Page 7 of Saved By the Surly Medic

Maybe a lot more.

4

BROOKE

I’m smiling from ear to ear as I get dressed and finger comb my hair, realizing that staying here at Jonah's beautiful house feels more like a vacation than the hotel.

Not just because I am being pampered beyond belief. This is the first time I've been able to stop and take a breath in ages. Well, not literally. Breathing deeply really hurts on one side.

And being around Jonah…there's no way to describe it. Carefully pulling on his sweatshirt, I inhale the whisper of his unique masculine scent still clinging to the cotton.

I've never understood what women meant when they said a man smelled good. To me, they either smell foul if they've been sweating, or like…nothing. Maybe it's a pheromone thing. Or it's because I am wildly attracted to Jonah. Not just his gorgeous face and strong, almost hulking body.

It's the way he speaks. The habit he has of looking around when he's thinking. His organized yet overflowing bookshelf. I mean, he made a dinner that didn't require utensils so I wouldn't have to use my left arm.

What guy is that thoughtful?

It's strange. I can't quite trust it, since I've never felt like this before. But is there any reason to get my hopes up anyway? I can't quite believe an older man like him could really think of someone like me in that way.

Out in the kitchen, the fragrance of rich coffee wakes me up just as much as the fresh air blowing in the open dining room window.

"Too cold?" Jonah already looks concerned.

"Not at all, I like it. It's brisk."

He smiles, waving for me to sit down at the table. "I always feel like a shot of sunlight and fresh oxygen is the best thing first thing in the morning."

"Don't forget coffee."

He laughs, setting a tall glass of water and the bottle of painkillers in front of me. "How is the pain this morning?"

I pat my side tentatively. "It definitely aches, but it feels…stable. Does that make sense? Like, I know it's not going to get any worse, and it will probably be a lot better tomorrow."

He nods, a slight smile across his sexy lips. "That's an extremely useful assessment. I wish all patients were that descriptive."

He tips one pill into my palm. "Just to take the edge off. I'd suggest one every six hours."

I smile as he serves me breakfast sandwiches that can once again be eaten one-handed. As we eat, I pepper him with questions about Old Hemlock Valley. It sounds like an incredibly charming small town, from his vivid, detailed answers.

Jonah adores his place on the mountain; that much is crystal clear. Somehow that balances out his slightly stoic demeanor for me, knowing that he dearly loves something.

My breath catches as his hand covers mine on the table. "I have to stop by the clinic for a couple of hours. I'm sorry. I hate the thought of leaving you alone."

"I'll be fine. I really appreciate you helping me."

"Did you have a reservation at the inn? I could drop by and close out your bill, so that you're not charged again." His eyes look even deeper green in the morning light. "That is, if you're okay staying with me a bit longer. You really shouldn't be driving for a while."

"No reservation. I called earlier and they said they had a room for one night. Until my epic fail falling into the water yesterday, I'd planned to drive to Pinesley next and stay at the little motel there. Apparently they have a quaint downtown square and an old church."

"You shouldn't be going to that town." Jonah scowls. "It's not safe for a gorgeous young lady on her own."

We both look down at the way our fingers have somehow entwined. It feels like neither of us wants to let go.

Wait. He just called me gorgeous. I'm not sure how I feel about him forbidding me to go too far away, but maybe it's his way of caring for me, and trying to keep me safe. In that case, it's sweet.

"Brooke, how old are you?" he barely breathes.

"Twenty-one. You?"

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