“I was thinking that you need to recover fast because I really want to do that all over again in about thirty minutes.” He hesitated, and I knew without a doubt that he wasn’t fully buying it. “This twenty-four hours of not having you near feels like so much longer.” That wasn’t a lie. I hated shift days; they were excruciating.
“When are you gonna talk to me?” Landon still had me pinned to the bed, the weight of his body resting between my thighs. His strong chest pressed to mine, and each of his arms propped up at my side, holding me captive. There was no escape. “I know there’s more, I know that the shit at the office isn’t all you’ve had to deal with, and I just want to know what else she’s put you through.”
“I’ve told you.” I held his stare; he didn’t need to know it all. Besides, I wasn’t even sure it was all related to Holly. It could just be a coincidence.
Landon pressed a soft kiss to my lips, and I closed my eyes, hoping that he’d drop it, only he didn’t. “Baby, I’m worried about you. My past is fucking with you, and that hardly seems fair. I can’t just let it go. I want to help. I want to fix it. Maybe if I go talk to the doctor—”
“No.” I pushed against his chest, only he didn’t move. “I can handle this. I don’t need you finishing it. Do you think you going in there and telling them about you and Holly having a past is going to fix this? It’s only going to make me seem like the crazy jealous girlfriend, and that is exactly the angle she is going for. I’ve got this.”
“Chloe, I—”
“I said I’ve got it.” Landon rolled off of me when I gave him another nudge, and I hurried to crawl out of bed. Finding my way to the bathroom, I flipped on the water and stared ahead. Holding my hand beneath the spray, I waited for it to get warm and then stepped inside once it was at the right temperature. Allowing the water to roll over my body, I tried to calm myself and felt my body tense when Landon stepped in behind me. He didn’t let it stop him from moving in close behind me and pulling my body against his.
“I’m sorry.” He kissed my shoulder and allowed his lips to rest there for a few seconds. “I…” He paused, and I closed my eyes tightly, silently wishing he would just let it go. I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to waste our time together talking about Holly and her crazy. I wanted us, just him and me. “Look at me.” A slow intake of breath, I let it out, and carefully turned in his arms. With a finger under my chin, he tipped it up and our eyes locked. “I can’t help wanting to protect you.” He kissed me before I could say anything in return. “I love you.” My eyes shot open wide, and I stared at him. There was nothing more than serious devotion hidden there. “I’m in love you, and the idea of anyone hurting you drives me mad.” My body trembled and I could feel my eyes well up with tears. “I just want to make everything right.”
“You do.” I cupped the side of his face, and he leaned into my touch. “Those three words make everything better.”
Rising up on my tiptoes, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled his mouth to mine. “I love you, too,” I whispered, and suddenly I was lifted and pressed to the shower wall.
Slowly and with great skill, Landon entered me once more. There was nothing frantic or rushed about his movements. He was making love, sealing our confession of love, and I had never in my life felt more treasured than I did in that moment. This man was my everything.
***
“I’ve spoken with several of the staff.” I stared at the doctor who I had worked for since I graduated school. He was never truly the inviting type, quiet and broody was more of the perfect description, but we’d never had an issue, either. Until now. “It would seem that several of them have picked up on the tension between you and Holly.” So he was on a first name basis with her now, interesting considering I was still Ms. Rigdon.
“I’ve decided that it’s in the best interest of my practice to let you go.” Until now, I’d never noticed that he had a unibrow.
“Wait, what?” I leaned in a little closer, sure I’d heard him wrong.
“Holly has made great attempts to be a part of the team and you…” I wanted to punch his old ass right in the nose. “You’ve been distant, and quite frankly, you’ve never attempted to befriend anyone here. With the exception of your friend who left months ago.”
“Stephanie,” I stood, “her name was Stephanie. But I guess you only manage to remember the names of those who offer you special treatment. Forgive me, Doctor, but I have more dignity and self-confidence than to stoop as low as Holly. I don’t need to sleep my way through life, I have my pride, and I will never compromise that.”
“I think you’ve misconstrued the situation. I’ve never for a second asked you—”
“You don’t have to. I know the way things work. A whore wears her stripes on the outside, free and clear for all the dirty men to see. Holly came in here flaunting them to you, to Dr. Andrews, and any other man she can.”
“I think this conversation is over.” It was his turn to stand.
“That’s where you are wrong, Dr. Reynolds.” I grabbed my purse and placed one hand on
