Page 121 of Aftershock
His answer flashed on my screen a moment later.
Alaric:Yes, there’s nothing to worry about. Our privacy included. That OR is being renovated.
So here I am, in my work clothes, minus the apron I left in the cafeteria with my bag, about to meet him and talk or do…
Something.
That’s the last thought I have before awareness floods through me, pulling me into the present moment.
The hair at the back of my neck stands on end. A rope cinches around my lungs, pulling tight.
Alaric is here.
My soul recognizes his, even though I can’t see him. I don’t even hear his footsteps behind me.
That’s how unique Alaric’s presence is.
His needs are just as potent, and they aren’t sweet.
If he wanted to have a conversation, he would’ve fallen into step with me by now. Held my hand. Kissed my forehead and wished me good morning.
Instead, he’s being a predator.
Something happened to him while we were apart. Something that made him miss me. Want me.
Need me.
I can’t complain about that.
Anticipation courses through my veins. Arousal wets my panties. My hands twitch at my sides, aching to touch him.
The sign forOperating Room 5—Out of Servicecomes into view a few moments later.
Three doors to my right, and I’m there.
Just then, two nurses rush toward me, then disappear behind my back. A doctor in a white coat sweeps past from behind me, already moving ahead down the hall.
Thanks to my cafeteria badge and uniform, no one bats an eye or stops to ask what I’m doing here.
Or maybe it’s because of the shadow at my back.
Doesn’t matter one way or the other because…I made it.
My fingers tremble as I press OR5’s door handle and?—
Oh, no. It won’t budge.
“Let me.”
Alaric.
My eyes snap up and to the side, and I have to bite back a gasp at the sight of him.
His disheveled hair and thicker stubble would make any other man seem tired or plain messy.
Not my man, with his gaze as sharp and alive as ever. It rakes over my body, hot and greedy, as if he’s memorizing every inch. As if he’s imagining what I look like naked.
My heart pounds against my rib cage, wanting to break free and reach out to him.
