Page 93 of Savage Seduction

The usual warm fuzzy feeling whenever Ben complimented me or smiled in my direction, settles into my soul. “It’s really great to see you.”

Ben looks away for a moment. “I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you as soon as I made the connection that I was your surgeon back when you were attacked by The Butcher.”

At the mention of the serial killer’s name, and the fact Ben had been my surgeon, my scars tingle. Reaching for my lower chest and side, my heart pounds away as the memories come flooding back. How had I never known he’d been my surgeon? Had I not cared?

Swallowing hard, I think for a moment. Soon, my heart rate drops, my scars settle back down and the memories vanish. It hadn’t mattered who my surgeon was at the time, because he’d saved my life. Now is the time to thank him. Properly… a nice blow job, maybe?

I hide a smile with my hand as I see the confused look cross Ben’s face, clearly wondering what I’m thinking. I wave away his concern. “Don’t mention it.” Although it’s nice to hear an apology, I don’t really need one. There wasn’t anything to be sorry for... Ben had saved my life back then.

“There’s a lot to consider... you know, between you andme. I’ve never dated one of my patients. Do you technically even still count as one of my patients?”

“Would it help if I officially fire you as my surgeon?” I laugh. “Because there’s not going to be any stupid rules standing in my way if I can at all help it.”

“Does it seem weird to you?”

“Does what seem weird? That you saved my life in the past?” I shake my head. “I’m as surprised as you clearly are, but I think it gives our…whatever this is,” I gesture between us, “more meaning. I mean, you saved my life, Ben. You literally sewed me up and gave me a fighting chance to live my life and I have. I’ve done exactly what I am meant to do.”

“So… what you’re saying is you like having a surgeon as your boyfriend.”

I smile, large and without trying to hide my happiness for the first time in a long time. “Boyfriends? I like the sound of that.”

“Me too,” he says.

I reach out my hand. “Come closer, I want a better look at you.”

Ben wheels over to the side of the bed and takes my hand. I hold onto him. Ben leans in, and we softly kiss. I close my eyes as tears once again well up and threaten to track down my cheeks.

“Are you okay?” Ben asks as he pulls away. We look into each other’s eyes, and I find love there. Ben reaches up and wipes away a tear from my cheek and kisses me softly where the tears had been.

I nod and sniff back my emotions so I can speak. “I’m falling for you. Hard.”

“That’s a good thing, right?”

“I’m scared if you leave on your doctor’s mission, what we have will disappear. But I can’t ask you to stay either. I want you to follow your heart. I just desperately want a place in it.”

Ben once again leans in and kisses me, softly on the mouth before hugging me tight. “I knew from the moment I set eyes on you, that you’d be someone special in my life. And it wasn’t just the overhead lighting in Taco Caliente and how it really brought out the sparkle in your eyes.”

I smile and feel my cheeks blush as I see tears welling up in Ben’s eyes.

He continues, “The idea of leaving you behind terrifies me, too. And for the record, Doctors Without Borders has canceled my contract due to my recent injuries. I am free to apply once I’m healed.”

“How do you feel about that?” I ask.

His expression softens. “I think it’s the best thing that could have happened to me… to us.”

“Just so I’m clear, until you’re fully healed and the organization can reevaluate your situation, you’ll be staying here in Los Angeles?”

He nods. “I’m not going to reapply.”

My heart pumps hard and I fight back the urge to yell out a victory cry. I will have a chance to pursue a relationship with the man of my dreams.

The door to my hospital room swings open, and a nurse steps inside. “Dr. Cooper, you know we have redress your wound. What are you doing hiding in here?”

Ben blushes. “Sorry about that, Nancy. I had to come and make sure my boyfriend was healing up okay.”

Nancy’s eyebrows shoot up as she affixes a stare on me. “Dr. Cooper, you are so cute. And you have yourself a nice-looking man right there too.”

“Thank you, Nancy.” Ben smiles at her and gives me a wink.

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