Page 52 of See You Soon
On my day off. Another shift. Great. I sigh frustrated as I reply.
I'll be there as soon as I can.
I toss my phone on the nightstand. I reach for my scrubs. I rub my eyes attempting to shake the slumber off my lids. I walk over to where I had left my scrubs and found them in Danny's chair instead, neatly folded. I smile, putting my clothes back on starting with my underwear. That was a kind gesture from him. I ruffle out my pants, sliding them on swiftly. I need to get to the hospital soon. Questions swirling in my head.
Why did Doctor Diaz want me there?
I don't even have time to shower. Great. I'll shower right after work. I usually shower after every shift as soon as I get back to my room but this time it was different. Kane's outburst threw me off and I just felt like I had to get the hell away from everything and everyone.
I managed to put my uniform back on when I hear Danny's front door close shut and a short yelp escapes me. I whip my body around, my long black hair flying across my other shoulder, to find Danny turning on the lights next to his bedroom door, looking at me startled.
My heart pounds in my chest, I let out a deep sigh clutching onto my chest with both hands. I'm so jumpy and on edge since the incident in my room.
"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry, you scared me." I breathe.
Danny stands there smirking. Leaning on the door, eyeing me up and down.
"Leaving so soon Cherry?" He asks, crossing his arms and I'm blushing. His muscles flex through his black shirt. Every time he talks, I fucking melt into nothing but desire. He's dressed differently from earlier. He's wearing dark grey sweatpants and vans. He looks… relaxed. Which is rare.
I grab my hair tie, pulling my hair in a ponytail.
"Yeah, my co-worker just texted me that I need to come in. I'm guessing there's an emergency... Where'd you go by the way?"
He stills.
"I don't sleep well and I don't actuallysleepwith anyone, afterward. I leave when the feeling is done. I don't let it be more than it is." Danny says, looking down at his feet.
My heart sinks. He won't sleep with me but he'll fuck me into oblivion?
"But…" He continues. "This is also a first for me, Ari. You're not sleeping anywhere but in my arms tonight. I won't let you go back to your room where I can't protect you. Someone did that to spite you." I swallow. I can't help but feel blissfully radiant that tonight will bea first for him.
"Plus I've been getting phone calls nonstop with work. I went out for a smoke and to meet with the team. Kane and Lopez want to drink before we go.” He holds up a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey in his hand. "I have a lot of shit on my mind. I'm heading back out soon." Danny purses his lips together and I have a strong feeling he wants to tell me more but refrains himself from giving me more information. He takes a swig of the bottle and I watch his Adam's apple bob.
I know better than to ask why or what he was going to be doing, so I didn't try and pry Danny for more. Paul never disclosed any details of his deployments. He couldn't. And I know Danny can't either. I would just have to trust whatever he could say.
"How soon?"
"Tomorrow. Early morning tomorrow."
My heart sinks and I'm immediately devastated.
"Oh okay. How long?" I hope I'm not coming off as needy. At the same time, I just want to be prepared for the answer. Would I even still be here when he returned? I have about less than two months to go before I returned to North Carolina. I don't know how long Danny would be staying in Iraq and that bothers me. I don't want to be home if he isn't there.
"I don't know Cherry. It all depends. I could be back in a few days… or in a few weeks, months even."
I frown.
"Are you even cleared by Doctor Diaz? You have a bad injury that can prevent you from performing your job. If you ask me, you're not ready to go back out. But what do I know? I'm just a nurse that works with him." I say, trying to slip past him but he stops me in his tracks, grabbing my arm.
"Baby, you know damn well this paper cut is not stopping me from anything." Then he leans in my ear and I hold my breath.
"It didn't prevent me from breaking into you and making you scream." He whispers, so greedy.
My jaw drops and I'm narrowing my eyes at him. I'm full of fireflies, buzzing around me in a meadow full of lust. He's smirking and my lips curve into a small smile. I shake my head and walk away from him. He doesn't let go of my arm, he pulls me in closer and plants a kiss on my forehead. I close my eyes, enjoying his lips brushing against me. I stand there for a few seconds, enjoying the short exchange.
"You're out of your mind."
He laughs.
