Room One Hundred and Nineteen: Watching Her (Club Sin: Seattle Session 2)

6. Elena

6

ELENA

C ramps were killing me. The day felt never-ending, and by the looks of it, it was going to last a little longer.

“Are you sure?” I asked into my phone, not able to wipe the frown off my face.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” my little sister and hero responded. “I got them. I’m almost pulling into the hospital.”

Of course she was. My sister was seriously the best.

When I told her my ex-husband walked out on us, she dropped her life in Los Angeles, literally, moved in with me in Seattle, and did everything she could to help not only with the kids but put me back together. All while sleeping in my basement and never once complaining about the lumpy couch or my kids driving her crazy.

It sounded cheesy to say, but my sister was my best friend.

“I hate having to bug you.”

“You’re not bugging me,” she muttered. “I’m here.” I heard her park her car and a deep voice say something in the background.

One of her men. One because she had three. Her three gorgeous bosses had fallen in love with her, and she had fallen just as hard for them and was in a relationship with them. Other overprotective older sisters would have had something to say about that.

But not me.

Working in the emergency room, I witnessed daily just how precious life was. How quickly things could change and come to an end. All I wanted for her was to be happy. If anyone deserved it, she did.

“You sure you don’t want me to get you some food or, I don’t know, pain killers or a heating pad?” I leaned against the counter I was standing next to.

“I’m okay, but thank you.”

“If you change your mind—“ I rolled my eyes.

“You know I am not going to make you come back.”

“I know.” Rosie sighed. “You know, it’s okay to let someone take care of you, too, right?”

“I let you take care of me,” I halfheartedly mumbled.

“Right.” It was her turn to mumble, and I knew she was rolling her eyes. “This is coming from the woman who while sick insisted she takes care of two sick kids?”

“Rosie—“

“I know.” She sighed. “You’re their mom. It’s your job. Blah, blah, blah. But you gotta remember you’re not alone. You have people who care about you and can help.”

“I know,” I whispered.

I looked around and, like usual, they were there.

My sexy, drop-dead handsome doctors were huddled together, going over a case. Miles looked up, and our eyes connected for a split second. His beautiful lips quirked up and his blue eyes seemed to sparkle even from the distance. When he smiled, it wasn’t the usual charming one he gave when he was trying to talk someone into something. It was sweet and genuine. Just like he’d been this morning. He nodded before giving the two other guys his complete attention.

“El? You there?” Rosie snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah, sorry. One of the doc?—“

“Doctors?” I winced. Even before Rosie hooked up with her own guys, she had gone on about my doctors. Not that they were mine , mine. “ Your doctors?” She quickly perked up.

“Rosie! Don’t call them that,” I clipped.

“But it is, huh? It’s those doctors, right? I’m right, aren’t I? You knew exactly who I was talking about when I said your doctors because that’s how you see them.”

“Rosie—“

“Go talk to them. Have fun. Don’t worry about the kids. I got them. Love you, bye!” she said quickly before hanging up.

“Have fun?” I repeated to myself. My sister was a nut. I shook my head and walked to the locker room. I was stuck having to work a double shift because someone had called off, and even though my boss was too busy to notice I’d been a couple of minutes late, it didn’t change the fact she still hated me. When she offered me the shift first, I hadn’t been able to turn it down.

I walked into the locker room and put my phone away into my cubby. My reflection caught my attention, and my hands skimmed the hoodie I was still wearing. My nose dropped to the front and sniffed it.

It smelled like Miles. Woodsy with a hint of musk.

I hadn’t taken it off even though I changed my pants. I glanced down and giggled. I looked ridiculous. Miles had helped staple the bottom of my pants when we got to the locker room to put our things away, like he had promised. Rick had stepped in, and without bothering to ask what we were doing, he helped with my other leg. We were done quickly, and I was out on the floor before I knew it.

I walked out toward triage to check who needed me next, when my eyes caught Rick. He was talking to one of the new nurses. She was young and timid. Blushing like she had never been around a man as handsome as him, and I couldn’t blame her. He was beautiful. The definition of tall, dark, and handsome with a sleeve of beautiful, intriguing ink that ran up the length of his muscular arm.

And I know just what a great kisser he is, I thought to myself. His eyes locked with mine and for some reason, I touched my lips. His lips quirked up like he knew exactly what I was thinking about. He was an incredible kisser. I shook my head and got to work. I kept my head down as I worked for the next couple of hours, pushing through the cramps that were killing me.

At the end of what was supposed to be my first shift, I noticed Josh walking toward the cafeteria. Our eyes connected for a second, and I was immediately transported to that moment in the locker room shower. I’d watched him play with himself.

“Hey, you okay?” Tabitha asked. I shook my head, snapping out of the intense moment.

“What? Why?” I asked, slightly breathless, and the woman scowled.

“You’re flushed,” she observed with a slight tinge of disgust. For whatever reason, Tabitha Marx hadn’t liked me from the moment I was assigned to her. “You’re not sick again, are you?” Again? Never mind that was almost a month ago. I opened and shut my mouth. If I told her what I thought about her, I would definitely get fired.

“No, I’m fine. Just a little warm.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Is there anything I could do for you?”

“I was hoping you could go help Dr. Silver in Room Four?” She rolled her eyes. “He has a pediatrics patient with a fever. Possible flu. I can’t stand that man, and I’m done for the day,” she mumbled. I pressed my lips together.

“Of course,” I answered.

“And I will see you tomorrow?” I frowned.

“Tomorrow? I’m working a double you asked me?—“

“And you’re on the schedule for tomorrow,” she interrupted. “Just take one of the private on-call rooms.” She pointed toward where they were located. “When you need a break.” She said it like it was no big deal.

Like she didn’t just tell me that instead of working twenty-four hours, I was now working thirty-six.

“Your kids will be fine with your sister?” she asked, but I knew she didn’t care. She didn’t care that I’d have to ask Rosie to move stuff around again, so I just nodded.

“Right,” I clipped, not that she noticed.

“After helping Dr. Silver, you can go take a nap. The shift doesn’t start for two hours.” She didn’t wait for a response.

Tabitha silently dismissed me. I knew better than to say anything. She was my boss, and I was a single mom. She had me by the short hairs, and she knew it. Part of me thought she got off on it. I couldn’t afford to get on her bad side. Or worse side. No matter how bitchy she was, I couldn’t tell her what I thought about her.

At least not without having a different job lined up.

I walked into Room Four and stopped for a moment. Dr. Silver was laughing with a little girl who was probably two or three years older than my twins. Her mom stood next to her, and I could feel the stress slowly melting away from the mom. I understood her. There was nothing that felt worse than your kid being sick. You felt helpless and more scared than you could ever imagine. The relief you felt as a parent when they finally laughed or smiled after not feeling well was palpable.

I checked her vitals and took down the notes Josh dictated. By the time we were leaving the room, both mom and patient were clearly feeling a little better. Josh was that good. All my three doctors were.

“Send the antibiotics prescription to the pharmacy off Aurora. Mom mentioned she’d messed up on her paperwork which pharmacy they preferred. I think she was just nervous.”

“Got it.” I smiled and rolled my neck.

“After that, go rest.” He was sweet, but I didn’t look up at him. I couldn’t. I’d been avoiding him since the day I caught him in the shower. Not that avoiding him had seemed to work. He was always working when I was.

“I don’t know. I have to check—“ I pointed haphazardly toward the lobby area where patients waited to be called. Thankfully, it didn’t seem too crazy busy.

“Elena,” he quietly called my name, and I felt my face warm up. “Baby, look at me,” he ordered gently, and I obeyed. My eyes connected with his icy blue, almost gray stare. “There you are. Go rest, babe. You need it. That witch has you working crazy hours.”

“It’s okay.” I shrugged. “The overtime won’t hurt.” I tried to look on the bright side. “Soccer signups are coming up, and that’ll pay for registration and new cleats,” I rambled. “I should get these labs put in.” Josh’s hand covered mine.

“Elena.” When he said my name, I shivered because even though it didn’t sound as great as it had in the shower, it still sounded good. “Please look at me, gorgeous.” I glanced up at him.

“I’m sorry,” he said, and the two words tasted bitter in my mouth. I had to stop myself from flinching.

I didn’t want him to apologize about the moment we shared. As wrong as it had been, it was the most erotic moment I’d shared with someone else. The only thing hotter were the thoughts I had when I had a moment to myself in my room with the door locked later that night.

“About?” I asked like I was clueless about what he was talking about. I knew. I thought about it constantly. Just like I thought about the kiss with Rick. Josh’s brow rose.

“I shouldn’t have made you do?—“

“You didn’t,” I clipped, cutting him off. Not only had I walked in on him in the shower during a very intimate solo moment, but when he noticed me hiding in the shadows, Josh hadn’t stopped stroking himself. He’d crooked his finger, and I’d moved toward him, and I’d even spit on his cock to help lube him up before watching him come.

All that the day after I’d kissed Rick. I am such a slut! The only one I hadn’t messed around with in some shape or form was Miles. Sort of. Wearing his hoodie felt like I was wearing his mark, and I didn’t mind it.

This had to be Rosie’s fault.

My sister going on and on about my doctors while she was with her own trio of guys had messed up my head. I couldn’t go out with all three guys! I was someone’s mom. Two little people’s mom! Not that they wanted me like that. That’s all I could think about as I hit the keys on the laptop in front of me.

“Elena?” He tilted my head up, and I blinked, staring into his light-colored eyes.

“I put in the labs you asked for, and the prescription is sent off to the pharmacy off Aurora.” I ignored the topic he’d brought up.

“We need to talk.”

“There is nothing to talk about. Nothing happened.” The lie left a terrible taste in my mouth. My eyes widened and then shut when he leaned in, dipping his head close, so close his breath brushed against the shell of my ear.

And then, in a tone so low, only for my ears, he said, “Baby, you and I both know that’s not true.”

And I trembled.

Full-body shiver that left me feeling achy. Needy. Josh pulled back, and his eyes connected with mine. I knew he’d felt it. He knew exactly the effect he had on me.

“I should go lie down,” I whispered before running away like a coward. I wasn’t the flirty kind. Even before I’d met my ex, I didn’t date all that much. I was terrible at the whole thing.

Now divorced, I felt like I was worse.

My head was filled with thoughts of Josh, Rick, and Miles. I didn’t notice the fact someone was in the bed I picked and I lay down, not until an arm wrapped around my middle.

“Ohmygod!” I gasped and was pulled into a very strong body. One that was lying next to me.

“Shh,” a deep voice soothed, and my eyes fluttered shut. “I got you.” The voice sounded at the shell of my ear. I knew exactly who it was. My eyes popped open.

“Miles?” I glanced over my shoulder only to look into his azure gaze. It was soft and tired. Somehow during my drama of the morning, I hadn’t noticed the dark circles under his eyes. Almost like he hadn’t been sleeping well. You and me both, buddy!

“Shh… rest. It’s going to be a long night.”

“Long night?” I whispered. “Aren’t you off?”

“You’re staying, so I’m staying, too.” He tucked me into him, my back flush against his front.

Ohmygod! Miles Jefferson is spooning me.

“Dr. Jeff—" I started to say because calling them doctor was the only way to remind myself of just how wrong this whole thing was. I’d seen doctors and nurses hook up in the past and it never, ever ended well. I didn’t need that kind of drama in my life. Not to mention it wasn’t like I would even be able to choose who I would want between the three.

“Miles,” he corrected before he yawned. For some reason, that softened something inside of me, and my body relaxed. He was tired. By the looks of it maybe even more tired than I was.

“Miles, I should get my own bed,” I said without any real fight in my words.

“Maybe.“ I frowned. “But maybe you should stay here,” he said without letting me go. “Oh! I have something for you.”

“For me?” I asked just as his arm unclasped from my waist. He turned his strong, lithe body over, and before I knew it, he was back to holding me.

Only this time, he had brought something with him and rested it on my stomach. His hand pressed against it, and I felt it. Warm heat. I glanced down at the velvety lavender heating pad.

“A heating pad?” I asked like an idiot. Way to go, Captain Obvious.

“They help, right?” he muttered against my ear, and I broke out into goose bumps.

“Yeah, but––“

“Shh, I warmed it up for you. Sleep,” he ordered before pressing his lips to my temple. “Food will be here after our nap.” And just like that, tears spring to my eyes.

I wasn’t used to this.

Being taken care of was not something that had ever happened for me. Not without Rosie. I had no idea how this was my life. In less than two weeks, stuff that I only fantasized about had actually happened.

One moment, I was kissing Rick, half-afraid, half-hoping he’d never stop. And the next, Josh was letting me watch while he got himself off, confirming my suspicions of just how big he was. Now Miles was holding me close? Taking care of me, again and again, like it was no big deal. Making sure I had something that helped with my cramps while he spooned me and kept dropping sweet kisses on my forehead and temple.

I couldn’t keep ignoring what was happening. My guys were up to something.

They’re not yours , the small sane part of me perked up. They aren’t mine. I didn’t know what was happening, much less which way was up. My life felt slightly out of control because of it. I had a feeling these things weren’t happening by accident.

But he felt too good, and I was too tired to figure out what they were up to. My boss was long gone, and the chances of her finding out I was lying down in one of the on-call areas with one of the sexiest doctors in the hospital were slim to none.

What is the big deal if I let myself have this?

If Miles’ strong arm banded around my waist wasn’t enough, he tossed a leg over mine. Like he was making sure I didn’t try to escape the moment he fell asleep.

As if I were strong enough to try.

I chewed on my bottom lip and blinked away the tears that threatened to spill. I’d never had this. My ex never cuddled in bed. Even after sex, he had been a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am, roll-the-other-way kind of guy.

It was stupid of me to let Miles hold me.

To let myself pretend this was normal.

Maybe it was my hormones and my period? Or maybe it was because I was going to let myself have a small moment of peace? It didn’t matter, but I didn’t try to right the situation either, because in the end, I didn’t roll out of the small bed and look for a different empty one.

I didn’t even consider it.

I was going to embrace the delusion of the moment. If just for only a couple hours. I basked in the illusion of what life could be like with someone who gave a shit. Who cared and wanted to take care of you when they knew you were having a bad day. A soft sigh escaped my lips as my body slowly relaxed in Miles’ arms.

He’d already done that this morning.

My lips quirked up as my bottom scooted closer to his front. Miles’ hold tightened, cocooning me safely in his embrace. The sweet way he stepped up earlier had made my heart not only thaw, but melt. Letting me borrow his scrub pants and then his hoodie? Taking the kids and me for froyo before they went to daycare and taking care of Tabitha so I wouldn’t get chewed out?

And now getting me a heating pad?

One he had not only found god only knew where, but it was also in my favorite color. Though, that might be a coincidence, but still. Not only did he get it for me, he’d had it all ready to go and warmed up for me. And somehow, I knew as I yawned, Rick and Josh had known about this, too. It was why Josh had insisted I come in here and rest.

And just like that, I gave up the fight.

Maybe when I woke up, I’d have the strength to keep him and the other two at arm’s length? It was wishful thinking on my part. Clearly, it was obvious just how wiped out I was, because I had feeling those days were long gone.

We weren’t friends anymore.

Or at least we weren’t just friends.

Something was happening.

Something big.

Something that was too huge for me to wrap my head around in that moment, so I wasn’t going to try.

With that last thought, warm and safe while Miles breathed steadily at the top of my head, my eyes drifted closed, and I fell asleep a lot easier and deeper than I had in years.