Page 24 of Storm Bound
Was he feeling the pull, too? Or was he just nervous about the tornado?
I sat on the floor, leaning my back against the cabinet, and patted the space next to me.
“Just remember to breathe,” I said.
Watching him go from this confident doctor to a flustered, insecure man made me want to hug him and keep him in my arms until it was all over. And then some.
“Hopefully it won’t be long.” I smiled, trying to impart some of my calmness to him.
He swallowed with wide eyes and crawled next to me, sitting beside me.
“You must think I’m pathetic, being so terrified of a tornado,” he mumbled.
“Hey! Of course not. Why would I? Tornadoesareterrifying. You’re not pathetic,” I said.
Adam chewed his lip and looked at me with big innocent eyes. He was looking younger by the minute.
“You don’t need to be scared. You’ve got me. I’m the master storm protector. I’ll keep you safe.”
I squeezed his hand resting on his thigh, and he offered me half a smile.
“You’re the sweetest,” he said and looked at our linked hands.
The storm raged outside, thumping on the windows in a wild rhythm, and the wind created spooky sounds around the house.
“So…” I said. “We work together.”
I glanced at him, and he formed a sad smile.
“Yeah,” he said.
“Damn,” I said.
After hooking up with more than enough doctors to scar me for life, I’d made a pact with myself. No dating colleagues.
Some days it was a hard rule to adhere to when temptation was all around and when my hours didn’t allow for much flexibility with dating. And on those days, I remembered that just because my colleagues were also in the medical field didn’t mean they’d be any more accepting of me and my predicament.
“Look, it’s no lie, I like you. Like, really, really like you, but... I told myself no more messing about with the people I work with,” I said.
He nodded.
“Perfectly understandable. A-and I’m new to this town. I wouldn’t want anyone to draw a bad conclusion about me. O-or think I’m taking advantage of you,” he said.
I snortled.
“Advantage? And who said I’m easy to take advantage of?” I laughed.
“I mean, I’m your boss. And-and you’re on my payroll. Besides, everyone around here has probably known you since you were a baby. I wouldn’t want them to think I’m—”
“A cradle snatcher?” I asked.
If anyone had heard him, one would think I was a young virgin dove with no agency.
“Not exactly.” He smiled.
“Don’t worry, Doctor. It’s not often I let anyone take advantage of me. I’m usually the one to take advantage… given the opportunity,” I said, tightening my eyes, lowering my brows, and looking at him full of hidden meaning.
I had no idea what got over me, but I was gonna roll with it now. I didn’t tend to share my preferences with people I didn’t intend on sleeping with. Even if I really, really wanted to sleep with him.
