Page 30 of Bad Medicine

“What do you need?”

I paused, his question surprising me. Was it rhetorical?

When he didn’t say anything else, I considered.

“Honestly?” I asked, and he nodded. “I need about six more nurses, a second CT machine because the backlog is freaking killing me, a computer system that’s not from the dial up age, and an extra-large coffee.”

Rocco stared at me, his lips pursed, then nodded.

“Not sure I can get that all to you tonight, but I have an idea that might help in the meantime.”

Then, without asking for permission, Rocco took hold of my arm and began leading me through the hospital, not at all bothered by the stares we were receiving.

“What the hell, Rocco?” I asked, attempting to extract my arm from his grip. “Where are you taking me? I have work to do!”

Looking over his shoulder, Rock raised one eyebrow.

“Any of those patients gonna die in the next ten minutes?”

“Well...no,” I admitted, pouting.

“Then you can take that time and focus on you for once.”

That stunned me into silence.

How could he have known that? How could this man, who looked like he never worried about anyone but himself, look at me and see that I always put myself last?

I mean, wasn’t like I had had much choice; Jasper was always going to be first in my world. I would happily play second fiddle to my boy, for now and forever. Just the thought of his happy smile was enough to make me want to give up everything for him.

I’d cut out my own heart if I thought it would make Jasper’s life easier.

I was yanked out of my thoughts when Rocco suddenly stopped, looking up and down the hall before quickly opening the door he’d stopped in front of and ducking us both inside a darkened room.

The click of the lock startled me, and I whirled around to see where he had taken me.

It was... a closet?

“What the hell are we doing in here?” I asked,

“What do you mean?” Rocco asked, feigning innocence. “I thought this was the room where all the illicit hospital trysts took place.”

Looking closer at the room, seeing the stacks of clean linens and bedding, I realized Rock had dragged me into the supply room that we had seen Dr. Edwards and Candice exiting last week. The lights were off, and the only illumination was through the small rectangular window in the door behind me.

“Rocco, no.” I shook my head. “Absolutely not. I am at work.”

“I know, Doc,” He replied, that sexy smirk firmly in place. “That just makes it all the moretitillating.”

Chapter thirteen

Mia

Itried.Ihonestlydid.

Tried to ignore the tingles of excitement that fizzed in my veins. Tried to pretend my heart wasn’t pounding behind my ribs so hard I probably should have ordered myself an ECG.

It was just that it had been so long since I had done anything like this; something improper, inappropriate, and a little dangerous.

And now, gazing at Rocco in the dim light from the hallway, I found that Iwantedto be here, with him, doing things I shouldn’t.