Page 25 of Doctor Charmer

“Oh.” Chelsea gives him a playful push, practically knocking him off the bed. “You can’t say your mom because everyone knows that goes without saying.”

Griffin recovers, scooting back onto the bed, their thighs definitely touching now. She leans back to admire his profile, and he twists, elbow to the bed, his gaze locked on her.

From this angle, it looks as if they are moments away from kissing. I lean forward and pause my music. I don’t want to miss a thing.

The door to the room swings open, and a breathless and frazzled Dr. Morgan appears in the doorway. His sudden appearance snaps me away from the kids. I remove the earbuds and unwrap myself from the contortion I’ve folded into on the unforgiving hospital chair.

His eyes sweep the room but quickly settle on me, a strange look on his face.

“Is everything okay?” Dalia and Victoria were released just over two hours ago. They’re already back at the dorms. They are the first thoughts that jump to mind when I see his face. Did they miss something? Did they release them too soon?

I push up to stand and glance over my shoulder. Griffin has two feet on the ground as if he’d hopped off the bed like a kid caught by his early returning parents to find him on the couch with his girlfriend in the dark.

I turn to face Reggie with three questions on my lips, all of which fade away when I see the sheer look of desperation on his face.

“I need you.” It’s just three words, but the way he barks them makes my heart flutter. His intense stare, the way he squeezes the door handle as if it’s the only thing keeping him from floating away—this calm, charming man is coming unraveled right in front of me.

“Me?” I don’t give him what he wants, not right away. Not until I know what he is asking. What he needs.

He grits his teeth, and I half expect him to grunt next. “Say good night to the kids. You and I are getting out of here.”

I cue up three smart retorts but bury them when I see the heat in his eyes. I scoop up my phone and wave to the kids, who stare at us like we have three heads. I know the minute the door closes behind me, they are going to burst into laughs and gossip the night away.

Reggie waves for me to hurry, and for this, I do give him attitude. “Visiting hours don’t end for another twenty minutes.”

He directs me toward the elevator. “I know we’re going out tomorrow night, but…” The vein in his neck pulses with every word. I’m no doctor, but even I know his heart is racing.

I place my hand on his chest. “The answer is yes.”

Instantly, I feel the tension release from his body, his muscles going slack. “Really?” he asks, his tone filled with surprise.

“I so want to toy with you at this moment, but that look you just gave me back there warned me you might not appreciate my humor right now.”

He surprises me, wrapping me in a tight hug. “Thank you.”

“Where are we going?”

He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “I have no idea. Hadn’t thought that far ahead. I just had an overbearing need to see you. To be with you… to…”

Hand back on his chest, I struggle to breathe. I have totally rocked his world. Tomorrow, I’ll make fun of this moment, but right now, I’m touched. My heart is full.

I think back to my advice to Chelsea. “What’s your favorite place to go in Eastport?” I watch as the wheels spin in his head. “The one place that is special to you but which you don’t share with many people.”

The elevator beeps, and he places his hand on the small of my back, directing me through the small crowd until we’re inches from one another in a corner of the suspended box.

He purses his lips, wanting to share but choosing to wait until we’re off the elevator. I use the time to stare at him. He’sridiculously handsome, those damn blue-gray eyes practically hypnotic. He’s clean-shaven, not a hint of a five o’clock shadow even at this late hour, and I wonder if he shaved midday. He grinds his teeth as if he’s fighting to keep back a lifetime of secrets from spilling out.

Our silly bet flashes in my head, and I feel the tug on the corner of my lips. He is so going to lose, maybe even tonight.

He mirrors my smile, his lips mouthing the wordwhat?

All I offer is a snicker and mouth the wordyou.

We both go silent, content to ride the remainder of the trip staring into each other’s eyes like love-struck teens. This I could get used to.

***

The car’s vents work overtime cranking out heat in the idling car. We’re parked on a slight incline on a mountain road overlooking a snow-covered, tree-lined valley that could be on a Christmas postcard.

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