CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“I’m hungry.” Gage whined as she passed him on her way to the living room, which made her smile. And to be honest, she could eat too.
“I’m not your cook. Why don’t you make something for yourself?”
Gage shuffled. “Because I’m weak and injured. And because Locke doesn’t like me messing up his kitchen.”
Tessa turned to him. Being in such a good mood was a sign he was on the mend. “Where do you live? You can go raid your own fridge.”
Slowly, he rounded the sofa and sat down. “I don’t think I can make it the two flights down to my place.”
No surprise there. They both lived in the same building. On that note, Tessa turned to the kitchen and saw an empty plate on the counter. “Don’t tell me that Locke left that.”
Gage pouted. “Locke made me a small sandwich. I need something more substantial.”
Ignoring him, she checked what was available, and was impressed with how Locke kept his fridge and pantry full of fresh stuff, neatly placed, or stacked. In the freezer, she saw a pot of homemade spaghetti sauce and decided to go for it. As she prepared a healthy portion of pasta, sure to satisfy Gage, she checked him as he watched her every move. The fighter was so different from his friend, and much more open.
“How long have you known Locke?” Tessa hoped that the question was asked in such a way that it didn’t feel as if she was prying.
“All my life. We were from the same fucked-up neighborhood.”
As she let the water boil, Tessa used the microwave to thaw the sauce. “And he’s always been like this?”
“Like what?”
Gage sounded defensive, and when she looked up, there was confirmation of her guess on his face. “I wasn’t insulting him, Gage. I’m just curious. Everything in his environment is so controlled. The way he is, and how he acts.”
“You mean his OCD? Shit. I can’t answer that, but it developed much later, and was caused by something I can’t discuss. That’s for him to tell. Not me.”
Tessa could understand that, and to be honest, it was something in the man that both intrigued her and make her wonder how far she could push him. From a clinical viewpoint, it was always a bad idea, but she wasn’t a doctor right now.
Putting the pasta in the boiling water, she searched for a pot in which to put the sauce. As expected, it was lined up in one of the drawers.
Only a few more minutes and it would be ready. Still, Gage watched. His energy was so different from Locke’s. One was a burning cold, the other a hot flame. Where Locke could arouse her with a single glance, Gage’s insistence and expectant face made her restless. She knew the body that was under the loose sweatpants and large t-shirt. The doctor had examined his body, but the woman remembered every single inch of it.
“Do you need help?”
“You’re only asking now because I’m nearly done. Nice try, pal.”
Gage chuckled. “Busted. Unless I come here and Locke cooks, I mostly eat out. I enjoy a home cooked meal.”
The longing in his voice moved her. And the sincerity. “Well, cooking pasta is nothing fancy. I work most of the time, and I’m at the hospital so much I never have time to go shopping.”
“Locke told me how tired you are because of your work.”
“I’m not that bad. I’m used to long hours.” Finding a sieve, she drained the pasta before returning it to the pot and pouring the steaming tomato sauce over it. Once she stirred everything together, she placed it on a trivet and went to grab plates.
“Hey, Doc, come here a minute.”
Putting the plate down, she turned to see him trying to get up, holding his ribs.
“Take it easy, will you. You’re still on the mend and moving as if you’re perfectly fine.” Tessa went and crouched before him. “Can’t you just lean back and relax? Resting is the only thing that will help you get better.”
His eyes locked with hers. “I’ve been in worse pain, Doc. Thanks for worrying about me.” His fingers with their bloodied knuckles from his fight skimmed her cheek. “But who worries about you?”
Tessa blinked, not knowing how to answer. She had been alone for so long, her life only about work, there wasn’t anybody. Opening her mouth to say something, Gage stopped her words by taking it. The surprise made her fall forward, but strong arms held her upright. The kiss was tender, but incredibly possessive, his beard making her skin even more sensitive as she finally opened her mouth to him.
Tessa swallowed his groan, as his hands pulled her into him. “I’m going to hurt you…”
