Page 9 of Jagger

Nodding my thanks, I yanked a clean towel for myself so I could wipe my bloodied hands, heading out of the kitchen quickly. Imanaged to grab my coat and purse, fumbling to find my keys, my fingers were shaking so badly. Once outside into the frigid air, I took a deep breath.

“What the hell are you doing?” My words barely registered in the wind. But I heard them. I had no decent answer either. I couldn’t allow the man to remain hurt. I’d taken the Hippocratic Oath years before. Maybe Jagger wasn’t the kind of man to ask any questions.

I weaved my way to my vehicle, grabbing my doctor’s bag. I’d always seen myself as a house doctor. As soon as I’d had my medical license, I’d purchased a special leather bag, equipping it with all the goodies that I’d seen on television growing up. Fortunately, my doctor instincts had pushed me into making the kit useful instead of a piece used for reminiscing.

That included a suture kit. Bandages. A stethoscope and other implements for a basic first aid adventure.

Not that I’d needed another one.

I rushed back inside and into the kitchen, a couple of the employees pointing the direction of where Carlos had been taken.

Jagger was still holding the man’s arm, talking to him in a low voice to keep him calm. I was pleasantly surprised he’d known what to do.

“Let’s get this washed off so I can get you all cleaned up,” I told Carlos, giving Jagger a nonverbal thank you. I took over talking to Carlos as I worked, finding out he had a wife and two little girls, working in the resort his only income.

I sensed the poor guy was terrified he’d lose his job. He continuously glanced at Jagger. There was no mistaking fear in a man’s eyes.

When I was finished stitching him up, I offered him as bright a smile as I could handle. “You’re going to need to take a couple days off and have your wrist looked at by a qualified doctor.”

“I cannot do that,” Carlos exclaimed. I was certain the guy was going to go into a panic attack. “I need money. Bills. Food.”

“I’m certain Mr. Fox is prepared to pay you for your down time. You were injured on the job.” I threw a look over my shoulder at Jagger’s smug face. He knew the rules. He couldn’t deny time off or fire the man.

If he dared try either one or not to pay him, I’d turn his ass in to the Employment Commission myself. There were several crackles of electricity and I was surprised Carlos didn’t react to them.

Maybe it was the only real language Jagger and I could share. He was glaring at me as he’d done before. For a hot as sin man, he could get under a person’s skin by his looks alone.

Let alone his gruff attitude.

“Won’t you, Mr. Fox?” I repeated.

Jagger sighed. “Take as much time as you need, Carlos. Your job is secure and you’ll be receiving your paycheck plus a bonus.”

“Thank you, Mr. Fox. Thank you, Doctor.”

“Oh, I’m not a doctor,” I told Carlos. How many lies was I going to tell in a single day? “You should be good as new.”

“Go home, Carlos,” Jagger told him.

I headed to the sink to wash up, trying to ignore the flashes of heat I felt surrounding me. The stings were prickly, red-hot, and unwanted. How could I be so attracted to a man whose picture was likely in the dictionary under grumpy?

As soon as I dried off my hands, I turned around. “Thank you for the room, dinner, and the excitement this evening. I haven’t had so much fun in years. I should get going.”

Yes, there was some sarcasm in my voice, but it seemed Jagger brought that out in me. Or maybe I was just tired. Either way, this wasn’t leading anywhere but to a bad place for both of us.

I found myself holding my breath as he walked closer. I was struck that I hadn’t noticed his aftershave before. The scent was as rugged as the man full of the scent of timber and moss, fresh rain and sunshine. Wasn’t I suddenly the little romantic?

As he came closer, I was still holding my breath. He threw a heated gaze all the way down to the old pair of tennis shoes I’d shoved my feet into. He also took a deep breath as if catching that I’d been indulging in his manly fragrance.

A wry smile crossed his face and I sensed he was about to say something. For a couple of different reasons, I gripped the edge of the stainless-steel sink with one hand.

“You sure could have fooled me about you not being a doctor, Bella. I’m wondering what else you’re hiding.”

CHAPTER 4

Jagger

Telling a beautiful woman that she was lying was as much a Neanderthal thing as commenting on her weight. Even I knew better than to do something so stupid. However, I’d watched how she’d handled Carlos. She was a damn doctor. I could feel that to my bones.

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