A Nurse to Tame the ER Doc

She’d only thought she’d felt hot before. Now she burned so brightly she was surprised everyone wasn’t whipping out their sunglasses to protect their eyes.

“You don’t have to answer. I can see it on your face. So again I’ll ask, why haven’t you had sex since your divorce? Are you still in love with him?”

“No.” Unable to stand still, she took off walking, again, making her way through the throng of music lovers.

“Then why choose to be celibate?” Jack asked from beside her, obviously determined to finish their conversation.

“Not everyone has to go around having sex all the time, you know.” She glanced his way.

His brow arched. “Is that what you think I do?”

“I don’t know what you do. I just met you. Maybe you have a fling during every one of these music festivals and I’m just this festival’s chosen partner.”

“I haven’t.”

Why did his answer make her heart beat more wildly? Why did their conversation feel so important?

She tilted her chin higher. “But you have had flings?”

“Have I had mutually consensual and satisfying sex during a music festival?” Staring intently into her eyes, he nodded. “Yes. More than once. Is that what you want to hear, Taylor? That I have had a healthy, enjoyable sex life? Does my admission make me less in your eyes?”

Taylor realized they’d reached the other end of the festival grounds and were near the medical tent and the Oasis. The haven was practically deserted. Letting go of his hand, she took off running towards the Oasis and dropped down onto the sand.

The Oasis had called to her like some mystical mirage offering what she needed. For all her pushing, Jack hadn’t raised his voice or seemed mad, more intent on pressing her to find answers within herself. As if he realized she needed those answers more than he did.

He didn’t run after her but, hands in his shorts pockets, he strolled towards her, whistling a tune that sounded similar to one of the songs they’d listened to the band play earlier.

When he reached her, he didn’t say anything, just sat down in the sand beside her, staring out toward the closest stage, and patiently waited for her to say something.

It was a long time before she found words. She marveled that he sat silently with her, giving her the time and space to get her thoughts together.

“O

ne of the reasons I’ve not had sex in the past year is that I haven’t wanted to have sex.” She took a deep breath. “Not even a hint of wanting to touch or have sex.” She exhaled. “Not until now.” Another deep inhalation and exhalation because she might pass out if she didn’t force herself to breathe. “You’re the first person I’ve wanted to have sex with since my divorce, and I want you. A lot. I find that exciting and terrifying.”

There. She’d said the words out loud. Let him think what he may.

“Is it wrong if I say I’m honored?”

His voice sounded so cocky and his eyes danced with such wicked pleasure that Taylor’s hackles rose.

“Don’t patronize me, Jack Morgan.”

His eyes remaining locked with hers, he lifted her chin to make her look into his eyes.

“I want you, Taylor. A lot. More than a lot.” The colored lights providing a soft glow around the oasis glittered in his eyes. “Hearing you say you want me too doesn’t generate a single patronizing thought.”

Staring into his eyes, seeing so much emotion reflected there, Taylor swallowed. “What does it do?”

“Makes me want to kiss you even more than I already did.”

Jack wanted to kiss her.

She’d known that.

Still, his words thrilled her, made her want to jump up and down and dance around the sandpit like a giddy schoolgirl.

His words also made her want to take off running again. As far as her feet would take her because Lord help her at the things his admission did to her insides.