Page 43 of Doctor of the Bay

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Simmi

What am I doing? I was supposed to be done with him. Over wanting him. But when he looked at me, the dawn reflecting off those gorgeous fiery eyes of his, I was done for.

It’s because I’m tired and vulnerable. That’s got to be why I gave in so easily. It’s been a hectic night. Seeing those poor burned and frightened souls. I hope the police find the fucker who’s setting these fires before anyone else gets hurt.

Jay pulls into his garage, and I stumble out the car. The adrenaline is wearing off and my body’s exhausted from a night full of sex and emergency nursing.

“Some good grub will do you fine.”

He smiles at me over his shoulder, and I follow him into the kitchen.

It’s one of those fancy done up holiday homes where everything is modern and spacious. White and aluminum is the theme of the open planned kitchen with an alcove leading off into a scullery. The lounge is a plush taupe and baby blue that matches an ocean feel with the glass doors leading out onto a deck, which overlooks the excited cerulean waters of the Pacific.

“Take a seat.” Jay pulls out one of the white leather highchairs. “Scrambled or sunny side up?”

“Omelet?”

“Of course. Cheese, mushroom, and bacon, with a side of sour dough?” He opens his fridge.

“Sounds like heaven.” I yawn.

“Maybe some coffee first?”

I nod. “Definitely some coffee first.”

With a steaming cuppa of freshly brewed arabica in my hands, Jay starts on our breakfast. I’m struggling to keep my eyes open but the aroma of frying bacon, onion, and mushies along with a coffee that could give barista Brad a run for his money, I quickly wake up.

“Oh my God.” I shove the last of my breakfast in my mouth, chew, and swallow. “This was amazing, thank you.” I lean back and rub my full belly.

He leans on the bench. His hands are strong and large and his arms bulge against the fabric of his shirt. He’s tied his hair up in a man bun and his gaze, as always, sparkles like a bonfire.

“You did a great job.”

“So did you.” I reply. “You obviously have a lot of emergency experience behind you.”

He nods and a distant expression crosses his face. “I worked the emergency department back in Simons Town.”

“Your hometown in South Africa?”

“Yup. You ever been to my country?” The expression lifts and his features lighten somewhat.

I shake my head. “No. I traveled a lot after finishing my studies, but it was mostly Asia and Europe. Did a stint in Nepal, I think that’s the closest I’ll ever get to nursing in a third world country.”

Jay nods, considering me with those bloody gorgeous eyes of his.

“Why’d you leave?” I keep my gaze fixed on his.

He straightens and rubs a hand across the back of his head. “My folks and siblings immigrated years ago. I stayed for love, and then she left me.”

His confession throws me. I look down to where my hands rest on my lap. “Sorry.” I mumble.

“It’s in the past.”

His words are a simple assertion, but his tone tells me a different tale.

His mouth opens as though he needs to say something more, then shuts it as his mind changes.

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