Page 60 of Moonshot

“Michael.”

“Oh. My. God.” Eve exclaims, throwing her hand over her mouth. “That was hot as fuck.”

“What? What’d I miss?” Carson inquires.

“Nothing,” we blurt simultaneously.

“I’m impressed, Ava. You’ve got some restraint. I’d be all over that like fleas on a hound dog.”

Looking toward the door, I watch as Mick casually strides away, much in the way he approached, hands in his pockets, looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Reaching the exit, he turns, gives me a wink, and walks away. “Restraint or ridiculous.”Why on earth am I sitting here with these two when I could be getting some with Mr. I’m too sexy to speak but can get you off in minutes?How am I going to make it two more weeks? Then it dawns on me. That picture I sent him in response to his. This was payback.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN

Ava

Flipping through the patient messages I’ve received from Joanie, I’m struggling to do basic tasks. I can’t concentrate. This mission of making sure Mick knew how important it was to me he communicate his concerns rather than run is starting to backfire. I couldn’t stop thinking about him all weekend. It was torture.

I spent the weekend replaying his spontaneous visit to our table. Just seeing him up close after the weeks of missing him since our talk at the ballfield had my heart thumping. But when he sat down next to me. The warmth of him, his sexy tattooed arm draped over my shoulder. His always intoxicating manly scent. The devilish way he moved right in and seduced me, despite my friend sitting across the table watching it all unfold.

I’m not an exhibitionist. I admit it. I thought I was as vanilla as they come until the night I slept with Mick. We didn’t do anything that outlandish, but since being with him… well, I don’t think my inhibitions are the same. He makes me feel safe. Any other man touching me in that way, I would’ve slapped him and laughed when Carson tore him limb from limb. But with Mick, I just wanted more. I’m not sure I would’ve stopped him if he slid his finger all the way inside me and-

“Ava. Good morning. I’m going to have a busy week. I have a few unavoidable appointments outside the office and will need your help getting caught up. I’d appreciate your help.”

Looking to the door as Dr. Stark breaks my lusty thoughts, I have to replay what he’s just said. That almost sounded like a concerted effort to be polite. He’s neverappreciatedanything I’ve done before. “Sure, Dr. Stark. However, I can help.”

“Thank you. I’ve got a lot to contend with, and knowing you’ve got my back will make things easier for me.”

Holy hell. Is he feeling all right? He’s never been this professional. Or thankful. “My clinic calendar is as full as ever, but since it’s Monday, I can work with Joanie to move things around a little if needed. Just let me know how I can help.”

“Thank you. Joanie already has my appointment calendar, so I’ll ask her to get with you. I’m leaving for a meeting in about an hour. I’ll touch base with you this afternoon or tomorrow.” He gives me a rather glum half-smile and walks away.

After sifting through my messages a final time and contacting the patients regarding their inquiries, I finally give in to my curiosity and go in search of Joanie before seeing my first patient of the day. Dr. Stark should be long gone by now.

“Joanie. I hate to be one for gossip, but what’s going on with Stark? He was actually nice to me just now.”

“Don’t get used to it.” She sniggers. “I’m not one hundred percent sure, but my gut tells me there’s trouble in paradise.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, most of his appointments appear to be with a lawyer.” Joanie grimaces.

“Oh, god. Like trouble at work or at home?”

“My guess is at home because Allison’s trap is bigger than mine. If there was something legal brewing here with him, I would’ve heard about that by now.”

Biting my lip, I actually feel a bit sorry for the guy. Don’t know why after the way he’s continually treated me. But I hate to hear of anyone having a relationship end if they could’ve otherwise repaired things. “Well, just let me know how I have to adjust things. It’s going to be tough adding too much more to my caseload.”

“I managed to get his call shifts covered. So that was a big stressor. And Sebastian is here on Friday morning for a couple of surgical cases. He told me he could come up and see a few of Dr. Stark’s patients that afternoon. He’s a tireless flirt and has probably slept with half the women on staff at this hospital, but underneath, I think there’s a softie,” she says right before her eyes spring wide.

“What?”

“Maybe he’s into older women, and he’s making a play for me.”

“Oh, Joanie. If that’s true, you don’t need some arrogant playboy.”

“Why not? I could use him for sex just the same as he does.”

It takes everything in me not to laugh. I can’t tell if she’s serious. “I need to go see Ms. Baxter. I’ll catch up with you and your wild flights of fancy later.” I giggle.

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