Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93723 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93723 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Paul keeps a sharp eye on me as he scurries to the door and shoves his feet into his shoes. “You’re a crazy bitch.”
Pressing my lips together, I nod a half dozen times while he flies out of my house. This is a first. I’ve never reacted like this before now. I’ve been rejected a lot, but never have I lost it. My usual MO is a few shy nods and a “thanks anyway” like someone’s refusing to buy something I’m trying to sell.
If I’m honest, it’s Colten Mosley’s fault. He’s had me on edge since the moment he said my name at the restaurant with Paul. I’m not mad at Paul. I’m mad at Colten.
And I’m sexually frustrated at the moment.
And I’m … I don’t know. Something. I’m definitely something at the moment.
CHAPTER EIGHT
A week after losing my shit with Paul, I have to testify in a murder trial. I get to testify. Dr. Cornwell hates this part of the job, but I don’t mind it. I don’t get nervous on the stand, and I find the whole legal process fascinating. If I didn’t have to get back to work all the time, I’d enjoy watching murder trials all day.
“You’re good.”
I turn as the hair along my neck stands erect from the irritating sound of his deep voice. “Detective.” I pull my shoulders back and challenge all my senses to act unaffected by Colten in his sharp navy suit and crisp white dress shirt. Perfectly knotted tie.
“On the stand, you’re very put-together and confident.”
I nod. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be? I’m an expert witness.” My days of trying to impress Colten Mosley should be long over, yet they’re not. I’m still singing my own praises with him. Only with him.
One side of his mouth lifts into a half smile that some women probably find sexy. I imagine.
Not me. Nope.
“I was actually a little nervous.” He shrugs, looking innocent when I know he’s far from it. “Rafferty can be a real dick on his cross examinations, regardless of your level of expertise. But you held your own.”
“Thanks. I don’t mind testifying, unlike Dr. Cornwell. I swear he’s been passing any case on to me that he thinks might lead to giving testimony.”
“I don’t blame him. I hate being questioned.”
“You hate someone questioning your authority, not necessarily questioning you,” I say.
“Who does like having their authority questioned?” The elevator doors open, and we step into it.
“Me. I like when some hotshot attorney questions my authority and level of expertise. Because regardless of how much research they did in advance to sound intelligent while asking the right questions, they have a law degree and I have a medical degree with hundreds of autopsies under my belt. I like scrutinizing everything they say, looking for little discrepancies—an opportunity to show their lack of knowledge and therefore their vulnerability.”
The doors open to the main floor. “You’re sadistic.”
“I’m not.” I laugh.
“Which is weird…” Colten ignores my reply “…because you were much nicer to people when we were younger.”
There is a lot to unpack here. “You did not just say that to me.”
“It’s true. You were honest but considerate of people’s feelings.”
I exit the courthouse and cringe when a blast of humidity fills my lungs and fucks up my hair. “Yes, I was considerate of other people’s feelings.”
“That’s a jab at me. I get it. That’s fair. I was an asshole sometimes.” Colten follows me. “You should let me buy you lunch to make up for the past.”
There’s not much that leaves me speechless anymore. I’ve heard and seen just about everything, but Colten is certifiably insane if he thinks lunch makes up for what he did to me. Maybe … just maybe something like his testicle catching a bullet or early onset male pattern baldness with a scalp covered in scaly eczema would make up for the past. I’m going to think on this one.
“Wow, that’s kind of like a murderer buying the victim’s family a puppy and calling it good.”
“Now you’re comparing me to a murderer?” His eyebrows shoot up his forehead.
“No. Murderers eventually put their victims out of their misery. I have to get back to work.” I pivot, taking quick strides to my car.
“My mom’s coming for a visit this weekend. She’d love to see you.”
I slow my pace, closing my eyes for a brief moment. He’s not playing fairly. “Tell her to call me, and I’ll meet her for lunch.”
“That’s just rude, Josie.”
Glancing back at him, my lips pull into a tight smile. “Rude?” I nod slowly as if I’m giving his word choice some careful thought. I’m not. I’m giving myself a few breaths to remain calm because I could kill him about now. “Tell her to call me.”
Friday, I swipe right on the hottest guy I can find. I need to clear my mind after a week of sorting through the cluttered memories of Colten. Tonight, I’m a doctor, an ER doctor who’s going to get some mindless, meaningless, sex.