Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Jenna looked up at me with bright eyes, and I couldn’t help smiling as I got a little lost in their beauty. Thankfully, I snapped out of it before I did something stupid like pull her into my arms and kiss her. I had no doubt that once I had my lips on hers, there would be no going back.
“If you’re sure I won’t be a bother,” she said softly.
“Never.”
I pushed off the desk and held out my hand. When she placed her palm on mine, I felt a shock of electricity that shot over my nerve endings, straight to my cock. “Just one second,” I told her with a wink.
Reluctantly, I let her go and rounded my desk to pick up my white lab coat from where it hung off the back of my chair. After shrugging it on, I made sure the front was closed enough to hide my raging hard-on. Then I walked back over to her and took Jenna’s hand, guiding her to the door of my office. I wanted to lace our fingers and tuck her against my side, but it wasn’t the right time yet.
Before opening the door, I let her hand slide slowly out of my hold, smirking at the disappointment that flitted across her face. It won’t be long, sunshine.
My office was in the admin building, next door to the Emergency Room and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, so I could quickly move between locations. I usually just ran from door to door, but there was an indoor connection between the structures, which took a little longer. Since it was cold as hell outside and Jenna was such a tiny thing, I decided not to make her face the bitter February wind.
I pointed out certain places that would be helpful for her to know as we headed to the nurses' station in the NICU. When we reached the double doors, I swiped my security badge, and they swung open.
A low hum of activity filled the hallway—nurses and staff walking with purpose, patients shuffling down the long walkway, and the whir of machines.
“Afternoon, Dr. Sutton,” one of the other doctors said with a nod as he walked past me. He paused briefly in his steps when he spotted my young companion.
“Dr. Cahoon,” I greeted, stepping closer to Jenna. He had a reputation for working his way through the female nursing staff, and I didn’t want him to turn his attention onto my Jenna. Not because I worried he would seduce her, but I didn’t want my innocent girl to be forced to deal with a lecherous manwhore.
“And who is this lovely lady?” he asked with what I assumed was supposed to be a charming smile.
Jenna moved even closer to me, and I had to suppress a smug grin.
“Jenna Kendall. Her father, Justice Kendall”—I emphasized the name, knowing the doctor would recognize the billionaire who’d funded the building of a large portion of the hospital—“is a friend and asked if his daughter could volunteer here.” I forced a casual laugh.
Just as I’d hoped, the name-dropping hit its mark, and Dr. Cahoon paled before backing up a step. “Nice to meet you. Uh, I have an appointment to get to.” Then he hurried off in another direction.
I smirked at his back, then looked at Jenna, surprised to see her crestfallen expression. Had she been disappointed when the doctor lost interest? Jealousy bubbled up inside me, an emotion I was not familiar with. I didn’t like it, but I knew I would have to get used to the feeling. With every passing moment I spent with Jenna, my obsession with her grew.
“You didn’t have to do this just because you’re friends with my dad,” she said softly. “I really appreciate that you were willing to, but I don’t want you to be forced to—”
“I thought I already made it clear to you.” I interrupted once I understood her change in mood. “You are not a bother.” She looked up at me dubiously, but I didn’t miss the hope lurking in them. “I didn’t do this just for him, sunshine,” I admitted hesitantly. I wasn’t sure how much to reveal just yet.
“But you told—”
Not wanting to be overheard, I cupped her elbow and guided her over to the wall, then bent low to speak into her ear. “Dr. Cahoon doesn’t have any morals and rarely hears the word no, so he can be a persistent asshole when he’s interested in a woman.”
I put one finger under her chin and raised her face so I could see into her gorgeous blue depths. “You are incredibly beautiful, Jenna. Any man would be a fool not to want to be with you.” Thinking of other men lusting after what was mine made my expression darken as I frowned. “I want everyone to know you’re off-limits. And the only way I could be sure he would leave you alone was to scare him off.”