Page 51 of Scrubbing In
Rolling my lips, my lashes sweep down. He’s jealous and possessive, so now might not be the best time for him to see my pleasure in that fact. But he’s too observant, tilting my chin up. “That makes you happy?”
“Kind of. But only because I understand the feeling. I’ve thought of you as mine even when I was telling myself not to,” I confess. Knowing I would be sick to my stomach if he gave me something to wear belonging to a woman from his past, I hastily add, “Those are my brother’s. I don’t have anything that belonged to an ex.”
The shoulder my arm is slung over instantly relaxes, but the scowl remains. “I am fucking yours, Aleena. This is a new feeling, being possessive. No one has ever mattered enough for me to get upset like that.” Holding me tighter, he rests his forehead on mine. “I’m sorry I snapped.”
Taking his bottom lip between mine, I playfully bite down. “I’m sorry for not telling you right away. It honestly didn’t cross my mind you would think I was giving you an ex’s pair of shorts.”
Pressing his lips to mine, Julian’s kiss is demanding and devouring. And I love it, meeting each stroke of his tongue hungrily with mine.
Breathless, I whisper against his moist lips, “Wanna take a shower with me, then we can figure out something to eat?”
“Oh, pretty girl, I’m gonna eat before we even leave this room.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Julian
And eat, I did!
When we are finally sated,we leave the comforting den of Leena’s room to venture into the kitchen for sustenance. The unexpected jealousy that had roared through my veins has lulled, but I fear the possessiveness will be a steady thrum that I’ll have to learn to rein in.
Leena ismine. Whileshemay be less sure of us, it doesn’t make it any less true. I know she’s in deep with me, but she hasn’t given me her whole heart. She is the kind of woman you pursue and prove to that she is everything, every single day. I’m not in this just to know I won her over. No, I’m in this to make her happy and fulfilled. I want to make her wishes and dreams come true. I want to be her partner, day in and day out, to share it all with her.
Now that we are together, even if it's in secret—I hope just at the hospital and with those we work with—it has become my mission to make her feel safe and secure enough to trust me with her heart, to trust I will treasure the gift it is.
We are sitting at the kitchen table, eating while facing the windows that look out over a pool and small lake beyond, when Charlie waltzes in.
She throws a smirk our way as she takes out a yogurt from the fridge. Pulling a drawer open, she looks at us through her lashes and eyes the plates in front of us. “Refueling?”
Coughing, I uncomfortably look everywhere but at Charlie. Suddenly, I am acutely aware that I’m shirtless. Not because I’m embarrassed to be with Leena, but I work with Charlie almost every day I’m on duty. Minus a few conversations, we have maintained a professional boundary. My girl and her being best friends—and living together—blows that to smithereens.
Rubbing my back soothingly and kissing my cheek, I expect Leena to ignore the teasing. But, she once again surprises me. “Got to keep his strength up.” I bark out a laugh at her reply.
Lost in the twinkle in her eyes and enjoying her playfulness, I find it hard to pull my gaze from her. Charlie’s hushed laughter leaves no doubt my expression is nothing short of besotted.
Eyes twinkling with mirth, she shoves a heaping spoon in her mouth, then waves the spoon between Leena and me. “Well, this is going to take some getting used to, seeing my best friend so happy and dick-drunk.”
“Dick-drunk?” I mouth the words with a shake of my head.
Charlie is hilarious, saying whatever she thinks. Honestly, she’s pretty cool, so I’m not mad about it. And she’s right—thiswilltake some getting used to. I’ve developed friendships with other surgeons and some anesthesia providers, but never really any scrub techs or nurses beyond what we share while scrubbed in together.
Coming to stand beside Leena, Charlie grabs her hand, holding Leena’s sandwich to her mouth, “We’re a packaged deal, Ortho Bro.” Then she takes an exaggeratedly huge bite.
“Hey, I’m refueling, too!” She glances at her sandwich and then looks back up at Charlie with brimming eyes and trembling lips.
Alarmed, I sit up straight, ready to . . . I have no idea what I’m ready to do.
Face-palming Leena as a tear spills over her lower lashes, Charlie squawks. “No, Mama! You're not allowed to make yourself cry!” Head downcast, Leena wipes the tear with her thumb. Charlie turns her back to us and shouts over my girl’s sniffles, “Nope, not looking at you. I’m not falling for it, Leena!”
My confused gaze bounces between both women, bewildered by the exchanges. I’m even more puzzled as Leena laughs and goes back to eating with a shrug.
“Did she stop?”
Elbow on the table, I rest my temple on my fist, and ask with a shake of my head, “What the hell just happened?”
Spinning around, Charlie points an accusing finger at Leena. “She uses her crying on demand as a weapon against me! Only ever me. It’s not fair. Don’t let her fool you—those were nowhere close to real tears, Julian.”
“You were eating my food,” Leena pouts as she looks at her sandwich with utter devotion.
