CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Returning to work was a blessing for Tessa, more than she’d expected. There was a call from her boss about her sudden departure, but the fact that she’d come back way earlier than planned smoothed a few wrinkles. That and the fact the emergency ward hadn’t been a complete battleground while she was gone.
It had been a month since she’d left Locke’s apartment. Not that she wanted to keep count, but her mind did during the day, and her body did the same at night. As soon as she closed her eyes, it was as if every cell of her body caught fire. Even if the last memory of him twisted her heart in a vicious fist.
Alone in her bed, she let her fantasies run wild, masturbating until her clit couldn’t take it anymore or her body shut down from pleasure and exhaustion, imagining what might have been if Locke hadn’t been a total and utter jerk.
But pleasuring herself couldn’t compare to Locke’s touch.
In the end, she didn’t care. Tessa regretted nothing. She had explored sexual fantasies she never thought she’d have the courage to try. Gage had been a good guy with everything, and she was grateful.
And Locke had made her realize that she needed more to life than work. Even if her career was fulfilling, she now knew she needed more. Not only someone to share it with, but also, a purpose.
That whole ordeal shone a brand-new light on what she could do. The previous week, she’d had coffee with Nigel, and he was thrilled to hear she was after a new challenge. There were some more details to iron out, but if all went according to plan, she would be the new addition at his community clinic.
A big change that she hadn’t been ready to announce to anyone apart from Mabel, who threatened her with bodily harm if Tessa didn’t offer her a job with her.
Tessa would have to relocate, but that wasn’t a big deal as she wasn’t that attached to her little apartment. She was looking for a place with a larger kitchen. Another change that she wanted to implement into her life. Cooking was fun, and she intended to continue. That and carving out more time for herself. She may not be ready to date, but she wanted to make space for that eventually. When her heart stopped aching for that jerk Locke. And the worst thing about that, after so much crying and time, she saw how deep his pain was. Maybe he believed everything he’d said, but perspective made her see the good in him too. But she wouldn’t be the one to work that out with him.
As she walked out of the hospital, Tessa zipped up her coat. The wind was picking up, and from what she could tell, rain was on the way.
With the colder temperature, maybe it would turn to snow. Snow was nice, it would prevent her from imagining images of Locke in the rain again.
Night fell fast this time of the year and the weather, she wasn’t going to detour to the market. Anyway, she still had soup from the night before and she really had to start working on her resignation letter.
Lost in thought, Tessa turned the corner and saw a shadow coming out from behind a car. The streetlight was behind him and she couldn’t see his face. Panic seized her as she remembered Luther kidnapping her. Letting out a scream, she backpedaled but tripped. Her butt hit the pavement hard, jarring her spine. Still, Tessa scrambled to get away from the approaching figure looming over her. Ready to kick and bite at the first opportunity, it was the shadow’s voice that pulled at her mind and made her pause.
A car passed by, illuminating Locke’s face as he crouched in front of her.
Her heart accelerated a bit at seeing him, but she was damned if she would let him know. Ignoring his hand, she pushed herself up, but not before seeing how battered up his face was.
“Damn, Locke! Did you forget I was kidnapped less than two months ago! Don’t spring out in front of women like that.”
Not wanting to look at his handsome face more than she had to, not wanting to care, Tessa lifted her chin and walked around him. Her building was just there and all she wanted was to be quick enough to unlock her front door and get inside before he could follow her. Not looking around, she fished for her keys, and unlocked her front door, but it didn’t slam back.
Without turning she hissed. “I’m not available to be your whore tonight, and from what I saw, you’re in need of a hospital. So, leave me alone.”
“Tessa.”
In her hallway, her entire body froze. It was the first time he’d said her name. Every other time, he’d referred to her asDoctor, which was a clear sign of the distance he was trying to maintain. The sound of it, low and full of pain plunged a knife in her heart.
She was a strong woman, she could do this and face him, even with mixed emotions that were twisting her soul. Turning around, she saw him step inside and close the door behind him. Windblown dark hair, five o’clock shadow on his square jaw, his pale green eyes looked at her as if she was about to disappear. Angry bruises on his jaw and temple almost made her wince. There was an ugly scratch near his nose too.What the hell happened to him?Berating herself, Tessa tried to get her emotions under control, but nonetheless he got to her.
She had never seen him looking so wild, but it was the way he stood that made her wonder what was going on.
“What’s happened?” The words were out before she could bite them back. Not that she needed to know, but she approached him as if he was a wild wolf. Before she realized it, she was toe to toe with the man she’d never thought to see again or should still have feelings for.
“Tessa.”
Again, he said her name, and before she could react, he lowered his head as if to kiss her. For an infinite moment he stayed there, so close, his breath fanning her lips, before drawing back.What was that?The longing on his face revealed he wanted it, but he held himself back. Self-preservation kicked in and Tessa took a step back, Locke flinched as if she was the one who’d punched him. He stood there, immobile. She could sense his agony and yearning, something she never thought she would see, as she moved away from him.
“What’s going on, Locke? Why are you here?” She didn’t invite him in, she couldn’t. Her lips still tingled from his ghostly kiss, but she wouldn’t be swayed or played with.
“Sorry.”
Tessa blinked. It was so not like him to apologize or appear so raw and vulnerable, it almost scared her. “About what?”
“About everything I said and everything I didn’t do. I want to apologize.”
