Page 32 of Taking Her Medicine

“I always have an overnight bag on me, kitten, and I dropped it next to your bed. It’s so sweet of you to offer, but I have clothes.”

Aaron already had it on his mind to sleep over before he let himself into my house. The thought warmed me, and I smiled up at him. “I bet mine are cuter.”

“I’m sure they are.” He kissed me once. “Come on.” We returned to my room.

I snuggled into my side of the bed, but I watched him set the towel on my ottoman. I licked my lips and ogled his muscled ass. I wanted to bite and nibble all the places I hadn’t explored yet. He pulled on a pair of dark boxers, ending the show. Climbing into bed, he wrapped his arms around me and brought me to close to his chest.

“I feel like I’m asking a lot of you, Aaron.”

“You’re not. I took a significant pay cut to work at the clinic. Even though I love it there, the hospital offered me some extra shifts and the money is worth it.”

“I’ve wanted to be with you for a long time,” I said, my voice cracking. I faced away from him, but he adjusted himself, keeping me in his arms.

“Shh, kitten.” Aaron kissed my shoulder, the back of my neck, and licked up toward my ear. “I’ve wanted to be with you for a long time as well.” He sucked on my earlobe and goosebumps broke out across my body. “I’m sorry it took me so long to show you that.”

“I forgive you, but if you keep doing that we’ll never get to sleep.”

He pressed one chaste kiss to my temple, and held me tighter. “You’re right. Sweet dreams, princess.”

“Goodnight, Daddy.”

I was curled up against his body like a little spoon and relaxed. His presence calmed me, soothed me, and his arms were the only place I wanted to be.

Sleep claimed me then, faster than it had in months.

Chapter 8

Zoelle

Aaron and I sat at my kitchen table. He sipped his coffee as he read the newspaper, but I wanted his attention. I had planned on eating a yogurt and fruit parfait but instead I brought a huge bowl of strawberries from the fridge to the table along with a small bowl of chocolate syrup. I grabbed each berry by its stem and dipped it, licking the syrup off with exaggerated slowness.

After the third one, Aaron set the paper down. “Quit teasing me, kitten. Chocolate-covered strawberries are not a breakfast food. Grab something healthier.”

“Dark chocolate is good for your heart,” I replied smartly. “And strawberries have lots of antioxidants.”

“You know better,” he warned but his eyes sparkled in amusement.

I giggled, and put another sweet fruit into my mouth. Aaron kissed me, licking the chocolate off my lips. Satisfied that I had won, I sat back in my chair. Something else was bothering me and despite my playful mood, I needed to know the answer. “Were you and Leeann ever a thing?”

“We never dated if that’s what you meant, but she was my friend before her attitude tanked.”

I swirled my finger in the chocolate sauce and stuck it into his mouth. “She seems awfully possessive of you, if there’s a note for you, or someone mentions your name. It’s just a weird vibe I’m getting from her.”

Aaron clasped his hand around my wrist and pulled down, dislodging my digit from his mouth. “Sometimes when you work overnights at the hospital, you find yourself bored with nothing to do. Supply closets aren’t just for napping.”

“Did you and Leeann have sex in a closet?”

“No, absolutely not. But there are other ways to raise endorphins.”

“She’s so awful.”

“Leeann got her heart broken by a cardiologist. His betrayal left her devastated. Unfortunately, the only side of her you’ve seen is her piss poor behavior and crappy, entitled attitude. She wasn’t always like that.”

“You’re not funny.” A cardiologist was a heart doctor and the irony was not lost on me.

“I’m not joking. He cheated on her with the new CEO in order to get a promotion. It was awful, but it doesn’t excuse her current behavior.”

“Okay, I’ll give her some grace.” I worried my lip. “It’s more than just Leeann. Most of the other nurses can’t keep their eyes in their head when it comes to you.”

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