Page 72 of The Torturer's Target

The lavender mingled with the steam, creating a soothing aroma that filled the room. As she was rinsing off the soap, the doorbell rang.

She turned off the shower and wrapped herself in a towel. She made her way to the front door, still dripping with water, and peered through the peephole. She opened the door for Rex.

“Hey, babe!” He moved to hug her but Tesiera stepped back. He pursed his lips, his arms dropped to his side. “I couldn’t get a hold of you for more than a month. I’ve missed you.”

“How did you know I was back home? Are you spying on me? And what’s with the ‘babe’?” She turned and walked back into her living room. Rex followed, looking happy as ever.

“I’d never spy on you. One of my men had an errand to run for the big guy and he saw you coming out of his place.” Rex moved to get in front of her. “Come on, Siera. I’ve missed you so much. Didn’t you miss me? Even a little bit?”

While she simply stared at him, his eyes devoured her body. “Just say one word and I’ll take that towel off.” He moved closer and whispered into her ear. “You know I’m gonna make you feel so good.”

“No one has ever made me feel ‘so’ good, Rex,” she said flatly, before she headed to her bedroom, leaving him standing there.

Except for a kiss from a particular doctor.

She abruptly turned and reached out, gently clasping the back of his head. She pulled him close and pressed her lips against his.

He wrapped his arms around her waist with a growl and kissed her hard. As time passed, Tesiera decided his kiss felt…pleasant—Rex was after all one of the few people she actually liked. But it was nothing compared to what she’d felt when Max kissed her.

When Rex tried to remove her towel, she smacked his hand as she broke the kiss and stepped back. “That’s enough. Leave, Rex.”

“Huh? You can’t possibly—” Rex began.

“I can. Leave. I’m done,” she said.

Rex looked like she’d hurt his feelings. “At least let me cook for us while I’m here—”

“Another time,” she cut him off. “Go through the door, before I push you through it. I have work to do.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll leave.” He raised his hands in surrender. “I’m going, but you owe me a meal.”

“Fine. You cook though,” she conceded, and he grinned in satisfaction. “Now go.”

An hour later, Tesiera reached for her cellphone, found the number she was looking for and dialed it. The call connected in the second ring.

“Kingston here, how can I help you?” came the deep familiar voice of Max. The sound of it sent shivers down her spine.

“You did something to me, Doc,” she sighed in resignation.

“Tesiera?” he asked.

“This has never happened to me before,” she said in a soft tone. “I keep getting sidetracked at the weirdest times because I can’t stop thinking about you. And that kiss we had? Was it as amazing as I thought it felt, or is it all in my head? I can’t get you out of my mind, Doc. So, tell me, why the fuck can’t I stop thinking about you?”

CHAPTER 29. THE PHONE CALL

Max had just finished another long, exhausting day at the hospital. The last three weeks had been particularly challenging, as he had seen a significant influx complex cases and had performed more procedures than typical.

He had also begun collaborating with a team of cardiologists to provide specialized care to less privileged patients pro bono. The work was demanding, but he found it incredibly rewarding to be able to make a difference in the lives of those who needed it most.

Despite his busy schedule, he couldn’t shake the thoughts of Tesiera that haunted him day and night. He had tried to distract himself with work, but nothing could fully take her off of his mind.

He had prided himself on being a mature and respectful man, it was why he had honored the boundaries she’d set when she visited his office that morning three weeks ago before leaving to take care of her affairs.

So, he had been taken aback when he saw her name on his caller ID, but that was nothing compared to the way he’d felt when she’d spoken.

“Pardon me?” Max's mind reeled as his exhaustion disappeared. He stood frozen in the center of his bedroom with the phone pressed to his ear.

“I don’t feel a lot of things, you know. But I’m distracted all the time. I’m asking you why. Why do I think about you all the damn time, Doc?” she asked just as bluntly as the first time.

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