Page 26 of Fixation
Until I decide it’s time to let her go. Only so I can haunt her once she’s out of here.
I fucking love playing with her, and I haven’t even started.
“T-T-Thank…” Her gratitude ends in a breathy sigh.
My neighbor rests her hands on my chest. Slumps in my arms. Coughs, then settles again.
She’s painfully sweet. Too sweet for the things I’m going to do to her.
Taking her. Keeping her.
Forcing my love on her.
She’ll get over it.
“Regardless, she should be admitted.” A scowl tugs his lips down. “You know this.”
“What I know is I’m perfectly capable of taking care of her. She caught something; it isn’t serious.” Harper’s trembling body negates my statement. My heart twists. “Has to be this virus that’s been going around. She’s burning up. If you don’t mind, I’m going to take her home.”
“Admitting her here would be best,” he insists as his blue eyes keep searching mine. You don’t become a chief of surgery by overlooking things. “Her insurance isn’t an issue.”
I’m aware. It’s another detail I unveiled from going through her purse.
“We won’t charge her or you for her stay here. You’re our star surgeon.” Ah, there it is. He isn’t worried about her or about me kidnapping a patient. I’m his primary concern. Me, and the numerous job offers I’ve gotten from other hospitals. “We’re here to make sure you’re happy here, with us.”
“While I appreciate this, I’m sticking to my original plan. We’re leaving.” What she needs is me. My care. My complete and undivided attention. She needs to be in my home, where she’s belonged since day one. “My shift will be over in an hour, but”—he’ll be down on his knees if it means I’m satisfied and working here, so I say boldly—“I’m leaving early. I’ll look after her at my place. It’s better this way. That she wakes up to a familiar face.”
After today, I have two scheduled days off to be there for her.
Forty-eight hours to spend with Harper.
My new toy. My new patient.
The one I’m never letting go of.
“Okay,” Samson relents. As if his approval was required. “Anything you need, you let us know.”
“Right. Thanks.”
I won’t need anything.
Why would I?
I have her.
5
ANDERSON
No one looks too closely when I carry Harper to her home.
No one’s lurking in the bushes or hiding anywhere on the block, either. I made sure of that before I went back for her.
I hold her close in my arms as I slip behind the alley and from there to her back door.
“I’ll take care of the meds. Soon,” I murmur into her hair, not sure if she even hears me through the fever. “We’ve got to stop at your place first.”
“Hmm.” My woman, my obsession, cuddles into me.
