Page 14 of Claimed by my Bestie's Dad

It’s like a loop playing in my mind, over and over again. Normally, I’d just move on to the next woman, no strings attached, no lingering thoughts. But Madison? She’s different. She’s gotten under my skin in a way that no one else has.

I think it’s the way she’s so upfront. She doesn’t play any games or pretend she’s into me for my money. She’s made it clear that she hates me. She’s also inexperienced in sex, and I like that about her. She seemed almost surprised that I made her climax, not once, but twice.

I need to perform surgery in fifteen minutes, anddaydreaming about Madison is not on my list of things to do before I mask up.

I need to focus on reading the patient’s chart. I stare at the words, but they float, then disappear in front of me. I know it’s a basic extraction. I don’t need to know all these extra details.

I need a distraction. I try to think about what I’m going to do this upcoming Sunday—my only day not on call or working. But my weekend plans can’t draw my thoughts away from Madison. Even the news would be a welcome distraction, but scrolling through my phone and staring at articles doesn’t distract me either.

Every time I try to redirect my thoughts, they snap back to her. The way she looked at me, hesitant but curious. The way her lips parted, like she was ready to say something but couldn’t quite bring herself to do it. Like she wanted to be open with me but was scared of what would happen if she was.

This is unusual for me. I’m not the kind of guy who gets hung up on a woman. I enjoy their company, have a good time, and then I move on. No attachments, no complications. But Madison? She’s a complication I didn’t see coming, and it’s both infuriating and intoxicating.

I can’t play around anymore. I need to head in there for my surgery. I suit up so that I’m ready to handle the procedure, reminding myself of the patient we lost last week. I can’t afford any stupid mistakes.

So, I manage to focus while I’m getting the surgery done. It’s a masked affair of me asking my nurses for different things. They scurry around while the patient lies still, and I make the cuts.

Once everything is complete, I tell my head nurse to give me twenty minutes on my own before I go around andcheck on the current patients on the floor. Then, I strip off my suit and sink into my private office, a room I really don’t spend much time in.

I’m supposed to go on a date tonight with someone who made it very clear from her profile that she’s just interested in a good time. But the truth is I can’t picture myself flirting with some other woman, knowing that Madison is there, just next door. I don’t want to go, so I pull up the short message thread between her and me.

I type out a quick message, something about a work emergency coming up, and apologize for having to cancel. I don’t care what she thinks of me. I have better things to think about.

Once the message is sent, I toss my phone onto the desk and lean back in my chair, trying to figure out what the hell is happening to me. Madison isn’t like the women I usually go for. She’s fiery, stubborn, and doesn’t take any of my shit. She’s not looking for a fling, but she’s also not interested in anything serious. It’s like she’s standing on the edge of a line, unsure of whether to cross it or not, and I can’t help but want to pull her over to my side.

The truth is, I want to make love to her again. I keep seeing her naked body and her slightly surprised look as I went down on her, and I want to repeat it. I want to try her in all different positions and teach her some new things, too.

I run a hand through my hair, thinking about the way she looked at me when I suggested we see where this thing between us could go. It’s like she’s just as intrigued by this as I am, but she’s too cautious to dive in headfirst. And that’s what makes her so damn irresistible.

A plan starts to form in my mind, a way to spend more time with her without making it seem like I’m pushing too hard. Madison is practical. She won’t respond well to grandgestures or anything that seems too intense too quickly. But if I can find a reason to be around her, something that feels natural, maybe I can get her to open up more. To explore whatever this is that’s brewing between us.

Dogs. The thought hits me suddenly, and I can’t help but smile. She’s always got a new dog or two over at her place, and I know she’s trying to make a living off boarding them. Maybe there’s a way I can use that to my advantage. I’ve been thinking off and on about getting a dog—not seriously, just an idea that’s been floating around in the back of my mind. But maybe now’s the time to take that idea seriously.

If I were to get a dog, I’d need someone to board it when I’m out of town or too busy with work. Someone like Madison. It’s the perfect excuse to spend more time with her without making it seem like I’m trying too hard. I can ask her for advice on what kind of dog to get, pretend I’m clueless about the whole thing, and let her guide me through the process. It’ll give me a reason to drop by her place, to call her, to keep her thinking about me.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. It’s subtle, non-threatening, and it’ll give us time to get to know each other better. And if things progress the way I’m hoping they will, well, there’s always the chance for more.

More time alone in her bedroom with the door shut firmly against the dogs.

More time taking her clothes off and hearing her groan in my ear.

I lean back in my chair, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. This is going to be interesting. Madison thinks she’s got me figured out, that she knows exactly what kind of man I am. But she’s wrong. I’m not just some guy who’s looking for a quick fling. I’m a man who knows what he wants, and right now, what I want is her.

But this isn’t just about satisfying a need or scratching an itch. There’s something deeper here, something that’s pulling me toward her in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s a challenge, sure, but it’s more than that. It’s the thrill of the chase, the excitement of not knowing where this will lead.

I need to check on my patients, make my rounds, but it’s hard to focus completely on my job.

How should I approach Madison with this new idea?

Maybe I’ll run into her while she’s out walking the dogs, or maybe I’ll drop by with a few questions about breeds I’m considering. Either way, I’ll find a way to get her talking, to get her thinking about me.

And once I’ve got her attention, I’m not letting go. Not until I’ve had my fill of whatever this is between us. Madison may be stubborn, but I’m persistent. And when I set my sights on something—or someone—I don’t stop until I get what I want.

And right now, Madison is what I want.

8

MADISON

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