Page 35 of Sexy Summer Flings (Bear Mountain Rescue 2)

“Trent—”

He covered her mouth with his hand, sucking in a breath as he winced. “Shit, that hurt.” He took a deep shaky breath and slowly removed his hand. “I really like you, Penny.”

His honest, frank admission twisted her heart guiltily.

“I like you, too,” she said softly.

“But not enough.”

Penny’s vision blurred again, wishing she could give him a different answer.

He tucked her hair back gently. “It’s okay, kitten. I never really thought I had a chance.” His hand dropped back onto the bed and he gave her a tired smile. “Can’t blame a guy for trying though, right?”

She gave a forced laugh, following his lead. For a moment, he’d shown her his soft underbelly, and now he seemed to want her to forget about it by shifting back to his old flirty self. The least she could do was let him.

“I have a feeling you aren’t going to be sad for long,” she said. “There is a room full of women out there and I’m sure any one of them would love to give you a sponge bath.”

His laughter went to coughing and then a groan. “You’ve been hanging with me too long. I’ve been a pervy influence.”

“Maybe, but I like having you around, so take care of yourself, okay?” She leaned over and kissed him on his forehead. “Want me to send one of your groupies in next?”

“Why? You leaving me already?”

Penny laughed. “Well, now that I know you’ll live, there’s someone I have to talk to.”

Trent sank back into his bed. “Fine, go. And tell the doc I said thanks.”

Penny left the room, and went straight to the nurses’ desk. “Hi,” she said. “I’m looking for Dr. Gracin.”

“Oh, he’s gone for the night. Is there something I can help you with?”

“Um, no. When did he leave?”

“Just a few minutes ago. You can probably catch him if you hurry.”

But Penny was already jogging down the hallway to the stairwell, taking them as fast as her legs could carry her. By the time she burst out of the front, she could see the taillights of Hunter’s SUV disappearing into the night.

“Shit.”

Penny ran for her Tacoma, and pulled out with a squeal, heading in the same direction he’d gone. Since he had taken a left out of the parking lot, she figured he was heading home.

Speeding along the back road, Penny finally spotted him ahead of her and laid on her horn, flashing her lights obnoxiously. When he parked in a pull-out up the road, she squeezed in behind him and hopped out.

He stalked toward the back of his SUV and the headlights highlighted the confused expression on his face.

“Penny, what happened?”

Without answering, she threw her arms around him, squeezing her to him. “Thank you.”

He tensed against her. “What?”

“Thank you for everything you did for Trent.”

He tried to pull away. “It’s nothing I wouldn’t have done for any other patient. No need to thank me.”

She leaned back with a frown. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. You should get back to the hospital. I need to get home.”

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