Holy shit. How much stronger would the sensation be when he touched her everywhere?
“Hey,” he crooned. “I’m just making conversation. No need to be nervous.”
“O-of course. I…um, just don’t want to be late. The patients might need me and I’d like to be there for Raine. Excuse me.”
He needed to say something—and speak her language. “Thanks for all you’ve done to help her. She needs the kindness you’ve shown her. I know Hammer and Liam appreciate your effort. I certainly do.”
That made a little smile flit across her face. “It really is my pleasure. I can’t wrap my head around what she’s been through. It’s none of my business, but her own father doing such terrible—”
“He was an abusive alcoholic who’d terrorized Raine for years. No one should have to endure what she has, but I’m glad she’ll finally be able to live in peace.”
“She seems very sweet.” Heavenly cleared her throat and eased her hand from his grip. “You all appear to be very close. Have you been friends a long time?”
“With Liam and Hammer, yes. They’re some of my oldest and dearest friends. I only met Raine a week ago, but she’s a great girl who’s perfect for my buddies.”
The curiosity playing across Heavenly’s face said she wanted to know more about their unconventional relationship…but was too polite to ask. “So…how do you know Dr. Beckman?”
Fuck me. Was she chatting with him to grill him for information about Dr. Dipshit?
“He’s been a friend of Hammer’s for years. They, um…have some common interests.” If that’s what one called restraining and whipping subs.
“Oh. Like golf?”
“Not exactly.” And it was time to change the subject. “I’m guessing Raine will be staying here overnight?”
Heavenly nodded. “I peeked at her chart. I think they’re worried about infection setting in, and since she’s pregnant, they’ll—”
“What?” Without thinking, he tucked a finger under her chin and lifted it. “Raine is pregnant?”
Apology tightened her face as she slipped free. “I-I thought everyone knew. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. Your secret is safe with me. Besides, Liam and Hammer will be thrilled.” If they could process that motherfucking bombshell after everything else that had happened today. “I only mentioned Raine staying overnight because I planned to visit her tomorrow. Would you have time to have coffee with me on your break?”
She gave him a furtive shake of her head. “I’ve got to study for finals. But it was nice to meet you, Mr. Cooper.”
When she would have passed him, he sidestepped, blocking her path. “Call me Seth. How about after your tests?”
Heavenly pressed her lips together before she gave him another negative jerk of her head. “I shouldn’t. Good-bye.”
And then she was scurrying across the clinical white tile toward an employee-only area as if her very fine ass were on fire.
A smart man would accept her refusal. But Seth already knew he wasn’t remotely intelligent when it came to that woman. Nope. He was already making plans to regroup and try again, because giving up on Heavenly Young simply wasn’t an option.
CHAPTER FOUR
The following day was Friday, and all the crazies flooded the ER. It wasn’t even a full moon, but she’d already seen a near-fatal drug overdose, a weekend warrior who’d done stupid things with a nail gun, two car accidents, an expectant mom in labor, and a party girl who’d been mugged while walking home from a rave. It was barely noon, and Heavenly was already exhausted.
As she passed the nurses’ station, Jennifer stopped her. “Hey, you’ve got a visitor in the lobby.”
Who? Her father couldn’t make his way here without help. She didn’t know her neighbors and hadn’t made any friends, except maybe Dr. Beckman. But if he wanted to see her, he’d simply come to the unit.
“You’re sure?”
“He asked for you by name.”
Bemused, Heavenly headed to the lobby. Maybe a former patient had come. It was possible, but she really hoped—
Yes, there he was. Seth. She couldn’t stop thinking about the man. He blinded her with his handsomeness, tongue-tied her with his charm, and overheated her with his smoldering stare.
“Hi.” She tried to be professional, smile like a normal person. After all, he was just a man, and she’d known those all her life.
But none affected her the way Seth did. Well, except Dr. Beckman, but he merely helped her when she didn’t understand something medical. Seth seemed determined to flirt.
“Hey, angel.”
That grin of his was powered by megawatts of charisma. His low voice rumbled the growled endearment, exciting all her distinctly female parts. She resisted the urge to sigh at him like a girl over her favorite teen idol.
“Hi.”
You already said that, dummy.
He grinned even wider. Gosh, he must be used to females bumbling and throwing themselves at him. What woman wouldn’t turn into a puddle at the sight of him? Piercing green eyes, chiseled jaw, hard, wide shoulders… A dreamy sigh escaped her lips.
Get it together, girl. “Are you hoping to see Raine before they discharge her?”
“Actually, I came to bring you something.” He turned and lifted a cellophane-wrapped basket from the chair beside him. “You said you were busy studying, so I thought I’d help in whatever small way I can.”
He’d brought her a gift? Yes, and it wasn’t small at all.
Heavenly took it, spotting so many thrilling goodies through the clear wrap she almost squealed. “This is for me?”
“Of course. You’ve helped Raine so much, I wanted to spoil you.”
“I, um… Wow.” She sank into the nearest chair. Tears stung her eyes. Blinking wasn’t making them go away. He’d done something thoughtful, and she was blubbering? “Thank you. You didn’t have to get me anything.”
He sat beside her. “I wanted to. Open it.”
Excitement bubbled up. What a thrill!
Heavenly plucked at the bow and tore away the cellophane. Chocolates spilled into her hands and made her mouth water. A few cans of Red Bull and some Emergen-C lined the front rim. Behind that,
