Page 54 of Scrubbing In
His sleep-rasped “yes” sends tingles down my spine.
The drive to the hospital is made in companionable silence while sipping our coffees. He keeps a hand resting on my thigh, and every so often, he absently squeezes it. In the parking lot, we delay our good-bye with hungry kisses before finally going our separate ways.
Despite being sleep-deprived and pleasantly tender between my legs from the overindulgence of my need for Julian, I go about my day in a jubilant mood. However, as the day wears on, gloom starts to set in because I get off before his shift starts tonight.
Sleeping alone for the first time in three nights is more difficult than I expected. So when I get to the front desk Wednesday morning and he’s waiting for me with a cup of coffee, falling into his arms feels natural and right.
His big body is steady and welcoming. With a hand tangled in the hair at my nape, he tilts my head back and places a sweet kiss to my forehead, the tip of my nose, and the corner of my mouth. “Mmmm, I missed you last night,” he whispers, his breath floating across my face.
“Me, too.”
Breaking apart, Julian hangs around as I work, drinking our coffee and talking. Knowing I have to go to the back soon, I twist my hair up and put my scrub cap on. Warmth along my back is the only warning I have before I feel the hot, wet pressure of Julian’s sucking kiss on my neck.
“You better not be giving me a hickey!”
Laughing, he pulls away, and I turn in his arms. “Nope. Definitely tempting, but I didn’t.” Sweeping his thumb over the spot, then looking at the clock over my shoulder, he steps back. “I’ll see you later, pretty girl.”
The doors close behind him moments before the AIC comes to the desk. With a grateful smile it’s not Benny today, we proceed with our daily briefing.
The day goes by in a blur after that, and before I know it, I’m heading home.
We’re walkingto my car Friday night after a lull in the evening finally allowed me to give a hand-off report to the evening charge nurse. My eyes swivel across the dark and cold parking lot, which feels like a direct contrast to how I feel snuggled into Julian’s side. His arm holds me tightly to him while he carries my tote on his other side.
Every moment we are able to steal is soaked up, and I’ve never been happier. My heart feels light now that I am no longer agonizing over my feelings for him, questioning if this is the right move. However, I’m no closer to being ready to broadcast our relationship to the world. And that’s why walking with him out in the open at the hospital of all places, my stomach is churning, hoping it’s dark enough that we have some anonymity if we are by chance spotted.
“You’ve had a busy day. What else do you have going on?” I ask.
He grips my hip, then smooths his hand up the dip of my waist to hold my ribs. “I need to dictate my last surgical notes and round on my patients that we are planning on bringing tothe OR tomorrow. Then hopefully I can get out of here for the night,” he says around a yawn.
The churning in my gut suddenly changes to a fluttery feeling. Pausing before we step under the glowing spotlight my car is parked under, I look up at Julian. Suddenly shy, I hesitantly question, “Would—would you want to come over after? Stay at my place.”
He swings his body around, pulling me flush to his front. I squeak at the unexpected movement, then sigh as I sink my weight against him.
“Really?” He tilts his head, eyes studying my face. “There’s a chance I get called in for an emergency and I’ll have to leave,” he trails off, sounding unsure.
“Wait, what?!” I slap my hands on his chest and rear my head back on a mock gasp. “In the middle of the night? I’m shocked. What is that like?”
“Haha.” He jostles my body back against his.
“Being on call is nothing new to me, Doctor. I’ve just been missing you in my bed these past few nights.” I pause, rolling my lips between my teeth. “Even a few hours with you would be better than nothing.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Yes, I’ll come over after I’m done here.” Pressing his grinning lips to mine, he mumbles, “And if I do get called away, just know I will always come back to you.”
My heart clenches in my chest at his sweet words. All of a sudden, it feels like I could float away, except Julian’s arms hold me in place. Like it’s where I belong.
And there is no place I’d rather be.
But it still feels scary to admit that, much less say it out loud. So I swipe my tongue over the seam of his lips and push it into his mouth when he allows me entrance. Sealing my mouth to his and stroking my tongue against his own, I revel in the grunthe makes as he holds me even tighter. I’ll never get enough of kissing him.
Pulling back, I tug him the rest of the way to my car. He places my bag inside, then kisses me roughly one more time. “The back door will be unlocked,” are my parting words.
A little over an hour later, Julian enters my darkened house, quietly opens my bedroom door, and joins me in bed.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Julian
Jace: I’m back in town. Wanna grab a beer this evening? Or will you be too wrapped up in the pint-sized hottie?
