Текст книги "Hook Me"

Автор книги: Chelle Bliss

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Текущая страница: 2 (всего у книги 12 страниц)

Joe and Anthony walked in laughing. They said the usual ‘hey’ walking past me to put their stuff down and prep their areas for customers.

I checked over the schedule while I waited for everyone to finish. Anthony sat first and began to tap out a beat against the plastic chair. Leaning back, he put his head against the wall, and closed his eyes looking lost in the rhythm.

By the time Izzy and Joe made their way to the front of the shop I wanted to rip Anthony’ fingers off and shove them down his throat.

Izzy sat down next to Anthony, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Anything new since yesterday, Mike?” Joe asked, leaning against the desk. He cracked his neck with a quick push to his chin.

Izzy laughed as she whispered in Anthony’s ear. They looked at me and smiled.

“Totally booked. No room for walk-ins unless anyone wants to work extra.”

No one met my eyes.

“Didn’t think so.” I tapped the pen against the schedule and tried to avoid the looks from the two assholes against the wall.

Joe turned toward them. “What are you two giggling about over there?”

I waved my hands in the air and shook my head. I hoped Izzy would take pity on me. I knew the bullshit that was about to take place if she didn’t.

“Talking about the nuptials between Tammy and Mike.”

Fucking little sisters and their big mouths.

His head turned quickly in my direction. “What the fuck are they talking about?”

“They’re being jackasses.”

“You didn’t elope or anything stupid like that did you?” Joe asked.

“Fuck no! Give me an ounce of credit, will you please?”

We spent the next ten minutes laughing about Tammy and all the problems our dicks had caused through the years. It’s strictly a male issue.

I had to own that shit.

When my first customer arrived five minutes early, I wanted to kiss her feet for saving me from my siblings’ harassment.

Chapter 3

MIA

I groaned, burying my face in the pillow and tried to avoid facing the world. My body felt heavy and I didn’t want to get out of bed. Even after a full night’s sleep, I couldn’t shake my sadness from work last night and I figured why the hell not. It was worth a shot.

The only thing that usually helped my mood was a good ass-kicking workout at the gym.

When I walked in the gym and the man knocked me on my ass. The impact scared the hell out of me as I fell on my ass, dropping my purse, and spilling the contents everywhere.

He was the object of my anger. It wasn’t from being knocked down; looking back I was more mortified by it than pissed. I felt helpless over the lost lives that piled up during my shift. The night before had been one of the lowest in my short career, but when I looked up into his rich caramel eyes something inside me shifted.

My brain must have been rattled by the force of my fall.

I’ve seen him before. I knew it.

I lost my breath as I stared into his eyes. I’ve never had a reaction to someone like I had with him. Something unspoken passed between us as we looked into each other’s eyes.

It took everything in me to not react when he helped me off the ground. The moment our skin connected electricity passed between us. There was a snap, crackle, pop.

I couldn’t get him out of my damn mind as I started to run on the treadmill. As my thighs burned and sweat trickled down my chest, I thought about only him.

How did I know him?

Tall with broad shoulders, muscular tattooed covered arms and completely not my taste.

The track pants he wore hid his legs, but there was no doubt in my mind that they were as solid and powerful as his upper half.

When our bodies were inches apart in the doorway, my heart pounded in my chest– if he were any closer he would’ve heard the frantic rhythm.

“Hey, Mia.” A voice pulled me out of haze.

Blinking, I looked over to see Rob leaning against the treadmill. “Oh. Hey, Rob.”

“You’re looking beautiful as always.” He stared at my chest as my body bounced.

“If you don’t stop staring at my chest, I’ll knock you on your ass,” I warned.

He snickered, covering his mouth with his hand but his eyes remained glued to my breasts. “Promises, promises. Why don’t you let me take you to dinner?”

“Rob, I’m sure you’re a nice guy.” I coughed.

He was the farthest thing from nice. He wasn’t an asshole, but he sure as hell wasn’t boyfriend material.

“We wouldn’t work. I’d spend too much time repairing the injuries I’d give you.”

A giant smile crept across his face before he finally looked at my eyes. “You say the sexiest shit, Mia.”

“Not happening. Who was that guy that left when I walked in?” Grabbing the towel, I blotted the sweat from my chest.

Moving his eyes to follow the path of the towel, he asked, “You mean Mike?”

“I don’t know his name. Tall, muscular, walked out right after you opened.”

Brawn didn’t equal brains when it came to Rob.

“Mike, yeah, he’s a friend of mine.” His eyes flickered between my breasts and eyes.

If they were friends then in all probability he was an asshole too. I had attracted more of those in my time than I wanted to admit.

“Tell me about him. I think I know him from somewhere.” I couldn’t help myself; I had to figure out how I knew him.

“He’s a fighter. He has a big fight coming up that I’m helping him train for.” Rob flexed and punched the air.

“Is that all he does?” Fighter – code word for unemployed and a workout junkie.

Rob shook his head and laughed, “Nah, he’s part owner in a tattoo shop. He’s a piercer there.”

A busty blond walked by and started to set up camp at a treadmill nearby. Rob’s eyes wandered in her direction as he licked his lips.

“Thanks. You can go now,” I said, wanting to be alone with my thoughts.

He put his hands over his heart and stammered backward as though he were in pain. “You just dismissed me like that? I’m wounded, Mia.”

“Maybe the girl over there,” I moved my head in her direction, “will have the remedy.”

“You may be right, beautiful. I’m off to find out.” Winking, he tapped my treadmill with his palm before whistling as he walked away.

CNN played on the tiny screen in front of me but I couldn’t focus as my thoughts drifted back to Mike. The powerhouse that literally rocked my world this morning was a body mutilator. He pierced and punched his way through life while I patched up the damage caused by fists and dirty needles.

I grabbed my phone from the cup holder as it began to chirp.

Lori: Girls night out. Game?

I needed a night with my friends. I needed to laugh and hear the latest gossip. I had two days off and an evening to let loose sounded like heaven and a great way to get my mind off work.

Me: I’m in. When and where?

I didn’t give a shit if I had to drive to Orlando, I’d be there.  My restless night would require a nap to keep up with the ladies or I would do a face plant on the table after the first drink.

Lori: Ybor City. Be ready to party your ass off. I’ll pick you up at 9.

Me: I can drive.

Lori: Fuck no, your ass is getting drunk. I got it all worked out.

She knew me so well. Lori and the girls went out all the time. They lived without their work to weigh them down emotionally. Unlike me, they didn’t have to hold someone’s heart in their hand and try to get it to beat again. Their pressures were different but I could never stumble into work nursing a hangover.

Lori was a lawyer, Sarah a receptionist at an advertising agency, and Jamie was a bored housewife.

I wanted to buy a new outfit for tonight. I had a closet full of clothes, but screw it, I deserved something special. I worked my ass off and didn’t feel ashamed to splurge on myself every once in a while. International Plaza called my name.

* * *

I straightened my hair; the humidity in Florida wreaked havoc on my long brown locks, before starting my makeup. I didn’t wear much to work; the long hours typically had me questioning their claim that make-up was twenty-four hour wear. It never stayed put and caused my eyes to look more tired than they did naturally.

I took my time, gave my lids a smoky treatment to bring out their color before applying an obscene amount of Barely There mascara. It made my eyes look bright and my eyelashes long and lush. Lori texted me that she was almost at my house as I spritzed my body with Gucci Guilty and stared in the mirror, giving myself a once over.

The short, tight black tube top showed off my stomach and hourglass figure perfectly. My tits didn’t stick out too much but would be noticed without flashing a sign that read ‘lookie’ here. My form-fitting denim capris made my ass look perky. The leopard print stiletto heels caused my calves to tighten and pulled the entire outfit together.

I sat on the front step as I waited for Lori to pick me up. The neighborhood was bustling. People waved as they walked past with their dogs and sat on their front porches enjoying the warmth of the Florida air. Summer would soon be arriving in full force and people would be scarce at this time of day. The summer sun felt like a flame against my skin and even the mornings were stifling from the humidity.

Closing my eyes, Lori’s headlight blinded momentarily, as she pulled in. The car shook from the loud bass of whatever hip-hop song she had blasting inside.

“Oh my god, I’m so excited. Fuck, you look amazing, girl.” She bounced a little in her seat and held the steering wheel with a giant smile on her face as I climbed in.

I leaned over and planted a giant kiss on her cheek. “I’ve missed you.”

“Me too, Mia. Got everything?” She applied a layer of lip-gloss before smacking her lips together and checking her reflection in the rearview mirror.

I nodded at her with butterflies in my stomach. “Yep, let’s hit it.”

Lori and I met in college. I was pre-med and she was pre-law.  We became thick as thieves sophomore year. Any free moment we had, which weren’t as many as we wished, we spent together at the beach or clubs. We danced our asses off and loved every minute of it.

When college ended and the real world sucked us in, we didn’t have the time to hang out together and drink Corona’s on the beach. We were lucky to see each other once a month and to get everyone together had become virtually impossible.

We could go without speaking for weeks and pick up right where we left off. She was that kind of friend. I envied her beauty though. Her blond hair had a wave that I couldn’t achieve no matter how hard I tried. Her crystal blue eyes sparkled in the light and her teeth were so white they almost glowed in the dark.

“Did I tell you I started seeing someone?” she asked, as she turned the radio down when Justin Beiber started to sing. His high-pitched girl voice made me cringe.

“No.  You’ve been holding out on me.”

When most people were getting married and starting their families, we were still in school, finishing our degrees before starting our careers. Families and marriage were put on the back burner. Now that we hovered around the big three zero, we both felt a pang of jealousy and remorse that we may have missed out on so much for our careers.

“His name is Sal and we work together. We’d been eye fucking for months before things got interesting one night when we both worked late.”

“Dirty girl, doing it at work.” I shook my head and laughed.

“Jesus, I can’t even describe what it’s like being with him. The first time I could barely think. We were going over a case. We argued about how to win and he went all cavemen and threw me on the table. It was fuckin’ hot.”

“Mm, that sounds nice. So are you guys casual or are you officially a couple?” I felt a big jealous. Hospitals weren’t sexy.

“We’re not officially dating. We are seeing other people, but then again who the fuck has the time with our schedule?”

“So, you picked a Guido. Hmm.”

“What’s your issue with Italian men?” She looked at me, wrinkling her nose, before returning her eyes to the road.

“I don’t have a problem with them. They’re typically bossy and believe a woman’s place is in the kitchen.”

“He’s not like that.” Her blond hair swayed as she shook her head.

“Mm hmm, not yet maybe.”

“Bitch, don’t rain on my parade.” She laughed.

I loved Lori. “Never, doll.”

“You seeing anyone?” she asked, just like she did every time we spoke.

My answer was the same. “No.”

I tried the online dating sites and they ended in disaster. I didn’t want to date someone that lived with their parents or enjoyed sitting at home playing video games.

My world consisted of doctors and nurses and I wanted to escape that at the end of the workday, not date someone that would want to talk medicine.

“Haven’t found the right one,” I stared out the side window, watching the palm trees sway in the breeze.

“It’s not easy for girls like us.” She threw the money in the toll box and waited for the green light. We were close to Tampa and Ybor City. Ybor is one of the oldest parts of the city with a unique history. Cigar factories used to line the streets, but were replaced with nightclubs and bars.

“I don’t want to be anyone’s sugar mama. I worked hard for everything I have. I will not have someone leech off me. I want a man, not a child. You know what I mean?”

“Agreed.” She nodded. “Text Sarah and let her know we’re close.”

Lori rambled on about Sal and his amazing cock until we pulled into the parking lot. I smiled and nodded, letting her talk. I applied a little more lipstick as she turned off the car.

“I’m so happy you could come tonight, Mia.”

“Me too, Lori. I need a night of dancing with my girls.”

“Fuck music, let’s get inside and find you some dick.” She giggled.

“I don’t think my Romeo’s inside. I just want to dance and get shit faced.”

“I said dick not your one true love, silly woman. You need a good fuck to remind you what life’s all about,” she said, as we approached the long line filled with beautiful girls in skimpy outfits.

Lori pulled me forward, bypassing all the waiting people, straight to the bouncer. “Hey, Pete. This is my friend Mia.” Lori kissed his cheek.

Pete’s face softened with her kiss. His t-shirt looked painted on as it strained against his bulging biceps. His hair was cut in military fashion, flat top and perfect. Pete didn’t look like someone you wanted to mess with.

Pete held out his hand to me. “Hi, Mia. It’s nice to meet you,” he said, bringing my hand to his lips and placing a gentle kiss on it.

There was no sizzle and pop. I wanted the spark like Michael gave me and although Pete had that sexy as fuck look; his lips did nothing for me.

“You too, Pete.” I smiled, pulling my hand back.

“Your friends are inside waiting for you,” Pete said, motioning toward the door.

“You’re the best,” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“Only for you,” he said, kissing her hair. “When are you going to go out with me, beautiful?”

“Pete,” she said flatly.

“I don’t give up easily. Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He shrugged and patted her ass. “Go on in before the line gets restless.”

“Thanks again. Maybe we’ll see you inside,” she said, as he opened the door for us.

The thump of the music made my chest rattle as we stood in the entrance, surveying the bar. People were everywhere and the dance floor moved with the beat and didn’t have a free spot on it.

We spotted Sarah and Jamie at the bar nursing their martinis and checking out the men. Jamie’s red hair bounced as she shrieked and clapped when she saw us. She was typically over dramatic but fun to be around, especially when she had a few too many to drink. She had on a kick ass black dress and red heels showing off her long legs. Her thin frame swayed as she grabbed the bar top.

Sarah wrapped her arms around me. “Been too long, girl,” she said in my ear. Sarah’s blue eyes were glassy.

“I know. We have to go this more often.” I checked out her outfit. “Damn, you look good, Sarah.”

She grinned and twirled. “I’ve been working my ass off in the gym. I’m wearing a bikini this year if it kills me.” She snapped her fingers catching the attention of the bartender and signaled for two more drinks. “He’s delicious, isn’t he?” Sarah asked, watching him move in the tight space. “I’m taking him home as a treat,” she laughed, as her eyes remained glue to his body.

“Always on the prowl,” Lori said, before becoming enamored by his body too.

He placed our drinks on the bar and leaned over to whisper in Sarah’s ear. Her lips turned up in an enormous smile, her eyes growing wide. He was definitely saying something X-rated. He backed away with a grin that could only be described as sinful. “Would you ladies like a shot?” he asked, never taking his eyes off Sarah.

“Hell yes,” she said, still wearing the dopey smile he’d given her.

“A toast,” Lori said, as she raised her glass. “May your love last thousand years but come in six inch increments.”

We clinked our glasses together and laughed before taking a sip.

“Six seems a bit average, don’t you think?” Jamie said, as she wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

“Hey, when you’re getting zero, six seems like fucking king dong.”

“True, true.” Jamie nodded her head and giggled.

“Drink those martinis because the dance floor is calling my name,” I said, grabbing the martini in front me.

“I’d rather stand here and gawk at all the yummy hotness in this room,” Lori replied.

“I know you would, Lori, but dance and gawk. Maybe you’ll get felt up,” I said around the rim of my martini glass.

“If I could be so lucky.” She laughed as she finished the last of her drink. They were ahead of us by a few sips and we had some catching up to do. “I’m usually the one doing the molesting though.” Lori sighed as she placed her glass on the bar.

Lori wasn’t bashful and made her intentions known to any man that caught her attention. We never judged her for going after what she wanted. Nine times out of ten she hit a homerun, but I’ve never been as forward as her.

“Fuck it,” she said. “We’re taking a taxi tonight or sleeping at Sarah’s place. I’m not going to be the sober one tonight.”

When Princes “Get Off” started to play, we ran screaming to the dance floor.

It reminded us of our college days, bringing us right back to where we all met at a frat party. The song was dirty as hell and perfect. It wasn’t the same song that we heard in the nineties, the DJ had spiced it up, making it techno, but the words were the same.

The mass of bodies moved to the rhythm, bumping and grinding with the music. I swayed, shaking my ass with the girls as we laughed. The colorful lights moved across the floor. I closed my eyes, getting lost in the beat. The alcohol made my legs feel weak as I continued to dance.

Running my fingers through my hair, I bumped into Sarah and leaned against her. We danced back to back, holding each other up. As I opened my eyes, I had the feeling that someone was staring at me.

I looked around and saw him. His eyes were focused on me.

My breathing stopped, my heart stuttered, as my body froze and I returned his stare.

I couldn’t look away as he held my gaze. Leaning against the bar, he paid no attention to the man by his side. He raked his eyes up and down my body and felt flush as heat crept up my chest to my neck.

“Why’d ya stop?” Sarah yelled from behind me.

All I could do was shake my head. My body felt frozen in place and my eyes were zeroed in on him.

Mike, the brick wall from the gym, stood there, watching me.

The dark pants and a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up that he wore, showed off the tattoos on his forearms. He looked calm and collected, but his eyes were fierce and pierced right through me.

The butterflies in my stomach from earlier came back with a vengeance.

What are the odds that I’d run into him again? Did he follow me or was it some cosmic force pushing us together.

“Mia, are you okay?” Sarah asked, as she stepped in front of me, breaking our eye contact.

My cheeks heated as I exhaled. “Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s dance.” I turned my back to where he stood and focused on the music, trying to forget he was there.

Watching me.

Chapter 4

MICHAEL

“Dude, you okay?” Anthony asked, nudging me in the shoulder.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. “Yeah.”

“Who you looking at?”

I motioned toward her with my chin before taking a sip of my beer. “Her,” I said.

“The blond?”

“Fuck no, the brunette in the short jeans.” She looked fucking edible.

“You gonna go talk to her?”

“Not yet.” The connection was there – a strong enough one that she felt me staring and stopped dead in her tracks. I never had an issue with pursuing a woman, but based on her reaction to me at the gym I’d wait before I approached her.

“Never took you for a pussy.” Anthony laughed and slapped my shoulder.

She leaned into her blond friend and turned.

Fucking women, I’d never figure them out.

The blond looked over her shoulder at me. Her face lit up before she spoke something into her friends’ ear. They danced and laughed and I became transfixed by the scene before me. Their bodies moved together, hips bumping, tits shaking, and I wanted to go on the dance floor and take her right there.

I swear to shit; god wanted to punish me and used my cock to do it.

Her face shimmered, and her hair flew through the air haphazardly as they danced together. I envisioned her beneath me, on top of me, and against the wall re-enacting her moves.

I sipped my beer, the bottle gripped tightly in my hand, as I felt the familiar throb in my dick.

When the song ended, they stood in the center of the dance floor and laughed. I didn’t move. I called her over with my finger.

She shook her head and started dancing when the next song started.

Fuck.

I thought I had the market cornered on cockiness, but she could be stiff competition.

Facing me, she put her hands above her head and shook her ass.

I caught a glimpse at her stomach muscles and I wanted to run my tongue over the smooth skin. It met her hips to create a fuckin’ knockout figure.

A man placed his hands on her hips and she froze, holding my gaze. The cocky grin on her face disappeared, replaced with a pissed off sneer. She slapped his hand away, but he didn’t let go.

What the fuck?

I didn’t want the sleazy bastard to have his hands all over her. I couldn’t blame the guy, but you don’t touch a woman unless she wants you to.

Clearly she didn’t.

She turned to face him, her arms waving in the air as she laid into the guy.

His eyes grew large but he didn’t back away.

I moved closer to them and waited for the moment to step in. I couldn’t let her handle this guy alone.

He reached for her waist but before he gripped her, her knee rose and met his balls in one quick thrust.

Ouch.

I winced, knowing the pain that just shot through his body. I smiled, knowing he deserved it, as he clutched himself rolling back and forth on the dance floor.

“Fucker, when I say keep your hands to yourself, I fucking mean it!” she roared.

Clearing my throat, I drew her attention away from the asshole at her feet. I wanted to touch her, but thought better after what I just witnessed.

I liked my balls too damn much to let that shit happen.

She turned slowly, her eyes growing wide as they flickered to the floor. “Hey,” she said as I caught a glimpse of her small smile.

“That was quite impressive. You took him down pretty hard.”

“I have boney knees,” she said laughing. “Thank you.” She looked too sweet and angelic to have just taken down the overgrown asshole writhing on the tile floor.

“I don’t think we were properly introduced earlier. I’m Michael and you are?” I held my hand out wanting to touch her skin again.

She placed her tiny fingers in my palm. “I’m Mia.”

I closed my fingers around her small hand, lifting it to my mouth. “You smell different than this morning.” I kissed the delicate flesh on the top of her hand gently.

Her scent was sweet and reminded me of fresh baked cookies. I couldn’t forget her flowery scent from this morning.

She laughed and her eyes twinkled. Honest to god, fucking twinkled.

“Not being a creep. Just making an observation.” I’d never been such a dumbass with a woman before. She made me nervous and turned me into a horny teenaged boy.

“It’s my lotion. Vanilla Bean Noel.” Her cheeks turned pink as she looked behind her and waved to her friends.

“You smell like a cupcake.” I licked my lips and now felt like the creep. “Can I buy you a drink, Mia?” I needed to do something to break the awkwardness and my inability to stop saying stupid shit in front of her.

Her eyes returned to mine, the corner of her mouth turned up before she answered. “Sure, Michael.”

I help my hand out, letting her walk in front of me. Her hips swayed as she sauntered to the bar. I wanted to smack her ass for the wicked shit it did to my cock.

Leaning against the bar, shoulder to shoulder, I motioned for the bartender. “What’ll it be? Pick your poison.”

I expected her to say she wanted a girlie drink, something that required an umbrella, but I would’ve been dead fucking wrong.

“Dirty martini, please. Straight up with extra olives.”

The bartender approached, giving Mia the once over.

It took everything in me not to punch his fucking lights out as he lingered a little too long on her chest.

“What can I get you?” he asked her without looking in my direction.

“Another beer and a dirty martini straight up with extra olives for the lady,” I said without caring who he asked.

I wanted to take the rag he had in his hand and stuff it down his throat. He gave me a sour face before leaving us. I threw a twenty on the bar trying to avoid as much contact between him and Mia as possible.

Mia began to laugh as he walked away. “Are you two going to have a pissing match next?”

Her laughter became infectious.

“I didn’t like the way he looked at you.”

“Used to being the center of attention?” she asked with a cocked eyebrow and a grin.

“No. Are you clueless to the way he just eye raped you, woman?”

Her grin turned into a giant smile. “He’s a man. It’s what you all do.”

“Glad you think so highly of us.” I leveled my gaze and grabbed the beer that had been left for me.

“How would you describe how you were looking at me on the dance floor?” She challenged.

“I wasn’t eye raping you, sweetheart.”

“Call it what you want. Your eyes told a different story, Michael”

“What’d they say?”

“Something along the lines of, you and me and a little tryst in the bathroom stall.”

She’s a feisty little thing.

“You wouldn’t go home with me if I asked?”

She coughed almost spitting out her drink. “No, not even after five of these babies,” she said as she held up her glass before taking another sip.

“I like a challenge. I don’t like to lose either.”

She smiled the rim of her glass. “I’ve never been called a quitter.”

I never liked easy.

My life had been filled with hard choices and challenges that kept me moving to bigger and better things.

Everything came easy to my family. We grew up with money, not the kind that Paris Hilton had causing her to turn into a fucking train wreck, but my parents made sure we never wanted for anything.

“What do you do, Mia? What makes you tick besides kneeing a man in the balls?”

She placed her glass on the bar and twirled it in her fingers. “I’m in medicine.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off her mouth. Her lips were full and red from the lip-gloss or whatever shit she had coating them. I wanted to know if it tasted like strawberry.

“You’re a nurse?” I felt like I’d had to pull information out of her.

She turned toward me with her mouth set in a firm line. “No. I’m a doctor.”

I whistled, being thoroughly impressed by the statement.

Dr. Mia was sexy as hell and had a brain to match. “Impressive. What kind?”

“I work in the Emergency Room at County.”

“Wow, that’s some hard shit. Wait, that’s where I know you from.” Her sassy mouth, beautiful looks, and sparkling hazel eyes made it all click when she said County Hospital ER.

“You do?” Her brows shot up as her eyes grew wide. “I hope it wasn’t for anything too horrible.”

“Cracked ribs a couple months back. You called me a cocky bastard I believe,” I said, smiling as I remembered her playfulness.

The corner of her mouth twitched as she titled her head. “Ah, it’s all coming back to me now. I knew I met you before. Sorry I was mean to you.” She blushed.

“Nah, I liked it when you called me that. You said you’d go to dinner with me and I’m holding you to your word.”

Her brows knitted together as her eyes moved around my face. “I don’t remember it that way. If memory serves me right, I told you no.”

“You were supposed to come back after the x-ray but you sent in some schmuck instead. You blew me off.”

She snickered as her eyes flickered to her drink. “Michael, I don’t remember blowing you off. It gets hectic and another patient probably needed my attention more than you.”

“I don’t envy you, Doc. You work a stressful job. I couldn’t do it.”

“Some days are harder than others.” A flash of sadness splashed across her face before quickly disappearing. “It has its rewards too.”

“I give you a lot of credit. To hold someone’s life in your hands is some heavy shit and a lot of responsibility.”

“Some days I question my sanity. I wonder why I didn’t settle for a nice family practice with an office treating the flu, but I’d probably grow bored quickly.”

“Ah, you like the rush,” I said, rubbing my chin and studying her body language.

“Yeah, I guess I do. What do you do, Michael besides fighting?”

“Ah, you remember me now. I’m part-owner of a tattoo shop where I pierce the willing, but my true love is fighting.”

“I spend my nights repairing damage that people like you inflict.” I saw the flash of sadness again before it disappeared.

That wasn’t the reaction I expected. “I never do anything that isn’t asked of me whether it’s in the shop or the cage. Which one are we talking about here?”

“The fighting.” Her face hadn’t changed.

Most women cooed when they find out, but Mia, nothing.

“I don’t street fight – cage matches MMA style. They’re professional. I have a big one coming up.” I smiled and felt proud to be able to utter those words, but Mia still didn’t seem impressed with her lips set in a firm line as she brought the martini glass to her lips.

“Still, it’s the opposite of my job. I help people and heal them and you injure them. Maybe they spend more time injuring you. I don’t know.” She cocked her eyebrow at me and took a sip.