Page 57 of Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas
She swallows.Her voice is low.“Adam—”
“I know,” I say, taking her hand, bringing it to my lips.I kiss her wrist, right over her pulse.“You’ve got to go save lives.I get it.But after your shift?”
I meet her eyes.
“I’d very much like to continue our bedside consultation.”
She starts to smile, but says, “We said—”
“No, you said one night.I’m offering a follow-up.Or a second opinion.”My thumb circles lightly over her pulse.“I’m very hands-on.”
She tries not to laugh and fails.I missed that sound.
“Oh,” I add, “if Mrs.Claus invites you to join the Pine Creek medical professionals’ calendar?Say no.The antlers chafe.”
“Wait, that’s real?”
“I might’ve been Mr.December.”
Her jaw drops.“Where is this calendar?”
“Limited release,” I say.“But I could arrange a private viewing.Antler-free.”
Her breath catches, her fingers curl tighter in mine.
“I should go,” she says, but she hasn’t moved.
“You should,” I agree, not stepping back.
“Dogs?”
“I’ve got them.”
She finally steps toward the door, fingers brushing the knob.But she glances over her shoulder one last time.
“I’m sure the antlers worked for you,” she says.“But I prefer the live exhibit.”
And then she’s gone.
Leaving me alone with three judgmental dogs, a ticking clock, and the deep, pulsing truth of it all:
That “one night” thing?
Yeah.That was never going to be enough.
And I’ve got a hell of a lot more to tell her before I lose the chance.
Chapter eighteen
EVE
Thewarmthofhiswords linger in my chest.The warmth of his hand lingers against my skin.
One night, I said.I shouldn’t still feel him on my lips.
I know exactly what happens when I cross that line.I vanish.That’s why I can’t.I can’t risk everything again.
Great, now I sound like I’m narrating my own Hallmark movie.Cue the Christmas music and falling snow.I should have brought Dickle with me.At least my emotional support pickle doesn’t make my clinical brain short circuit.
