Page 11 of In Your Wildest Dreams
“I’m taking over as your nurse tonight. The room is all stocked, and I’ll put in a request for a late dinner tray. Any food preferences or dietary restrictions not noted on your chart?”
“I’m not hungry,” he says.
“Okay. Well, if there’s anything else you need, press the red call button on the side of your bed.”
I’d usually go show him, but stepping any closer feels like a terrible idea. Even six feet apart he can probably see the impact he’s having on me. “I’ll bring in a dinner tray anyway in case you’re hungry later. Do you need any help with the shower?” My face heats. “I mean getting out of the sling or getting undressed? I can ask a male nurse to assist.”
Do not think of him naked. Do not think of him naked.
His lips twitch at the corners like he knows exactly what I’m trying not to think about. “I can manage.”
“Good.”
He doesn’t move and his gaze stays locked on me. “This is such a trip! Wow. I think I’m in shock. A nurse, huh?”
“Yep.” I smile at him. It’s a little forced, but hopefully convincing and doesn’t show how much I’m inwardly freaking out.
“Nurse Bridget.” His smile widens. “How long have you worked here?”
“Not that long, but I promise you’re in good hands.” God, why does everything I say suddenly sound so dirty? I back up toward the door. I need to get out of here and regroup. “I’ll be back in a little while to check on you.”
“I look forward to it, Bridget.” Ash swings his legs to the side of the bed and stands. He winces a little as the movement pulls at his shoulder. He takes a step, then sways and wobbles as he takes another. My instincts kick in and I’m at his side quickly, aiding him like I would any other patient. His skin is warm and my fingers tingle as I steady him on the right side. I glance up to meet his gaze. He’s taller than I realized. I’m five foot five, but my chin barely reaches his shoulder and I have to tip my head back to look at him.
“Are you okay?”
He looks first at where my fingers wrap around his bicep before answering. His voice is gruff. “Yeah. Shit. Guess I’m still a little unsteady on my feet. I got it now.”
Stepping away from him, I wait while he crosses the room. He’s almost to the bathroom when he stops and asks, “Do you still have the puck I gave you? Maybe sleep with it under your pillow at night?”
I resist rolling my eyes. I’d say he’s going to be just fine if he’s feeling good enough to hit on me. “Sorry to disappoint, but I gave it away.”
“You wound me, Bridget.”
I swallow hard. His teasing and flirty demeanor is disarming, even if I think he’s full of crap. “No, I think you did that all on your own.”
“Me and the guy that rammed into me,” he mutters, all traces of that playfulness gone.
I wince.Crap.The guy might be a total flirt and egomaniac, but he’s hurt and under my care. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”
My reaction to him has my guard flying up in defense. I will not fall for another guy who uses charm like a weapon.
His lips pull into a half-smile that’s cocky and endearing. “It’s okay, Nurse Bridget. You have all night to make it up to me.”
4
NURSE BRIDGET
ASH
Jack,Leo, Tyler, and Declan stop by after the game. The guys are crowded around the far side of the room, leaning against the wall. All except Jack, who’s sitting in the chair next to me.
I’m showered and sitting up in bed while they fill me in on the game. They won. Our first W in weeks. I freakinghatethat I wasn’t there.
My head and shoulder hurt, but the painkillers keep it to a dull ache. More than anything I’m worried about how long I’ll be sidelined. A couple of weeks if I’m lucky, if I’m not, maybe a month or more. It’s a huge blow to me and to the team. This is supposed to be our fucking year.
“Wait, your nurse is the girl from the game?” Leo asks, brows lifted. “The one you’ve been searching for at every home game? The one who has you turning down girls left and right?”
I chuckle at his assessment, and playfully glower at Jack. The only way Leo would know that is from our dear captain because Leo hasn’t been out much since Callum was born.
