Page 14 of Corrupted By the Shadow King (Hope Runs Deep #3)

Nikki

S omething changes when he asks about Kevin, but I don’t know what it is.

I speak the truth when I say the man is harmless.

When we were in college, he had a hard time the first time we had to dissect anything.

I honestly didn’t know if he would make it as a nurse or not.

It surprised me when he not only graduated, but also wound up at the same hospital as I did.

He is a good nurse, and his patients love him; he just isn’t for me.

Alex, on the other hand, could be. I know next to nothing about him, and yet, I want to jump into the deep end with him.

I’m not talking about marriage or anything like that, but I want to see what this is.

He intrigues me. Maybe I’m only intrigued by the mystery of Alex…

I don’t know his last name, but I will. Eventually.

“What is your last name? I seem to be at a disadvantage. Your brother somehow pulled up a full dossier on me, and I know next to nothing about you.”

He stiffens at my question, and I glance up at him. He stares down at me, his eyes hard and narrowed. Have I asked something I shouldn’t? I’ve only asked for his last name. If he doesn’t want to give me that, I should turn around and go back to work.

After a moment, he finally answers, “Wolf.”

“Alex Wolff? Like the singer?”

He smirks. “He copied me. I’m older. But we also spell our last names differently. He uses two Fs, and I only use one.”

Shaking my head, I snort and laugh. “Good to know.” I stop and pull my hand out of his before jutting my other one out. “Hello, Alex Wolf. Nice to meet you. I’m Nikki Albert, no relation to Prince Albert or the piercing he is supposedly famous for.”

He throws back his head and laughs, making my insides quake.

How is a laugh so sexy? His hand grabs mine and pumps it up and down, locking his gaze with me.

“ Un placer conocerte, Nikki Albert. Soy Alex Wolf. ” The way he speaks Spanish, his accent, the warmth of his body next to mine…

is it wrong that I want to jump into his arms, wrap my legs around his waist, and tell him to find the nearest closet?

Willing myself to calm down, I take a deep breath and almost moan when his cologne and the scent of pure man assault my senses in the best way possible. I exhale and clear my throat. “It’s nice to finally officially meet you.”

His hand releases mine to hold the other one again as we continue our journey to the cafeteria. I feel like I’m walking on cloud nine. “How is your arm?” I question as we approach our destination.

“It is good.” He stiffens again.

“You need to have it checked out. Your infection was pretty bad.”

“I have an appointment with our family physician tomorrow,” he says, his words clipped.

“Sorry. I just worry because?—”

Before I can finish, he cuts me off. “I know. And I am going to have it checked out, but this is not why we are having lunch. No talk of how we met. Let’s enjoy each other’s company.”

I have so many questions. Who shot him? How did he find himself in the middle of a gun battle?

Was he involved? Worst-case scenario, he is the reason someone got pissed off enough to shoot him, which would be a huge red flag.

Best-case scenario, he is an innocent bystander, but then why not go to the hospital?

Is it because his brother shot him? Which again is another red flag.

But he is right. We are on a date, and the hospital has too many ears.

It can be worse than a small-town gossip mill.

“Okay.” I smile and get in line to order a burger.