My Sweetest Sasha: Cole's Story (Meadows Shore Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

genetic trait, or a learned behavior? Either way, it had skipped over her family, because no one seemed all that comfortable with who they were … but she meant to change that for Owen. Her little brother’s life would be different. She’d make sure of it.
     
    * * *
     
    After about twenty minutes wasted stewing, she approached Sherrie again. “I know you’re busy, but I have a job to do, too. If you won’t allow me to do it, I’ll leave, but Dr. Harrington’s card will be deactivated again.” She spoke in a carefully modulated voice with a tone that meant business.
    Sherrie hedged, but Alexa didn’t budge.
    “Okay. I’ll take you back, but you need to stay out of the way. Like I said before, this is serious work we’re doing here.”
    “Thank you. Should I leave the patient consent forms with you, or do I give them to someone else?”
    Sherrie thumbed through the forms, wrinkling her nose. “You think he’s going to let you in a room … with his patients?”
    “I don’t think he has a choice.”
    Sherrie rolled her eyes, not bothering to conceal her amusement, and shook her head. “Good luck with that, honey.”
    She showed Alexa to a small room, where she waited for nearly three hours, watching patients escorted back and forth by medical assistants, staff scurrying about, and Cole Harrington moving easily through the hall like he owned the place, laughing and chatting easily with patients and staff. Everyone, including Cole, ignored her.
    She hadn’t eaten lunch, but she’d refilled her water bottle a few times and now needed to find a bathroom.
    She poked her head into the lab. “Excuse me. Would you please tell me where the staff restrooms are?”
    The lab tech didn’t bother to look away from the computer screen. “Around the corner, last door on the right.”
    Another friendly, welcoming person, Alexa thought, heading around the corner. There was only one door, but it wasn’t marked. She shrugged, and knocked tentatively. When no one answered, she turned the knob and carefully pushed the door open. Not a bathroom, but an exam room—fortunately unoccupied.
    She shut the door, and turned to find Cole Harrington scowling at her, like she’d defaced the Holy Grail. He grabbed her elbow and ushered her down the hall so quickly her feet barely skimmed the floor. When they reached his personal office, he released her and closed the door firmly behind him.
    “What do you think you’re doing, entering patient areas without permission? What if a patient had been undressing or undergoing a procedure in that room?”
    “I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I didn’t mean to go into an exam room. I was trying to find a bathroom. That’s all.”
     
    * * *
     
    Cole studied her. She looked different from when he’d first met her. For one thing, she’d brushed her hair. It was sleek and glossy, prim and proper, fitting for a professional in conservative clothing. But he preferred it tousled and approachable, the way it’d been in her office. It suited her better, particularly in his fantasies involving lace panties and a bejeweled navel.
    Her eyes were no longer bright blue. They were washed out, weary, defeated. He filled his cheeks with air and blew it out with a loud whoosh, running a hand over his stubble.
    She was going to be a thorn in his side for the next six weeks. He could make her life a living hell for a month and a half without much effort. But where was the joy in that? This debacle wasn’t her doing. He’d reminded himself of this over and over all afternoon. That prick Chet had put them all in this position.
    She fidgeted, waiting for him to continue to berate her, but she didn’t run away with her tail between her legs or dissolve into a puddle of tears. Had to respect that. Fucking Chet .
    Cole stuck his hand in his lab coat pocket and toyed with a lone paper clip. He’d make the best of it—play their little game. It would be easier on his staff and patients if he didn’t fight