On Friday, Seth felt his cell phone buzz. It wasn’t his mother or his brother, Matt, who was looking after his business back home. He’d already talked to them this morning. He half expected a call from Liam, asking him to come cheer Raine up. The good news was, the LAPD had concluded—rightly so—that she’d acted in self-defense when she had killed her father. But now she was dealing with the residual trauma—anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares. She needed her men more than ever. Liam was her pillar, supportive and unbending. But Seth already saw cracks in Hammer’s stoic facade. That worried him…but didn’t surprise him much. Protectors took their failures hard. He ought to know.
Shaking off the thoughts, Seth scanned his display. An LA prefix. The number was unfamiliar.
“Hello?”
“Hi.”
Heavenly.
The hair on his body prickled to attention. His dick, seemingly hardwired to react to her, thickened.
How was it possible she’d spoken one syllable, and he was already aching to fuck her?
“Good to hear from you, angel.” He hadn’t been sure the bright ray of sunshine would call.
“How did you know it’s me?”
“You think I could forget your voice?”
“Um…”
Seth enjoyed rattling her, but he loved even more that she’d sought him out.
“So, I know it’s short notice…” she began nervously.
He pounced. “Tell me you’re free today.”
“This afternoon.”
Thank god. Now he could spend some time with her and figure out why the hell she fascinated him so much.
“Perfect. Any idea what you’d like to do?”
“Well, it’s a beautiful day. What if we went to the park and soaked up some sun? I know one with a great walking path. Or we could sit and talk.”
That would be great. He’d love it even more if he could have Heavenly sprawled naked under him, her peachy-porcelain skin shimmering in the sunlight. Imagining her spreading her thighs to reveal the blond down below dusting her swollen pussy was sweet mental torture that nearly had him groaning.
“What time?” he croaked out. “Give me your address. I’ll come get you.”
“I’m finishing a short shift at the hospital. If you want to swing by around twelve thirty, I’ll meet you outside the visitors’ entrance.”
“See you then, angel.”
“Bye.”
Two hours before she put him out of his misery. He would have to think fast to toss together a memorable afternoon and pick her up on time. Heavenly might think they were simply hanging out, but as far as Seth was concerned, he was planning their first date. He intended to leave a lasting impression.
Whistling, he strutted across Shadows’ parking lot and hopped into his rental, plans already forming. After stops at Williams-Sonoma and La Paloma Deli, he pulled up at the hospital as Heavenly stepped through the front entrance. The angel glowed under the vivid sunshine as if she had a halo…but her body was definitely made for sin.
Her dewy face was fresh and bare. A pink headband held back her hair, which cascaded in sunshiny waves around her breasts and flirted with the nip at her waist. He imagined wrapping his fists around it as he claimed her mouth and slid between her spread legs.
She ignored the people milling on the sidewalk and zeroed in on him. Their stares locked. Their connection slammed through him again. It didn’t let up, even when she lowered her lashes in a demure sweep.
Damn, he wanted her surrender so badly he could taste it.
His stare wandered down her body. A sheer wrap the color of her blushing cheeks, trimmed in appliqués of little white daisies, hung loosely over her shoulders. When Heavenly smiled and raised her hand to wave, the lace hem of the white tank inched up, giving him a tantalizing peek of her bare midriff above a pair of denim shorts and strappy sandals.
God, she looked both sweetly adorable and fuckable.
All too soon, she lowered her arm, concealing the glimpse of skin. Without meaning to, she flirted. Teased. And hell, that kittenish expression, coupled with the hint of cleavage… Seth let out a groan. When every drop of blood in his body rushed south, he adjusted his fly.
It was going to be a long, hard afternoon.
She bypassed pedestrians, then stopped at the curb. A black sedan conveniently pulled away, and he steered his crappy midsize rental to take its spot.
As Seth hopped out of the car, Heavenly broke into a bashful grin. Her gentle bounce of excitement was contagious.
Fuck, why was he so into this woman he barely knew?
“I didn’t keep you waiting, did I?” He wrapped her hand in both of his and smiled. He could look at her all fucking day.
“No. You’re right on time.”
“And you’re absolutely stunning. I’m glad you called. I’ve been hoping to spend time with you.”
On cue, a rosy blush stained her cheeks as she dropped her gaze to their joined hands. He crooked a finger beneath her chin and lifted her face. Her eyes were big and blue. Seth felt himself drowning.
“Don’t be nervous, angel.”
She sighed. “I hate that every emotion shows on my face.”
“It’s darling, like you.”
Heavenly’s lashes swept over her cheeks again. “How am I supposed to respond when you say things like that?”
“Smile and say ‘thank you?’”
“All right.” Her gaze bounced up to his, lips curling. “Thank you.”
Everything about this girl reached between his legs and tugged hard. That didn’t surprise him. But the way she managed to twist something in his chest did.
“You ready?” At her nod, he led her around his rental and tucked her inside. “Then let’s go. I have a surprise.”
Her smile brightened. “You didn’t buy me another basket, did you?”
“Of a sort…”
“Seth!”
“This one’s different,” he promised as he pulled away from the curb. “We’ll be sharing it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Impatient?” He winked. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
Her brow furrowed. “I’m not sure I can handle two gifts in a week.”
“It won’t kill you. But if it does, I know this cute nurse volunteer…”
“Now you’re just flirting.” She sent him a chiding glance.
“Caught on to that, did you?”
“It was hard to miss.” She pressed a melodramatic hand to her chest in jest. “And I’m not sure your intentions are honorable, Sir.”
Oh, they’re quite dishonorable, especially if you call me Sir again.
Seth grinned. “I’ll get back to you on that.”
She giggled.
Fifteen minutes later, they reached the park and scouted a spot beneath the shade of a huge oak tree. Heavenly spread out the checkered blanket he’d scrounged up, then she watched him set the wicker basket down before he settled beside her.
“A picnic? How exciting!” She lifted the lid and withdrew a bottle of wine, various cheeses, sliced meats nestled in wax paper, and warm, crusty bread. She oohed and aahed over small jars of olives, pickles, and other condiments. Last but not least, she plucked free two large slices of raspberry-almond tart. “Wow! There’s enough food here to feed an army.”
“I haven’t been on a picnic in years, but when you called, I thought why not do it up right?”
“Where did you find such scrumptious goodies?”
“I have my talents. One of them is knowing where to find good grub.” Maybe you’d like me to introduce you to my other talents, too?
He’d heard plenty over the years that he had a very talented tongue…
“Well, wherever you found lunch, it looks amazing. Should I dish us each a plate?”
The fact that she wanted to serve him should not make him harder, but… “Please.”
He reclined against the trunk of the tree and watched her make him a sandwich. She took direction well, putting together his meal exactly as he requested it. Then she handed him a plate, along with a corkscrew and the wine.
“Could you open this? I don’t know how.”
He broke the seal. “Have you tried Chianti before?”
Heavenly shook her head. “I’ve never actually tried wine at all.”
“Really?” Seth paused. “If you don’t drink or have an objection, I also brought sparkling water.”
She waved his concern away. “No, I just haven’t had a chance to try wine. I’ve been saving the bottle you gave me for a special occasion.”
“In that case, I might have one or two other things I’d like to introduce you to,” he drawled.
Her eyes brightened as if the prospect excited her. “Like what?”
For starters, what would you do if I leaned in and kissed you?
Seth hesitated. He couldn’t stay in California much longer, so today might be his only chance. On the other hand, his gut warned him she wasn’t ready. If he scared her now, she’d never give him another opportunity.
Holding in a curse, he downshifted. “In good time. I don’t want to spoil the surprise.”
“Before today, I would have said I’m not into surprises, but I love this one so far.”
Seth hoped that if—no, when—they did something more personal together, she’d love those surprises even more.
For now, he took the glasses, poured a generous serving into each, then handed her one. He lifted his own. “Well, then… To sunny days, new friends, and exciting surprises.”
“I like that.” She clinked her glass with his, then sniffed at the fruity aroma. “Do I sip this?”
Damn, she was so innocent. “Have you eaten yet today?”
She shook her head. “I usually skip breakfast.”
While he’d love to see her without inhibitions and she might be a cute little drunk, he wanted her sober. “Then drink slowly, especially until we get some food in you.”
With a cautious nod, she tipped the glass to her rosy lips and closed her eyes. Her throat worked. Watching her was a sensual experience, and Seth couldn’t shake the feeling that he was somehow corrupting her.
Fuck, he loved that idea.
“Well?”
Her face lit up. “I like it. A lot.”
“Good. Try it with some cheese.”
They ate together, savoring the food and vino. When they were replete, they lazed in companionable silence, too full to move, and watched the other parkgoers around them enjoying the weather. People trekked the flowered walking path. Children laughed and played. The warm day had even tempted a few sunbathers.
She closed her eyes beside him and sighed softly. “I never do this.”
“Do what?” He turned to her. “Come to the park? Or take time out for yourself?”
“Both. It’s nice.”
“Why not?”
She gave him a lazy grin. “Well, first, I’m originally from Wisconsin. We don’t do picnics in December.”
“Isn’t this weather insane? But in a good way.” He held up his hand as if he could capture the sun. “Believe me, days like this in New York are in May or September, but December? We’re huddled around a fire watching football or something.”
“I don’t know if I can get used to all this warm sunshine. I always thought if I had the chance to escape the snow, I would. But now…I think I’m missing the seasons. There was no fall here, no changing leaves or crisp breezes. I miss snowmen and ice skating. I’m beginning to wonder if Christmas will feel like Christmas if it’s eighty degrees.”
He grimaced. “Good question. If I ever moved here, I’d definitely miss the big tree at Rockefeller Center and, stupidly, freezing my balls off at Times Square on New Year’s Eve.”
“New York sounds fascinating. I’ve always wanted to go. In fact, I plan to explore the big world one day.”
He heard the yearning in her tone. “You should. Maybe you could start with New York?”
“Maybe. Is that where you’d rather be?”
“Yes and no. I miss my family, but I like the company here. I have to admit being able to hit the beach almost year-round is sweet. But I’m pretty sure a big quake will send this whole hunk of land into the ocean someday.”
Heavenly cocked her head. “You’re afraid of earthquakes? Hmm. It never occurred to me to worry about that.”
“Afraid is a strong word. I’d say concerned.”
She laughed. “No. You’re totally afraid. It’s…cute.”
“Cute?” He raised a brow at her that dared Heavenly to say that again.
“In a very manly way, of course.”
“That’s what I thought.” He sat back, enjoying the easy conversation between them. He liked that she wasn’t nervous anymore. He especially liked the way she kept stealing glances at him between her sips of wine. “So if California isn’t for you, why did you move out here?”
Suddenly, she wasn’t smiling anymore. “A couple of reasons, mostly school.”
“Couldn’t find a good one to attend in Wisconsin?”
“Something like that.”
Her vague answer set off his internal alarms. “Don’t you attend nursing school online?”
Heavenly froze, then nervously began tucking away the leftovers in the basket. “I do, but it’s a long story and I’m monopolizing the conversation. You haven’t told me much about you.”
Heavenly was a terrible liar. The Dom in him wanted to growl his displeasure and find delicious ways to make her atone. The cop in him wanted straight answers. Had her parents kicked her out? Had she followed a boyfriend here? Neither of those scenarios rang true, but there was a reason she’d moved. And she didn’t want to say why.
“I don’t mind long stories,” he countered. “I’ve got all the time in the world for you.”
“I’m boring. Tell me how you met Liam and Hammer. Have you always lived in New York? What kind of cases do you work as a PI?”
If he called her out again for her desperate change of subject, his gut told him she’d cut the date short.
“I met Liam and Hammer through mutual friends.” He glossed over the truth since revealing the fact they’d all bonded at Graffiti, a Manhattan BDSM club, would also reveal his kink. “They lived in New York then. Hammer moved here eight years ago, Liam just a few months back. Let’s see… What else? I was born and raised in Brooklyn. My father was a cop. He died in the line of duty when I was sixteen. My mom still lives in the house where I grew up. All of my brothers have spread out but still live between New York and Boston.”
“All of them? How many?”
“Five, including me. We’re a loud Catholic family.”
She gaped. “Oh, my goodness. That sounds chaotic. And wonderful. I don’t have any brothers or sisters.”
Seth filed that information away. “It was a lot of fighting and roughhousing, teenage hormones, and smelly feet—at least according to my mother.”
That made her laugh. “Are you the oldest? Youngest?”
“I’m the oldest, so I ended up kicking a lot of younger-brother ass over the years. And that’s enough about me. Now, tell me about you.”
“Wait! What kind of cases do you work?”
“Mostly cheating spouses, some embezzling business partners.” He shrugged nonchalantly but looked her straight in the eye. “I’m good at spotting dodgers and liars.”
As those words sank in, she swallowed. “Oh. What about—”
“My turn.” He cocked a brow. “Were you born in Wisconsin? Do you live alone? What about your parents?”
Her eyes went wide, then the windows guarding her soul slammed shut so quickly he almost heard the audible click. “Well, I was born in Wisconsin. There’s not much else to tell.”
Bullshit. Before he could confront her evasion, a bright red ball landed with a thwack on the blanket between them.
When Heavenly reared back, Seth grabbed the ball as a couple of little boys came panting up to them. They looked beyond eager, and as he stood, he couldn’t help but smile.
“Who wants it?” He tossed the ball up a couple of times, making them wait.
“Me!” the towheaded scamp on the right said.
“It’s my turn, not yours. You kicked it out of bounds.” The other boy frowned.
“How about I give it a kick? You can both chase it.”
When he did, they ran after it like a pair of eager puppies. Then he turned and sat beside Heavenly again.
She smiled softly. “You like kids?”
“When they’re someone else’s and I can give them back. So what were you saying before we were interrupted?”
“That I’m beat after a long week and I should go home. I have to study for finals.”
As if on cue, the sun dipped low and a chilly wind blew leaves across the grass, signaling an end to their date.
Damn. He’d overplayed his hand. Normally, he was a patient man. In his profession, it paid to be. He should have been able to coax Heavenly into talking. Like an idiot, he’d given in to impatience. Sure, he could investigate her and probably learn most everything in ten minutes or less. But he wanted the satisfaction of earning her trust, of her offering him her truth. Besides, if she found out he’d violated her privacy, she wouldn’t forgive him.
The question was, could he manage to win her over before the holidays? He didn’t know, but his gut told him that if he had to choose between opening Heavenly up and going home for Christmas, he should stay.
“All right. Thank you for coming with me today, angel. I hope we can get together again.” He wouldn’t give up unless she flat out told him no.
“I’d like that.” When he stood and offered his hand, she let him help her to her feet. “Gosh, there’s so much leftover food.”
“I don’t have any way of keeping it where I’m staying. Want to take it home?”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Take the basket, too. Maybe we can use it another day.”
She smiled. “That would be great. Thank you.”
“Can I drop you off at home?”
Heavenly shook her head. “The hospital, please. I left some books in my locker I need for studying.”
He opened his mouth to assure her that he’d wait and drive her when she’d collected everything. But he’d already pushed her past her comfort zone. Instinct told him he had to back off…for now.
Shoving down his itching curiosity, he lifted the basket with one hand and held hers with the other as he led her to his car.
He might not have figured her—or this crazy attraction—out today. But he would. No way was he giving up.
On Monday afternoon, Beck sat across from Heavenly in the hospital cafeteria, fixating on the lush bow of her lips and wondering if Seth Cooper had already kissed her.
“When you didn’t text me for lunch on Friday, I worried Manwhore was bothering you again. I asked around, and Jennifer said you left at twelve thirty.” He pinned her with a stare. “Were you studying? Or did you do something fun?”
Yes, he wanted information. He’d spent all weekend gritting his teeth because he knew she’d gone somewhere with that smooth-tongued bastard. As he’d left the hospital’s parking garage that evening, he’d seen Seth drop her off. Their good-bye might have looked like a mere hug and a chaste kiss on her forehead, but there’d been nothing platonic about Seth’s stare as he watched her walk away.
“I went on a picnic.” Her cheeks turned pink, as if the memory had her blushing.
What the hell kind of picnic had that been, the sort where Seth spread her out on a blanket and made a feast of her body?
Beck tried not to growl. “By yourself?”
“No.” She focused on the water cup in front of her. “Seth asked me out the day he gave me the gift basket. I said yes.”
“Isn’t he thoughtful?”
Heavenly blinked at him and smiled, making it obvious she’d missed his dripping sarcasm. “He is. We had a nice afternoon. I even drank wine for the first time.”
Had that prick gotten her drunk so he could take advantage of her?
Beck gripped the edge of the table, biting back a demand that she stay away from Seth. He couldn’t. Heavenly wasn’t his. But Seth had plowed through a whole bunch of panting subs his first few days in LA. Hard not to hear through the walls that the guy enjoyed dishing out spankings. Seth liked the screamers, too. And now the douche wanted to bag Heavenly? Not on his watch.
“Did you like it?” Beck ground out.
“I did. Everything was delicious. I haven’t enjoyed myself that much in a long time.”
Her starry-eyed expression made him want to punch Seth Cooper ugly.
“Are you planning to see him again?” Say no. Fucking say no.
“I think so. He’s fun to be with. And he put so much thought and effort into all the little touches.”
With his hands? With his tongue? Beck gritted his teeth. She probably meant Seth’s attention to detail…but his subversive brain played an image of the bastard lowering his head between Heavenly’s pure white thighs. Beck nearly lost his shit.
“You’re scowling. Is something wrong?”
“Don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t work out between you two. He’s going home to New York soon. You should be careful.”
She frowned. “I-I thought Seth was your friend and he’d be safe to date. Was I wrong?”
The litany of reasons Seth would be terrible for her rolled through his brain. Captain America might not have a sadistic streak, but that hardly meant he was a saint. Then again, every one of the reasons Seth wasn’t good for Heavenly was doubly true for himself. Unfortunately, logic didn’t stop Beck from wanting her. And if Seth had managed to seduce her, he’d skip the man-to-man chat and rip the asshole in two.
“I only met him a couple of weeks ago. But he’s been…very popular with the ladies since coming to LA.”
“He’s already dated other girls here?”
Beck smiled tightly. “I don’t know that I’d call it dating.”
“Oh.” She looked crestfallen. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s handsome. And charming. He made me laugh and… Of course other women would find him as hard to resist as I do.”
How difficult had it been? Too hard to bother?
At the thought, Beck’s stomach turned and he pushed his sandwich away, untouched. “If you need me to tell him to back off—”
“He’s not bothering me. But if he’s really, um…busy and he’s going back to New York soon…” She sighed glumly. “Well, it was just nice to have fun for a change.”
That shut Beck up and broke his heart all at once. He’d love to show her fun, but he doubted she’d enjoy being strapped to a cross while he introduced her to the joys of impact play.
Shit. Time to change the subject before he crawled across the table and did something they’d both regret.
“So, have you talked to Raine since she left the hospital? By the way, if she says anything bad about me, don’t believe it.” He tried to lighten the mood with a wink.
“I’ll ignore every word.” She flashed her dimples. “I have talked to her. She invited me to a get-together at her house on Wednesday.” Heavenly slanted a glance his way. “Will you be there?”
Did she want to know because she was curious? Or because she was interested? “I will.”
Her face lit up. “Thank goodness. I almost turned Raine down, since I usually can’t get away in the middle of the week. But I’ll wrap up my classes for the holiday break tomorrow night. And if you’ll be there, I won’t have to worry about not knowing anyone.”
Unfortunately, unless Seth hauled his ass back East, that fucker would be there, too… Hopefully, once he left for Christmas, he’d fuck off for good.
“Don’t worry, little girl,” Beck assured. “I’ll be beside you.” Superglued to your side every moment.
Her smile turned even wider. “Thanks. You’re such a good friend.”
Just like that, his mood—along with his dick—deflated.
He’d been relegated to the fucking friend zone? Yep. And he had no one to blame but himself. Still, that didn’t stop him from wrapping his fist around his desperate cock every night while he fantasized about taking her hard and dirty to the breathy soundtrack of her pleas.
He forced a smile. “Well, you can never have too many of those.”
Heavenly absently stroked the side of her water cup. “It’s been so long since I’ve had any, so I really value the time you spend with me. I know you’re busy—”
“Unless I’m elbows deep in a patient, I’m never too busy for you.”
He meant that, but he’d had lunch with her almost every day for a week and he was only more desperate to touch her. Still, if all he ever had with Heavenly was conversation, that was better than having no part of her at all.
“I’m really grateful, but I don’t want to cause problems,” she murmured. “I-I mean, if you have a girlfriend or someone spec—”
“I don’t.” And if he was merely her “friend,” why did she want to know his relationship status?
Heavenly looked surprised…but distinctly not unhappy. “I just assumed you would since you’re, um…good-looking and successful and really, really nice.”
Nice? He’d been called a lot of four-letter words, but never that one.
She dropped her gaze, suddenly fascinated with the scarred Formica table between them. “Now that I think about it, Raine mentioned you were single…”
So, she was interested in him as more than a friend. Jesus… What the hell was he going to do? Resisting her was getting really fucking hard. Because so was he.
Beck scowled. “Raine meddles.”
“She communicates.”
He snorted. “Should I be worried?”
“No, silly. We just like to see the people we care about happy. I know she thinks the world of you.”
Was Heavenly saying she cared about him, too? “She’s the little sister I never wanted.”
Heavenly laughed. “She feels the same.”
The quiet between them hummed with awareness. Had Heavenly ever imagined him as the lover who could teach her the joys of raw, primal, deep, consuming sex? Or had her sheltered little fantasies even progressed beyond kisses?
Beck mentally jerked on the reins of his libido by extracting an envelope from his pocket. “When you mentioned you were writing a paper on Guillain-Barré Syndrome, I did some research and talked to Dr. Litchfield, who’s the head of neurology.”
Heavenly plucked up the envelope and eased it open with glee. She scanned the information he’d printed off for her, along with several medical journals with articles about the disease. Her baby blues went wide. “This is great. Thank you so much!”
“You’re welcome. I didn’t know much about the disease when you first asked, but I do now. You picked a rare and ugly disorder to focus on.”
Her happiness faded into a somber nod. “The way the virus strikes with little or no warning is frightening. But the way it assaults the patient’s immune system, which turns against the nerves, is even more terrible.”
Beck agreed. “I’ll keep wading through my medical journals for more articles and bring you what I find.”
“I would really appreciate that. I want to know as much as I can.”
“You’re welcome.” Picking up his sandwich, Beck finally took a bite. He watched Heavenly pore over the documents as he washed down his food with a gulp of coffee. “How’s your paper coming along? Shouldn’t you be turning it in soon since the semester is ending?”
“What?” She didn’t lift her head, just kept drinking in the words on the page. “Oh, it’s…good. I’ve got a few days. Online classes have a more flexible schedule… It’s taking a little extra time because I’ve decided to make this a case study. I’ll learn more that way.”
She was dedicated. And compassionate. She really would make a great nurse. Beck vowed to do everything he could to help her.
“Great idea.”
She kept reading. “Thanks.”
He gently grazed his fingers over her delicate knuckles to get her attention…and for the pure pleasure of touching her. When she lifted those big blue eyes to him, Beck held in a groan. “Are you sure you won’t let me buy you lunch?”
“I’m positive. As usual, I got full on the goodies at the nurses’ station.”
Still, he felt guilty for stuffing his face every day while she sipped water. “Those ‘goodies’ probably aren’t healthy. You need protein, fruits and vegetables, and complex carbohydrates, little girl.”
Heavenly lifted her chin in a defiant tilt. “I learned about the food pyramid in grade school, Dr. Beckman. I’m just not hungry.”
God, he’d love to slide his fingers into her hair, bend her over the table, and rip away her pastel-green scrubs before he spanked the sass out of her. After she counted, begged, and cried, he’d curl her onto his lap, hold her tight, and reassure her…right before he fucked her raw.
Down, boy. Down.
Seconds later, Heavenly’s stomach let out an audible growl. She ignored it. Beck wasn’t fooled. He didn’t know what she was up to, but she sure as hell wasn’t going hungry.
Without a word, he pulled out his wallet and plucked out a twenty. Gripping her wrist, he shoved the money in her palm and curled her fingers closed. “You will get yourself something healthy to eat now.”
“But—”
“It wasn’t a request.” He dropped his voice and pinned her with an expression ripe with displeasure. “Go.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I do. We’re done discussing this.”
The sleeping Dominant inside him stretched and roared. Beck mentally tightened the leash on his dark side.
Begrudgingly, she rose to her feet, resolution stamping her face. “Just this once.”
Beck raised a brow at her. We’ll see about that.
As she walked away, he watched the smooth sway of her ass.
“Ahem.” The not-so-subtle clearing of a woman’s throat caught his attention.
Reluctantly, he dragged his stare from Heavenly and peered up, half expecting Kathryn or one of her slut squad. Instead, he found the hospital’s nursing administrator standing over him.
He stifled a guilty grimace. “Good afternoon, Nurse Lewis. Can I do something for you?”
“I’m sorry to interrupt your…lunch.” A knowing smirk curled the corners of her mouth. “I wanted to thank you for watching over Ms. Young this past week.”
Bridget Lewis said the words like he was a gentleman.
Beck shrugged, playing it cool. Heavenly was merely a volunteer now, but if she wanted a future at the hospital, Bridget could either make that happen…or make her life hell. “Well, I remember my first year in med school. It’s a lot to deal with. I’m trying to help Ms. Young learn while she juggles her duties here.”
“Of course,” she said in a tone that told Beck they both knew better. “Heavenly is a sweet girl. She’ll make a good nurse. She’s smart, dedicated, and an extremely hard worker. I see a lot of potential in her.” Bridget shot him a shrewd stare. “It would break my heart if she left.”
Left? “Why would she do that?”
“I thought she might have told you about the challenges she’s been facing.”
What else, besides being hungry, had she kept from him? “Actually, I’d like to hear about them from you.”
The nursing administrator carefully weighed her words, and her hesitation amplified his concern. “Heavenly is great with patients but hasn’t bonded with the nurses in her unit. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t be concerned, but I’ve been made aware of some situations recently that give me pause.”
Beck had no idea what she meant. Four lunches together, and Heavenly had told him nothing. “Really?”
“The surgical lube all over her locker could be written off as part of the grand ‘welcoming’ tradition, as could the unused catheters being stuffed inside.”
He rolled his eyes. “The nurses should have gotten the hazing out of their system by now. She’s volunteered here for a few weeks, and that’s crap they usually pull in the first day or two.”
“Precisely, and that stuff is harmless. But the pranks have escalated. More recently, someone rigged an aerosol can of deodorant to the door mechanism of her locker so that when she opened it, the spray blasted her face. Most disturbing, last Wednesday someone painted the word WHORE in red on the inside.”
What the fuck? That wasn’t mere hazing. “What’s been done?”
“I only became aware of this whole situation a few minutes ago when Heavenly reported some money stolen from her wallet, which had been locked away.”
Maybe that explained why she’d been prepared to go hungry…but not why she hadn’t breathed a word about any of this to him. Stubborn girl. He was going to get some goddamn answers.
“Is the nursing staff bored in the ER? Do they need more to do?”
“Oh, they should be plenty busy. But if you’re looking for a reason they’ve zeroed in on Heavenly, I’ve got some theories. First, she keeps to herself. Some may interpret her standoffishness as being haughty.”
No one was less stuck-up than Heavenly. She was too sweet to be so misunderstood.
“What’s your other theory?”
“That not everyone appreciates your marked interest in her.”
Translation: either the other nurses were condemning Heavenly without really knowing her or they were jealous hags. His money was on the latter.
He’d only meant to protect her from Manwhore’s advances. Granted, he’d been enjoying his lunches with her too much to stop. He certainly hadn’t given a second thought to the jealous vipers and their petty reprisals.
“Do you know who’s doing this to her?” Beck glanced at the slut squad. Kathryn watched him with a sharp stare.
Bridget followed his line of sight. “I have my suspicions but no proof.”
If it would help derail Kathryn, he’d cry sexual harassment to HR, since she’d made umpteen passes at him. But she could easily deflect by accusing him in turn. If he confronted the bitch directly, she might get even more vindictive with Heavenly. But somehow, someway, he’d protect her. He had faced more cunning foes than a horny nurse pushing thirty and come out just fine.
“What can you do to stop this?”
“I’m going to let everyone in her unit know this sort of behavior is grounds for dismissal.”
It wasn’t a perfect solution, but maybe that threat would shelter Heavenly from more of the bitches’ antics. If not, he’d come up with a plan B. “If the situation continues, please let me know.”
“Of course.”
Despite seething inside, Beck managed a smile. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Enjoy your lunch.”
“One minute. Before you go… When did the nurses start bringing snacks to their unit on a regular basis? They never did during my rotation in ER, unless it was to celebrate a birthday or promotion.”
She frowned, confused. “As a rule, they don’t.”
“What about today?”
Bridget shook her head. “This morning when I spoke with Heavenly about her missing money, I didn’t see any goodies at their station.”
So not only had Heavenly not mentioned being bullied, but she’d lied to him about the food as well?
Beck swallowed a livid growl. “Thank you for the clarification.”
“Of course. Is there something special going on today that I’m not aware of?”
If Beck had his way, it would be Spank Heavenly’s Ass Red Day. Instead of balloons, streamers, or a parade, the two of them would celebrate alone—in the dungeon. He’d throw her over his knee, yank down her panties, and slap her tender cheeks until she couldn’t sit for a week. She’d learn the value of telling him the goddamn truth.
But he couldn’t do any of that, and it was driving him fucking crazy.
Beck shook his head and forced a cordial expression. “None I can think of. Have a good day.”
“You, too.” As the nursing administrator walked away, Beck tried to tamp down his blazing anger. It wasn’t easy. Why the hell hadn’t Heavenly told him about her problems?
Across the table, she slid a tray onto the scarred surface, laden with roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, a hearty dinner roll, a side salad, a wedge of cheesecake, and a large soda. It was a sizable dinner for a big man. But lunch for a little girl? Either Heavenly had one hell of an appetite or, more likely, she hadn’t eaten all day.
She spread her napkin in her lap and shoveled bite after bite into her mouth. The fucking truth had been staring him in the face. And didn’t he feel like an asshole for not realizing that Heavenly wasn’t just starving today, but every day?
The girl was broke. Why else would she work in shoes so unsuitable for the job? Or only have water for lunch?
Heavenly didn’t need a hand merely with her case study; she needed basic necessities. He might never be her lover, but he could at least be her friend. If she thought he pitied her, she’d refuse his help. So he’d have to be discreet. Devious, even. Luckily, he was good at that.
While he was at it, he’d work on figuring her out. The woman was a puzzle. A conundrum. A maze. Trying to read her was like reading a technical manual in Braille. Still, something about her compelled him to understand.
“So…” he tossed out after a few forkfuls. “How are things?”
Heavenly carefully set her utensil aside before taking a long sip of her drink. Beck knew a stall tactic when he saw one but waited for her reply.
“What ‘things’ do you mean?”
“Oh, you know…classes, tests.” The bitches of east wing. “Your volunteer work here at the hospital? Life?”
“Fine.”
She lied to him without hesitation, without even blinking. No mention of anything vital like being tormented or hungry.
What are you going to do about it?
Nothing he could do…for now. But with a little finagling, he would ingrain himself in her life. Open her up. Earn her trust. Help her.
But if he got that close, what would stop him from taking her to bed? Beck feared nothing at all.