Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22280 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22280 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
“Yes. I know it sounds like a bad idea.”
“Then it’s perfect for this place.” He gives me a lopsided smile that makes him appear younger. This place is supposed to heal people, but all it’s done is take from him.
“We could be together.” I reach up and cup his face.
“What about your nursing degree?” Is he trying to talk me out of it?
“I went to college to help build a life for myself. Now I want a life with you.” That degree brought me to him. If it means getting to be with him forever, then I’d gladly give it all up.
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“That’s because you never ask me to do anything. You’re ordering me.” I say it with a smile. He leans forward, brushing a soft kiss on my lips.
“It wouldn't be easy to run. Not with my father out there.”
“This is about the room downstairs?” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth, but Jamison tugs on my chin, forcing me to release it.
“I’m the only one that gets to bite you.” His whole body goes solid for a second, and he's lifting me up. “Get dressed.”
I quickly throw my clothes back on while my heart beats faster. What happens if someone walks in on us? I’ll get banned from here.
“Smack me,” Jamison orders right before his mouth crashes down onto mine.
I hear the door open and then someone gasp so I push Jamison back and strike the side of his face exactly like he told me to.
“Jamison!” Olivia hisses at him.
“It’s fine, really.” I’m quick to defend him because I can’t help myself.
“What has gotten into you?” Olivia scolds him.
“I’m kinda in love with her.” He shrugs a shoulder and gives a sheepish expression that I almost buy. I watch as Olivia actually softens. “Sorry?”
“Did you just apologize?” Olivia's brows lift almost to her hairline.
"Really, it’s fine,” I say, trying my best to play it off like it was nothing. I don’t want Jamison to get into trouble.
“I should write this up,” Olivia says, but she looks between us once more. “But I’ll let it slide. Dr. Crane is in a terrible mood already.” Relief floods me as she holds the door open for him. “Get back to your room, Jamison.”
To my surprise, he actually does as he’s told, but not before glancing back to wink at me.
“Are you sure you’re okay? If you want to write him up—”
“I don’t,” I say, cutting Olivia off.
“Okay.” Olivia seems relieved, too. “He’s been here so long. You’re probably his first kiss.”
“I think he means well.” That’s a lie. Jamison means to do very bad things to me. All of which I want. “I should get back to work.” I grab a stack of linens, which is what I came in here for to begin with.
It’s not until I’m alone that it hits me. Did Jamison say he loved me?
God knows I sure as hell love him. Now I just have to figure out how we can be together. But something tells me Jamison has a plan. He’s always one step ahead.
Chapter Fourteen
JAMISON
I wait in the hallway for Olivia to exit the linen closet, and that’s when I make my move. “Thank you for not telling on me,” I say, and she jerks around to see me following her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t see anything.” She’s pretending she didn’t catch us, and I appreciate that. She’s always been one of the nicer nurses.
“You have no idea what it’s like,” I say and that causes her steps to falter. “Being locked in here since I was practically a child.”
“You were a child.” She says it like she’s talking to herself, but I know she’s watched me the last ten years. “Anyway, I can understand that you’ve missed out on things.” She shrugs. “Truly I’m just happy to see you care. It felt like you didn’t for a long time.”
“I know.” I try to use my most solemn voice. “I appreciate what you did for me today. But I was wondering if there was something else you could help me with.”
“Jamison, you know that anything you do with Nurse Mia is—”
“It’s not about her,” I plead, and she cocks her head to the side.
“Why don’t you tell me what you need help with and then I’ll decide.”
My mother used to tell me my smile could charm a nun out of her robes, so I do my best to turn it on now. “I’d like to make a phone call.”
A little while later, I’m sitting in my room when Alton steps through the door. “Dr. Crane would like to see you.”
“Tell him I’m busy.” I turn the page of the book Mia gave me, and I hear Alton sigh.
“You know how this is going to end.”