My heart is pounding and I moan, echoing off the shower walls as I push myself further and further. With each spurt I let go of, the intensity lessens until my dick is spent. “Fuck,” breathlessly falls from my lips as I let go of myself. My eyes open, and I watch the last of my come wash down the drain. I wonder what it would be like to be with her in that way when just imagining it gave me the strongest orgasm of my life.

***

It almost feels like I got something out of my system when I walk into the hospital Monday morning. It feels like it’s going to be a good day, like maybe my time in the shower helped cure my fascination with her, and now, I can resume work like usual. In the first patient room I enter, I stop short because my patient is gone but Ally is there, stocking the supply cart.

“Oh, I thought the patient was in here,” I say when she looks up at me.

“They just took her back for imaging. I can let you know when they bring her back if you want.”

I nod. “You look like you’re feeling better than the last time I saw you.”

Her cheeks turn pink, and she grins. “I’m so sorry you had to see me like that, and I’m sorry that I called you. I hope I didn’t ruin your weekend plans. I promise it will never happen again.”

I can’t help the smile that’s tugging at the corners of my mouth from seeing how innocent she looks blushing and smiling like this. My mouth opens to reply, but I snap it shut when Val rushes into the room and then comes to a halt.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were in here, Dr. Cole.”

I shake my head. “Nothing to apologize for. I was just leaving.” I turn for the door, but before stepping out, I turn back to Ally. “Let me know when my patient returns.”

She gives me a tight smile and a quick nod before I slip out of the room and into the hallway.

11

ALLY

“Girl, what was that about?” Val asks the moment that Ethan steps out of the room.

“What?” I ask, going back to stocking the cart.

“Did you see the way he was looking at you?” She motions toward the door with her thumb. Her brows are arched and she’s wearing an amused smirk.

“What are you talking about?”

She rolls her eyes now. “He totally likes you.”

That makes me laugh. “You know, I feel like we’re sparking a friendship. I’m glad I get along with him so well. Honestly, I was a little worried when you told me about him last week.” I close the drawer I just stocked and pull open the next one.

“No, I mean he likes you. Likereallylikes you.”

I snort. “You’re insane.”

“No, I’m not.” She walks over and closes the drawer I’m working on so that she has my full attention. “You don’t understand. A lot of nurses and student nurses come through here. I’ve seen how he acts with long-term staff and the women who breeze through here. He tends to avoid them all. He gets closest with those he’s worked longest with, but he does notstrike up random conversations with or befriend anyone else. I’ve worked here for five years, and he barely talks to me. I saw the way he looks at you. He almost smiled. I swear, Ally, I’ve never seen that man smile. He. Likes. You.”

Her words cause my face to heat up. “You think so?”

With her brows lifted and her eyes wide, she nods.

I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips.

She takes a step back. “You like him, too.”

I roll my eyes at myself. “I don’t know. I mean … of course, he’s good-looking,” I say, opening the drawer once again. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if he liked me. Other than the fact that he’s my boss.” My high comes crashing down once again.

She laughs. “Only for a few more months. Once you finish school, you don’t have to take a position here. Go to another hospital. Then you and Dr. Hottie are free to bang your little hearts out.” She giggles and turns to leave the room.

I sigh and go back to my work. What is wrong with me? Why can’t I get him off my mind? He haunts my every thought. When I shower, I think about him and the way his eyes darken when we’re alone. When I sleep, I dream about kissing him, touching him in ways I’ve never touched anyone. I’ve held onto my virginity this long, why does it seem like it’s staring me in the face now?

I wasn’t one of those girls who only wanted to give it to someone special. I was more concerned with holding onto it until I was sure that getting involved with a guy wouldn’t wreck my future like it had my mother’s. She got pregnant with me and my dad left before I was born. Then she did nothing but bounce from guy to guy, trying to find someone to love both of us, and that only resulted in more pain. I never wanted to be like my mother, so I stayed away from boys for as long as I could. Now,here I am. A twenty-four-year-old virgin who can’t stop thinking about having sex with a man who’s twice her age and her boss.