morning, I was at the hospital at eight o’clock on the dot. I expected to find Laney in a zombie state, or at least looking tired. To my surprise, she was wide-eyed and full of energy. Skye had been discharged half an hour ago, and Rob had taken her home right away. I regretted not seeing her—I was better at giving pep talks in person—but I trusted my brother-in-law to take good care of her.
“Why are you so awake?” I inquired.
“I might have drunk five coffees in the past two hours.” Her grin was priceless.
“Someone was looking forward to this day.”
She nodded, licking her lips. “You promised a day of proper pampering. Who needs sleep? Pffft.”
Laughing, I pulled her close to me, barely keeping back from capturing her mouth. “Want to check out that broom closet right now?”
I only realized that she wasn’t her usual self when she wrapped her arms around my waist, looking up seductively.
“Or you can kiss me right now.”
I took her hands in mine. “You were worried about colleagues seeing you, remember?”
She blinked, nodding. “Oh, you’re right. I forgot. So gallant of you. Saving my reputation. I think I like you a little more.”
“You think?”
“Yup. I have to consider this when I’m not lacking sleep and high on caffeine.”
“I happen to like you this way. You’re... corruptible.”
She blushed. “Just need to change out of my scrubs, and then I’m good to go.”
Tilting closer, I whispered in her ear. “You’re hot in them.”
She playfully pushed me away. “Hey, stop being so charming. I’m extra susceptible when I haven’t slept.”
“Susceptible and corruptible. I think I’ll pay you visits on your night shifts.”
“Oh, you’re terrible. I’m going to change. Wait for me outside.”
I wiggled my eyebrows, tilting closer again. “Or... I can watch you change.”
Laney burst out laughing. “No, you can’t. Damn, and here I thought you were chivalrous and everything, looking after me... but you were just waiting for the right opportunity to take advantage of my susceptibility and corruptibility.”
“Always will,” I assured her.
“Good to know.” With a wink and a grin, she turned around.
I waited for Laney outside, taking advantage of that time to make calls for work. Riling up the team for a new project was one of my favorite things to do. Their enthusiasm was in part what drove me. Normally they didn’t work on Saturday, but we were on a tight deadline.
They were still reticent toward me after this intense week. I wasn’t an asshole by any means, but I hadn’t been approachable, and now I was riding their asses with the draconian schedule I’d set up. I couldn’t go easy on them in the early stages. We were close to the deadline for submitting our proposal for the Centenarian project.
“We’ve got strict deadlines on this, Perry.”
“Sure, boss.”
“Gene, get me the Centenarian budget update by this evening, please.”
“How about the graphics you asked me for yesterday?”
“Prioritize this.”
“Okay.” Her tone was clipped, but she didn’t contradict me. One of my main tasks as chief of operations was making sure that all parts moved in a coordinated way. That meant being ruthless with priorities.
Laney came out while I was still chatting with the team, but I immediately ended the call, pocketing the phone and whistling loudly.
“I was wrong, doc. You’re even hotter in this cute outfit.”
“I’m wearing a jacket, jeans, and riding boots,” she said skeptically.
The riding aspect of it was messing with my thoughts.
“Trust me” was all I said.
We went to a coffee shop near the hospital. The server led us all the way to the back, in a corner with a couch and a small table. We were the only ones in the back. On Saturdays, New Yorkers treated themselves to brunch, or at least late breakfast. It was eight thirty now.
“This is lovely,” she said, looking around. “So this is the first step in proper pampering?”
“Yes. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” I took off her jacket, draping it on the side of the couch. I touched her cheeks with the back of my fingers, rubbing up and down lightly. “Thanks for looking out for Skye.” I’d told her that before, but it was worthy of repeating. I wanted her to know how much I appreciated it. Her breath caught when I cupped the back of her head, bringing her closer. I kissed her deep and wet. She tasted amazing. I could kiss her for hours, and it still wouldn’t be enough. This was just so fucking perfect. She whimpered,