Page 55 of Legacy of Danger
"Well, I'm going to go put in some orders," Mariah said, her face warming under his intense perusal. "I'll check back with you later."
Shelby sat up straight. "Actually, I want Vaughn to leave as well."
"What?" He pulled his chin back.
"Dude, I need to go potty and, no offense, but I do not want your participation or observation in the blessed event."
A splash of red colored his neck as he backpedaled to the door. "Got it. I'll be out here with Kerr and Eric."
She waved a hand. "Fine, fine. Hey, get me a nurse, would ya?" Laughing, she added, "And not Nurse Eric, either. I don't know how he ever got licensed, but he's terrible."
Mariah pulled the curtain as she followed Vaughn's broad back into the hall. The nursing assistant nearby ducked into the room to help Shelby.
Before Mariah could walk away, a warm hand on her shoulder stopped her. A jolt of adrenaline shot through to her toes.
"Doc?" Damn his rumbly, sexy voice, especially after...
She would remain professional or die trying. "Yes?"
Rubbing the stubble on his chin, he said, "I need to apologize for last night."
She shook her head. "No need. An error, and not one I will make again." Her insides quivered like Jell-O.Stay calm.
"It's just—"
"Please stop. You'll only make it worse." She stuck out a hand. "Friends?"
The fire glinting in his dark eyes spoke of anything but friendship. He wrapped her hand in his large, warm one. "Fine. Friends."
Why would friendship made her weak in the knees?
* * *
"So, got a thing for the doctor?" Kerr needled him after Mariah walked away.
Vaughn groaned. "Just friends." They walked down the hall to the family waiting area.
"Friends don't look at friends like a tasty rack of ribs."
"Man, for real? Drop it."
Despite the haunted circles under Kerr's eyes, he still grinned. "Tell me, am I getting warmer or colder?" He ducked Vaughn's jab. "Here, let's try another one. You think she's cute."
Vaughn clamped his mouth shut as he took a seat in an uncomfortable vinyl chair.
"I'll take that as 'warmer.'" Tapping his chin, Kerr stopped and studied Vaughn. "Oh, my. Youwouldlike to hook up with pretty doctor. I thought you were joking the other day."
"Okay. Conversation over." Because, hell yes, Vaughn wanted to think about things like getting a physical from that woman. He'd gotten a taste of her curves and her lips. God help him, but he wanted more.
"Red hot!" Kerr plunked down on a two-person couch.
Vaughn lifted a fist. "Enough!"
Kerr played the part of helpless younger brother perfectly, hands up and all innocence written over a face that was designed for the sole purpose of irritating the piss out of Vaughn. Kid brother hadn't lost his touch over the years. "Let me know if you need some advice. You know, in the woman department."
"Kerr..." It didn't help that Vaughn was tired, hungry, and grouchy. Making weight this quickly and then dealing with that... whatever the hell it was last night at the ranch... had drained his energy reserves. He was one more misplaced comment away from snapping.
Annoying brother crossed his legs at the ankles and laced his hands behind his head. "Advice is free."
