Page 35 of The Bitter Rival

“How’s it going with Xane?” The brunette in front of me interrupts my thoughts as she speaks rather loudly with her co-worker.

“It’s going okay.” I can hear a faint giggle in her response. These two appear to be in their early twenties, I surmise.

“Have you slept with him yet? Gina, he’s so hot. I’d love to be dating a firefighter.”

“Yeah. He didn’t waste any time making his desires known. I wanted to hold out, but he’s so fucking hot.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to turn that down. He’s like a gladiator. Gah! I bet he’s fantastic in bed.” The blonde nurse fans herself as she awaits Gina’s reply.Hell, I’m waiting on Gina’s reply.

“Well, he’s no Sebastian Lee. But he was hot all the same.”

Wait, what?

“Holy shit, Gina. You’ve slept with Dr. Lee? How did you manage that?”

Yes, Gina. How did you manage that? And when?

“Same as all the nurses, probably. I saw him out at a club one night and pretended I didn’t have a clue who he was. It didn’t take long. Had a few drinks, flirted with him for a bit, and we were off.”

“You’ll have to tell me where he hangs out so I can keep my eyes peeled,” the brunette responds.

Feeling my stomach do backflips, I’m keenly aware it has nothing to do with hunger pangs or my premenstrual syndrome. I feel sick. I knew he had to be a player. But this is beyond what I’d imagined. The girls saunter off with their food, and I question whether I should tell the grillmaster to just toss my burger. The thought of eating suddenly makes me want to hurl. I feel myself become flushed and assess whether I should grab a ginger ale on my way to the register when I’m acutely aware of warm breath dusting over my nape.

“What’s with the disappearing act, GG?” The magnetic, deep tone of his voice causing goosebumps and outrage in equal measure.

My spine stiffens at the intrusion, and I try to hold my tongue, so the recent conversation by one of his fan club members doesn’t set me off. You don’t want to argue with a woman who is preparing for Shark Week!

“Is there another man in your life? Is that why you’re so quick to leave my bed?” He continues to prod, standing entirely too close.

Honestly, I should come with a warning label this time of the month. He better watch himself. I can feel steam beginning to blow from my ears. How dare he have this conversation here. I rotate my head slightly, trying to give him a sharp stare so he’ll get the message to leave me alone. About that time, I notice the kind chef placing my veggie burger on the counter.

“Here you go, miss. Veggie burger loaded. I just need to get your fries.”

“No need, thank you. I’ve lost my appetite,” answering with a smile so this nice gentleman doesn’t think my irritation is directed at him instead of the pompous ass behind me.

Picking up my plate, I can almost feel Sebastian inching closer.Why is he even in this line? He can probably get a T-bone steak in that elusive doctors’ lounge.

“I just want to be prepared for next time. In case he follows you,” he continues to whisper in my direction.

Spinning on my heel, trying to keep my food from careening to the floor, I give him the death glare. “Yes, there is another man. But you needn’t worry, Dr. Lee. There won’t be a next time,” I blurt and walk swiftly toward the cashier.Screw the ginger ale. I need tequila!This whole plate is probably ending up in the trash anyway.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Sebastian

What the hell?What on earth had changed enough to cause her to become so venomous? Granted, it’s usually directed at something I’ve done or said. And often, I admit, it’s probably warranted. Yet, I haven’t interacted with her since we fell asleep together. I went from bopping her on the tip of her nose to awakening to find her gone. If anyone should be snarly, it’s me.

Why can’t I just pick up on the obvious clues? There’s nothing about this scenario that says this is the woman I should try something with. Even if I had the first clue how to make a relationship work, this explosive tart could leave me in bits on the floor. For all of the serenity and focus she restores after a night in bed with her, I’d have to deal with the unknown. Who is this man she lives with? What does he have that I can’t give her? Have I met my match, and she’s walking away without a second glance? If I continue to pursue this, will I be the one left picking up the pieces?What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t need this.Not to mention she’s made it perfectly clear our liaisons are over.

I stomp back to the office, having completed a routine surgery with only a few minor glitches despite how riled up I’m feeling. What could I have possibly done to cause such ire in Isabella? Had she seen me outside her home? She has her walls up everywhere except my bedroom. My mind swiftly flashes to a vision of her on her knees, in those fuck hot black heels, sucking me off. The thoughts quickly change to the uninhibited groans of ecstasy that fell from her pouty, swollen mouth as I pleasured her with my tongue. There were no walls constructed there. The way she unabashedly chases her desire is one of the qualities I find most appealing about her. The sight of her giving in to her orgasm is beyond physical. Her rapture is awe-inspiring. Picturing her snarky retort, I can hear her voice mock me.There won’t be a next time.

This is more than Nick and Kat voodoo. This saucy little strumpet has me tied up in knots. To continue to think this thing with her is purely a physical attraction is a joke. There’s so much more to this woman. But I’ve never chased anyone. And I’m certainly not going to start now.

Reaching my office, I practically throw myself into my chair and get about my work. I need to submerge myself in my patients, hit the gym, and maybe head out for a drink and a piece of ass. That should do it. I’ll get a young, blonde, co-ed and fuck this out of my system. Someone the polar opposite of Bella. Two can play this game.

Bzzz. Bzzz.

“Hello,” I answer my cell quickly, noticing it’s Nick.

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