Page 20

Chapter 20

Jahmar

A nders releases a dramatic groan, his warm breath tickling my neck as my alarm blares. I stretch for my phone, putting it on snooze.

“No, don’t go,” he whines, hands exploring my chest, dragging me back against him.

Since when did Anders become such a needy slut? I fucking love it.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. If I could, I’d stay here all day, but Leo said they’re going to be seriously understaffed tonight,” I say over my shoulder.

“Who’s Leo?”

Chuckling, I flip over to face him and raise a quizzical eyebrow.

“Sorry,” he mumbles, trailing light fingertips across my hip, sensitive enough to make my skin pebble.

“Leo’s the head nurse; we’re friendly, I guess. Occasionally, we’ll go to the gym together, but that’s it before you get all growly.”

I leave out the part where I’m trying to keep Leo sweet so I can keep stealing his keycard to access the medicine cupboard. He makes it too easy, though, leaving it lying around.

“I am not growly.” He scowls, dropping his hand from my hip.

“Ha, yeah, right. That’s your factory setting, growly or horny.”

He gasps, placing a hand on his chest like he’s offended. I waggle my eyebrows at him.

“Oh, shut the fuck up,” he jokes before rolling me onto my back and caging me in.

He claims my mouth like he’s dehydrated, and my kiss is the only thing that can quench his thirst. He’s insatiable, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Just as our hips start to roll and our cocks harden, my alarm rings again. Anders grumbles against my lips. I ease from underneath him and turn off my alarm for real this time. No more snoozing. I seriously have to go.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, stark naked, Anders runs his hand up my spine like he can’t bear to let me go. I look over my shoulder and smile at him, a real one. Come to think of it, I’ve not had to force a smile for over a week. Anders has somehow managed to keep a genuine one slapped in place.

He smiles back at me, all pearly teeth, messy hair, and dimple on display. My chest tightens with a rush of invigorating lust, or maybe it’s something more. It feels like a warm hug around my heart, hundreds of butterflies fluttering in my stomach, standing up too fast and feeling dizzy. It’s all-encompassing. Shit, ok, it sounds a lot like love.

“You gonna be here when I get back?” I ask, climbing to my feet and making my way to the ensuite.

“Well, I work here, so yes,” he teases

“No, I mean, are you going to be in my bed?”

Anders taps his chin, teasing me. I roll my eyes and wander into the bathroom.

The past few days, I’ve taken night shifts that finish roughly around the same time as Anders. So, each morning, I’ve crawled into bed with him; my god, it’s been good. Slipping into bed against his warm, freshly showered body, curled up into a tiny ball because that’s how he likes to sleep, has been more satisfying than I could’ve imagined. I want to come home to him every day.

“I’ll be here,” he eventually shouts through to the bathroom, where I’m now brushing my teeth.

“Maybe you should bring over a few changes of clothes,” I mumble through a mouthful of foam.

“What?” he calls.

Shit, did I just offer him a drawer already? Maybe I need to calm my tits. I always figured Anders would be a slow burn, so I don’t want to scare him off any more than I already have.

“What did you say?” He leans against the bathroom door, button nose all scrunched up. He sees himself in the mirror and starts frantically tidying his unruly hair. Damn, he has no idea how cute he looks.

“Oh, nothing. I just said you can wash your clothes here if you need to.”

He ‘hmm’s’, pursing his lips and squinting his eyes at me in the mirror.

I shrug at him, giving him an innocent smile. I’ll have him living here, eventually. All in good time; just a few more loose ends to tie up first.

“Ok, thanks.” He pecks me on the cheek and leaves me to finish getting ready.

I hear him pottering around my apartment, washing dishes and tidying up. It settles something in me. Having him in my space feels right. Cause lord knows he’s already taken up every square inch of space left in my heart.

“You alright, Leo? Looking a little flustered there, mate.”

Leo flaps around the reception desk, probably looking for his key card, which I conveniently took and put back under a pile of papers.

“Can’t find my bloody keycard again . Have you seen it?”

I almost feel bad—almost.

“I’m sure it’s around here somewhere, I’ll help you look.” I pretend to search for it under the desk. “Not here. Have you checked if it’s under anything? Reception’s a mess today.”

He scans the long desk and then starts lifting pieces of stray paper. That’s it—he’s getting warmer, hotter, sizzling.

“Bingo!” he cheers, tension melting from his shoulders. “I swear I’d lose my head if it weren’t screwed on.”

I scoff a laugh. “Probably.”

Someone clears their throat behind me, so I swing around to find two police officers. My hackles rise. Even though I work here and have a badge to prove it, I’ve always felt uncomfortable around police officers.

“Evening Gentlemen, we’re here to talk to Mr Shaw. He’d like to report an incident.”

My ears perk up at the name; where have I heard it before?

“Oh, yes, of course.” Leo steps from behind reception and introduces himself.

The officers sneer at him as he rambles, asking them how they are and if they’ve been busy this week, then talking about the weather. Bless his heart.

I pretend to look busy, scanning over a chart, but keep my ears sharp on the conversation, eager to know why the police are sniffing around.

“As thrilling as this conversation is, can you take us to Mr Shaw now?” one of the officers interrupts, tone flat.

“Yes, of course, sorry.”

A younger nurse comes up to reception.

“Lizzie, do you mind taking these officers to see Mr Shaw.”

“Sure, no problem.” She beams like she’s not already nine hours into her gruelling shift.

Once they step away, I snag Leo’s attention. “What was that all about?”

“Oh god, It’s so bizarre. I’m surprised you haven’t heard already. This guy came in earlier; he was an absolute mess.”

“And?” I ask, needing him to get to the point.

Leo leans over the reception desk and speaks in a hushed voice. “Well, apparently, he woke up two days ago, and his balls were missing.”

All the blood drains from my face. “Wh-what?” I stammer.

“I know, strange, right?” He said he left work late, got jumped, and couldn’t remember anything after that. He woke up in his car, groggy as shit and in immense pain down below. When he checked, he realised his balls were missing.”

Fuck.

I know full well who this is. A few days ago, Mr Shaw had a date with my scalpel.

Leo continues, “He never reported it to the police at the time. God knows why. Maybe he was embarrassed.”

“Or maybe he’s pissed off an ex,” I add, trying to make light of it.

“Hmm, I dunno. It seems like an extreme way to retaliate if you’ve been dumped. But anyways, that’s not what makes this situation weird.”

“What is it?” I ask, already knowing what he’s going to say. Knowing that the next bit of information he has is what’s probably going to get me caught.

“Whoever did the procedure did a seamless job. A professional one, even. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but whoever performed the procedure must be medically trained.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and lean against the counter to stop myself from toppling over.

“Whoever did it is a doctor, Jahmar; now, isn’t that a scary thought?”

“Yes, terrifying.”