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  “Oh, we were never friends, tool.” He maintained an affable smile, voice low. “I simply want Ms. Young to understand who’s asking her out.”

  “She’ll get to know me on our date. Now we’re having a private conversation…”

  “Were. It’s over.” Beck bent lower, barely shuttering the rage in his eyes. “If you’re having trouble comprehending the word no, I’ll spell it for you: N-O. It means she’s not interested.”

  Manning stiffened. “If that’s how she feels, she has a mouth. She can use it.”

  “Not on you. Maybe you should try thinking with the head up top for a change.”

  The other doctor leapt to his feet, chair scraping against the tile. “This is absurd, and I’m highly insulted.”

  “Stop harassing her, or I’ll insult you more by slamming my fist in your face.”

  Manwhore’s mouth opened and closed in silent shock. “Are you threatening me with violence? I’m sure the hospital administrator would love to hear about this…”

  “Now I’m joking.” He flashed Manning a smile that said one thing: Not.

  “I can only think of one reason you’d tell Ms. Young these lies about me. You want her for yourself.”

  Well, aren’t you perceptive, asswipe? Someone get the guy a prize…

  For the last two weeks, Beck had masturbated to thoughts of Heavenly—all dimples and pigtails, big eyes and sweet pleas. What he wanted from her was probably far dirtier than anything Mr. Missionary-Position fantasized about. Sure, that made him a hypocrite. But he’d protect her from the skirt-chasing pricks of the world, even Seth, whom Beck had liked until the shitbag’s eyes had glued themselves to Heavenly’s ass.

  “Don’t you?” Manning goaded.

  In her chair, Heavenly turned and studied him. Was she interested in his answer? The possibility made his dick stir and stretch.

  “Of course you have nothing to say, Beckman,” Manning challenged. “Because I’m right.”

  Beck scowled. “I’m just not dignifying your sexist bullshit with a reply. Try acting like an adult and a professional. Stop treating the workplace like a meat market and the nurses like pieces of ass.”

  Manning’s eyes narrowed in silent threat. The dipshit wasn’t scared, which was both stupid and regrettable. Beck had mad skills, honed over nearly two decades, at inflicting pain. God, he’d love to unleash those on the prick right now.

  “You’ve got everything wrong. I provide guidance to the nurses.” Manning puffed up. “I help them.”

  Yeah, out of their panties and onto their backs…

  “If Heavenly needs help, she’s got me. Don’t speak to her, look at her, or even think about her. Or I’ll tell HR everything about you.”

  And it was plenty.

  Heavenly’s lush mouth formed an O of shock. For a blinding moment, Beck itched to sink his fingers into her bun, cover her lips with his, and kiss her until she forgot every other man existed.

  Manning pinned Beck with a deadly glare, then thrust his shoulders back with an infuriated huff at Heavenly. “I suggest you take your guard dog to the vet, Miss Young. He needs a rabies vaccination.”

  When the plastic surgeon whirled away, Beck couldn’t resist an acidic parting shot. “Woof.”

  As soon as Manwhore had gone, silence fell.

  With a sorry-not-sorry grimace, he slid into the chair across from her. “I didn’t mean for that to get out of hand.”

  “Oh, my gosh. I’m so glad it did.” Heavenly snickered. “That was funny, and I needed a laugh. Is everything you said about him true?”

  “All of it.”

  “Really? He and Kathryn?”

  Beck nodded. “Marcella, too.”

  “And the nursing student?”

  “Oh, yeah. You’re hardly the first he’s offered to ‘open doors’ for.”

  She shuddered. “What a slime! I told him four…no, five times that I wasn’t interested and I don’t have time to date, but he just wouldn’t get a clue.”

  Beck understood. Her excuse wasn’t going to stop him, either. But dating? Hell, what did he know about that? With so many pain sluts willing to have no-strings sex, he’d never bothered.

  “Manning isn’t a very bright bulb,” Beck drawled. “I’m not sure how he passed medical school.”

  “Maybe he got by on bluster and…” She bit her lip, as if she didn’t want to say the obvious word.

  “Bullshit?”

  She flashed him a conspiratorial smile. “Exactly.”

  He laughed, fascinated by her beauty, her sweetness, her charm. Her everything.

  Good god, where was his man card?

  “Anyway, thanks for sticking your neck out,” she murmured. “You’re protective—of Raine, the underdog, even of me. It’s really noble.”

  Beck almost choked. His friends would shit themselves laughing if they could hear her. “You’re, um…welcome.”

  She propped her chin on her palm and sent him a speculative stare. “And yet…I have a feeling you can be a very bad man.”

  Heavenly was flirting? After saying she didn’t date? Then again, everything about her was unpracticed. She probably wasn’t even aware.

  Oh, I would love to show you just how bad I can be, little girl.

  “You might be right,” he replied with a sly wink.

  She stared at him from under dark lashes. “Should that scare me?”

  “I’d never hurt you.” Unless you begged me to.

  Heavenly sighed. “I’ve never met a man like you.”

  “What do you mean?” A kinky beast?

  “Interesting. Witty. Thoughtful.”

  “You left out charming, smart, and good-looking.”

  She laughed without an ounce of reserve. “That, too.”

  Beck mentally inventoried the smartass remarks in his repertoire, ready to roll more out to keep her smiling. “So where did you come from, Mars?”

  “Ha! Actually, no. I’m from a tiny town in Wisconsin.” He didn’t miss the wistfulness that crossed her face. “Given the difference between LA and there? It might as well have been Mars.”

  “You’re a long way from home, little girl.”

  “You keep calling me that. I’m not a child, you know.”

  “I didn’t mean it as an insult. I’m just saying you’re…”

  Young.

  Inexperienced.

  Unjaded.

  Everything he wasn’t.

  “Practically a baby and in over my head? I’ve heard that before.” She shrugged. “Age is just a number.”

  She was wrong. That was a platitude the young spouted when they weren’t too cynical to know better. But Beck liked her attitude. He couldn’t wait to peel back that mysterious something about her that drew him and touch the woman underneath. Then he’d teach her about sex and pain and orgasm. About the feel of his hand on her lush backside. About the fit of his cock deep inside her pussy.

  “If you say so,” he drawled. “So, I’ve never been to Wisconsin. Tell me what it’s like. I’m imagining a lot of snow and fields of cheese.”

  “The snow part is true enough, but cheese doesn’t grow in fields, Dr. Beckman. And if you think I’ve been living on Mars, what planet does that make you from?”

  He was thrilled she was already zinging one-liners back at him. “Spoken like a true smart ass.”

  When she laughed, it lit him up. God, he had it bad for her.

  “Well, damn. I was imagining a land of cheddar goodness. It’s a shame. That actually sounds delicious.” He winked, delighted when she laughed again. “The guys in Wisconsin must be nursing broken hearts and keeping themselves warm at night with memories of your kisses.”

  “Not hardly.” The sparkle faded from her blue eyes. “Try never.”

  Never…what? Been kissed? Christ, was she completely untouched? “You’re a virgin?”

  Please say no. Please…

  Heavenly merely bowed her head and blushed.

  Definitely a virgin.

/>   Holy fucking son of a bitch.

  Beck didn’t do virgins. That was another rule of his—and it was a hard one.

  Time to shuttle his crushing disappointment and take a giant goddamn step back. He’d always suspected he was too old and too cynical for her. Now he knew it. If he unleashed his desire on Heavenly, he would utterly destroy the girl.

  But damn it, she was the fresh breath of air he’d needed after choking forever. Where the hell would he find the strength to walk away? And how could he when she had a predator on her tail?

  “I’m sorry for putting you on the spot,” he finally murmured. “Don’t be embarrassed. I’m a doctor, remember?”

  “I know,” she mumbled.

  “Look at me.” He spoke in the low, firm voice he used at the club.

  As if unable to refuse him, she lifted her chin. His Dominant side leapt with joy. His cock swelled. And every other part of him wept.

  “Your secret is safe with me. But I suspect I know why Manning won’t take no for an answer. You still have my business card, right?” When Heavenly nodded, he went on without even thinking about the hours of self-torment ahead. “Good. Text me before you go to lunch in the future. I’ll do my best to rearrange my patient load so you won’t have to deal with Manning alone. Will you do that for me?”

  “Do you really think he suspects that I’m a, you know…?”

  “I’d rather be safe than sorry. Give me the power to protect you, Heavenly.”

  She had no idea what those words meant in his world. If she did, she’d never agree.

  “Of course.”

  Beck gripped the table. She’d turned herself over to him so quickly and perfectly. The hungry beast inside him wanted to gobble her up and savor every delicious morsel. He shoved it down.

  “There you go, sticking your neck out for me again.”

  Because I’m a jealous prick. If I can’t touch you, he won’t, either. “You’re a good person. I’d be lucky to have a friend like you.”

  He’d be even luckier to have her as a lover.

  Never. Ever. Stop dreaming…

  “That’s the sweetest thing anyone has said to me in a long time, Dr. Beckman. I think I’d be the lucky one.”

  “Well, I enjoy helping people.” He tossed her own words back to her, forcing a wink.

  She flashed him a watery smile that kicked him in the gut. “I feel better already, knowing I won’t have to contend with Dr. Manning alone. Thank you.” She shoved her water glass to the center of the table and eased her chair away. “I should get back to work.”

  “Wait.” He slid his hand over hers. Just like every other time he’d touched her, that addictive hum razed up his arm, like the warm crawl of a morphine injection. He grasped for a reason—any reason—to prolong their conversation. The only thing he noticed was the lack of food on her table. No tray. No dirty dishes or silverware. “Have you eaten lunch already?”

  “I’m not hungry. I’ve been grazing on the snack food at the nurses’ station all morning. I just came down here to get off my feet.”

  Beck nodded, sliding a nonchalant stare to her threadbare shoes. These weren’t the thick-soled kind most nurses donned to cushion the impact of walking and standing all day. He made a mental note to get her new shoes…and somehow convince her to wear them.

  “Then stay for a minute and tell me why cheese doesn’t grow in fields.”

  “You’re so funny.” She shook her head at him.

  Without further prompting, Heavenly began explaining how cheese was made. Beck didn’t tell her that he already knew. He got lost in the gentle lilt of her voice, even as he mourned the impossibility of ever being more than her friend and protector. He’d guard her from all the big, bad wolves, especially the biggest, baddest of them all—himself.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  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…”