Dr. Fake It - A Possessive Doctor Romance

I recoiled back and the chair slid away from my mom’s bed. It almost tipped and fell, but I scrambled and caught myself before it dumped me on the floor. He grinned, his white teeth straight, his thick dark hair in tight curls on his head. He had scruff on his cheeks and chin, and his dark brown eyes were handsome—but he was all wrong somehow. His hands were too big, his nose too square, his eyes too quick to stare down at my breasts and my lips, and there was too much greed and eagerness in his expression. He wore a pair of dark jeans and a simple white button-down shirt tucked in without a belt. His style was European, but still somehow functional.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I thought I’d come visit, pay my respects.” He nodded at my mother. “Poor old bird. She wasn’t meant to get hurt this bad, you know.”

Anger flared up hot and fast. I half stood—but stopped when he looked at me. “You did this to her.”

“That’s right, I did.”

“Why?” The word came out choked, rushed.

“Because you denied me one too many times.” He tilted his head and stared at me. “You had to learn your lesson.”

I held up my hand and turned it toward him, showing the ring on my finger. “Well you can’t have me anymore, you asshole.”

He let out a mocking laugh. “The doctor, right? Gavin Majors? An interesting man, I’ll give you that. I don’t understand what he wants from a gutter bitch like you, though. He could certainly do better.”

I dropped my hand, heart racing. I wouldn’t let him bait me. “You shouldn’t be here.”

He gestured around him. “Your husband wanted to speak with me, and so here I am.”

I got completely to my feet and stepped toward the curtain, I reached up to pull it, but he held up a hand.

I hesitated. “I need to get him.”

“Wait. Maybe you and I can speak first.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Do you like your new husband? Is he a nice man?”

I clenched my jaw. “He’s fine.”

“I assume you don’t want him to end up like—” He gestured at my mother.

“Are you threatening me?” I asked.

“Yes, yes, I am.” He tilted his head. “I thought that was obvious.”

“Fuck you.”

“Gladly.”

I felt like gagging. “You can’t force your way into this, Cosimo.”

“So you think.” He waved a hand. “Go get your husband. I’ll wait here.” He walked to the chair on the other side of my mother’s bed and sat down. “I’ll keep your mother company while you wait.”

I hesitated and didn’t want to leave him alone in that room, but turned away, yanked the curtain open, and fled. I hurried toward the nurses’ station, spotted Fiona, and she must’ve seen something in my expression. She stood and came to me.

“What’s wrong? Your mom?”

I shook my head. “I need Gavin. It’s important.”

She hesitated then nodded. “I’ll page him. Wait here.” She walked around the nurses’ station, sat down, and made a quick call. When she finished, she put the phone down and rejoined me. “Should I call security too?”

That was a loaded question. “No. I don’t think so. I think… no. It’s okay.”

She nodded but didn’t look reassured. We waited together and I moved nervously from foot to foot, craning my neck back toward my mother’s room. I hated leaving her alone with that bastard, but I didn’t know what else to do.

Fiona watched me patiently and I could tell she was trying to assess what was going on with me. I wished I could explain but I had the feeling that if she knew Cosimo was back there in that room, she’d call the police. That would only make things more difficult—men like Cosimo didn’t disappear because of the cops.

“Can I ask you something?” Fiona gave me a sweet smile.

I nodded. “Go ahead.”

“Why Gavin?”

I blinked, surprised and not sure how to respond. “He’s the only person that’s offered to help.”

“I’m sure you could find someone else. I mean, there has to be other options.”

“What’s with you and him?” I gave her an odd look. “I don’t get why you hate him so much.”

“I don’t hate him.” She seemed surprised and then sighed, looking away. “I have a problem with the way he’s treated some of the nursing staff.”

I wanted to ask for details, but Gavin came striding toward us down the hall. He frowned at me and must’ve realized that he wasn’t paged for a medical emergency.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

Fiona gestured at me. “She needs to talk to you.” She lingered for a second then let out a frustrated breath. “I’ll be at my station if you need me.” She walked over to the desk and sat back down with an audible grunt.

Gavin stared at me and leaned close. I could smell the soap on his hands, antiseptic and powerful. “What’s going on?” he said, voice soft.