"See," I tease her. "I know what makes you laugh and what pisses you off. I don't quite know all the ways to make you squirm yet, but I have no hesitation in finding out, and it's the friendship that just makes that easier. Because I know if you get pissed, I know how to get you out of it. I know if you like it, I'll just give you more. So, yeah...it's totally cool fucking your friend."
I get another eye roll, but her gaze is filled with soft understanding and perhaps even agreement when it comes to rest on me again.
I bend down as I brush my mouth against hers. "Feel the same?"
"I know exactly what you mean," she says quietly, but the words punch into me hard, knowing that she's feeling the same way I am.
I pull out of her slowly, only to sink right back in to the hilt. Josie huffs out a slight groan and squirms under me. She spreads her legs and raises them, causing me to push into her just a little deeper.
Oh, fuck yes.
This is going to be amazing.
Chapter 10
Josie
I flip briefly through the chart of the forty-two-year-old woman in exam room seven. Acute chest pain, slightly elevated blood pressure, and a normal EKG and chest X ray.
Pushing through the partially closed curtain, I offer the patient a reassuring smile. "Hello, Mrs. Adams, how are you feeling?"
Her face is flushed and pinched in pain. "My chest still really hurts."
The nurse had already given her 0.3 milligrams of nitro, which clearly wasn't working. Setting the chart down on the small roll table beside the bed, I place my hand on her shoulder. "I'm just going to examine you and then I'm going to order an ultrasound of your gallbladder."
"My gallbladder?" she asks in surprise through clenched teeth. She's clearly hurting.
I nod with a sympathetic pat to her shoulder, pulling the stethoscope from around my neck. "We had suspected you might have angina, but since the nitro didn't alleviate your pain, I'd like to rule out gallstones. They can cause some referred chest pain."
Mrs. Adams lays her head back against her pillow and grimaces. "I don't care what you do to me, just make this pain stop."
"We'll get to the bottom of it, I promise," I tell her, doing something I should never do. Promise to fix a problem I'm not sure what the root cause is, but still...she needs something to keep her grounded.
I perform a quick examination and order the ultrasound. I then check on my patient with the copperhead bite in exam room four, followed by an asthma attack in eight. It's been a good day in the emergency room, which means the cases have been interesting and plentiful and there's no time to think about other things.
Like Reed.
Sexy, funny, sweet, and did I say sexy Reed?
My friend.
Now my lover.
God, this is confusing and I'm second-guessing everything. I've been having regrets and ugly thoughts since I left his town home early this morning to make a quick dash over to mine to get an even quicker shower. I wondered when I walked into work this morning if people knew I'd had morning sex with a hot-as-hell professional hockey player who went from friend to sex partner in a nanosecond. I wondered if I looked as unsure of myself as I felt.
Luckily I jumped right into case after case, barely having time to pee much less contemplate how our relationship changed so drastically.
Until now, when I actually have fifteen minutes where I can get a very late lunch. I walk quickly to the cafeteria and grab a tuna sandwich and a bottle of water. After I snag an empty booth, I nibble on my sandwich while I check my texts.
Not surprisingly, there's one from Reed right at the top. I see Sutton Crossman sent me one below his, and I choose to read that first. I'm not ready to see what Reed has to say, which could range from a "let's make plans to have sex tonight" to "I really regret what we did last night."
And this morning. I wonder if he regrets this morning.
Ugh.
I open Sutton's text and try to concentrate on her words. Since I handled the early part of her labor, I guess you could say a sort of bond was formed. A friendship for sure, although we haven't seen each other since that day. She's been busy being a new mom, and I'm just plain busy, and when I'm not busy, I'm apparently having sex with my neighbor.
I have a gift for you, her text says. Wondering when we can get together. I can come over your way.
My lips curve up. Sutton and I have talked by phone a few times, starting out just with more of her effusive thanks and morphing into an actual friendship as she chattered away at me about the baby. She and Alex had a girl, which they already knew, and they had named her Rose.
I shoot a quick text back to her. I think you have it backward. You just had the baby. I should be giving you a gift, which I promise I have on my agenda to do.
Sutton shoots me back a laughing emoji. You're adorable. When is your next day off?
Tomorrow, actually, I write back.
Can I come by in the morning? At 10 a.m.? I won't stay long, as I know you probably want to relax on your day off. I'll have Rose with me.
My mind immediately tries to calculate if I will have time to run out for a baby gift after work tonight, knowing that I will be cutting it close by the time I get out of here. But then I remember...I work in a freaking hospital with a maternity ward, and the gift shop is filled with appropriate stuff.
I grin as I shoot her back a text. Sure. See you then.
We have a little more back and forth to give her my address and Sutton promises to bring bagels for breakfast. I want to tell her my hips won't appreciate them, but I don't. I love a good bagel.
My sandwich is finished by the time our conversation is over, and I turn reluctantly to Reed's text. I brace for the worst and hope for the best, but I'm not quite sure what I think the best or worst could be. I know I had a damn good time with him last night and this morning, and despite feeling a tiny bit awkward about being in his bed, it was some amazing, freaking sex. Like toe curling, mind blowing, and I'm ruined for any other type of sex.
Let me just say: Reed Olson has it going on in that department.
I suck in my breath and hold it in my lungs as I read his text. Just checking in to see how your day is going. Had a great time last night, better time this morning, want to make it even better tonight. Tell me what you want for dinner and I'll have it waiting for you at my house when you get off work.
The air seeps out of me slowly as I take in his words. His sweet, reaffirming words.
He doesn't regret last night apparently and wants more.
I want to accept that, but doubts keep plaguing me as I read his text over and over again.
What if he's just scratching an itch?
What if I'm just a challenge to him?
What if he's in a dry spell and can't find an available Barbie?
What if, what if, what if.
There are so many ways I could respond to Reed. I could take him at face value and tell him I'd love to see him tonight. I could play it safe and tell him I'm too tired, which means that I won't let this go any further.
Or, I could be a glutton for punishment and let my doubts possibly make this very weird.
Yes, that's what I'll do.
So I text him back. What is this we have going on?
I cringe internally as soon as I send the message, then nibble on my thumb while I wait for his reply. It could come any moment or it could be hours from now, because he could be busy doing something.
My heart nearly explodes when I hear the chime of his response before I see the actual words. I hold my breath again as I read his text. This is me, being interested in you.
Hmmmm. That's kind of vague.
Like the way you're interested in Barbies? I write back.
His response is almost immediate and produces a flushed warmth in my body. How do you feel about being spanked in bed? Because that's what I'm going to do if you compare yourself to one of my Barbies again.
Okay, I get a little sidetracked. All sorts of di
rty thoughts about Reed and him taking his palm to my ass. Would that be over his lap? While I'm on my hands and knees? Naked or clothed?
Another chime breaks my attention and I see Reed's texted me again. You're thinking about me spanking you, right?
No, I was not thinking that, I write back, and hope the speed with which I respond makes him believe me.
It takes a few moments to get a response. Quit second-guessing and take me at face value. We're friends, Josie. The benefits are very good. So good I don't need benefits from anyone else. Your benefits are the only ones I'm interested in. Okay?
This relieves me and I know it to be true because it feels like a weight comes off my chest. Reed wants me. Wants to continue to see me. And we're still friends. He's also clarifying that what we have is casual but monogamous, and the casual appeals to me. I don't have time for more than that, but more important, I don't have capacity for anything more. Aiden broke me, and I don't ever want to feel that way again about a man.
As long as we keep this light and fun with an emphasis on the friendship--well, an emphasis on the benefits--this should work out fine.
Okay, I text him back. See you for dinner tonight. Should be home by 9 p.m.
Looking forward to it, he replies. A lot.
Me too, Reed. Me too.
And because the weight is off and the awkwardness has been alleviated, I feel a wave of friskiness wash over me. I hesitate for only a moment before I write, And I'm not averse to spanking. Let me know if I actually need to do something to earn it.
I chew on my lip nervously while I await his response. When I get it, I'm well rewarded.
My palm is already twitching, Doc. Get ready.
God...the rest of this shift is going to go by so slowly now.
Chapter 11
Reed
"Hey, Josie," I murmur as my hand caresses her backside. Her skin is red with my handprint.
She gives a tiny grunt and pushes her ass backward in perhaps a plea for another slap. My lips twitch, as does my palm.
I do nothing, though, but stroke the warmth there. "Ever think when we first met that night you knocked on my door that you'd be on your hands and knees with me lodged deep inside of you?"
Another grunt and she pushes back again.
"Or that I'd spank that pretty ass because you wanted me to?" I continue to tease her.
"Will you just move or do something?" Josie snaps irritably, and I laugh. Moving my hands to her hips so I can hold her tight and in place, I give her what she wants.
And it's fucking good.
I thrust in and out of her with long, deep strokes, admiring the redness on her ass. I never would have taken her for that type, mainly because she possesses so much self-confidence and control and you have to give that up just a tiny bit if you want to get spanked. You have to accept the pain and work your way through it to get to the pleasure part.
So fucking good.
Josie's head hangs and the sounds coming out of her are almost animalistic. It makes me drive in a little harder, and then she starts throwing herself back onto me. We're back in my bed again, and the headboard is making music with the wall. I'll admit I hate she fucking heard that from the other side of the wall in her bedroom. Perhaps I can drive those memories out of her existence the more she and I fuck.
Slipping a hand to her front side, I press a finger to her clit. Josie's back hunches and she groans.
"Just like that, Reed," she mumbles almost incoherently. Good thing I'm getting very used to her body and the signs she gives as she closes in on an orgasm.
I rub her faster, thrust in so deep my ass muscles clench hard, and the minute I feel her contract around me as she starts to come, it's all over for me. I bark out a curse word or five as I grind into her, feeling the pleasure sweep through me in wave after wave of pure bliss. It seems like it goes on forever, both of us trembling through the quakes. I'm lost to the feeling, and yet so incredibly in tune with Josie's body it's almost surreal.
After a few moments, after I get my breath back and my body seems to want to work again, I pull out of her. She sighs with repletion and drops down to the mattress on her stomach. "You destroyed me, Olson."
Chuckling, I scoot back on the bed, lean over to brush my lips across the red streaks on her ass. "Feeling's mutual."
Josie doesn't move or make a sound, so I roll off the bed and dispose of the condom in my bathroom. When I walk back in, she's still in the same spot and I can tell immediately that she's asleep.
I smile and shake my head, veering away from the bed to my dresser. Taking out a pair of sweatpants, I watch Josie for a moment as she slumbers. I know she's exhausted after being on her feet for twelve-plus hours handling emergency after emergency.
I'd had dinner ready for her when she came over. She'd stopped by her place first for a shower and came in with no makeup and hair still wet. She was pure Josie in a pair of baggy cargo pants and a tank top without a bra underneath, and that was sexy as fuck. I'd ordered Chinese and had it all laid out. We talked about her day, and it never fails to thrill me the things that she can do. She's a jack of all trades when it comes to medicine, needing to be able to diagnose and stabilize, often in pressure-filled situations where time is of the essence. I can't even imagine having the responsibility of someone's life in my hands like that, and yet she seems to be able to leave it all behind. She talks openly and often with humor about her work. But I've also seen her bear the burden of death too when her skills just don't make a difference.
Christ, I admire her so fucking much. Never admired a woman before, but in fairness...I never looked too deeply at them.
I'm seeing Josie through unfiltered eyes and I like everything that I'm seeing.
Fucking adore everything I'm feeling with her for sure.
Because Josie collapsed on top of my comforter, I walk over and pull the edge of it over her body so she's warm. I turn the light off and head into my living room to watch some TV, because I'm nowhere near tired. Even as bone melting as that sex was with Josie, I walk away from her feeling energized. I'd have preferred for us to talk and laugh for a bit in bed, and then have her again, but I have to be sensitive to her needs.
Never had to do that before, but I'm finding I don't mind. In fact, there's something infinitely pleasurable just knowing that Josie's in my bed sleeping, even if I'm not right there beside her.
--
I awaken with a start, my first thoughts being of Josie. I'm on my back on my couch and ESPN is still on the TV, the bluish tint from the screen in the dark room hurts my eyes for a moment. It hits me at once that the sound that woke me up was my front door closing and I pop up off the couch. There's no sense in checking my bedroom, when I know without a doubt I just heard the sound of Josie slinking off to her house.
It would be a waste of time to analyze the immediate feeling of irritation that she'd do such a thing, or even try to figure out why I practically run to my door to catch up to her, so I focus instead on what I'll say to her.
As soon as I step out onto my porch, I see Josie unlocking her door using the electronic keypad that all of our doors are equipped with so we don't have to use keys. She turns to look at me with a guilty smile.
"Sorry," she whispers. "I didn't want to wake you up."
Pulling my door shut behind me until I hear the click of the lock, I jog down my porch steps, turn left, and jog right back up hers. When I'm toe to toe with her, I return her smile, but it's without apology and my tone is firm. "No worries. We can sleep in your bed tonight."
Cute as a button, Josie blinks at me in confusion. "Excuse me?"
"Unlock the door, Josie," I say with a nod to the keypad. "I'm staying over."
"You don't have to--"
"Unlock your door," I repeat.
For a moment I think she'd going to argue with me, which will bring about a full-blown fight. I'm staying the night with her and that's that.
Instead she just gives a tiny nod and turns to her keypad.
As soon as the door opens, I put my hands to her shoulders and gently push her inside. I step in behind her and press my lips to the back of her head. "Go get in bed. I know you're exhausted."
She jerks in surprise and turns to face me. My arms fall away, and as I take in the expression on her face, I can tell she has no clue what's going on. She probably thought the only reason I'd come over tonight was to fuck her again, and sure...stay the night.
I don't want to freak her out too bad, and hell, maybe I don't want to freak myself out too bad either, because I'm sure as shit not behaving normally, so I downplay it. "I know you're exhausted, so it's sleep for you. But the morning is a different matter and I'd like to have you close by, okay?"
Josie's got these amazing eyebrows that are naturally arched to perfection, so it's exaggerated when she's calling bullshit on me. One eyebrow goes higher, while the other flattens slightly. "You want to sleep in my bed tonight so I'll be available for you to fuck in the morning?"
"Well, yeah. Do you have a problem with that?"
She hesitates a moment, but then her face smooths out. Her smile lights up and there's a twinkle in her eye. "Actually...I have no problem with that. Makes perfect sense, actually."
I grin at her as I step in closer. I put my hands to her face and say, "I like the way you think, Doc."
She gets a swift, hard kiss with just a swipe of tongue. The minute I feel her begin to melt, I release her. Turning her by her shoulders to face the staircase, I swat her ass. "Now go. Get in bed. I'm going to grab a glass of water first."
"Okay," she mutters, then starts up the staircase.
I pad through Josie's living room, past her kitchen table that has a half-completed puzzle of Mount Everest. Shaking my head, I smile.
But then I notice something that I had not really paid attention to before the few times I've been at her place.
Her walls are bare. There are no decorative prints hanging. She has no knickknacks perched on tables or on the fireplace mantle. No magazines she's reading laid out on the coffee table, which is bare of even a set of coasters to set a drink on.
There's nothing in this house to indicate who Josie is, other than a jigsaw puzzle taking up real estate on her kitchen table.
Something about that makes my heart clench. Her house isn't a home, but just a place to rest her head. It's as sterile as the hospital she works in.