to the side. There was a tattooed point that crept up his neck, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.
“Look at me,” he ordered, making my gaze shoot from his mystery ink to his eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said automatically.
“Juliet.”
“Really, I’m fine. You can go.”
His dark eyes narrowed, and I scooted back on the table. He added a clenched jaw to his glare, but before he could speak, a woman in green scrubs pushed a wheelchair in.
Her eyes went huge when she saw Maximo, and it took her a moment to drag her focus to me. “I’m Mia from transport, here to take you to x-ray. Ready, sweetie?”
“Already?” I asked.
“Doctor Pierce ordered it,” she answered with a smile, though I could see matching surprise and confusion in her expression.
Maximo didn’t seem to share our confusion. He picked me up before I could climb down, lowering me to the wheelchair.
“I could’ve handled the three steps,” I said.
He didn’t respond verbally, just gave me another look. That seemed to be his go-to move when he didn’t deem something worthy of a reply.
Mia moved to push the wheelchair, but Maximo got there first. She didn’t bother to argue—smartly saving herself from the look—and led the way through the halls, swiping her badge periodically to unlock doors and summon the transport elevator.
Once we reached the ground floor, Mia gestured to a spot against the wall. “Park the chair over there. They’ll be right with her, so if you’d like to get a snack or coffee, now’s a good time.” Her smile changed from professional to something that made it clear he was the snack she wanted to eat. “I can show you where the cafeteria is.”
Maximo didn’t look at her. “I’ll wait.”
In the face of his coldness, she was right back to professional. “Okay, good luck.”
As she walked away, Maximo asked me, “Are you in pain?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You’re scowling.”
I am?
“I’ll have Pierce get you the pain meds now.”
Grabbing his arm, I shook my head. “I’m fine. Honestly.”
“You only had those sandwiches, are you hungry?”
“Can I have a coffee?” I asked, desperate for the bitter goodness and the needed caffeine jolt after such a rough day.
“A small one.”
I’d suck on a used coffee filter right now, so anything is good.
“Sugar and cream?” At my nod, he said, “I’ll be back.”
After a quick yet uncomfortably positioned x-ray, I got into the hall to find Maximo waiting with a small coffee cup in his hand. I grabbed for it as soon as it was within reach, but he pulled it away. When I went for it again, Maximo lifted it near his head. Since he was over a foot taller than me and I was sitting, it might as well have been on the moon.
“Please,” I tried because I was willing to beg.
He kept hold of it for a long moment before finally handing it over.
I grinned as the bitter scent filled my nose. “Oh yeah, that’s the good stuff.”
The same transport woman came over, using the condescending voice and name again. “Ready, sweetie?”
Yes, bitch.
“Yup, hun.” I may not have said what I wanted to, but I also wasn’t able to completely bite my tongue.
Mia gave a tight smile before staring ahead of her.
Shit, I know better than to be petty.
I glanced up at Maximo, hoping he wasn’t pissed or embarrassed, but a barely-there smirk curved his lips. He met my eyes and winked before looking ahead.
For a monster, that was hot.
Wait, what?
Shut up, self. You’re delirious.
When we returned to the room, Dr. Pierce and a nurse were already waiting. Maximo lifted me onto the table, and the nurse took my coffee, setting it on the counter before handing me a little paper cup of pills and a cup of water. “For the pain.”
“Thanks.” I gratefully swallowed the pills and chugged the water. If I couldn’t have my scalding coffee, the cold, refreshing water was the next best thing.
The nurse opened a packet and a sterile swab, dipping the swab into the goo before passing it to the doc. He rubbed it across a nasty gash on my shin.
“Shit,” I hissed. The burn didn’t dissipate—it grew and grew. It spread across my skin like lava. The heat was so bad, I expected to see my skin bubbling or melting away.
Tears welled, and I reached out to clutch something so I wouldn’t punch the doctor.
I didn’t even realize I’d grabbed Maximo’s forearm until he pried my fingers away before my nails gauged chunks out of