That didn’t happen with Jaxson.
I turn around and face him. He’s standing in the middle of the living room, and I can see every inch of him clearly under the fluorescent light.
His hair is still all over the place, and it looks hot. He’s taller than I remember. The suit fits his muscled body perfectly. My eyes stop at his chest where the top two buttons of his shirt are undone. His tie hangs loosely around his neck.
There is no smirk around his mouth as my eyes travel up.
The same mouth kissed me.
Our eyes meet, and it feels as if an electric bolt strikes right through my heart.
Those eyes made me promises he had no intention of keeping.
“Let’s skip the niceties and get to the point of why you’re here.”
He shoves one hand in his pocket, and the other goes to his chin. I hear the bristliness of his day-old stubble as he scrubs his palm over his jaw.
I don’t remember him being so serious. Suddenly I have a need to see if his smile still looks the same.
“I’ve just come from seeing Marcus.” His hand drops to his side a
nd worry instantly clouds his face.
I remember that look.
My breathing speeds up as memories flash through me. He had that same look when he saw me standing at his front door.
“Can you help him?” he whispers as if he’s too scared to even ask, never mind hear the answer.
“Yes.”
He jerks as if I slapped him, instead of giving him good news.
His breathing speeds up, and when his eyes start to shine with unshed tears, I realize he’s overwhelmed. He stalks toward me, and before I can stop him, he yanks me to his chest. His arms lock around my body, and he lifts me off my feet. I grab hold of his shoulders with the full intention of pushing him away when he presses his face into my neck and cries.
His body shudders against mine. I don’t have it in me to push him away. Instead, I wrap my arms around his neck and cradle his head. I give him the comfort he once gave me.
Once he gains control over his emotions, he whispers, “I’m sorry, Doc.”
“It’s normal to react emotionally when given good news relating to a loved one.”
He pulls back but doesn’t let go of me. His eyes find mine, and I try to ignore the longing I see in them.
“I’m sorry, Doc,” he repeats. “I’m sorry that I walked away.”
I wiggle myself free from his arms and take a step away from him.
“I’ll arrange with Carter to have Marcus brought to California. I’ll need to run more tests but the surgery should be scheduled for the thirtieth.”
His lips curve into a smile and it’s my turn to look like I’ve been slapped.
There’s nothing more beautiful in this world than Jaxson West smiling.
I blink the thought away and straighten my blouse to keep from looking at him.
“You haven’t changed,” he says. “Except for your hair. It suits you. You look beautiful, Doc.”
Being direct has never let me down before.