Page 17 of Doc's Decision

Our gazes catch and hold, the air between us thickening with unspoken emotions.

Maybe I’m a fool, but I could swear there are sparks flying hot and bright behind those captivating eyes.

I clear my throat gruffly, breaking the charged moment before I do something monumentally stupid.

Like hauling her in for a kiss that will make her melt onto the floor in need.

“Anyway, I best hit the road. These old bones ain’t getting any younger, and the traffic at this hour can be a real mother.”

I pause for a moment before instinct takes over me.

I wrap my arms around Mandy and press a chaste kiss on her forehead. “See ya later, babe.”

It happens so fast I don’t know how to react.

I snag my keys and reluctantly turn to go, even though every cell in my body is screaming at me to stay.

To finally take a chance and tell this amazing woman how I feel about her.

Hell, I already fucked up with that damn forehead kiss.

But I just . . . can’t.

The timing ain’t right.

Not sure it ever will be.

So, with a heavy heart, I shoot Mandy one last tortured glance over my shoulder. “I’ll see ya when I get back?” It comes out sounding more vulnerable than I intend.

She smiles at me softly, bouncing Kash in her arms. “Of course, Doc. I’ll be here. We’ll be here.” A promise and a reassurance all in one.

I give a tight nod, those three little words doing funny things to my bruised and battered heart.

Then I rush out of the trailer before I can do something else I’ll regret.

Because God help me, this woman makes me yearn for her every damn day . . . and I’m pretty damn sure it’s gonna be the death of me.

I gun the engine and peel off into the night, my heart racing faster than my bike.

All I can think about is Mandy and how badly I want things to change with her.

If they do . . . nothing will be the same.

Because once I cross that line with Mandy, there’s no going back.

As I tear through the evening, the wind whipping past me, I can’t shake the truth.

I’m done for. I’m in deep, and it’s not because of the club bullshit with Seraphina’s mother trying to take us down.

It’s a five-foot-nothing blonde turning into brunette, with a mouth as sharp as her curves are soft.

She’s got me twisted up in more ways than one, and I’m powerless to resist.

I need to get her off my mind and deal with the shit at Ma’s long-term care facility.

I can worry about Mandy later.

I tear down the on-ramp to I-15.

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