Page 37 of Fever: Love In Scrubs
“Me, too. She’s not going back over there. If she wants to see her, we can agree on a mutual location, but Jamari is done going over there right now.”
I couldn’t blame him for that. There were some sick people in this world. I thought the most vile person was someone who would mess with kids. I’d seen it too many times in my profession. There is nothing that should make a grown man comfortable walking around naked in a home that didn’t belong to him when children were present.
“Hey,” I said. I grabbed his hand, not thinking twice about it. “You’re doing the right thing in protecting her. Somebody has tolook out for these babies. I mean, I know she isn’t a baby, but she’s your baby. You have every right to protect her how you see fit.”
He squeezed my hands, then brought them to his lips and kissed them.
“Thank you.”
For a minute, we stared at each other, goofy smiles on our faces. It wasn’t until the waitress returned to get our orders did we part. It was crazy how comfortable he made me. His touch was so soothing.
“So, you used to being back here yet?” he asked.
“I’m getting there. It still feels weird, but I’m sure the longer I’m here, the more comfortable I’ll get. I swear, hanging out with you makes me feel like I’m seeing a whole new town.”
“We’ll, I’m happy to reintroduce you to our beloved city.”
“Beloved is a far stretch.”
“Not too much now.”
I giggled. “Seriously, so much has changed. Even my neighborhood. It was nowhere near that big when I was growing up. I don’t even think the same people live there anymore. Well, that Karen of a neighbor I had still does.”
Stupid bitch, I thought.
“Karen?”
I elaborated. “She called DCFS on my father. The day they showed up was the last day I saw him alive. The last time I saw her, things got heated.”
“What happened?”
“I um… I might have slapped her.”
His eyes widened. “Not you! I can’t see you putting your hands on anybody.”
“I’m not that much of a punk, you know. I was bullied during school, so I quickly grew thick skin. I’m just not really a fighter.If I have to, I will, but trust and believe I will call the police on your ass.”
He laughed out loud. “I don’t blame you.” He cupped my chin. “This face is way too pretty to be all bruised up.”
I blushed. “You love to compliment me.”
“I just give credit where credit is due.”
He leaned in to kiss my cheek. I don’t know where the boldness came from, but I turned my head just in time for his lips to land on mine. Immediately, I pulled back, realizing what I had done.
“I’m… I’m sorry,” I said, sliding away from him.
“Don’t be.”
Grabbing the seat of my chair, he pulled me closer to him. Reaching out, he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear as he peered into my eyes.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you,” he admitted.
“You did?”
He nodded. “Since I laid eyes on you.”
My face flushed with heat as he leaned in once more, this time aiming directly for my lips. When they connected, my body relaxed as I leaned into him. His hand came around the back of my neck and he deepened the kiss by slipping his tongue into my mouth. Right there in the middle of the diner, he devoured my mouth like it was his last meal. The kiss was slow, sensual, and so damn sexy that I had to stifle the moan threatening to spill from my lips.
