Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

A ugust 3 rd

Here we go again . . . again. Possibly again.

“Why does this feel familiar?” Eli asked from where he crammed into the back seat with Leah and Amelia riding on Felix’s lap.

“It’s the strangest sense of déjà vu,” Leah teased.

Paige raised her hand and lifted her middle finger. They all laughed, but Paige couldn’t. It hurt if she laughed. She was also getting used to Max coming to her rescue and rushing her to the hospital. It was embarrassing how many times this had happened.

Max pulled up to the ER entrance, and everyone piled out. Felix’s sister was standing at the door with a wheelchair and holding out an oxygen mask. “Again?” she asked.

“Hey Luciana,” Paige said as Max escorted her into the chair while Felix kissed his sister’s cheek.

“Thanks for getting everything ready for us,” Felix told his sister. Having a nurse on the inside did more wonders than flashing a badge.

“Did you really save the mayor’s daughter? His office called and told us to be on the lookout for you,” Luciana said, wheeling her inside. “It’s a crazy night. It’s a weekend and a full moon, but I managed to snag you a bay. It almost came to blows, but I promised her free coffee for a week at Felix’s. If Nurse Greta comes in, give her free coffee,” she instructed her brother.

Paige tried not to look for Fraser. She was sure he was busy, but he couldn’t go with her to the ball since he’d been working. She found out a short time later when he came into the room with a smile on his face. “Missed me?” he asked with a wink before he saw Max glowering at him from the corner of the room. “Max.”

“Fraser.” Max didn’t look happy.

“It’s a packed house tonight,” Luciana said, breaking the tension. “Her stats are good, but she says she feels better with the oxygen.”

Fraser did an exam and smiled when he was done. “Looks minor enough. Chest X-ray, then give her a breathing treatment to soothe her airways, a bag of fluids, and a nasal flush. Then home with rest. Sleep propped up on a pillow and drink lots of fluids.”

“Thanks, Fraser,” Leah said while Max just continued to glare.

Fraser turned so that he put his back to Max and took Paige’s hand in his. “Cute dress. Did you have fun tonight? Before the fire?”

There was her Fraser. “I did. It was beautiful.”

“I’ll call you in the morning to check on you. ”

That’s when it hit her. “Oh no. My phone! We had to turn in our phones when we arrived.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Max said, but Fraser didn’t respond. He just ran his thumb over her hand and gave her a wink.

“Great, I’ll call you tomorrow. I got my schedule for the month. Let’s find some time to get together.”

Fraser gave her another smile and left her in Luciana’s care. Luciana wore the same expression as Max. “What is it?” Paige asked her.

“Not my business. Let me go get your breathing treatment.”

“I’ll answer for her. I don’t trust him,” Max answered instead.

“You don’t trust anyone. Isn’t that part of the job?” Paige asked.

“I trust you.” Geez. That hit Paige right in the heart. Until she remembered Sierra.

Luciana came back and shoved a mask at her. “Breathe deep.”

Paige kept quiet during her treatments and listened to her friends talking and laughing. Dating be damned. She had a great life because she had great friends.

Paige was grumbling that there was nothing to eat the next morning when there was a knock on the door. “Come in, Leah!” Paige called out. She was sure her friend was coming to talk about the night that had gone up in flames, literally.

“You’re looking . . . well, up and about.”

Paige slammed the fridge door and spun to see Fraser, still in scrubs, standing in her apartment. He smiled at her and held out a to-go cup and a bag from the bakery down the street. “I brought you tea and muffins. I thought since your Regency night got cut short, I could help make it up to you.”

Paige didn’t even care that she had an oversized Lexington Thoroughbreds pro-football shirt on and her hair was a step beyond bedhead. She was also pretty sure she had a pillowcase crease on her cheek. None of that mattered when presented with tea and muffins.

“You’re a life saver,” Paige said gratefully.

“It’s my job. How are you feeling?” Fraser asked as they moved to the couch.

Paige crossed her legs under the oversized shirt with quarterback Knox Everett’s name and number on the back. He was her celebrity crush. Well, besides 1995 Pride and Prejudice Colin Firth. “I’m tired. The coughing has gotten better. How was your night?”

“Had a drug deal gone bad in the waiting room. One patient overdosed on the stuff while waiting for his friend to be released for his own overdose. I swear, our biggest battle is fentanyl.”

“I’m so sorry.” Paige had to admit, she probably had no idea the number of deaths and horrible things Fraser had to see on a daily basis. She felt bad that she’d gotten upset because of his schedule.

“I know a way to make me feel better.” Fraser leaned forward but stopped, giving her a second to decide if she wanted the kiss. When she didn’t back away, he closed the distance. The kiss was good. Soft yet in control, then his tongue was tasting her as his hands pulled her into his lap. “I feel better already.”

So did she.

Fraser rested his hand on her thighs before bending forward for another kiss. His lips covered hers. His tongue explored. His hands pushed up the oversized shirt as tingles raced through her body .

Paige groaned as his hands finally found her breasts. The kiss deepened and his tight control seemed to slip as she rocked her hips against his hardness. Damn, the man could kiss and he certainly knew how to use his hands. He had her body so excited an actual shiver raced down her spine.

Until his phone rang.

A name flashed across the screen. Paige’s looked at it automatically. It was a woman’s name. “Molly is calling you,” Paige said, trying not to sound jealous.

“Crap. What time is it?” Fraser asked as he reached for the phone.

“Ten thirty.”

“I’m late for family brunch. That’s my niece calling. The one you met the other month. I was supposed to pick her up. I’m so sorry, Paige. I have to go.” Fraser picked her up and set her on the couch as he reached for the phone. “Molly, I’m so sorry. I’m on my way now. What time is the reservation for?” He paused and nodded. “Okay, we’ll make it. See you soon.”

Now Paige felt bad. She’d gotten jealous and he’d made time for her before a family brunch. He’d checked on her, made her a priority and she’d gotten jealous. Instead, he’d just been super sweet.

“Thank you for breakfast and for checking on me.”

“I love any excuse to see you, but let’s stop meeting in my ER. If you miss me, just call me.” Fraser winked at her. With a promise to call her soon, he headed out.

Rain began to pelt the windows of her small apartment, making it so cozy Paige decided a day on the couch was just what she needed. She put on the television for background noise, picked out a book from her Tbr pile, and snuggled up with Monty as she got lost in her book. At some point, she drifted off with Monty at her side and her book in her hand.

Rumbling woke her up. She’d slept through lunch, and now it was dinner time and she was starving. She also didn’t have any food in the house. “Food delivery or should I actually make us something?” she asked Monty, who only wiggled his pink nose at her.

The knock on her door caught her by surprise. Did the universe feel sorry for her and send her a lost delivery driver with food? Paige sniffed the air and smiled. Most likely, it was Leah with pizza. Paige jumped from the couch and quickly opened the door.

She’d gotten the pizza right, but not the person.

“Max? What are you doing here?”

“I thought you might be worn out and not feel like cooking dinner. So I brought pizza.” Her stomach rumbled and he laughed. “I guess I was right. How are you feeling?”

“Better after sleeping all afternoon. Do you want to stay and have dinner with me?” Paige asked as she opened the door wide for him.

“Thanks. That would be nice. It’s been a long day.”

“What happened?” Paige asked before putting Monty back in his cage.

“Just another day at work and people doing horrible things. I’d rather talk about you. What are you reading?” he asked as he nodded to the book on the coffee table.

“It’s this super cute small-town romance. I needed to feel good after yesterday.”

“Does this mean you’re going to go to a small town to find love next?” Max teased.

Paige laughed. “I’m from a small town. Maybe I just need to go back for my high school reunion and my crush will want to marry me. Or at least have sex with me.”

Max frowned as he opened her cabinet and pulled out two plates. “Are you still trying to lose your virginity?”

“Yeah, not that I’m having any luck with it. And it’s kinda been put on the back burner more often than not because of work. I’m killing it there, so hopefully that confidence will shine through and someone will want to sleep with me.” Paige sighed as she accepted some deep-dish pizza. “Wow, I sound pathetic. I’m so embarrassed to still be a virgin.”

“You’re not pathetic, and there’s nothing embarrassing about it. But I don’t get exactly what you’re looking for and why.”

Max took a seat on the couch and glanced at the name of her book. Paige grabbed two beers and set them on the coffee table before sitting at the other end of the couch from Max. She turned to face him, crossed her legs, and took a big bite of pizza before answering. “I’m tired of living through my books. I want to know what it feels like to be worshiped. To scream someone’s name. To live the life of a heroine. And, while I know you say it’s not true, I think men can tell I’m inexperienced, so I can’t seem to attract them. I’ve had some luck, but sadly, it’s all ended in disaster. I mean, look at how we met, the furry orgy, and I didn’t tell you about the elevator incident. It’s so pathetic.”

“What type of guy are you looking for?”

“At this point, I don’t care. I just want to lose my virginity to someone who knows what they’re doing so I’d enjoy it. That’s why I thought The Red Door would be perfect. The guy I was with was a submissive and all he wanted to do was pleasure me.” Paige felt her face turn red with embarrassment. “I feel this is all too much information. You don’t want to hear about this.”

“It’s not too much information. Is that what you want? A submissive guy to do your bidding? I really took you for more adventurous than that.”

Paige frowned and finished off her piece of pizza. “I mean, if we’re talking about The Red Door, Dracklen did it for me more than the sub. I want to see the VIP area. And I think for my first time I’d like someone who was confident and sure in what they were doing. But I’m also not into asshole doms. I know some people like that, but I don’t.”

“And have you found men like that?”

Paige sighed. “I’ve met some horrible men and I’ve met some wonderful men. Unfortunately, I just haven’t met the right one. Either circumstances prevent it”—Paige wanted to say like Max’s girlfriend or Jack’s mother, but didn’t—“or I mistook confidence for arrogance and entitlement.”

Max finished his pizza and set down his plate. “This might get me in trouble, but maybe instead of looking for the type of guy who will just get the job done, maybe look for the type of guy who would treasure the gift you’re giving him. Because Paige, it is a gift.”

“One I can’t give away,” Paige said with a roll of her eyes. “Have any friends?”

Max looked as if he were going to say something, but then his phone rang. Sierra was calling him. Her picture flashed on the screen. “I’ll call her later. I’m sure she’s wanting to know about Kitty.”

“Take it. Now that I’ve eaten, I’m ready to fall asleep again. I didn’t realize last night took so much out of me.”

Max nodded and stood up. He gathered the plates, put the rest of the pizza in the fridge, and wiped down the kitchen before turning back to her. “Don’t settle, Paige. You’re too special for that. Know your worth and find a man who values it and you. Goodnight.”

Max paused by the door, leaned forward, and placed a quick kiss on her cheek before leaving. The door clicked shut behind him and Paige was left feeling empty and more disheartened about her mission than ever before. It had been fun and she’d met great people, even if it had been embarrassing and literally went up in flames. But now she was questioning it, herself, and what she really wanted.