The Nurse's One Night to Forever

That had her gaze lifting. “You think it’s easy for me?”

His eyes searched hers. “Isn’t it?”

Was that what he thought? She must be a better actress than she’d given herself credit for.

“People were talking about us today. I didn’t like it.” She hesitated, and then, glancing away, admitted, “More than that, I didn’t like it that you didn’t talk to me.”

“I didn’t know what to say.”

“You normally have no trouble talking to me,” she reminded him.

“I normally haven’t had sex with you, then woken up in bed alone.”

“There is that.” Riley leaned back against the elevator wall, looked up—and lost her breath as her gaze locked with his emotion-filled one.

He really did seem to be struggling with this as much as she was. He looked as torn and confused about what had happened as she was, and wondering where they went from here.

She sank her teeth into her lower lip as she considered him—as she considered her own conflicted thoughts and emotions.

She’d looked into those eyes when they were filled with passion, had laughed with him, smiled at him, felt so a

t ease with him Saturday night.

His seeing her naked could have been so awkward—could have triggered so many negative memories of Johnny’s harsh comments about her size and many other failings. Instead Justin had made her feel beautiful, sexy, confident. Not once had he looked at her or responded to her with anything other than complete and utter fascination.

And Justin being fascinated with her—her body, her words, her desires—had been heady. Addictive. Making her want more. Lots more.

She still wanted more. As evidenced by the heat building inside her at being near him, alone, in an elevator, and knowing what he was capable of.

She gulped.

As if he had read where her mind had gone his gaze dropped to her lips and his eyes darkened. “Riley, I really am sorry. I—”

The elevator came to a stop and the door slid open. Two suited men boarded, nodded toward them, then went back to their conversation.

Justin didn’t resume speaking—for which Riley was grateful. She didn’t want the suits privy to their conversation. But she wanted to know what he’d been about to say.

When they got off the elevator they headed in silence toward the employee parking area. She bit her already sore lower lip as they walked near to one another and yet so far away.

She should have known this would happen. This horrible awkwardness.

She had known.

* * *

Justin had never been one for dancing around an issue, and he truly didn’t understand why Riley hadn’t woken him.

He’d had to bite his tongue in the elevator. He wanted to talk to her—needed to talk to her to understand what had happened between them. But he knew Riley wouldn’t appreciate their having a serious conversation in front of others.

Once they got outside the building they’d headed for the employee parking lot. Although only a few feet apart physically as they walked together toward their cars, miles separated them in every other way.

He couldn’t hold back any longer. “Why did you leave?”

“There was no reason to stay.”

Ouch. Did she truly believe that? “I can think of a few.”

She sighed. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Justin.”