Until Autumn

“Then perhaps you’ll consider keeping your behavior in check so that such accusations don’t turn into hospital gossip and tarnish your reputation.”

“Watch yourself, Thorne,” he warns. “This isn’t a game you want to play with me.”

“Having respect for my students and your family isn’t something I consider a game, but clearly, you do,” he says, sending a thrill sweeping through me. “Now, I kindly suggest that you take yourself and your bullshit comments out of my office before I’m forced to intervene further.”

Dr. Harding’s gaze slices back to me and the darkness within them has me shrinking back. This isn’t a man I want to cross, and unfortunately, this whole situation makes me fear that I may already have.

He glances between us as though he’s about to accuse us of having some absurd, unprofessional relationship, and after a long, silent moment, he steals his stare away and stalks out of Dr. Mayson’s office with a sharp grunt. He thankfully keeps his mouth shut, and when the door slams behind him, Dr. Mayson lets out a deep sigh. “I'm sorry you had to witness that.”

I shrug my shoulders, attempting to shake it off. “It’s fine,” I tell him, pretending that just the thought of the meeting doesn’t send chills down my spine. “You really didn’t need to stand up for me like that. I don’t want you putting yourself in a bad situation for me.”

Dr. Mayson scoffs and turns to face me, putting himself right in front of me, closer than he’s ever been before. “Nobody is going to get away with talking to you like that. It was inappropriate, and I wasn’t going to stand by and allow him to take advantage of you.”

“I … thank you,” I finally say, my voice low as something stirs within my chest and the need to throw myself at him comes over me.

Words fall short, and we’re left standing in front of each other, the tension between us growing by the second. A softness spreads through his features and his hand flinches at his side, almost as though he’s trying to convince himself not to reach out and touch me, though I would give everything I had just to feel his fingertips brush over my skin.

I bite down on my lip and raise my chin, my eyes becoming hooded as I watch him struggle to control himself. This man is quickly becoming every thought inside my head, and the fact that I’m standing here right now, trying to convince myself not to crush my lips to his, couldn’t be good for my career, but I can’t deny how good it would feel.

Damn it. What is wrong with me? I only kicked Brandon out last night. How stupid could I be to jump straight back into another mistake? Though, Dr. Mayson would be a different kind of mistake … a very, very different mistake. He’s the kind of mistake that might even be worth it, but that’s not a risk I’m willing to take just yet. I have to be smart about this.

“I should go,” I murmur, fearing the trouble that I’d undoubtedly get myself into if I was to stay. “It’s getting late and I’m sure you have other stuff you need to be doing.”

He nods, a strain creeping through his gaze. “I think that’s a good idea,” he tells me, taking a hesitant step away from me. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I give him a tight smile as I reluctantly walk back around his desk and find my bag lying in the middle of the floor. “I’ll umm … yeah. I’ll see you then.” I physically have to force myself to move my ass to the door before I allow myself the chance to ruin everything by running into his strong arms.

I quickly glance back at him as I head for the door, and with his eyes glued to mine, heavy and full of desire, I know that Dr. Mayson and I will never have a professional relationship, no matter how hard either of us tries.

CHAPTER 10

AUTUMN

I lean over Patricia’s desk as she goes over some paperwork with me, pointing out exactly what I need to do. The last student who submitted paperwork to her ended up wasting three crucial hours because of one missed number, and I refuse to fuck up like that. Hell, from now on, Patricia refuses to allow us to.

I scan over the paperwork and am just about to ask a few more questions when Patricia’s phone rings, cutting me off before I have a chance to even speak. She scoops up the phone as if whoever is on the other end is far more important than me. “Nurses’ station,” she says, keeping it short and simple, which I’ve come to learn is just the way around here.

Patricia’s gaze instantly sweeps toward me, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Yes,” she says, “She’s right here.” There’s a short pause before her eyes seem to narrow further, instantly making me fear that Dr. Harding has somehow dropped me in a bucket of shit after what happened last night in Dr. Mayson’s office. “Of course,” Patricia continues. “I’ll let her know.”