Page 30 of Guarding Bristol
In the en suite he stripped as he ran the shower, waited until the water was steaming hot before stepping under the spray.It was heaven, standing there with the strong water pressure pounding down on his head and shoulders.And so was knowing that he could stay in here until the hot water tank ran out if he felt like it.
He scrubbed himself with a fresh bar of soap that suffused the humid air with the scent of evergreen, busy formulating a plan.Running drugs through the hospital was common, but risky.To get what he wanted, he needed to approach Mark without raising suspicion.He needed an in.
Once again, the answer led him back to Bristol.
Instantly, he dismissed it out of hand.He wasn’t going to stoop to involving her.
But after thinking it through from every angle, he had to admit there was no other way.
He’d been standoffish and brusque with her to protect himself up to this point, but he needed to get closer to her now.It couldn’t be helped.
He ruthlessly squashed the shot of guilt about using her that way.He’d kept his end of the bargain.He didn’t owe her anything, as long as she didn’t get hurt.And this chance...was too important to let it pass him by.
If he had to exploit her to get what he needed, then that’s what he’d do.
Chapter Eleven
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“Whoops, hold up therea second.”Bristol stopped her patient to adjust the back of her hospital robe and do up the ties more securely to cover the back of her.Then for good measure, she slipped another over top of it, with the front facing the opposite way.“Can’t have you giving everyone in the hallway a thrill with a free peepshow.It’d be anarchy.”
The elderly woman cackled as Bristol helped her forward and handed her the quad cane she used for stability.“Never know, they might enjoy it.”
“Probably some would, yeah, which is exactly why I wanted to protect your modesty.”
“You’re a gem.”
“I try.”
“All right,” Ethel announced, shuffling for the door Bristol rushed to open.“I’m off.See you next time, dear.”
“You bet.I’ll be here,” Bristol said brightly.
As soon as she closed the door behind Ethel she stood there for a long moment, eyes shut.So far, today’s shift had sucked.
Ethel had been coming in for regular scans and ultrasounds since her first irregular mammogram three years ago.She loved to joke around, seemed to enjoy chatting with Bristol during their appointments, and her good humor had been a godsend for not only her, but all the staff who came into contact with her as well.
