Page 107 of Jude

A pang of loneliness hit Tobias. He pushed it away. He had everything he needed. He was busy helping others, and he had his brothers around him. What more could he want?

“Do you fancy company out on the road tonight?” he asked Jude.

Jude grabbed a final kiss from Octavia before turning his attention back to Tobias. “You’re welcome to join us. We’re heading to Alpha zone eight. We heard rumors online that there’s an isolated dragon hybrid community there. We thought they might appreciate knowing what we do.”

“I might just do that.” Tobias pushed away from the desk and headed for the door. “That’s providing Sophia lets me go anywhere.”

“Don’t be too hard on her,” said Octavia. “She’s looking out for you.”

“She should focus on people who need her,” said Tobias. “Sophia’s wasting her time with me.” He raised a hand in farewell before leaving them to their work and making his way slowly toward the medical bay.

If it hadn’t been for his slip in control when they’d blown up the vaccine plant, none of this would be necessary. Sure, he’d panicked when he’d woken up under all that rubble. It brought back hellish memories. That was all it was, though. A few nasty flashbacks taunting him. It was nothing he couldn’t handle. He handled it just fine without some smart-mouthed wannabe doctor telling him how things should be.

Tobias slowed as he reached the double doors that led into the medical bay. It was more than that. Sophia unnerved him. It wasn’t just her bluntness and how direct she was with her questions. She wouldn’t leave things alone. She sensed something was off with him and kept on digging. He wanted to tell her to go to hell and mind her own business. What went on in his head was his concern, no one else’s. What gave her the right to interfere?

Sophia confused him. If she wasn’t so damned hot, maybe this wouldn’t be so difficult. Mix her smarts with her sassy attitude and those big, dark eyes, and Tobias struggled to control his feelings. Something urgent and desperate stirred in him. It made him want to lose control again, but this time with her. And when she gave him a stern look over the top of her glasses, something inside him shifted. He hated to admit it, but she got him going.

His wrist comm signaled an incoming comm. He opened the link, sighing as he did so.

“Tobias, it’s Sophia. You’re late.”

“No, I’m not. I’m right outside.”

“Then get in here,” said Sophia. “I don’t have time to waste hanging around for you.”

“If you’re too busy, we can reschedule. How about in six months’ time?”

He heard footsteps approach the door. He suppressed a smile. He loved to push her buttons.

The door to the medical bay was yanked open. Sophia stood on the other side, her head tilted to one side and anger glinting in her eyes. “What are you doing out here?”

“Trying to think of a good enough excuse to get out of this.”

She gave a slight shake of her head. “I’m not doing this for my health. Tell me why you’re here.”

Tobias’s gaze lowered to the ground. It was a question he’d asked himself a lot. “You told me to be here.”

“Come in.” Sophia stepped to one side.

Tobias walked into the medical bay, the smell of coffee and disinfectant hitting him but not hiding the rose scent of Sophia’s shampoo. There were two patients at the far end, sitting up in bed. There was no sign of Clarissa or Daisy, Sophia’s assistants.

Slowly, he turned to face Sophia. Damn, she was striking. Her face was heart-shaped and her skin pale. She had a full mouth, which was, at that moment, turned down at the corners. She often wore this look of disapproval when they were together.

“Well, I’m waiting for a good answer from you.”

“I’ve already said. I’m here because I’ve been ordered to.” Anger prickled through him. Tobias sometimes felt defective. He wondered what his brothers really thought of him. He’d been half-mad when they’d dug him out of that building. He remembered little about that day, or the days after. He could recall flashes of their faces, full of concern as they’d taken turns to sit by his bedside and make sure he didn’t tip over the edge.

“You’re here because people care about you,” said Sophia. “They want to make sure you’re fit and healthy.”

“Do you want to give me a physical?” Tobias flashed her a grin.

She didn’t return it. “You’ve had your physical. I’ve seen everything you have.”

He took a step closer. “Not everything.”

“Trust me, if I haven’t seen everything you’ve got, I’ve seen enough naked men to know what to expect.” Sophia’s cheeks grew pink, and she looked away.

“Maybe I’m different.”