuated by our ragged breathing.

The world outside fades away, leaving only the two of us locked in a moment of pure, unadulterated passion. It's fast and fiery, a blaze that consumes us both. I can feel Cole's climax building, her inner muscles tightening around me as she teeters on the edge.

With a final, powerful surge, we tumble over the precipice together. Cole's cries of ecstasy mingle with my own as we ride the waves of our shared release. We are suspended in time for a moment, and the rest of the world is forgotten.

As our breathing slowly returns to normal, I rest my forehead against hers, our bodies still intimately connected. "I'll be back as soon as I can," I murmur, tenderly kissing her lips.

Cole smiles, her eyes soft with satisfaction. "I'll be waiting."

Reluctantly, I withdraw from her embrace, tucking myself back into my scrubs.

I give her one last lingering look before heading out the door, my mind already shifting gears to the challenges that await me at the hospital.

But no matter what the day brings, I know that Cole and our fiery passion will be there, waiting for me when I return.

UAB Hospital

12:09 pm

After surgery, I make my way down to Dr. Kim Nguyen's office, my mind buzzing with questions about the upcoming stem cell extraction.

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