Page 32 of Merry with Me

“I didn’t wear one in. I have one in my car in case I have trouble.”

He nods, accepting my answer.

“Thank you for dinner and for all of your help.” I stand at his front door awkwardly. I raise my hand to wave, but he shocks the hell out of me when he slides his arm around my waist and pulls me into a hug. His warmth wraps around me, and I wish I could stay here.

With him.

Just like this.

“Text me when you get home.” His voice is gravelly.

“It’s not too far,” I counter.

“Willow River is a good twenty minutes, Blake. Text me.” His normal grumpy tone is back.

And here I was, starting to think the grumpy doctor had disappeared. “Fine,” I huff.

“Thank you.”

I open the door and rush down the steps to my car. I refuse to look in the rearview mirror to see if he’s watching. I have enough to unpack as it is. I hope Isla’s home. I need some best friend talk.

CHAPTER

TEN

Oliver

I’ve been antsy all day. If I’ve looked at the clock once, I’ve looked at it a thousand times. I even told Kathy to block my last appointment spot of the day when the patient who was originally scheduled canceled. I hate being behind, and I’m leaving as soon as I get the text from Blakely.

Last night, having her at my place was surreal. I don’t invite women to my home. Unless we’re related, they’ve never been there. This, though, having Blakely in my space, I didn’t hate it. And when we shared our dessert, fuck me… I wanted to kiss her. It took more strength than even I knew I had to hold back.

She’s all I’ve been able to think about these last couple of weeks. One minute I’m living my life, and the next, I’m told I have to work with someone new and that someone is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I thought I was strong enough to resist her, but last night shows I’m not. It’s not just me wanting to be inside her, because I do. I really, really do. I also feel protective of her.

She’s consuming me.

Hell, today, I made up an excuse to go to the administration office during my lunch under the guise of checking on my credentialing. I really just wanted to get a glimpse of her, but sadly, she wasn’t in her office.

Now, here I sit in my office, watching the numbers slowly tick by on the computer screen. It’s finally a few minutes before five. All my charting is done for the day, and I’ve signed off on all messages and prescription refills. There is nothing else to do but watch that clock on the corner of my computer screen. At least the staff will assume I’m working when I’m anything but.

I can’t stare at this screen a minute longer. With a few clicks, I have my laptop shutdown and close the lid. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I scroll though pictures. I delete screenshots that are no longer needed, and when my phone vibrates in my hand, I just about drop it. I fumble with the device and glance at the door to my office to make sure no one was walking by to bear witness to my nerves.

Blakely: I’m headed out.

Me: I’ll meet you at my car.

Blakely: I can just follow you wherever we’re going.

Me: I’ll drive us both.

Blakely: Bossy.

Me: Thank you.

I’m grinning down at the phone at our exchange. In a matter of weeks, she’s broken down walls that I never thought would fall. Standing, I shove my phone into my pocket, grab my keys, slip into my coat, and, with a wave over my shoulder to the staff and my peers, I make my way outside to her.

I’m leaning against my car, arms crossed over my chest and legs crossed at my ankles, when she approaches. Damn, she’s beautiful.

“Hey.” She smiles sweetly. “How was your day?”