Page 4 of The Santa Rules
“Sure,” I reply. It all happens in slow motion. My arm extends out just as he stands and leans over me to grab the blood pressure cuff. He’s at the right angle, and the back of my hand grazes down the front of his pants, smoothing along the bulge in his crotch. The rather large bulge.
“Shit, I’m so sorry!” I say. Why can’t I do anything right? I can’t even hook up with a guy without it ending in disaster. This is the second dick my hand has grazed tonight, and yet I’m no closer to ending my dry spell. Why am I such a hot mess?
“It’s fine. I’m just going to loosen these straps so you can lie flat on your back while I check your vitals.”
The overhead lights in this vehicle are blinding as I lie back against the hard gurney. Hardy places the cuff on my arm while another EMT grabs my right arm and begins tying an elastic around it. Where did he come from? I didn’t hear him get in the ambulance.
Both of my arms are preoccupied, and Lefty still has her head out of the window, tongue flapping in the breeze.
“Hardy, can you do me a favor and put my tit back in myshirt, please?” I turn to the other guy. “Sorry, I don’t know your name, or I would’ve asked you.”
IV guy smiles. “No worries, it’s Mike,” he says, shooting Hardy a smirk. Yup, he definitely has an accent. Irish maybe?
There’s some tugging on my neckline, and I once again feel the fabric covering my escape artist.
“All covered.”
“Thanks. How long was it out?” I ask.
“Since the moment I arrived on the scene.”
“Well, that’s humiliating.”
I wince in embarrassment and from the death grip EMT Mike has on my arm. “I’m having trouble getting a vein to cooperate on this arm. You wanna try the left?”
“Sure,” Hardy says, taking all the implements from him.
“Oh shit. Shit, shit, shit.” I cringe and ball my fist. I hate needles, and we’re in the back of a moving vehicle. These mountain roads are known for sharp curves and potholes, and I just know I’m going to end up getting stabbed. This is how I’m going to die, with these nice men trying to save me.
Squeezing my eyes closed, I try to take calming breaths, but it feels like I’m hyperventilating, and I’m getting lightheaded.
“Her heart rate is elevated,” Mike says, but his voice sounds distant.
A warm hand strokes my head. “Alright, Bella, I need you to breathe,” Hardy commands, looking into my eyes. “That’s it. Deep breaths. In and out. That’s it. Good girl.” His eyes flick over to the monitor, then back to me. “Good to know all it takes is a little praise to calm you down.”
Is he flirting with me?
I take a moment to examine his features. Full lashes surround crystal blue eyes as he peers at me with concern. His thick eyebrows are pinched together in concentration. He smells like smoke and something manly. There’s a light dusting of a five-o’clock shadow covering his hard jaw thatmatches the color of his chocolate brown hair. And his lips. Fuck me, those are thick, full, kissable lips.
“IV’s in,” Hardy says, and I blink in surprise as I look down at my arm.
“Holy shit, I didn’t even feel it.”
“What every guy loves to hear,” Mike jokes.
Hardy scowls at his partner. “Oh, she’d feel it if I wanted her to feel it.”
Are we still talking about the needle?
“Can confirm. I definitely feltit.” I smile as I think about all the things I want to feel on him.
My eyes do a slow perusal of his body, zeroing in on the way his pants tighten across his lap. He reaches down to adjust himself, and a warm flush passes through my body. It could be the pain medication taking effect, or it could be the way the hot paramedic is staring at me. Like he wants to devour me.
Am I imagining that?
When we arrive at the hospital, there’s a flurry of movement, and I lose track of Hardy in the shuffle.
After a several hours and two bottles of water, I’m finally able to collect a urine sample only to find out I have a bad bladder infection. The meds they gave me are already kicking in, giving me a second wind when I walk in the door in the wee hours of the morning, thanks to my friend Lucy who drove me home. Cora is sitting at my kitchen table with a cup of coffee waiting for me.
