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JOEL
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“NOT QUITE PERFECT.” Far from it. “I attended a bunch of study group sessions, even had a tutor for a semester. At times, my brain felt like it was going to melt with all the information being shoved into it every day. But like I said, joining my family’s practice and helping kids became my top priorities. I focused on those two goals throughout my years at Fallon, through residency at St. Mary’s Hospital, and it’s gotten me to where I am today.”
The early-setting sun shines into the van and highlights tiny dust particles in the air as I contemplate the path of my life so far. Ruminating on the past isn’t exactly my favorite pastime—like Walt Disney said, keep moving forward—but it’s interesting sharing with Kenzie.
I want to impress her with my improvements.
I want to prove I’m worthy of her time.
She stares out the windshield, her hands tinkering around with the steering wheel, and the dark red striping the palms bothers me. It matches the glimpse of red peeping from the collar of her tee where the bungee cord abraded her skin. Watching her fall from below—with no way of stopping it—had frozen me in place with crushing fear, until the sight of her almost hitting a steel beam rocketed me into action. Kenzie landing in my arms safely, with only minor scratches and bruises, will forever be branded in my mind.
I’d never felt such an intense wave of relief in my entire life.
Oblivious to my observation, she asks another question—ever the curious woman who needs all the facts. The notion warms me from the inside out knowing she’s curious about me. “Why pediatrics? I understand wanting to work with your family, but the choice of specialty isn’t what I’d expect. Though, I never would’ve pegged you for a doctor at all, so any specialty would seem strange.”
“That’s an easy one. Kids are the best. I love hanging out with them because they tell you like it is. They’re truthful, not bogged down by adult concerns. They’re full of joy and playfulness, and I relate to their sense of fun.” I shrug, remembering a discussion I had with my dad about a future in pediatrics. He’d had his reservations, as well. “My dad’s a general practitioner. My mom’s an OB-GYN, and my brother followed in Dad’s footsteps. But working with adults never appealed to me. Too many bad interactions when I visited the practice growing up. It’s just a different outlook on life.”
Kenzie nods, her gaze fixated on the windshield, following the group of people heading towards us. “That makes sense. You’re kind of a big kid yourself... or you were.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
We share a smile as the side door opens and our peers pile into the van, sweating and laughing. Naturally, the conversation shifts to hearing about everyone’s experience on the obstacle course while Kenzie drives us back to campus. Anytime someone mentions her accident, she calmly directs the attention away from herself until its forgotten, clearly uncomfortable rehashing the scary moment, and I can’t blame her.
If I never visit another adventure track like River Sports’ Sky Trail, it’ll be too soon.
White stadium lights from the soccer field brighten the evening as we park at the college forty-five minutes later, everyone separating into groups for the night—some heading towards the field while others search out food for dinner. Kenzie pulls out a tiny notebook to write down the mileage and gas used as the dim glow of the dashboard light highlights her elegant handwriting.
“You don’t have to wait for me to finish this,” she says, pausing her writing to glance over at me.
“Are you forgetting about our deal? We stick together this weekend, and since we’re both free until tomorrow night’s dance...” I snag her hand and turn it over to place a kiss on the inside of her wrist, carefully avoiding the ink point of her pen. “You’re mine for the next twenty-four hours.”
“Am I?” The husky note in her voice is the call of a siren from the sea, and I use my hold on her wrist to tug until she’s within reach, our mouths meeting in the dark for a stolen moment of bliss.
Releasing her after a short nip to her bottom lip, my chin bobs up and down. “Yes, you are. Which is why we’re returning to my hotel room when you’re done here.”
“Your room, huh?” She readjusts in her seat, and I wonder if she’s as affected as I am by our kiss and the promise of tonight—my blood’s heating in anticipation, my cock rallying for a night of fun. “That’s probably a good thing, since I’m splitting hotel fare with a friend.”
“Wanted that college experience again with roommates?”
“Oh, you know it.” She grins then closes the little notebook with the van information and shoves it into the middle console. “Alright, we’re good to go. I’ll follow you in my car?”
“Sounds good,” I say and hurry to my car, eager to get her alone and in my bed.
Throughout the brief drive to my hotel—hell, since last night’s wild attraction to Kenzie flared to life—I fantasize about having her beneath me, reveling in her submission to my control in the bedroom. Because I know it’s nothing she’s ever done before. Kenzie doesn’t loosen the reins for just anyone, only for people she trusts, and even then, I doubt it’s easy.
But I’m going to prove she can trust me to take care of her needs.
I won’t leave her disappointed or frustrated.
Never again.
Besides, I’m betting she’s hiding a competency kink along with a side of submissive under all that rigid control, and the thrill of being the man to reveal that side of her is fucking catnip. The men of her past—Kyle included—obviously didn’t know how to satisfy her well. Or at all.
That ends tonight.