5. Kyra

Two Weeks Later

I throw myself on the bed in the spare room of Rhodes' beach house, my phone at my ear while I'm waiting for my best friend to answer the phone. I need to vent about the way Rhodes has my hormones in literal overdrive. I'm beginning to think it's all in my head, minus the fact I've seen the heated looks he sends my way when he thinks I'm not looking.

"Hola!" Lauren, better known as Lo, answers on the third ring. Her voice is chipper, more so than normal. Things must be going well with her live-in boyfriend. Gag me with a stick. He's truly a user, and I personally can't stand the way he treats her like his human ATM machine. I pretend to like him because I refuse to let a man get in between our friendship. One day, she'll realize that she's not his personal bank or maid, and when that happens, I'll be there to pick up the pieces.

"Hey, Lo." My tone is less than happy, more or less resigned. Probably because of the perpetual state of horniness I've been in. Great, now I feel like I'm a teenage boy. I'm twenty-two, have a career and a somewhat good head on my shoulders. Sure, I make mistakes. Who doesn't? But for the most part, I feel like I'm a good person. No, I am a good person. Positive affirmations and all those self-help books I'm constantly reading would slap my hand if I didn't respect myself.

"Uh-oh, what's wrong?" She doesn't say anything else, only asks me what's wrong. This is part of the reason I love her. It's also why Chadwick the dick wick stomps all over her.

"I have the hots for my patient." Talk about a work ethics violation. Never in my life have I ever been as tempted as I have been lately. The full outline of his cock that presented itself to me in his boxer briefs when I help him get in the shower was completely unexpected. Rhodes is a shower; I also realized he's a grower. Talk about the best of both worlds. Of course, he caught me looking. He didn't so much as say a word, yet I saw the way his nostrils flared and his jaw clenched. In return, my thighs fused together in an attempt to relieve the ache between my legs. A fat lot of good that did. The only time I get a semblance of relief is late at night. I'm either in my bed trying to muffle my noises or in the shower, where I can let go a little bit but not like I'm used to, when I can be as loud as possible. The days of seeing Rhodes practically naked for my viewing pleasure are over, and I'm not sure if I should be happy or in a state of mourning.

"I thought we talked about this. Let me move outside, then I'm all ears." Clearly, dick for brains is at home. Shock of all shocks. All he does is rot on the couch while Lo pulls doubles at the hospital as a respiratory therapist.

"We did." Did we ever, but it's been weeks now since the last time, and I've spent nearly a month here with Rhodes. I swear I'm in a permanent state of horniness. "No problem, this won't take very long." It can't. Rhodes has another appointment today. Ever since we left the hospital, he's done physical therapy daily. He's had his two-week post op, and today, as long as his wound looks good, they're going to fit him for his prosthetic.

"Sure, we both know that's a lie. Our conversations never last shorter than an hour." I hear the chirping of the birds on Lo's end.

"True. Do you think if I just jumped him and got it out of my system, I would be okay? It's not like I'll be needed here much longer anyways." Rhodes really hasn't needed me in weeks.

"I think that could make for awkward holidays and whatnot with your dad living so much closer now. Imagine it's Christmas, your dad does his usual holiday shenanigans, and whoops , you and Rhodes are under the mistletoe. There's all this built-up tension between you two, so a simple kiss turns into a make-out session, and next thing you know, your dad is having a shit fit. So, yeah, the fun for what, an hour, would be worth it, but what about later?" Shit, why does she have to make so much sense?

"Ugh, why did Dad decide to move closer to New Smyrna Beach again?" I grumble, already knowing the answer. Dad did twenty plus years in the Army Rangers. He thought he'd be there still, but after the last deployment went fubar (fucked up beyond all repair), that was the end. Kade and Rhodes live within ten minutes of each other, if that. And Dad's place in Daytona Beach is only twenty minutes away. Which makes it seem odd that the man of the hour wouldn't want his friends to come in and help. Apparently, these macho men are of a different breed or caliber, and while my dad is the same way, I didn't expect the rest of them to be, too.

"Because you were off traveling the world, and your dad wanted to be closer to his people." Lo is the voice of reason yet again. Even when I don't want to hear it.

"Fine, I won't jump his bones and have my wicked way with the man who walks around the house with just a shirt on and has me salivating nonstop. This isn't fair," I breathe out a heavy sigh, closing my eyes. It seems impossible to keep my hands to myself. Especially when I'm helping Rhodes with his at-home physical therapy. Jesus, what have I gotten myself into?

"Life isn't fair." Lo's voice drops in tone, almost like she's deep in thought.

"Lo, you know I'm here for you. Whenever." I'm sure it's only a matter of time until she sees the man mooching from her has to have the world's smallest prick.

"I know. Soon. I promise." She is so strong. She's also stubborn and independent to a fault. She'll never ask for help; probably why we're friends because I'm not much better.

Rhodes knocks on my bedroom door. "Are you almost ready? We're going to be late for the appointment."

"Be right there," I say while covering the speaker with my hand in order not to yell in Lo's ear.

"I'll be in the truck," he practically grumbles. I roll my eyes. Five minutes early is ten minutes late for Rhodes. I wait until he's further away to finish my conversation with Lo. There's no telling how long he's been there and what he's heard. The way my luck is going, he heard every single word.

"I gotta go. I'll call you back tonight." I stand up, looking around to find the whereabouts of my purse. It's not like I need it. Rhodes only allowed me to drive his truck for the first couple of weeks. Even then, it was with him white-knuckling the oh shit handle. I kept my cool but smiled on the inside the entire freaking time. Army Rangers—they're all the same. Their need for control is superior to anything.

"I'm working, but text me regardless and let me know how things are going." Yep, Lo seems to be at her breaking point.

"Alright, don't work too hard. Love you, Lo." I spot my purse hanging on the back of the chair and make my way toward it. My shoes are by the door. Flip-flops have been my go-to with the hot summer heat scorching me from the inside out.

"Love you, Kyra. Resist the temptation."

"Easier said than done." We both laugh then say our goodbyes. I hate that my best friend has the weight of the world on her shoulders, and here I am, calling her to talk about having a lady boner for my patient/dad's friend. I'm a damn mess.