Page 26 of The Doctor

Huh? I didn’t hear him. “Then that should have been your indication that I don’t want to talk to you.”

He shrugs, letting my comment roll off his back. “You didn’t answer the question. Do you not swear?”

“No, I don’t,” I answer, crossing my arms over my chest. “Do you have a problem with that as well?”

“Not at all. In fact,” he pauses, and a grin spreads across his face. “I think it’s cute.”

Cute? I roll my eyes at him.

“Is it your life’s mission to make fun of me?” I huff and then turn, giving him my back. Maybe he’ll take the hint and leave me alone.

“Don’t take it so seriously.” I imagine him standing there with his arms crossed and a stupid playful smirk on his face.

Turning, I sit up and glare at him and take in that his arms are indeed crossed over his chest. He probably did it on purpose, knowing how his muscles make women lose their focus. “Yes, of course, I shouldn’t take it seriously because I’m just a lowly assistant who doesn’t amount to anything.”

“I never said that. You’re taking my words out of context,” He hangs his head. “I’m sorry, Raine. I truly am. I’m only trying to get to know you. The night we met, we didn’t do much talking.”

“Yes, I’m painfully aware,” I grit out.

Kade straightens and looks at me with a sad expression that has me nearly taking back my words. “I see. I guess I’ll leave you to it then.” He starts to leave but pauses. “Good night, Raine. I hope you feel better.”

I’m not sure if he meant to strike me with his words, but they have that effect. I feel wretched and like a horrible human being. Kade invited me into his home so he could look after me, and I keep coming across as ungrateful when I’m far from it. With each passing minute, I feel more and more like myself, and it’s all thanks to Kade.

After stewing for a few minutes, I get up, knowing I won’t be able to sleep until I talk to him again. The only problem is he’s nowhere to be found. When I get back to my room, I find the room next to mine with its door closed.

Maybe I should wait until morning to try to talk to him, but my mom always said that you shouldn’t go to bed mad, and I have a feeling I upset Kade with the way I treated him.

It takes me a few tries to work up the nerve to knock on his door. When I don’t hear anything, I step away to go back to my room when the door opens, and Kade is standing there without his shirt on. I nearly sway on my feet at seeing his naked torso.

“Are you okay?” He asks, stepping toward me.

“No, I’m not,” I look down, only to find Kade barefoot. All my words get stuck in my throat. I must hesitate too long because one minute I’m standing at his door, and the next, I’m in his arms and then placed on his bed.

Kneeling in front of me, Kade places two fingers on my wrist, and it’s then that I realize what he’s doing. Pulling my hand out of his, I palm his stubbled cheek. “I’m fine physically, but I hate how I’ve treated you. You’re going above and beyond, and I didn’t want to go to sleep until I talked to you.”

He leans into my hands and closes his eyes. “I’m only doing what anyone would.”

“You may think that, but I know the truth, and not everyone would do what you’ve done,” I rub my thumb over his cheek.

“What are you doing to me, Raine?”

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