I laugh, rubbing a hand over my mouth. “If you say so, Doc.”
His jaw flexes as he bites down, but he doesn’t reply. Instead, he resumes packing up, and I do the same. The tension between us is nearly suffocating, but I can’t help but find humor in it. I have no way of knowing for sure, but something about the way William looks at me, and the way he acts when we’re near each other, tells me I’m on his mind a lot more than he wants to let on and, if I had to guess, it’s probably filthy thoughts from that night and how good I made him feel. He's probably dying for a repeat, but can’t allow himself to admit that.
As sexy as he is, William has always been a very by-the-book type of man. He’s a solid guy with strong morals. A rule follower. Hooking up with me, I’m sure, broke dozens of his rules. It was probably the one and only thing he’s ever let himself do strictly for him, and that’s fucking with his head. Fucking with what he believes to be right and wrong. I’m his best friend’s son, and I’m also nearly half his age. According to society standards, what we did should bewrong.
I don’t see it that way. Neither should he.
Blame it on my competitive nature or the fact that I really,reallyhate being told I can’t do something, but every single atom in my body isdyingto watch William unravel. Watch him bend and twist his morals when he can’t hold on any longer. Watch him give in to what he really wants. And as I finish eating my lunch, with him across from me, I decide I’m going to do anything in my power to make him break. To watch the stuffy, professional, do-good doctor give in to his darkest desires.
And I’m going to fucking relish when it eventually happens.
15
William Andino
I’m just finishing the breakfast dishes when my phone rings on the counter. Drying my hands with a tea towel, I reach for it, smiling when I see Trish’s name flash on the screen. I hit accept, bringing the phone up to my ear.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Will.” Her voice is as cheerful as always. “How’s it going?”
“Oh, not too bad,” I murmur as I close the door to the dishwasher and turn it on. “Just finishing up some cleaning around the house. How’re you guys over here?”
“Good, good,” she states. “Look, I whipped up some homemade cinnamon rolls this morning. I’ve got a ton left over, and I know how much you enjoy them. Can I drop some off with you?”
Despite having eaten not even an hour ago, my stomach rumbles at the thought of devouring a couple of Trish’s famous cinnamon rolls. “Of course, you can,” I say with a chuckle. “I know what I’m having for lunch now.”
She laughs. “Wonderful. I’m packaging them up now, and I’ll send Colt over in a bit.”
“Colt?” As soon as his name leaves my lips, I realize how panicked it sounded, so I add, “I didn’t realize he was able to drive again.”
“Yeah, now that he doesn’t have to wear the sling, he’s cleared to drive. His physical therapist gave the okay at their last appointment. Isn’t that nice?”
Shit.“Uh, yeah, that’s awesome. Bet he’s thrilled.”
“He is,” Trish confirms. “Between you and me, I think he’s going a little stir crazy being here all the time.”
“Yeah, I’d imagine,” I murmur, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Anyway, I won’t keep you. Colt should be by within the hour with those goodies. I hope you enjoy.” The smile is evident in her voice, and it brings one to my own lips.
“Thank you, Trish. You spoil me.”
Hanging up, I toss the phone onto the counter and pinch the bridge of my nose. The last thing I need is Colt in my house after our tense lunch yesterday after the clinic. I saw a side of him that I haven’t seen before. Sure, the night we hooked up, he was confident and sure of himself, but yesterday was… different. He was cocky and focused and, if I’m being honest, it turned me on a little. Seeing his eyes darken and narrow as they took me in. The way his voice was deep and low as he told me I wasn’t the boss. It reminded me of the way he took control that night we hooked up, but times ten. I’m not used to being treated like that, and I hate how much my body seemsveryinto it.
I’m not some big, rough, dominant man by any means, but with all my sexual partners in the past, I have been the one more in control, and I’ve always preferred that. It worked with thedynamic I had between them. With Colt, though, he throws me off my axis. He makes me question my sanity, and I’m afraid the longer I’m around him, the more he’s going to break down those walls. What happened beforecannothappen again, yet I find myself imagining what it would be like if we did.
I’m startled out of the lewd fantasy playing in my mind when my phone buzzes on the counter. I notice a text from an unknown number. Swiping to unlock, I freeze when I read the message.
Unknown: Hey, Doc. My mom gave me your number so I could let you know I’m on my way. See you soon. ;)
Dammit.Not bothering with a response, I shove the phone into my pocket and leave the kitchen. Bounding up the stairs, I hang a right into the bathroom, locking myself inside as I stare at my own reflection. My hair is a mess, I haven’t done anything to it since I woke up. Turning on the faucet, I run my hand underneath it before bringing it up to my hair, trying to tame the unruly cowlick. Once I’ve gotten my hair a little damp and mostly flat, I lather some product in my hands, running my fingers through and coating the strands.
Then I’m reaching for my toothbrush, questioning why I’m going through all this trouble. I shouldn’t give a shit what I look like in front of Colt, but the delusional part of my brain tells me that I’d do this regardless of who was coming over. I don’t wantanybodyseeing me unkempt.
Yeah, let’s go with that.
I stroll down the hall to my bedroom, needing to change out of my plaid pajama pants. I find a pair of black athletic pants and slip them on. Reaching behind me and pulling my sleep shirt over my head, I switch it out for a clean Andino Family Medicine shirt instead. That’ll have to be good enough, because he should be here any minute. The Bishops don’t livethat far from here, and he did say he was on his way when the text came through.
