King Me (King Me Duet 1)

Thinking didn’t come into play as my feet steered me in his direction. Brian might have said something, but it was white noise in the background as my heart raced the closer I got to Liam.

It had only been a day since we’d seen each other, and I was still blown away. His eyes were focused on me as I neared. I studied his rugged jaw line that led to that kissable mouth of his. Those lips had scorched memories in my brain.

“You’re here,” I said when I reached him.

It wasn’t lost on me how Nurse Ratched stared at him like I didn’t exist.

“So are you.” I might have bit at the corner of my lower lip as my insides went all tingly.

“We’re still on for dinner,” Brian said, breaking the spell.

Nurse Ratched didn’t let me speak and jumped right in. “Dinner. That sounds great. I was just asking Liam about a meal. The four of us should go out.”

“I—” Liam and I both said.

Brian on the other hand, said, “Sure. Though what’s open?” He didn’t sound as excited.

Most restaurants that were open only allowed for delivery or pickup.

“We’ll figure out something. It’s a date,” Nurse Ratched said.

Then someone called for Doctor Love and he said, “Duty calls,” before leaving.

The phone rang and Nurse Ratched was forced to answer. I took Liam by the arm and dragged him halfway down a less busy hallway.

“What the hell?” I asked him.

“What?”

“You’re hitting on people I work with?”

“You’re going out with a love doctor?” he tossed back.

“His last name is Love,” I defended.

“Not any better.”

“That doesn’t answer the question if you came to see me or if you were looking to hook up with one of the nurses.”

“She started flirting with me first.”

I crossed my arms and gave him a look that said, seriously, without using the words. His response was to give me a cheeky grin. I let out a wordless laugh because damn him for being too cute.

“Are we really going to do this?” I asked.

He folded his arms and leaned on the wall to mirror me. “Do what?”

“Go on a double date?”

“Why not?”

I opened and closed my mouth like a fish because I couldn’t think of what to say for a second. “I don’t know. Like wouldn’t it be weird?”

“We’re friends, right?”

I nodded.

“Then I’ll be your wingman and you can be mine.”

I eyed him like he was crazy. “I bet you don’t even know that nurse’s name.”

“As my wingman, you can find out.”

I gaped, which I was doing a lot of. “And what else would you like me to find out? Like, if she wants to marry you and have your babies?”

He pointed at me. “Exactly. That would mean I should stay far away from that craziness.”

I giggled as I spoke. “I can’t believe you’re serious.”

“I told you I was no prince.”

“That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? You want me to think you’re an asshole?”

“No. I could do the same for you. While we’re out, I’ll let you know if he wants to marry you and have you be the mother of his babies.”

I let my hands fall to my sides exasperated. “And that’s a bad thing?”

“Not for you. That’s a good thing. Like if you told me that nurse just wanted to bang me, that would be a green light for me. Whereas, if I told you the love doctor just wanted to bang you, that would be a red flag.”

I pressed fingers to my temple. “I hate to admit there is some logic in what you said.”

He flashed me a smile with that dimple on full force. “It will be fun.”

“I think you’re crazy.”

“And you love it,” he said.

I hesitated to speak because I didn’t want to think about the word ‘love’ as I fell harder for this man.

“Natalie.” Over Liam’s shoulder and several feet away stood Nurse Allen. “Isn’t your break over?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m coming,” I called to her. To him, I said, “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Text me the details,” he said with a lopsided grim.

I rolled my eyes and quickly made my way to my boss. I didn’t like the frown she had on her face.

The rest of the day, I wondered how I could possibly play wingman for Liam when all I wanted to do was claw Nurse Ratched’s eyes out.

How could I get through dinner with them both?

Sixteen

Liam

It was probably a very bad idea to go on this double date. How could I give her advice when there was a part of me I was trying to ignore that wanted her for myself? Truth was this doctor could be the man of her dreams. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to reenlist with the military so I could fully utilize my skills. Then there was this job. So far, it felt like babysitting. That was the nature of security though, wasn’t it?