Page 9 of Reckless

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Gage

Wide, familiar blue eyes stared up into mine, unblinking.

A rush of heat hit me so hard I nearly stumbled and gripped her upper arms to steady us both.

I’d stopped in front of the curtain drawn to protect a patient’s privacy because the conversation had drawn me in. Not because I liked to eavesdrop, but because I knew that voice.

Hervoice.

Kelly.

The ER had gone silent around me, all I could hear was the beating of my own heart. Had I understood that conversation right? Was Kelly still a virgin?

A gasp ripped from Kelly’s parted lips, and she stepped back, breaking our contact. Did I say that part about her virginity out loud?

I closed the distance again. “Kelly…”

Her black lashes fluttered rapidly, and her cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink, just like I remembered.

“It doesn’t mean what you’re thinking, Gage.”

“I wasn’t—”

“Yes, you were, and it’s none of your business if I choose to—”

She was interrupted when the same curtain she’d stumbled into me from behind was ripped aside, a sassy looking gray-haired lady half-sitting on the bed, half poked out of the curtain. When her eyes landed on me, she lit up like a Roman candle. “Well, Gage Strickland, as I live and breathe. You must be the rock star!”

“Violet!” Kelly hissed.

The blood in my veins that had come to a complete halt when she’d plowed into me started moving again, and warmth flooded me. I nodded to my bodyguard, giving him the signal that it was cool to step away and let me have some space. It was then that I realized Kelly was wearing scrubs.

“I heard you were a nurse.”

Before she could answer, Violet said, “Yes, dearie, she’s a nurse who not only heals, she saves lives. Bet a boy like you could use some of her healing right about now.”

Kelly made a choking sound as I rocked back on my heels. What was a man supposed to say to that?

I met Kelly’s horrified eyes, sure I was about to step deeper into the past than I’d planned or wanted, and not sure I could stop myself. “Yes, ma’am. I suppose I could.”

Kelly’s face flamed. “You don’t need healing, Gage. What you need is to—”

“For my mom.” The last word came out weaker than the rest. Weak, the way she was when I got here. Like I’d never seen her before. Babs Strickland was the strongest woman in the world. Right up there with Kelly Cavendish.

What the fuck was Kelly doing here?

Working at the hospital of all places. After everything she’d been through, I couldn’t imagine a worse place for her. Surrounded by sick and injured people all day long, no escape from her past.

Unless that was the point.

“Your mom’s here?” Kelly asked, instantly concerned.

I nodded. “Yes. She’s been here since late last night. They’re still waiting on a room to open up upstairs.”

“Mind if I visit her for a moment?”

I shoved a hand through my hair, unsure what to do. But how could I possibly tell her no? Especially when I was so damn happy to see her again. “Of course.”