Page 12 of Heartless Pucker in Love

“I don’t have anything against my hometown,” he said, softly.

I glanced up.

“I just wish everyone wouldn’t go crazy whenever I drop in. I’d like to come home and walk down the street without being fawned over or treated like the main attraction at a circus.”

My brows shot up. “I thought you liked the limelight.”

“Shows how little you know me, huh, Flower Child?”

“Don’t call me that,” I growled.

“Whoa, calm down. I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean anything?”

“Yeah, whatever Julian. It’s time for your medication.”

“Don’t need them. The pain is tolerable.”

“You should?”

“I’d like to keep a clear head until you leave, thank you.”

My jaw dropped. “What?”

“We tend to butt heads, and I want my comeback game to be on point.”

After a beat of silence, I laughed. “Are you serious? You’d rather bear pain than have me beat you in a verbal battle?”

“Yes, April,” he hissed with a scowl. “I will not prove to be the idiot you’ve always accused me of being.”

“I’ve never?”

“How many times have you referred to me as an idiot since we reached the first grade?”

I pursed my lips. Countless times. “That was when we were kids. To be fair, you did and said plenty of idiotic things.” I grinned. “You do know you’re proving my point right now by neglecting your medication to effectively argue with me, right? That’s less than smart.”

His jaw clenched. He seemed genuinely upset and that confused me. My opinion shouldn't matter to him.

“Are we done here?” There was an annoyed edge to his voice.

What was I doing goading Julian? He was my patient. I’d never been so unprofessional in my life. “Just about.” Anchoring the gauze with tape, I stood up. “There, all done.”

“Thanks,” he grunted.

Rocking back on my heels, I nodded. “Okay...I guess I can get going then. Or do you want me to stay put until Faye gets back?”

I was sure he’d tell me to leave. It wasn’t like he couldn’t move around on his own. So, I was surprised when he gazed up at me for way too long, sighed, and said, “Stick around. I’ll make you something to drink or eat or whatever.” His jaw clenched. “And, I’ll take the damn pain meds if you promise to stay quiet.”

I scoffed. “You offer me drinks and food then you tell me to shut my trap. Nice, Julian. So hospitable.”

He rose to tower over me, and I almost took a step back. We were too close. Close enough for me to get a whiff of whatever body wash or shampoo he used. The fragrance mixed with his natural masculine scent was heady, and it made me a little dizzy. I only stood my ground because he and I always fell into this strange battle of wills when we were in the same space. Hell if I’d be the first to back down. I angled my chin upwards. Big mistake. Now, I was staring at his lips that were twisted in that teasing, sexy smirk. Swallowing, I forced my eyes upwards to meet his gaze with a glare. He wasn’t glaring back. Instead, amusement shone in his eyes.

“You and I know we get along much better when you keep your trap shut…Flower Child.”

I felt the urge to strangle him. Then kiss that smirk off of his mouth. That strange desire had me worried. Kissing Julian or doing anything equally intimate was out of the question. “Why do you insist on calling me that?” I bit out through clenched teeth.

He did a full sweep of me from head to toe. From the Japanese cherry blossom pins that held my hair back, to my floral print scrub top to my colorful nursing clogs...that happened to also be flower print. Damn it. Point made and taken.

“You’re seriously asking me that?”

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