Chapter 14

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

Oliver

“Good morning, Kathy.” I smile at my nurse as I pass her desk on my way to my office. It’s Monday morning, and tonight is the hospital’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, which means more of Blakely. That’s definitely something to be chipper about.

“Um, good morning,” she replies with her own hesitant smile.

I know what she sees. I’m smiling like a fool. But how can I not be after spending the entire weekend with Blakely? Five minutes in her presence is enough to make any man smile. It’s not just the fact that she’s the first woman I’ve spent time with since Hannah. I know it's more. I can feel it in my chest. It’s a feeling I’ve been ignoring and will continue to ignore, but it won’t stop me from spending time with her. I don’t know how long I have her. I don’t know how long she’ll let this… whatever we’re doing, go on for. So I’m going to soak up her time, her kisses, her soft touch like a fucking sponge, and even then, I’m certain it will never be enough.

My day flies by. I end up adding a patient in over my lunch hour, but I’m able to stay caught up with my charting. I refuse to be late for the ceremony, which is something I never thought I’d hear myself say. Not me post-breakup, anyway. But she’s going to be there, and I know she’s worked hard on this event. Besides, I’m hoping to spend some time with her after. So yeah, I’m not taking work home with me tonight, and I have a policy: Do today’s work today because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I learned that in residency. In healthcare, no two days are the same.

That’s why I’ve just finished charting for the day when my cell rings at four thirty. Looking at the screen, I smile when I see her name. “Hey,” I answer.

“Oliver, are you super busy?” she asks in a rush.

“I just finished up for the day. What’s up?” I ask, shutting down my laptop.

“I have a huge favor to ask.”

“Sure. Ask away,” I tell her.

“Well, Dr. Anderson was supposed to be at the ceremony tonight to give the welcome speech. His wife just went into labor.”

“Okay?”

“It’s always been a member of the medical staff to open. I know this isn’t your thing, and I’m certain it’s the very last thing you want to do tonight, but I need to find his replacement, and it’s last minute. We’re hours from the ceremony. Will you do it? Will you fill in for him? It’s nothing big. Just welcome everyone, and then Hilary will take over from there. It’s tradition to have a Willow River General physician greet the crowd, say hello, and introduce Hilary.” She exhales loudly at the end of her speech.

I smile. I can picture her all worked up and her hands moving wildly as she talks. “A favor for a favor?” I ask her as an idea takes root.

“Yes. Absolutely. Anything.”

“Anything?”

“Yes,” she confirms.

“Come home with me tonight.”

“Oliver, I spent all weekend at your place, not getting home until late each night. I need to do laundry.”

“Bring it to my place.” I can’t believe those words just came out of my mouth. I have to be desperate to spend time with her. I need to spend as much time with her as I can. One day, she’s going to want more from me, and I’m not that guy. Not anymore.

“I’m not dragging my dirty laundry to your house.”

She’s right. That doesn’t make sense. But dammit, I want to see her tonight away from the prying eyes of our coworkers and whoever else shows up at this tree lighting. Disappointment washes over me, and it’s a feeling I haven’t felt in far too long. I haven’t allowed myself to want anything.

“You could come to my place,” she offers. “Isla will be there,” she adds, as if that will deter me.

“Yes.” I’m agreeing before I can really think this through. Do I really want to spend the evening at her place with her roommate hovering around us? When I give myself a minute to think about it, my answer is the same.

“Really?” she asks brightly.

“Yes. I can follow you home after the event.”

“So, you’ll do it. You’ll welcome everyone?”

“I’ll do it.” I’m going to be there anyway. Besides, the administration will like that. I’m playing nice, and Blakely is happy. It’s a double win for me.

“Thank you so much, Oliver. I have a few things to follow up on. I’ll see you later?”

“You’re staying until the ceremony?”

“I am. The newspaper will be here to take pictures and write an article, and I want to make sure I’m here to greet them, and who knows what other last-minute fires will pop up that I’ll have to put out.”

“Do you need anything else from me?” She works too damn hard.

“No. You saved me. Thank you. I’ll see you soon.” She ends the call before I can say anything else.

With my work all caught up, I slide into my coat, grab my things, and head home.

I’m early. I was at home for maybe twenty minutes and was pacing the floors. I didn’t change, since I’ll be opening the ceremony, but I did pack a bag with something other than my dress pants and dress shirt I wore to work to change into later at Blakely’s.

I spot Blakely immediately. She’s laughing at something some guy just said. He’s smirking, loving her reaction. I increase my pace to get to her. As soon as I reach her, I slide my free hand around her waist. The other offers her the food I picked up at the diner for her. “Hungry?” I don’t give a single fuck if I’m interrupting them.

She smiles up at me. “You brought me food?”

“Yeah. You’ve been here all day. I figured you wouldn’t take the time to eat.”

“Thank you, Oliver.” She leans up on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. Warmth spreads through me just from seeing her smile. I should probably be looking around to see if anyone other than this tool is paying attention to us, but I want to give all of mine to her.

“Dr. Oliver Thompson.” I thrust my hand toward the man she was talking to.

“Mason Brewer,” he replies, taking my offered hand.

“Mason and I went to high school together. He’s just been hired on in the maintenance department here at the hospital.”

“Welcome,” I say, trying to keep my tone light, but I know I’m failing.

“Anyway, I need to get back to work. Blake, drinks this weekend?” he asks.

I stiffen at her side, and she steps a little closer. “If it’s a group thing, I’m in. Otherwise, I’m actually seeing someone.” She smiles up at me, and fuck me, that smile of hers is addictive.

“Really?” Mason seems surprised.

Is he fucking blind? Does he not see me standing here with my arm around her? Even more so, does he see her? She’s a fucking knockout. I’m shocked she’s giving me the time of day.

“It’s new, but yeah.” Blakely shrugs as if to say, “What do you do?”

“Fair enough,” Mason replies. He moves his gaze to me. “I’ll be waiting for when you mess up.” He chuckles before turning and walking away.

I move to go after him… to say what? She’s mine? You can’t have her? That’s not true. If I’m being honest with myself, she’s probably better off with someone like Mason. He’s her age, and he more than likely has not sworn off commitment. He’s probably the better choice, but fuck, I’m a selfish bastard where she’s concerned, and I want my time. I want as much as she’ll give me until someone like Mason succeeds in stealing her away.

“He’s cocky,” Blakely says, seeing that I’m still staring daggers at Mason’s retreating form. “He’s a player, and he knows I’d never date him. He tried all through high school, and it was a pass from me, and even if you weren’t standing here, acting like a raging bull ready for a fight, it would have still been a no.”

“A raging bull?” I huff. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” She turns, sliding her hand under my coat and placing it over my chest. “Your heart is racing.”

“It’s beating to keep me alive,” I retort.

She rolls those beautiful eyes. “You’re the doctor.”

I can’t help it. I smile. “Let’s go somewhere you can eat.”

“How about your car? It’s still warm-ish, right?”

“We can go inside.”

“Are we ready for that, though? For everyone to see that you brought me dinner?” She chews on her bottom lip as if she’s nervous for my answer.

“I just told Mason I did. He works here. And you just kissed my cheek, and I’m holding you. We can’t hide this, Blake, and I don’t want to.”

She waves me off. “Mason doesn’t count.”

“Do you want to hide this, Blake? I get not telling your family on Friday, but we spent all damn weekend together. I can still taste your soft lips.” I trace my thumb across said lips.

“I just…. You said you didn’t want this to be anything permanent. Is it worth telling everyone when we’re not sure where it’s going?”

“I won’t hide you. There’s no rule against us seeing each other.”

“I know. I looked.” She grins. “I was just trying to save us the hassle of telling everyone this”—she waves her hand between our bodies—“is over.”

“Not hiding.”

“Oh no, I brought back grumpy Ollie.” She chuckles.

“Come on, you.” I take her hand in mine and lead her into the building. There are a couple of small chairs in the entry, and I guide her there so we can eat our dinner. I don’t give a fuck who sees us. We’re both adults. I’m not sneaking around. Sure, I get what she’s saying, but I’m not hiding. It’s not my style, and besides, it feels like cheating, like we’re doing something wrong, and that’s not who I am. We’re either in this together, out in the open, or we walk away now.

Knots form in my stomach. I’m not ready to walk away from her, but I won’t be a dirty little secret either. What you see is what you get. We’ll deal with what comes with that as we need to.

I pass her the container and a bottle of water from the bag. Our little table is at max capacity, but we’re making it work. I open my mouth to ask her if there is anything I can do when someone calls her name.

She turns and smiles. “Hey, Uncle Brooks.” She stands and gives him a hug.

“Whatcha doing?” he asks. His eyes quickly flash my way before going back to Blakely.

“We’re having dinner before the ceremony. You know Dr. Thompson, right? He’s agreed to fill in for Dr. Anderson, whose wife went into labor.”

“Right.” Brooks Kincaid pulls his hand out of his scrub pocket and offers it to me. I take it. “Nice to officially meet you. I’m a nurse in the ER,” he explains.

“Nice to meet you.”

“What are you having?” Brooks asks.

“Beef and noodles from the diner,” she answers.

“Sounds good. Maybe I’ll see if Palmer wants me to swing by and pick that up for dinner tonight.”

“Are you heading home?”

“I am. I just needed to run some samples to the lab. I was on my way back through when I saw you sitting here.”

“Are you all coming to the ceremony tonight?”

“No. Leo has basketball practice, and Palmer has a late shoot at the studio.”

“Well, we’ll miss you.”

“I’m sure it’ll be amazing, sweetheart. I know how hard you work.” He leans down and presses a kiss to the crown of her head. “I’ll see you later.” He looks at me. “Good to meet you.” And he walks away.

“That was my uncle Brooks.”

“I’ve talked to him on the phone before when one of my patients presented to the ER. Good to put a face to the name.”

“He’s the best.”

I smile at her. “I’m confident you’d say that about all of your uncles.”

She shrugs. “They’re all the best.”

“I don’t know what I would do with such a big family. I’m so used to it just being my parents and me.”

“It’s all I’ve ever known. I can tell you that there is no shortage of help, or laughs, or mischief when we’re all together. If someone needs a sitter or food dropped off, if everyone in the house is sick, or whatever, there’s an army of us ready to pitch in at any time.”

“Sounds like chaos, but I can’t say I’d hate it.”

“Isla is an only child, and she swears she’s having at least two kids because she was lonely growing up.”

“It wasn’t so bad. I had—” I freeze.

“Josh,” she whispers.

“Yeah.”

Reaching across the table, she places her hand over mine. “What they did was wrong, Oliver. I’m sorry.”

“Nothing for you to be sorry for.”

“I’m sorry they hurt you. I’m sorry you’re still living with the pain they caused.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

I turn my hand over, and she automatically laces her fingers with mine. Right here in the lobby of our place of employment. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Maybe you should. Pushing the hard stuff away doesn’t help you get past it.”

“I thought I was the doctor?” I joke, trying to lighten the heaviness that has suddenly overtaken our conversation.

“Eat your dinner, wise guy.” She winks and gives me a silly smile before diving back into her own dinner.

We finish quickly, with no more interruptions. After tossing our trash and with her hand in mine, we head back outside to get ready for the event.

“What’s that?” Blakely asks, pointing toward my bag as I follow her into her house.

“I brought clothes to change into.”

“Oh.”

“What did you think it was?”

We step into the house and take off our coats before she answers, “An overnight bag.”

“And if it was?”

“I’d say that’s presumptuous.”

“We’ve slept together before,” I tease.

She swats at my arm, laughing. “Watch what you say, mister.”

“Who slept with who?” Isla asks from her seat on the couch. She’s holding an e-reader in her hand, and her hair is all messy on the top of her head.

“He’s messing.” Blakely gives me a warning look.

“Good to see you again, Isla,” I greet her roommate.

“You too. How was the tree lighting?”

“Meh.” Blakely shrugs. “Not nearly as fun as the one in town over the weekend, but that’s to be expected. Really it was mostly hospital staff that showed up.”

“Bummer.” Isla tosses the cover off her and picks up the empty bowl from the coffee table. “I’m exhausted. I was just waiting up to make sure you made it home. I’ll see you kids in the morning.”

“He’s not staying!” Blakely calls after her.

I lean in close, keeping my words just for her. “I could stay.”

“We have to work tomorrow.”

“So, it’s already almost nine. Almost bedtime.” I wink at her.

“Then why did you follow me home this late if it was almost your bedtime, old man?” she teases.

I drop my bag to the floor and pull her into my arms. “Because I wanted to do this.” Leaning in, I press my lips to hers. She moans. It’s a quiet sound from the back of her throat, but I still hear it. My hand presses on the small of her back, needing her closer as I allow myself to get lost in her.

I slow the kiss, knowing she said she had things to do, which is why we’re here and not at my place. “Laundry,” I say breathlessly, resting my forehead against hers.

“Right. Laundry.” She pulls away. “I should get to that.”

“What can I do to help?”

A soft laugh escapes her lips. “Nothing. I’ll be quick.”

“Where can I change?” I ask.

“You can change in my room. Come on.” She tugs on my hand, and I’m barely able to bend and pick up my bag as she pulls me down the hallway to her bedroom. She grabs a basket of laundry and nods toward the door. “I’ll be in the living room when you’re done.”

“Okay.”

She leaves, and I take the time to take in her personal space. This is all hers, not shared with a roommate. The walls are painted a soft gray, and she has gray and teal bedding. There are pictures all over a corkboard that hangs over a small desk. She’s in every single one of them, and she’s smiling widely.

I don’t think the girl ever has a bad day or a bad mood. I hate to admit this, but she’s rubbing off on me. Her spirit is infectious, which is what has me quickly changing into my sweats and T-shirt I brought. I leave my bag in her room. Maybe, just maybe, she’ll ask me to stay.

When I reach the living room, she too has changed, and she’s sitting on the couch with a blanket pulled over her lap. “If you’re staying, you have to watch a Christmas movie with me.” She grins like she knows I’m going to refuse.

“Okay.” I move around the couch and lift the blanket, sitting my ass right next to her, tossing the blanket over my lap. My leg is resting against hers, and I don’t hate it.

“Okay?” She raises her brow, not hiding her surprise.

I shrug. “I’ll do what I have to do in order to stay.”

“Why?”

In a move she’s not expecting, I reach over and lift her onto my lap. “So I can do this,” I say, before kissing her lips and wrapping my arms tightly around her.

“To cuddle?”

“And steal kisses.”

“You might really like to cuddle.” Her eyes are bright, and I know she’s teasing me.

“I do really like to cuddle, as long as it’s with you.”

“You know, I’m going to have to stop calling you Grumpy Oliver if you keep talking like that.”

“Baby, I don’t care what you call me, as long as you call me.” I wink at her, and she tosses her head back in laughter. “Shush, you,” I say, pecking her lips again with a quick kiss. “I’m trying to watch the movie.” I nod toward the TV that’s just showing ads of holiday movies.

“What if I changed my mind? What if I don’t want to watch a movie anymore?”

“I’m here for all of it, Blake.”

She rests the palm of her hand against my cheek. “I want more of your kisses.”

My heart starts to hammer in my chest. “Just my kisses?”

She nods. “They’re my favorite.” She moves so that she’s straddling my lap, and I lift the blanket to wrap it around her shoulders, keeping her warm.

She’s my fucking favorite. “Who am I to keep you from your favorite kisses?” I lean in and capture her lips with mine. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t for her tongue to demand entrance. She rocks her hips, and I groan because, fuck me, I don’t know what to do with this sexy woman writhing on my lap.

I want her.

I’ve never wanted someone the way I do Blakely, but at the same time, I need this to be at her pace. So, I let her take what she needs. Let’s be honest, I might not be inside her, but I’m enjoying the hell out of this moment with her. It’s one I’ll be sure to take with me when she realizes she’s too good for me and deserves more than I can give her. Until then, I’m going to store every moment in my mind to look back on often.

Suddenly, she stops kissing me, tearing her mouth from mine. Her hips stop rocking, and her breathing turns ragged. Her eyes are liquid pools of desire. “Isla,” she pants.

I look over my shoulder, but I don’t see anyone. “I told you I wouldn’t hide.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t want her to walk in on… this.” She wiggles her hips, as if I need a reminder. “Can we go to my room?”

“Baby, I go where you go.”

She nods. “My room.”

Not needing further instruction, I lift her into my arms, and she wraps her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. I move swiftly down the hall while she trails kisses down my neck and jaw.

In her room, I sit on the bed, keeping her in my arms. I scoot until my back is against the headboard. Her nipples are hard peaks through the thin cotton of the T-shirt she’s wearing, and I can’t resist tracing them with my thumb through the fabric.

“Oh,” she says, closing her eyes and tilting her head back.

“Tell me what you want, Blake.”

“I want to come.” Her cheeks turn a bright shade of pink, but she holds my gaze, not backing down from asking for what she wants. What she needs.

I grip her hips, push back and bring her forward again. She catches on quickly. Her hands dig into my shoulders as she closes her eyes and uses me to take what she needs.

It’s the hottest fucking sight I’ve ever seen, and I know I will never forget this moment as long as I live.

“O-Ollie,” she pants.

“I’m right here,” I assure her. I sit up, so that we’re chest to chest, as she continues to ride my cock over my sweats. I curse the material between us, but tonight, this is what she needs. I don’t care about my own needs.

I slide my hand beneath her hair and grip her neck as I guide her lips to mine. The other rests in the middle of her back, holding her close to me. Her body stiffens, her movements becoming jerky, and then she’s calling out my name.

My. Name.

She buries her face in my neck as she rides the wave of her orgasm. When her body stills, she lifts her head. “That was… unexpected.”

“That was perfect.”

“I should—” She nods toward my crotch.

“You should go get cleaned up and come back to bed. I promised you a Christmas movie.”

“What about you?”

“Baby, if you think that wasn’t for me, you’re wrong.” I press a kiss on her forehead.

“I need to switch the laundry,” she blurts.

I chuckle. “You go clean up. I’ll switch the laundry.”

“You don’t have to—” she starts, but I kiss her to keep her from finishing.

“I want to.”

She nods and climbs off me. She stares at my hard cock that’s making itself known in my sweats.

“Don’t worry about me,” I assure her.

“Are you going to… handle that?”

“Yep.”

She nods as she stumbles off the bed and into the en suite bathroom. As soon as she’s gone, I’m on my feet and rushing out into the hallway. I slip into the half bath, flip the lock, peel down my sweats and boxer briefs, and fist my cock. Closing my eyes, I replay the last hour with her, and within minutes, I’m coming all over my hand and chest. I quickly clean up and go in search of the laundry room off the kitchen to swap her laundry.

By the time I make it back to her room, she’s snuggled under the covers, clearly ready for sleep rather than a movie. “All done,” I tell her. Her eyes dart to my cock, and I laugh. “That too.” I wink at her before turning off the light and moving toward the bed. I climb in next to her and pull her into my arms. The TV is off, so the room is dark.

“You don’t have to stay.”

I can hear it in her tone of voice that she wants me to stay. She thinks I feel obligated, when it would take this house being on fire for me to leave this bed tonight, and even then she’s coming with me.

“I want to be here.” I kiss the top of her head.

“My uncle Brooks texted me.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yep.”

“And what did he say?”

“He asked if there was something going on between us.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That it was complicated.” There’s humor in her tone.

I sigh. “So, he hates me?”

“No. He loves me. There’s a difference.”

“He’s going to tell your dad.”

“Dad’s already called me. He could tell at the tree lighting on Friday that we were more than just coworkers. But yeah, he’s going to call my dad and the rest of my uncles, and I’m certain Aunt Palmer is already talking to my mom and the rest of my aunts.”

“So, should I expect a call, a visit maybe?” I ask.

“Nope. I told him it is my life. I reminded him that he and my mother, hell, our entire family raised me to know my worth, and that I know what I’m doing.”

“Good girl,” I praise. I don’t know why, but knowing she’s not hiding us, well, that turns me on just as much as her writhing in my lap.

“My family is close, and they’re just not used to seeing me with a guy. I’ve been very selective about who I spend my time with.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?” She lifts her head to stare at me, even though the room is dark and we only have the glow of the moon for light.

“For letting me make the cut.”

Her head falls back in laughter, and I love the sound. It soothes something inside me unlike anything else ever has.

She eventually quiets down, and I hug her to my chest. “Good night, baby.”

“Good night.”

It doesn’t take long for her breathing to even out, and as I’m drifting off to sleep with her in my arms, I wait for the fear to hit me. I’m spending the night with a woman after swearing off relationships.

I never saw her coming.

Blakely Kincaid is turning my world upside down.