Page 107 of As They Are
Henry was focused on my arm, and I had to resist the urge to sigh in disappointment. Ever since he’d said he couldn’t bear to see me hurt—for me and me only—I’d been hoping to see any sign that he was into me in any other way.
But he’d been the picture-perfect fake boyfriend. As always. He stopped when the cameras were off. He walked away at the end of the night.
Except for when I asked him to stay the day I’d fell.
Henry finished taking the stitches out and turned to wash up. “You should be fine for some stuff, but take it easy.”
“Does this mean I could make sure the clinic is in good shape?” I asked. “I can do small repairs too, you know.”
“No.” There it was. The voice. I ignored the thrill that shot down to my toes.
“I have to do something for you in return. And it would be a start.”
“It’s not the priority.”
“My priority is helping you out while you’re helping me out.” I moved to hop off the table, but his hand appeared on my midsection.
“Did you miss the part where I said to take it easy?”
“I can check things out and take it easy.”
I moved again, but his hand was firmer.
“Why are you so worried about helping me?” he asked lowly.
“Because you literally saved my ass and asked fornothingin return. If you don’t give me something to do, I’ll find it.”
I met his eyes, even as they narrowed. I was used to pushing people, butthisgave me a thrill in my chest. Henry had this vibe around him. A side that he hid from me. I wanted to see what it was.
His hand moved from my midsection to my hip. “I don’t need anything in return.”
“Let me decide that.”
“No.” He let out a sigh. “Why do you insist on pushing me?”
Because it made him likethis.“I don’t take handouts.”
“Take this one.”
He was close. So close. This wasn’t how friends acted.
“No,” I said, repeating his own words back to him. “There’s something I can give you, Dr. Henry Connor, and Iwillfind it. Whether you like it or not.”
A frustrated growl erupted from low in his throat. It sent every inch of my body on edge. Gone was the mild-mannered doctor I liked.
In his place was something Imorethan liked.
Henry let out a breath, our eye contact breaking. I saw him fighting for control again. “You’re all cleared, Wren. You can get back to work.”
My stomach sank. I didn’t want him to be like he was with everyone else. I wanted more of him. All of him.
He went to step away, and I knew I couldn’t let it happen.
I grabbed him by his tie, yanking him to me.
Pure desperation was the only reason for my next move. It wasn’t smart, and it could easily get me in trouble, but I couldn’t let him walk away.
So I crushed my lips to his.
