Page 12 of Captivated

Keep deflecting him, Pfeiffer… let him know his smooth words are doing nothing for your libido right now.

“Shame. Then maybe you’d be interested in spending time with me outside of the hospital sometime?” The corner of his mouth tips up as my eyes turn to him, shock registering on my face, I’m sure.

“Are you serious?” I say through a chuckle.

“Do you think I’m not?”

“Wow, you sure have some balls, don’t you, Deputy?” I turn away from him and check the level of his IV bag.

“I can show you, if you want.”

I shake my head. “That won’t be necessary. I see enough balls on a day to day basis that yours would just blend in at this point.”

“I beg to differ. I’m fairly certain my balls would be more than memorable. Of course, it’s what’s attached to them that would help you never forget the sight…”

“Do you hear yourself?” I face him again, placing my hands on my hips for emphasis. “You’re sitting here talking to me about your dick and balls after you just asked me out! You’re delusional…”

“I’ve never had any complaints on what I’m packing below the belt, I assure you. Come on, Piper. You can’t deny the chemistry here,” he chuckles and all I can feel now is the heat from my anger rising inside my body.

“The only chemical reaction I’m feeling is the need to unleash some aggression due to your lack of respect for women. Obviously, a female is nothing but a physical plaything for you to enjoy, based on the hordes of messages you receive and how you so blatantly have been coming on to me since you woke up. Unluckily for you, I’m not a woman who thrives off of that kind of attention. So no, Deputy, we willnotbe spending time together outside of this hospital room and after I leave right now, you won’t see me again in this hospital anymore as well. I sincerely hope the bump on your head is the cause of your disgusting display of interest, and this is not how you typically behave—but if the words I’ve heard about you from others are any indication, I’d say you’ve lived up to the reputation you’ve earned. I hope you feel better soon.”

I log out of the computer and stride towards the door, but not before Cash replies, leaving me even more fired up from his words as I stop at the sound of his voice.

“Fight it all you want, Piper—but this isn’t over. We will see each other again. It’s a small town and we’re bound to cross paths eventually. You think you know me, but don’t worry sweetheart, I’m full of surprises.”

I don’t bother to turn around before walking off. I’ve had plenty of surprises in my life recently, and any that Cash Williams can manage are ones I’m not sure I can handle.

Chapter 5

Piper

“So, how are things going? I miss you so much, Pfeiffer.” I’m on the phone with my best friend Rachel from back home, and we haven’t spoken in weeks.

“Gosh, where do I begin. First, I’m doing well, better than I thought I would be, honestly. I love my job, Rach. Even though I didn’t want to leave, I’m so glad my parents made me because I don’t know if I could have sacrificed this feeling for anything.”

“The feeling of finally being a nurse?”

“Yes. You know how hard I worked for that.”

She sighs. “I remember every tear and study session, Pfeiffer. I know. I’m so happy for you, hun. Do you like the hospital? Your co-workers?”

I walk across my kitchen, gathering a few eggs and cheese from the fridge to make myself an omelet. It’s my first full day off from work this week, so I took advantage and slept in a bit and now will enjoy my breakfast, a hot cup of coffee, and a catch up session with my best friend.

“It’s perfect. This place isn’t a huge town, so the hospital isn’t large, but the people are extremely friendly. One of the other nurses, Jess, reminds me a lot of you. We’ve formed a strong bond, and I’m not gonna lie—it feels nice to feel connected to someone again.”

“Well, it’s been over six months since you left, Pfeiffer. I’d be going crazy without my friends or family.”

Sadness hits me in a wave as I think about how much I miss my life back home. My parents, Rachel, our group of friends that we hung out with at the country club. Although I don’t miss the pretenses that had to be met in our social circle. It seems like another lifetime ago—when in reality, it really is. I have a new life now for the foreseeable future.

“In all honesty, the only person I miss besides my mom and dad is you,” I say before taking a sip of my coffee. Cracking a few eggs in a bowl, I scramble them with a fork while I wait for my frying pan to heat up.

“I wish I could come visit you, but I guess that would be hard without even knowing where you’re at.”

And it’s true. Not even my best friend knows where I am, a detail that my parents were insistent about. She just knows I’m safe and I can at least speak on this other phone that my parents purchased for contact between us.

“Me too, Rach. But I’m good.”

“So, any good stories? Patients that came in with injuries that would make me cringe?”

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