Page 8 of Egotistical Jerk
As much as I tried to focus on the words in front of me, I simply couldn't. My brain was too busy trying to make sense of the redhead crawling her way under my skin.
Chapter 5
MIA
"Can I have the biggest coffee you've got, please?"
The woman behind the counter smiled before slipping away to prepare my drink. I was about seven hours into my twelve-hour shift, and even though my clinical rotations at Newlife should've prepared me for this, I was still beat.
Even on the diagnostics floor things moved fast. There were tests to be done, results to be fetched from the lab, and on occasion, we'd been paged by the ER too. In the last hour alone, I'd seen a patient who had contracted malaria, another who'd suffered from salmonellosis and another who kept making up weird symptoms so he could get free medicine.
It had been an eventful day.
A few minutes later, the woman returned with my steaming cup in her hands. I was so happy, I almost leaped over the counter to pull her into a hug. After I asked her to add a bagel, she rang up my order and handed over my food and drink.
In a rush to find a spot to sit down, I spun around without looking and hit my face against something hard. My arm shot up to keep the coffee from spilling over and two large hands immediately covered mine in a steadying grip.
"I'm so sorry."
I didn't need to look up to know who I'd barreled into… again. Because my eyes were level with the knot on his dark blue tie, I could see his Adam's apple slowly bob up and down. My gaze tentatively moved over his thick neck to his strong masculine jaw peppered with the days' growth. I ventured higher still, pausing at his full lips for just a second too long.
They were fascinating. No man should be allowed to have lips that full and plump.
I followed the length of his aristocratic nose to latch onto those dark, dark eyes. Ginny's words from earlier rang in my ears'… Dr. Hottie and Dr. Stormy…'With his boyish good looks, I could easily see how people would refer to Dr. Hogue as Dr. Hottie. Just as I could see the reason behind Dr. Ryker's nickname.
There was a storm brewing behind those eyes. And I was pretty sure it was directed at me. He opened his mouth to speak, the warmth of his breath brushing my forehead with every word.
"That's the third time today, Phillips."
A weird sensation started in my belly. It could've been butterflies taking flight, but I hadn't experienced it too many times before, so I couldn't be sure. His stare never wavered, hell, he didn't even blink. For whatever reason, I needed a reprieve from the intensity behind it.
My eyes flicked to my arm still in the air, his big hands still wrapped around mine and the to-go cup. They were soft—as a doctor's hands should be—but his grip was firm. Why the hell I was even taking note of it was anyone's freaking guess.
Shifting my attention back to him, I pulled my shoulders back.
"I said I was sorry. Now if you wouldn't mind releasing me, my coffee is getting cold."
His brows drew together and dipped into a deep V, but he didn't let go.
Instead, he leaned a bit closer. "Make me."
His voice was so low and gravelly, warmth immediately spread through my body.
"What?" I squeaked out. "What did you just say?"
His eyes shut, thick, black lashes fanning his cheek. When he opened them again, he seemed indifferent.
"Nothing."
Releasing his hold, he sidestepped me and started talking to the lady behind the counter, leaving me to believe I might have imagined the entire exchange.
Shaking my head, I started looking around. Everyone was minding their own business. No weird looks or giggles. Nothing. I angled my head and glanced at Dr. Ryker over my shoulder. With narrowed eyes, I shot daggers at the back of his head before my gaze started to roam out of its own volition. He had broad shoulders, but they weren't bulky. If I had to guess, I'd say his workout routine consisted of equal amounts of cardio and light weights.
I moved lower and because he wasn't wearing his white coat, I was able to admire the delicious way in which the fabric of his pants stretched across his butt. His very, very fine butt.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Did I really just ogle Dr. Ryker?
