Untouchable (Unexpected Love Book 1) Page 5

  Then I remember coming on his fingers, and my dream. My body heats back up again, fire racing through my veins. I think I might die if he doesn’t kiss me.

  Despite my better judgment, I reach up and pull his face down toward me. His mouth slams into mine as he stoops down to wrap his arms around me and lifts me up. I wrap my legs around his hips as he leans me against the wall. Our tongues tangle, our teeth clank, and the sound of our breathing fills up the room. He thrusts his hips forward and the sensation from his erection rubbing my center makes me moan. The sound of it is foreign to me, it’s so needy. He breaks our kiss, leans his forehead against mine, still holding me against the wall, and closes his eyes.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask him, touching his face, feeling his cheeks. His eyes flutter open at my touch.

  “You feel so good, Monica. I’m going to come in my pants if we keep this up,” he admits, chuckling. “I want to take my time with you.”

  That sounds…amazing. Besides, it’s not like we can carry on right here. Anyone could walk in at any moment.

  “Why don’t we go out for dinner after work and talk about this?” I suggest.

  He nods, reluctantly putting me down and backing away slowly. He leans down to place a chaste kiss on my lips and takes another step back. His scrub pants do very little to conceal his obvious hard-on, and the sight of it makes me feel a bit lightheaded. I did that to him. He palms his bulge, trying to rearrange himself to make it less obvious, but it’s no use. He looks down and blows out a breath.

  “Think anyone will notice?” he asks me. For some reason, I find this question hilarious. A snort bubbles out and I slap my hand over my mouth. Then I can’t control the laughter. It’s like someone has snatched my body and replaced it with a teenager’s. He joins in after a beat, and the two of us are doubled over in hysterics. I’m laughing so hard tears fall down my face. I wipe my eyes and try to pull myself together.

  “What time do you get off work?” I ask him.

  “Six o’clock.”

  “Me too. Do you like Italian food?”

  “Love it,” he replies.

  “Meet me at Piazza, do you know where that is?”

  “No, I just moved to this side of town, so I haven’t come across it yet.” I give him directions and we plan to meet up after work.

  You have to do this.

  Monica

  As I walk to the restaurant, I call my best friend from high school, Quinn. She was my best friend during my wild times, and she was also my best friend after my mom died. We don’t talk often these days and that is completely my fault, but when I’m in need of honest advice, I know I can count on her.

  “Well if it isn’t Dr. Morgan,” she answers.

  “Hey, Quinn.”

  “What’s up, chica?”

  “I need you to talk me out of a really bad decision,” I tell her.

  “That just makes me want to talk you into it. Explain.” I give her the short version of what’s happening with Max. “I can’t believe you didn’t call me to go out with you to the club, you bitch.”

  “Focus, Quinn. I’m considering having an…affair? A fling? Sex. I’m considering having sex with a nurse in my department, the department I’m in charge of, and he’s seven years my junior. This is a terrible idea. Tell me I need to go in there and explain to him that I had a momentary lapse in sanity earlier and we need to remain professional co-workers.”

  “Question—is he hot?”

  This is what she’s basing her decision off of? “So hot,” I answer.

  “Does he make your heart race?”

  “He makes it soar,” I admit.

  “And you want him?”

  “Yes,” I whisper.

  “One more thing, would your mom like him? Or your dad?” I consider this. My mom would love him. My dad…not so much. He would disapprove of me dating “beneath my class”.

  “Mom would love him. Dad would hate him.”

  “Then it’s decided—you have to do this.”

  “I have to?” I smile.

  “Yes. When was the last time you had a young, virile man who couldn’t keep his hands off of you? Better yet, when was the last time you had a man-induced orgasm?” Actually, it was with Max. I’m not sure why, but I leave that minor detail out.

  “Uuuumm…”

  “If you don’t know, then it’s been too long. Live a little, Monica. Let your hair down, climb up on your Mister Blue Eyes, and have some orgasms. Don’t let a little thing like work get in the way of having some fun. What’s the worst that could happen?”

  “Well, I could lose my job for one.”

  “Really? Is it against hospital policy to date a co-worker?” she asks.

  “I’d have to dig out the policy book to know if there is an actual rule, but it would definitely be inappropriate. I don’t want to give the board of directors a reason to question my ability to make decisions.”

  “You mean to tell me there has never in history been a doctor and a nurse that worked together and fell in love?”

  I sigh. “It’s usually a male doctor and a female nurse.”

  “Are you kidding me right now? So it would be okay if you were the nurse and he was the doctor?”

  “You’re twisting my words around. Besides, I did not say I’m in love with him. I’m just in lust with him.”

  “Perfect. I love lust. My point is, don’t be so dramatic and start looking for a new job just yet. You don’t have to broadcast that you’re sleeping with a co-worker to the board of directors.” She makes a good point.

  “Of course I wouldn’t broadcast it.”

  “So go make some bad decisions! Although I think this is the best idea you’ve had in a while. You have to tell me everything—I want all the juicy details.”

  I think I will.

  Max

  Piazza doesn’t look like much from the outside, no brightly lit sign or front window displaying the dining room, just simple block letters above a plain door on a nondescript brick building. Inside, though, I’m hit with an amazing aroma of foods that makes my stomach start to grumble. The small dining room is cozy with dim lights and candles flickering at every table.

  The hostess shows me to a booth in the back and I’m grateful that we’re tucked away to have this discussion in private. After ordering two waters, I sit back and think about what I’m doing here.

  My whole life has been dedicated to taking care of my mom and sisters. Instead of going to school full-time and graduating years ago with all my peers, I had to work to help contribute to my family. I have no regrets, but I can’t help but feel like my life has been on hold.

  Now that I’m done with school and working full-time, I am ready to start living. Seducing the director of my department has never been on my bucket list, but trying to stay away from Monica the past few weeks has proven to be extremely difficult. I can’t fight the pull anymore.

  I want Monica Morgan. Staying away from her and denying my feelings is not working. This afternoon, with her in my arms, it felt like I could finally breathe.

  My watch reads 6:30 PM and I start to wonder if she has changed her mind. Every time the door opens, a bell jingles and I look for her. Checking social media does little to distract me, so I decide to catch up with my sisters. We have a group text thread between the three of us and I add on to it. Ella just graduated from college in the spring and moved to New York City. She works at a graphic design firm and I’m so damn proud of her. Chloe is in her second year of college, and I worry about her non-stop. I wish they were closer to me.

  Me: How are my beautiful sisters? Anyone around?

  Ella: Max! How are you?

  Chloe: How’s the new job?

  Me: It’s really good. How’s school, C?

  Chloe: It’s okay.

  Me: You staying away from all men?

  Chloe: *rolls eyes* of course, big brother. Whatever you say…

  Ella: Yeah right! I saw that hottie you posted a picture with!

>   Me: Do I need to come out there and kick some ass?

  Chloe: Settle down, Max. He’s a really nice guy.

  Me: You’re in college. Assume NO guy is nice. Please be safe.

  Ella: Oh, leave her alone. She can be safe and have fun with hot guys!

  Me: What about you, Ella? How’s NYC?

  Ella: It’s amazing! When are you coming to visit?

  Me: Not sure when I can get time off, but I’d love to come up and see you.

  Chloe: What are you doing right now?

  Me: I think I’m about to get stood up, actually.

  Ella: What?? Did you meet someone?

  Chloe: Hot nurse?

  Me: Hot doctor.

  Ella: ??

  Chloe: Spill.

  Me: We met before we knew we worked together. Now that we work together it’s…complicated, but I can’t stop thinking about her.

  Chloe: Awwww! Max has a crush!

  Chloe: But how dare she stand you up!

  Ella: Do I need to come down there and kick her ass?

  Me: Lol

  Chloe: I’ve got your back, Ella. We can teach this bitch a lesson.

  Me: Easy there, ladies. I like this woman, a lot.

  Chloe: Well, if she’s smart, she’ll definitely show up.

  Me: Hope so. I’m going to go now. Text me soon, okay?

  Ella: Keep us posted!

  My sisters always put a smile on my face, but our whole exchange only took up two minutes. The longer I wait, the more I’m convinced she’s not going to show up. I wouldn’t blame her, but I would definitely be disappointed. I wish I had her phone number so I could at least text her to see if she is coming.

  The bell jingles again and finally, it’s her. Thank God. She stands just inside the door, scanning the room, and I stand and wave to get her attention. Once she sees me, she smiles.

  That smile…it’s radiant and the sight of it eases my nerves.

  “Hi,” she greets, stepping close to me. “Sorry I’m late.”

  I pull her into a hug, my hands itching to touch her. She fits so well against me, despite our height difference. Her head is against my chest and I lean down, tucking her into me and breathing in her scent. She tries to step back but I keep holding on, reluctant to let her go. This makes her laugh and I force myself to step back and sit on my side of the booth.

  “So,” I say, unable to stop my smile. The fact that she’s here tells me a lot, but I don’t know where to start.

  “So.” She blushes at my stare.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “Starving,” she admits. “My dinner usually consists of a frozen meal, so this is a treat, especially for a Tuesday night.”

  “What do you recommend?”

  “Everything is so good here, you really can’t go wrong,” she tells me. “My favorite is the lasagna.”

  “Lasagna sounds delicious.” The server comes over, sets down some bread and dipping oil, and takes our order.

  We study each other and once again, I’m struck by how beautiful she is. Tonight, her glossy brown hair is loose around her shoulders instead of up in a ponytail as it usually is at work. It reminds me of the first night I met her at Club Bailar. Her almond-shaped eyes are almost feline, and I’m sure she doesn’t realize the power they hold. Just around her pupil, her irises are the color of whiskey, fading gradually to a deep green. Her olive skin is smooth, and I want to touch her face again to feel how soft it is. She is free of makeup and I love that she didn’t primp for this dinner. With the light from the candle flickering gently over her face, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prettier sight.

  “I’m glad you came. I thought you weren’t going to show,” I admit.

  “I tried to talk myself out of it,” she says.

  “Why?” I’m curious where her head is.

  “Should I go through the whole list of reasons?”

  “Let’s hear it.”

  “Well, we work together. I don’t want this to negatively impact either of our jobs,” she says seriously.

  “Fair point. I don’t want it to be a problem at work either. I really like my job.”

  “So can we…not broadcast that we’re…spending time together to our co-workers?” she asks.

  “You want to keep me a secret?” My stomach sinks.

  She hesitates. “I just don’t want to be the source of gossip or judgment.”

  I nod. “I understand that, but what about outside of work?”

  “Work is my main concern.”

  “So we can see each other outside of work and not hide?” I clarify. I can’t be her dirty little secret.

  “Well, we’re here now, aren’t we?”

  Yes, we are. I can deal with that. “Okay. At work, we’ll be strictly co-workers, as long as outside of work you don’t pretend to not know who I am.”

  “I would never do that,” she promises.

  “Does this mean I can’t have my wicked way with you in an empty exam room?” I tease, thinking of this afternoon in the break room.

  She coughs and flushes, reaching for her water. “Probably best to refrain. If someone caught us, it would definitely cause gossip and judgment.”

  “I’ll do my best,” I say. “What else is on your list?”

  “Does our age difference bother you?”

  “Our age difference?” My eyebrows shoot up. “I’m 25—how much older than me are you?”

  “I’m 32.”

  “Monica, that’s only seven years. We’re both adults.”

  “Yeah, but…” She trails off.

  “Does it really bother you?”

  “It’s just, you’re so…” She searches for words and gestures her hand at me. “Attractive.”

  “Attractive?” I smile. This is a bad thing? Surely this should go on the list of pros instead of cons.

  “Yes. You could have any girl you wanted. Someone closer to your age that doesn’t work 70 hours a week. Someone prettier than me. Someone less awkward? Less boring? I don’t know.” She gives up trying to find the right words and covers her face with her hands. Is she serious?

  “Hey.” I reach for her hands across the table and link our fingers together. “Look at me.” I stare into her beautiful eyes. “In case you didn’t notice, I’m quite attracted to you. You are stunning, Monica. The fact that you’re a hard worker makes you all the more appealing to me. I can’t remember the last time I wanted someone as much as I want you.” I squeeze her hands.

  The server approaches the table with our food, so I have to let go of her hands. The smell of the lasagna reminds me how hungry I am.

  “Wow, this looks delicious.” We both dig into our food. She moans in appreciation of her first bite and the sound goes straight to my dick.

  “Are we done talking about why you didn’t want to come here tonight?” I ask. I want to be done with that part of the conversation.

  She thinks for a moment. “I don’t do this sort of thing, ever. This isn’t me. I don’t want to give you the wrong impression.”

  “Don’t do what? Spend time with a man?” She said that same phrase at the club, too, just before she ran away. This isn’t me.

  “Kiss a co-worker in the break room.”

  “I’ve never done that before either,” I tell her.

  “I’m not sure I have time for a relationship, Max. My life is the ER. I work long hours and am on call frequently. I don’t know what you want from me exactly. Do you want to…date me? Have sex with me?”

  I laugh. This is so formal and awkward. “All I know is that I want to spend more time with you, Monica. I can’t deny that I want you in my bed—or your bed, or against a wall. You can call it whatever you want.”

  “Can we take it slow?” She looks vulnerable all of a sudden, and it triggers a feeling of protectiveness. I want to make her feel safe and secure.

  “Of course.”

  She smiles. “Thank you.”

  I smile back. “You’re welcome.”

  We chat abo
ut work as we finish our dinner and all too soon, our plates are empty.

  “Would you like any dessert?” I’m not ready to leave yet.

  She checks her watch. “I really should get going.”

  “Okay.” I leave money on the table and we make our way to the front. As we step outside, the cool air makes her shiver, and I wrap my arm around her shoulder to warm her up. “Can we exchange numbers?” I hand her my cell and she plugs hers in. I tap out a text to her and hit send. “Now you have my number, too.”

  “Where are you parked?” she asks.

  “This is me.” I point to my bicycle where it’s locked to the rack on the sidewalk.

  “You ride a bicycle?”

  “Keeps me in shape.” I pat my flat stomach and she laughs.

  “You are in excellent shape,” she agrees, scanning her eyes down my body. My cock likes her attention and I need to keep it in check. Take it slow.

  “Where are you parked? I’ll walk you to your car.”

  “It’s just the next street over, you don’t have to walk with me.”

  “Oh, yes I do. My mom would be horrified if I didn’t see you to your car safely.” I pull her close to me as we walk down the sidewalk. “When can I see you again?”

  “I’m pretty sure you’ll see me tomorrow.”

  “I mean, when can I see you outside of work?” I specify.

  “Let’s see, I’m still on day shift, so that means I’m off Friday. I could do Thursday night or anytime on Friday.”

  “Thursday night.” The sooner the better.

  “Ok, Thursday night,” she agrees.

  We reach her car and I’m stunned to find she drives a Porsche. “Nice car.”

  “Thanks.”

  I turn to face her. “I can’t wait until Thursday,” I say honestly, not caring if I sound too eager.

  “Me either.”

  “Can I kiss you, Monica?” I never want to take advantage and assume my touch is welcome.

  “Yes.”

  I back her up against the car, leaning into her, and place a soft, chaste kiss on her forehead, then her cheeks. If I kiss her mouth right now, I’m afraid I won’t want to stop, and she asked me to take it slow. So, slow it is. She links her fingers behind my neck and laughs up at me.