Tempted by the Rebel Surgeon by JC Harroway

Author:JC Harroway
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-12-29T22:02:14+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

TWELVE HOURS LATER, after working a double shift to assist with the extra influx of casualties the major road incident had brought in, Lauren feared that she’d never find the physical strength to leave the hospital. Admitting the accident victims, many of them in a critical condition, had created a knock-on effect whereby the less serious cases already waiting in the ER were triaged as lower priority. It had taken most of the night to process the backlog. She was so tired that her legs might not be able to carry her the short walk home.

But, even exhausted, all she could think about, now that she was free to leave the hospital, was Mason.

They’d seen plenty of each other overnight, which he’d either spent in the ER accepting the steady stream of surgical patients she’d referred, or in Theatre. There hadn’t been a spare minute for them to discuss how they were going to navigate the complexities of their inescapable relationship going forward. But what there had been were multiple opportunities for them to show that they were in each other’s thoughts.

On several occasions Mason had come to the department with some sort of nutritional offering, placing it wordlessly on the desk next to her before going about his business: a sandwich, a coffee, an apple. Lauren had insisted that he crash for half an hour in between surgeries on the sofa in her office, leaving him a bottle of water and some toast for when he woke up.

Now, she pushed through the doors from Minor Injuries to find Mason waiting at the staff lockers for her with two takeaway coffees and a brown paper bag that smelled delicious. She almost sobbed in gratitude. Like her, Mason was still dressed in hospital scrubs, his hair in disarray and his eyes red-rimmed with fatigue. She doubted that he’d had time for a shower, but he’d made time to fetch her breakfast or dinner or whatever meal it was. She’d lost track of the time hours ago.

She took the proffered bag and inhaled the buttery greasy smell emanating from the contents, some sort of toasted sandwich. She was so hungry she’d have eaten the paper bag alone.

‘Sorry—’ he passed her one of the coffees with an apologetic smile ‘—it’s probably a bit lukewarm by now.’

She shook her head dismissively, taking a grateful sip. ‘It’s perfect. Thank you. You really didn’t have to bring me more food.’

He shrugged, his tired eyes crinkling in the corners in a way that made Lauren want to hug him. ‘I know, but us doctors need to look out for each other, right? We’re the only ones who understand what it’s like.’

A lump lodged in her throat. He was going out of his way to be her friend, but everything he’d said in the lift last night had been true. It felt as if they were fighting a losing battle, especially after that kiss.

Just being around him, with his thoughtful gestures and his unwavering consideration and his charm-loaded smile, was its own form of torture.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.