Текст книги "Reckless Nights"

Автор книги: Karen Erickson

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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 6 страниц)

Chapter Eight

Five weeks later

Reagan rubbed her hand across her forehead, pushing back the straying tendrils of hair with a sigh of frustration. She was exhausted at the end of her unusually long seventeen-hour shift at the hospital. It was a full moon, meaning all the freaks were out at night…literally.

She’d seen more than her fair share of people involved with criminal activity coming in for treatment of stab wounds, gunshot wounds. One man had a slit down his cheek from the ring his opponent had worn when they’d engaged in a fistfight. His girlfriend’s ring—as in his beloved socked him in the eye but missed, cutting open his cheek instead.

The woman hung on to him the entire time he was being treated, sobbing over and over again how sorry she was. How he was her baby. It made Reagan incredibly uncomfortable.

It also reminded Reagan that true love was a bunch of bullshit.

But the end of her shift was nigh. She was literally counting down the minutes, trying to keep herself occupied until it was finally time to go. Hoping like crazy no major accident happened between now and when her shift was done so she wouldn’t be kept working overtime. Not that she didn’t love those overtime checks, but man, she was exhausted. She just wanted to go home and collapse into bed.

Where she might yet again dream about Declan Carter. Not that she wanted to. She was sort of over him. Over his seeming rejection of her because oh, did it hurt to admit that he’d most definitely rejected her. Five weeks came and went and that was time for her to have a reality check. She’d waited anxiously by the phone at first, hoping against hope he’d send her a text message. He sent her nothing. Not even a one-word text, which she took as a bad sign. Lord knew she wasn’t going to send him one. She refused to be the first to call, even though they did exchange numbers.

She just couldn’t force herself to do it.

So she threw herself into her work even more than usual, if that was possible. Better to overload on work and make extra money than cry over being rejected by Declan. She took on extra shifts, worked herself to the bone so she couldn’t think of anything else but finding some much-needed sleep.

Despite the extra workload, she still dreamed of his sexy ass. He always came to her, sweet and convincing. Arrogant yet humble, commanding and determined to show her a good time. She’d woken up more than once from a particularly delicious dream about Declan with her body throbbing, her mind awhirl with lusty thoughts and a sweet ache blooming low in her belly. It was frustrating and wonderful, all at once.

But the dreams, they only made her madder the more time went on and she didn’t hear from him. Well, not necessarily mad. More like disappointed. She should’ve known better than to believe something could really work between them. It was impossible. He was a superstar and she was—not. They moved in different worlds and it was silly to think they could’ve been more.

Her friends…she didn’t know what was going on with them. They all worked at different hospitals, and since the Las Vegas trip, she hadn’t seen them much. She figured they were doing the same thing she was—throwing themselves into their work. Or they were seeing the men they met in Vegas and didn’t want to rub it in her face.

She could appreciate the gesture and silently thanked them for it.

Glancing at the clock, she saw she now had less than fifteen minutes until her shift was over. She started straightening up, going through files, cleaning up the desk. She went back to the last examination room she’d worked in, picking up what she could, keeping herself busy so her mind wouldn’t wander.

“Hey, Reagan.” She turned to find one of her coworkers standing there with an odd look on his face. “Someone’s here to see you.”

She frowned. “Who?”

“A patient. Said he won’t see anyone else but you. He’s in room three waiting for you.”

Huh. Well, there was Mr. Decker, who showed up earlier tonight complaining of back pain. He came in at least once a week, sometimes more, moaning about some new ailment. Everyone on staff figured the poor old man was lonely, and since he usually came in during the less busy times, they tended to indulge him. Reagan had always been especially nice to him, so he tended to seek her out above the rest.

Headed for the small examination room where the patient was waiting for her, she yanked back the curtain that closed off the space. “How can I help…” Her voice died off when she saw who stood before her.

Declan Carter. In the flesh.

“Wh-what are you doing here?” she asked when she found her voice. Oh my, did he look good. Better than any man should have a right to. His hair was longer than the last time she’d seen him and a little untamed, which was a good look for him. He wore a long-sleeved white T-shirt that molded to his chest and showed off every bit of muscle and sinew, including those amazing biceps.

And the look on his face…he was watching her like she was the best thing he’d ever seen. His gaze roamed over the entire length of her in a long, assured scan of her body until he finally met her gaze, his lips curved in a tantalizing smile that she firmly believed she’d never see again.

“Hey.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, seemingly…embarrassed? How odd. “How are you?”

She took a step toward him, shock and disbelief wearing off and being replaced by a hint of anger. And major frustration. “How am I? Um, what are you doing here?”

Oops. She sounded defensive. But damn it, she was sort of mad. And in shock. He couldn’t just pop back up at her work of all places, acting like they’ve been apart for all of a day or so. Though if she was the sort to keep count of days—and she really wasn’t, but she just so happened to know how long they’ve been apart—he’d been gone only five weeks instead of the promised six.

Five long, miserable Declanless weeks. She’d barely survived it. Had become very adept at convincing herself that they could never work out. That she’d been under some sort of magical Vegas spell that wore off quickly once real life intruded.

But here he was, standing in front of her, looking stressed and gorgeous and worried and sweet and it took everything within her not to throw herself at him.

“Yeah, about that. Production went so smoothly we wrapped early, which is unheard of. We worked ’round the clock, and filming was so intense I barely had a moment to myself. I literally finished work on the set two days ago. I needed a solid twenty-four hours to recover.” He flashed her a sheepish grin, running his hand through his hair and mussing it up even more than it already was. He was so adorable she wanted to both hug him and sock him in the gut for making her wait and yearn for him.

“So now you’re here,” she stated flatly. If he really wanted this to happen, he was going to have to work for it. At least a little bit.

“I’m here.” He threw his arms out, stretching them wide. “And I’m sorry. I should’ve called you. But everything was happening so fast and I told myself it would be worth the wait.”

“What if…what if I didn’t think it was worth the wait?” Reagan asked. “Did you ever think of that?”

His arms fell at his sides, his expression crestfallen. “I blew it, didn’t I? Shit. I should’ve called. I’m so sorry, baby. I got so damn wrapped up in everything, something I tend to do, and though it’s probably not right, it’s like I can’t help myself. I hope you can forgive me. I hope you can see that I’m here for you now. I want no one but you. You’re all I’ve thought about for these last five weeks.”

She crossed her arms in front of her chest, her heart thumping hard at his declaration. “Are you finished?”

“Uh. Yeah.” He clamped his mouth shut, his expression troubled. “I’ll go if you want me to,” he added quietly.

The man was ridiculous. Seriously. He was also—unbelievably—hers. “I don’t want you to go.”

“You don’t?” he asked hopefully.

“No.” She shook her head. “I’ve thought of nothing but you either these last five weeks. And I’ll admit I’ve been mad at you for not calling, but you’re here now.”

“And…” he prompted.

“And I’m glad.” She smiled. “Really glad.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Now, are you going to come over here and hug me or not?”

Declan ran to her, grabbing hold of her waist and pulling her into his arms. “I’m going to do more than hug you,” he murmured as he squeezed her tight, his head descending toward hers.

She smiled, her eyes sliding shut just as his mouth touched hers. “That’s what I was hoping,” she murmured against his lips.

The kiss was sweet at first. An exploration, a question.

Hi, you’re really happy to see me? his lips asked.

Oh my God, yes, quite doubting yourself and kiss me some more, hers answered.

So he did. He kissed her long and hard, a wet, delicious kiss filled with lots of tongue, a low moan coming from him and a sweet little whimper coming from Reagan. She felt so damn good in his arms again, so right.

He never wanted to let her go.

“Declan.” She whispered his name against his mouth and he pulled away from her, everything inside of him throbbing and pulsing in need of her. “We’re at my work.”

“So?” He frowned before diving in for another kiss, but she pressed her hands against his shoulders, keeping him from doing so.

“So we should probably take this somewhere else.” She glanced down with raised brows, and he noticed he had one hand firmly on her breast.

And the other was cupping her delectable butt.

He dropped his hands and stepped back, curling his fingers into fists to keep himself from touching her. “You’re off soon, right?”

She frowned. “How did you know?”

“I asked.” He shrugged. He felt like such a shit for letting his work consume him, especially these last two weeks when filming ran over. But he knew he couldn’t devote the time to her that she deserved. He firmly believed that once he was finished with the movie completely, he could finally go to her and give her the proper attention she deserved.

And his Reagan definitely deserved proper attention. This girl…he was a goner for her. He could only hope like hell she felt exactly the same way.

“Do you want to go somewhere and talk once I get off work?” she asked, her voice careful, her expression wary. She still didn’t understand his true intentions and he needed to make them clear.

But not here. Not in public.

“How about we go back to your place?” he suggested.

“My place?”

“Yeah. We can talk privately there, right?”

“Yes. Definitely.” She nodded, still appearing perplexed. “That sounds good.”

“I’ll drive.” He grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze. He didn’t want her confused or sorry. He wanted her happy to see him, to have him back into her life.

“But my car…”

“We can leave it here and I’ll help you get it later,” he said, his voice firm. No way was she not leaving with him. He didn’t want to let her out of his sight for a good long time.

Preferably forever.

She didn’t argue, thank goodness. “Okay, that sounds good. Perfect.”

Perfect. Yes, he hoped this would end up perfectly. Otherwise he’ll feel like a perfect failure.

And that was the last thing he wanted to deal with.

Chapter Nine

Her apartment was small but cute. Decorated sparsely, but still with Reagan’s personality shining through, what with the framed photos on her bookshelf and the bursts of bright colors in the pillows that were scattered across her pale gray couch.

“Nice place,” he said as she shut the door behind him. The entire drive to her apartment building they’d made small talk, never saying anything important, which had driven him nuts.

All he wanted to do was confess his undying devotion to her, but they were still making stupid idle conversation.

“Thank you. It’s nothing outrageous, but it’s mine.” She walked ahead of him into the small kitchen, calling over her shoulder, “Want something to drink?”

“No.”

She turned on her heel and studied him, her eyes wide, her expression unsure. “What do you want, then?”

Did she really have to ask? Guess she did. Tired of messing around, he went for it.

“You,” he said softly. “That’s all I want Reagan, is you. I know I’m probably moving too fast and possibly freaking you out, but I can’t help it. Since we left Vegas I’ve thought of nothing else but returning to you. I worked on the movie, tried to lose myself in the character, but you haunted my thoughts, my dreams.”

The look on her face was nothing short of horrified. “Don’t tell me I…hurt you somehow with this role.”

“No, no, no. The great thing is, my character needed something to want. Something that was frustrating him because it was always out of his grasp.” Declan smiled. “That was you. You became the one thing I couldn’t have but I so desperately wanted. I channeled all of my energy into wanting you into the role and it…it fucking worked.” Beautifully, he might add, but he didn’t want to brag. More than anything, he didn’t want to jinx it.

But he was proud of the work he’d just completed. The movie was going to do well. He could feel it in his bones.

“Wow. So I guess I was sort of your…muse?” Her brow wrinkled.

“Definitely my muse.” He approached her carefully, not wanting to startle her. He had her in his arms only a few minutes ago when they were still at the ER. Now he wanted her back. “You’re my everything, Reagan. You might not believe me, but it’s the truth. That weekend was like…”

“The best weekend you’ve ever had?” she finished for him with a little smile.

“Yeah.” He grabbed hold of her waist and hauled her into him, her arms going around him in return. “I didn’t know I could fall for a woman so quickly, but I did.”

“I fell for you too,” she admitted, keeping her head bent as she ran her hands along his chest, heat sparking wherever she touched him.

“Are you still falling for me?” He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Because I’m still falling for you, Reagan. I want to get to know you better. I want to spend time with you and see where this takes us. Do you want the same?”

She pressed her lips together until she couldn’t contain it anymore and her face broke out in a huge smile. “Yes. Yes, I definitely want the same.”

He kissed her as his answer, his tongue delving, his hands roaming. She felt so good, all of those abundant curves nestled close to him. She wiggled against him, making his cock hard as steel, and he groaned, clamping his arms around her waist hard to keep her still.

“You’re driving me crazy,” he whispered when he finally broke the kiss.

“I’m only trying to get away from you because I wanted to tell you I need to change.” He let his arms drop and she stepped back. “Look at me. I’m still in my scrubs. I’m all sweaty and dirty after my shift.”

“Maybe you should take a shower,” he suggested.

“Maybe I should,” she agreed nonchalantly as she started to turn away.

He snagged her hand before she left him. “Maybe I should join you.”

She burst out laughing. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Long after the shower—where Declan proceeded to take her in that sexy, impossibly wonderful way he had, reminding her just how much she missed him, how easily she responded to him. Her back pressed against the cold tile walls, her legs wrapped tight around his hips as he drove himself inside of her again and again. Afterward he dried her off and carried her to bed…where they experienced round two.

And then round three.

Yes, long, long after the shower, Reagan lay sprawled across her bed on her back, exhausted but satisfied. So incredibly satisfied not only because of the orgasms she’d just had, but also thanks to the man lying next to her on his side, his fingers tickling along the length of her arm. That happy smile on his face was contagious. She could feel the exact same smile stretching across her lips.

“Feeling good?” he drawled, sounding cocky as hell.

She loved it. Oh God, she just knew eventually she could really love him. “Yes. Feeling beyond good. And you?”

“Never better.” His fingers drifted across her stomach, caressing her there and making her shiver. “I truly am sorry for never contacting you. I feel like a shit.”

“You sort of are a shit.” But she could forgive him.

He chuckled. “Can I admit something to you?”

She rolled over on her side as well so she could face him. “Of course.”

The chuckle died on his lips, and he pulled his hand away from her. “It scared me, what I felt for you. I wasn’t sure what the hell we were doing and it confused me. It was reckless, you know? And I’ve always been reckless. That’s what always got me into trouble. But this…what we shared, it didn’t feel like trouble. Being with you felt…right.”

“I get it,” she started to say, but he cut her off with a firm shake of his head.

“My world is crazy. The paparazzi has simmered down since they think I’m a has-been, so they don’t follow me much anymore. But that might all change when the new movie comes out. I don’t know. It’s a risk we’ll have to take.” He peered at her, his gaze imploring. He looked downright worried. “Are you prepared for that? It’s not going to be easy. Being with me…it might prove difficult.”

Fear clutched at her, strong and unrelenting. Her heart stalled in her chest as she haltingly asked him, “Why do you want to be with me?”

His face cleared and he reached out, cupping her cheek, tracing his thumb across her lower lip. “You make me feel good. Normal. Like you don’t care if I’m a star. All the other women I’ve met…they wanted me because of who I was. They hoped I could somehow gain them something, if they were seen with me. They were all searching for their own bit of fame and wanted a piece of mine too.”

“I knew who you were,” she admitted, closing her eyes when he proceeded to caress her face with his magical fingers. Would she ever grow weary of his touch?

Probably not.

“I know.”

“I had a crush on you for years.”

He pressed his thumb against the center of her lower lip, making her open her eyes. “But did you want to get with me to further your career?”

She snorted, then immediately regretted it. Not a very sexy noise. “No. How would you help my career?”

“Exactly.” The glow in his eyes was irresistible. “And you didn’t want to talk about me being famous or any of that other crap. You acted like you just wanted to be with me.”

“I did. I do,” she added, smiling when he leaned in and kissed her, his lips soft and sweet. “I like you, Declan.”

“I like you too, Reagan. That’s why I want to be with you.” He pulled away, his heated gaze still locked on her lips. “Nothing else tempts me when I’m with you. I just want to be with you.”

“Do—things still tempt you?” He was a recovering addict. They’d hardly touched on that, but how could they? They’d only spent a weekend together. Could he handle staying clean? Would his behavior become a problem later on?

She had no idea. But she was willing to give him a chance.

“No. You’re the only thing I want.” He kissed her deeply, his tongue tangling with hers for a brief, too hot minute before he broke the kiss. “I want you in my life, Reagan. I know you’re busy with your career and I’m busy too, but if we can fit some time in together where we can find it, I think we can make this work.”

Reagan threw herself at him so he lay sprawled on his back, his arms automatically going around her to hold her close. She straddled him, her legs wrapped around his hips, her naked body molded to his. His skin was warm and firm and he felt so good she rubbed against him like she was a cat.

“I want to make this work,” she said, tipping her head down so their lips could meet.

He tangled his hands in her hair and held her to him, the heat between their bodies igniting all over again, firing them both. His cock hardened against her belly and she felt the answering call deep inside her body. She wanted him. She always did.

“Good. Because I want to make this work too,” he said, when they finally came up for air. He pressed his mouth to her neck, kissing a path along her skin and making her shiver.

“So, that’s it?” she asked breathlessly. “We’re a couple?”

“If you’ll have me.” He pulled away from her neck to smile up at her. “Will you have me?”

“Always,” she said, just before she kissed him.