Page 8 of Trust in Me
I joined them in the room, walking in as the paramedics were heading out of the room to their next call. “Hi, I’m Dr. Cooke, one of the resident doctors. Thanks for bringing him in. Did you get any information on—“
I stopped short as the police officer turned from the baby to face me. The dark-haired man in the police uniform was familiar. Too familiar.
“Um. Brax. I’m work—“
“Officer Meadows, actually.” Brax’s lip quirked in a half smile. “So, this is what you do, huh?”
I crossed my arms over my scrub top, trying to make myself taller, to regain the authority in the room. “Well, yeah.”
“Glad to know how to find you. I missed seeing you last week.”
Sure he did.
“I had to work. I’ll take it from here. Thanks.” I stepped past Brax to the baby, who was sleeping peacefully in his car seat. I unbuckled the straps and pulled the infant out, laying him on the bed.
He was a beautiful baby, his cheeks full and fat, and he had wispy, little dark curls already covering most of his head. I ran through my usual exam, checking his soft spot and his eyes, listening to his heart and lungs. The baby looked to be a few weeks old and seemed perfectly healthy.
How could someone give up something so perfect?
I blinked back the tears that pricked at my eyes as I turned to Brax. He’d stayed in the room while I examined the baby. He tilted his head slightly but remained silent. I swallowed the lump in my throat. I was a professional, goddammit. And I certainly wasn’t going to show weakness to the man who’d already made it clear that he wasn’t interested.
“He looks good. I’ll write up his notes and get social work in here to coordinate with Child and Family Services. I’ll let you know when he’s good to go.” I walked toward the door, trying to get out of the room before I said something to embarrass myself.
Brax’s large frame blocked the doorway. “Thanks, Dr. Cooke. Appreciate your time. May I pick you up after work, or should I meet you at the club?”
“No, I—no. I’m good. I need to go. Thanks, Officer Meadows.” I narrowed my eyes at him.
Brax placed his fingers under my chin and tipped my face up, making it impossible to avoid his gaze. “I’ll see you tonight, Avery. I’m looking forward to it.”
I walked out of the Emergency Room at 8pm. Perfect timing to change and head to the club. For the most part the shift had been fine, a steady stream of broken bones and kids with runny noses. I’d been running back and forth all day and was exhausted in the best way. The only strange thing had been that one weird guy. He’d appeared in the waiting room and demanded that I see him, even when the nurses explained that this was a children’s hospital and I didn’t see adults, not to mention the fact that this was an Emergency Room and you didn’t get to choose your doctor. Apparently, he’d argued until security had escorted him out.
Strange, but from what I’d seen, he was harmless. There was something about him that had seemed so familiar, though. What was it?
I slid into my Jeep and pushed any thoughts related to work out of my head as I drove home to get ready for the night.
8
Brax
SeeingAveryattheChildren’s ER had been the highlight of my day. I hadn’t been able to get the blonde out of my mind since I’d met her. I’d spent Friday and Saturday night at Blackstone last weekend, hoping to see her again. When she didn’t show, I’d watched a few scenes and socialized, but hadn’t been in the mood to scene with anyone else.
I parked my F150 in the Blackstone parking lot and headed indoors. Cody was manning the front desk tonight. I flashed him my membership card. Rules were rules— no card, no entry, even if the guy at the front was one of your best friends.
“Hey, Cody. Things busy in there yet?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. It’s early, though.”
“Anyone come in with a guest pass tonight?”
Cody gave me a smirk. “Got your eye on someone, officer?”
I gave him a grin as I pulled my hat off. “I just might.”
I made my way into the main club area and settled at the bar. I sipped my Jameson while I waited, hoping she’d show.
I didn’t have to wait long. Fifteen minutes later, Avery emerged from the hallway. She was wearing a sheer dress over lingerie that showed off her curves in all the right places. I watched as she waved to some of the submissives sitting on the couches and headed toward them. I tossed back the last of my whiskey and stood from my seat, hoping to talk with her. She’d seemed almost angry at me when I’d seen her at her workplace, and I wanted to figure out what was going on in that gorgeous head of hers.
Before I reached Avery, another man stepped in front of her. He was shorter than me, not someone I’d seen around here many times. I crossed my arms over my chest and listened.
