With that, he sends me a wink and leaves Iris’s apartment.
Dear god, please tell me I haven’t made the biggest mistake of my life.
Because I do not want to fall for the charms of Calder Sterling.
Just as he promised,he’s waiting for me at the end of my shift. The sky has shifted to a deep purple as the sun sets, but dark clouds spread across the horizon, coming in fast. Wind picks up the sweaty strands of my hair, which hangs irritably around my face. I brush them back with my hand, frowning at the sight of the man who really should not be here.
But he leans lazily against the passenger door of his truck, hands in his jean pockets. “You cold?” he asks as I approach, pushing off the car. “I have a jacket in the back.”
I shake my head, but as the wind blows through the guest parking at the facility, I can’t hold back my shiver. “I’m going home,” I tell him. “Good night.”
He steps into my path, forcing me to run right into his very manly chest. “We have a funeral to plan, nurse Imogen. You don’t want to disappoint Iris.”
I narrow my eyes and glare up at him. He has to be about half a head taller than me, which shouldnotexcite me as much as it does.Heshould not excite me the way he does.
“What I want is to go home, eat my leftover salad, and sleep the few hours I have before I need to be here again at 3AM,” I reply. “Iris isn’t my only patient. And today put me behind.”
I don’t expect someone like him to care, but it takes me by surprise when his eyes soften. “You have a ride home, then?” he asks warily.
I take a step back. “I was going to walk.”Ihada car. It worked when drivingtoWillow Ridge. But it quickly died as soon as I got here. “It’s fine, though. I don’t live far.” I wave a hand, motioning towards the really dark street that vaguely looks like the one I now live down.
Calder glances over his shoulder, then looks at me like I’m crazy. “Youwalkedhere? At three in the morning?”
“No.” I shake my head, feeling all sorts of weird now. Warm, under his burning gaze. Fluttery, because it’s kind of hot how distressed he is over the idea of me walking here in the middle of the night. “I walked here at two-thirty. I arrived at around three. My timing is great, thank you.”
He scoffs like I made the worst kind of comment. Moving aside, he grabs the passenger side door and opens it. “Get in.”
I take another step back, this time the one to scoff. “Or what?”
Something shines in his hazel eyes, a kind of mischief that I know will only get me hurt. “Or I’ll pick you up and toss you into the truck,” he replies, dead serious.
I can’t help but laugh at the damned audacity. Who the hell does he think he is? I’ve been independent most of my life. Even with my grandfather around, there was a lot I’d been made to do by myself. I’m a capable woman, and Grandpa had made sure of it. Even in death, despite Petunia digging her claws in, he’d made sure I’d be okay.
And I don’t need someone like Calder Sterling coming in and playing hero.
I go to walk away when the wind picks up again, this time carrying with it the smell of rain. I glance up at the ever darkening sky, a shudder rolling down my spine. The clouds, which appear like black smudges against the night, are even closer now.
Before I can make it a few more steps, a hand grabs me from behind. I don’t even have to turn to know it’s Calder, but it’s what he does next that threatens to push me over the edge.
“Fuck around and find out,” he says, before bending over and throwing me over his shoulder.
Hethrows me over his shoulder.
I’m too surprised to fight back. Partly because I’m not a thin girl. I weigh quite a bit, and my feet hurt because of it. But also because he’s carrying me directly to his truck without making a sound.
Is this man Superman or something?
He doesn’t drop me right away, but I do slowly slide down his front. Those strong, farm boy arms remain locked around me, holding me tightly to his body in a way that feels protective, but also intimate.
One of his arms slips to my ass, which should make me want to smack him. I should be shouting, calling for help. But my mouth is dry, heart pounding.
“I’m taking you home,” he says, voice deepening. “And then I’m going to pick you up in the morning.”
I try to shake my head, but he somehow manoeuvres me into the truck. And I don’t even try to fight it. Maybe it’s shock rushing through me. Or the threat of rain hanging over my head.
Or maybe I’m a little too curious about Calder Sterling and the way his eyes darken protectively when he looks at me.
Whatever it is, I give into it. I buckle in, letting my purse drop to the surprisingly clean floor.
