Page 115 of Both Sides Now

Seventeen

KEEGAN

From the corner of my eye, I watch Calli walk down the hallway and out of my sight before closing the door. I lean against it and release a loud breath, scrubbing my face with my hands.

To say I’m stunned is an understatement. I never expected to see Calli again after that night at her house. I may have only shared one glass of whiskey with her, but I drank a quarter of a bottle once I got home.

Not that it numbed the pain. Not even close.

The only saving grace of being on Long Island, in a high-profile position, is the lack of free time I’ve had over the last few weeks. No one demanded I stay in the office, poring over case files until ten at night, but what did I have waiting at home?

Hell, I don’t even have a home. Not yet. I’ve looked at several beach houses, in search of the perfect one, but the thrill was gone.

Now, that thrill just shocked the hell out of me, standing in my exam room and pacing the floor in typical Calli fashion.

And I let her walk away. I don’t know why. Pride? Fear? Iknow it isn’t because I don’t love her. I adore every stubborn cell of that woman’s body.

She was different today. There was a strength there, a steely determination I hadn’t seen before. Sexy as hell, too, even though I hid the fact well.

Then she poured her heart out to me, so there wasnomistaking her intentions. Telling me, in no uncertain terms, that I was her choice. Her only choice.

Hell, she fucking proposed to me.

And I let her walk away.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Keegan?” I mutter under my breath as I bolt from the exam room.

“Dr. Russo, your next patient is waiting.” Patty, my receptionist, motions to a room further down the hall.

“Stall her. I need five minutes.” Dashing out the office door, I make a beeline for the elevator, but it’s already on the move.

So am I.

I yank open the door to the stairwell and take the steps two at a time down to the main floor, bursting into the lobby just as the elevator doors open.

Panting, I push a stunned Callista against the elevator wall before closing the door and pressing the stop button.

I’m going to receive a stern lecture for this stunt. Not that I give a damn. I’ll pay whatever fine they want to toss my way.

Calli’s eyes widen with shock, their glassiness proof of the depth of her emotion. “What are you doing, Keegan?”

“What does it look like?” I crush my mouth against hers, knotting my fingers in her hair as our tongues tangle. I pour every emotion into that kiss, every moment I spent without her by my side. Calli, never one to hold back, gives as good as she gets, fisting my shirt between her hands and wrinkling the hell out of it.

We pull back, our breath mingling as our hearts settle.

“I thought I’d lost you. You said you needed time.” Calli’shands, unwilling to remain still, glide along my chest as her mouth presses tiny kisses to my jaw.

What I need is to bury myself inside her, but that will to have to wait a little while longer. “I figured it out in the amount of time it took for you to walk from my office to the elevator.”

“And?” Her gaze holds mine, and for the first time since our incredible evening in Mystic, I know all the love living there is meant for me.

“Yes. To all of it. I’m going to owe you a really amazing proposal and a ring, but?—”

My words are cut off as her mouth claims mine, her hands twining round my neck. Her tongue teases me, beckoning me to play, as her body presses close.

Will I have sex in an elevator?

Damn straight, I will.

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