paper, sliding it across the table to me.
“What’s this?” I ask unfolding it. When I read it, my hand shakes. What does he mean with this?
“Three months clean, Doc. Me and my dick,” he states, biting into his sandwich as if he’s discussing the weather.
“I’m happy for you, Mr. Kane, but…”
“Relax, Doc. I wanted you to know that I’m not the man you first met, I’ve changed. Plus, I’ve thought on what you said, and I realized I’ve never had a woman friend.”
“This news doesn’t surprise me.”
“Sarcasm can be ugly, Doc,” he says with a wink.
I have to struggle not to choke on the water I’m swallowing.
“Anyways, I hate being called Mr. Kane, and I hate my first name. If I’m ever going to get you to call me Bull, I figure we need to be friends.”
“Friends? Without benefits?” I clarify.
“Why Doc? Are you offering?”
“No. I mean, I just assumed that…I mean I don’t want….”
He starts laughing, and I haven’t heard him laugh before. It’s a good sound. Solid and firm, warm and inviting and I should not be noticing it.
“Yeah, Doc. Just friends, no benefits, except you calling me Bull, and me spending time with you.”
I ignore the sensation deep down inside of me that feels like disappointment at his offer. I give him my agreement with a smile. “Always happy to make new friends Mr…. I mean, Bull.”
“That right there makes it all worth it.”
“You’ll have to explain that remark,” I tell him drying my hands.
“Hearing you say my name with a smile on your face.”
“And this, all worth it ? What exactly does that mean?”
“You’re a sharp one, Doc.”
“Medical school and being a mom,” I explain. “You can’t afford to let a lot slip by you.”
“Gotcha. Well that’s a question for another day.”
“It is?”
“Yeah. Tomorrow? Same place and time?” he asks.
“I don’t work tomorrow.”
“Then meet me for lunch.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t. I have plans.” I tell him and wave at Buck and Alex, the cardiac floor nurse. Buck is one of the janitors on staff, I wasn’t aware he and Alex were friends, but I like both of them, so it’s nice to see.
“What kind of plans?” Bull persists, demanding my attention.
“Would a friend be asking me that?”
“Well, we’re new friends, so allowances have to be made.”
“That doesn’t make a bit of sense. But, if you must know, I have a parent teacher conference tomorrow.”
“Then meet me after it. Weavers? Come on. You haven’t lived if you don’t try one of their hotdogs.”
I should say no. I almost have the words out, then I hear myself say, “Okay, around two?”
“Perfect,” Bull says, and I don’t know whether to kick myself or him for the cocky look of victory he’s wearing.
AW
Her hair shines in the warm sun. When I look at her it’s almost as if God is surrounding her with a halo. An angel . That’s what she is. Always so kind and giving to everyone. I left her a note today in her locker telling her how much I loved her laugh. I saw the smile and the careful way she folded the note back up. I wanted to approach her then, but I stopped myself. I can’t rush this. It has to be perfect. I must force myself to move slow and plan. I must be methodical. The last woman wasn’t pure enough. She wasn’t worthy. I have to make sure this time.
This time it must be perfect.
Chapter 4
Bull
I watch as she walks towards me and my heart slams in my chest like I am some damn teenage boy. Skye is beautiful. She’s curvy but athletic, her blue eyes sparkle, even from a distance, and that auburn hair adorns her head like a crown. I want to wrap my hands around it and feel it. Use it to hold onto her while she’s sucking my cock, or, hell, when I bend her over a table and fuck her hard. Her skin is pale porcelain, and I can’t help but imagine the pink hue it would turn after I spank her ass and the perfect outline of my hand that would be left behind. Jesus,