Isabella was getting frustrated. She was normally good at holding back emotions, but she was too tired to stay calm. She blinked furiously as her eyes began to moisten. The truth was, she was mad at herself for putting herself in positions where she might be alone with James. She coul
dn’t help but want to be near him. She was strangely drawn to him.
James’s eyes widened. “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. You’re right. Maybe I could torment you a little less, but you drive me insane.”
“What?” she spat. “I drive you insane?”
“You’re an attractive woman. I knew that you probably wouldn’t be interested in hooking up with a coworker, but I thought I’d wait and see if you showed any interest in me. Then, when we were on call and you kissed me, it awoke something in me. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I wanted you so badly.”
“Be rational for a second,” she interrupted. “You know that this is a bad idea.”
“I’m always rational. I’ve thought of just about every scenario where we are together. Admittedly, half of the possibilities end in disaster, but it could work.”
“How?”
“I’ve been at this hospital for a while. I’ve heard all about the staff hooking up with one another. These things just happen when you spend all day and all night together. Sometimes, it leads to a real relationship, but usually, it’s just a way to fill the time and relieve a little stress.”
“I don’t think I’m interested,” Isabella said quietly.
James sat down and looked her in the eye. His eyes were so gentle and comforting.
“Can you tell me, with complete honesty, that you are not attracted to me?”
“What? I’m not—” she sputtered.
“So when you were amped up after that surgery, you would have kissed anyone?”
“Well—”
“Like if it were Craig, or Justin, or Dr. Jensen, you would have stuck your tongue in their mouth?”
She crinkled her nose at the thought. “No, of course not.”
“So?” he asked, egging her on.
“Yes, I find you extremely attractive. Is that what you want to hear?” she nearly shouted at him.
He looked satisfied with himself.
“Then what are you so afraid of?” he asked gently.
Isabella could fill a book with the reasons she didn’t want a relationship, especially one with James. For starters, hooking up with coworkers was messy business, especially when he had some say in the future of her career.
Also, she didn’t need to be with a man at all right now, especially one with money and a high-powered career. In the long run, it wouldn’t work out.
Mostly, she was afraid of turning into her mother. She couldn’t give herself the option of a life where she didn’t have to work. She had worked too hard to get herself to this point, just to throw it away for a hot surgeon.
She didn’t want to argue with James. She wanted to let go of her fears and just touch him. He was wearing her down.
“How long until anyone else shows up?” she asked.
He checked the clock on the wall. “About fifteen minutes. Why?”
She lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her mouth against his. She felt his mouth move into a wide smile beneath hers.
“Come with me,” he said, hoisting her up. She wrapped her legs around his torso, her mouth exploring his freshly shaven face.
He took her to a small room with tiny metal-framed bunk beds and dropped her down on the mattress, shutting the door behind him with his foot.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked her as he pushed a strand of hair out of her face.
“Take off your pants,” she ordered.
He obliged, stripping completely nude. He was even hotter than she had imagined. She grabbed one firm buttock and squeezed.
James pulled Isabella’s shirt off over her head, and she threw her pants on the ground. She frantically pulled his body onto hers. She didn’t want to wait and definitely didn’t want to get caught.
“Hold on,” he panted, reaching underneath the bed. He dragged out a box of condoms.
“What—” she started.
He laughed. “I told you that hospital hookups weren’t uncommon.”
When he entered her, she was immediately overcome with pleasure. She’d been so busy with school and work that she’d sworn off men altogether.
James was eager to please, so she let him do the work, showing her delight with soft moans. He pumped faster, hoping to keep things quick. There was no point in trying, though, because their built-up arousal caused them to come in just minutes.
He hovered over her for a minute, watching the rapid rise and fall of her chest. He kissed her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
She wanted to lie there forever, but someone could walk in the lounge at any time, and then all hope of discretion would be ruined.
“See you for rounds,” he said, slapping her gently on the ass.