“So, you didn’t drive yourself to The Rex? Or ride your motorcycle?”
“At ease, Dr. Ward.” He winked. “I have a chauffeur.”
I leaned my head back against the seat, letting my eyes slowly close. Lights of the city melded into patches of gold behind my lids, and I sighed.
The GPS announced her directions and Boxer turned down my street and into the parking garage.
“Code?” Boxer asked.
I gave it to him. The security arm lifted, and we drove through. He found a spot near the elevator and parked.
“Thank you,” I said. “For driving me home.”
He plopped the keys into my hand. “It’s the least I could do for the woman who saved my life.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face. “Thanks for tonight, too. I mean, for making this day a lot less horrible.”
Boxer raised his brows. “I think that was a compliment.”
“It was,” I assured him. I got out of the vehicle, and he did the same, though he moved slowly. After the doors were shut, I hit the clicker and the car locked.
I headed for the elevator, and he followed. I pressed the button, and the doors opened immediately. “Well, thanks again, Boxer. Have a good night.”
I stepped into the carriage and turned.
He was staring at me with a blank expression, but something moved in his eyes. Something I couldn’t decipher.
The doors began to shut but just as they were about to close all the way, his hand shot through the gap. They opened, and then he was stepping into the elevator and one of his arms went around me, while the other cradled the back of my head.
He stared into my eyes for just a moment, and then his lips covered mine. His tongue thrust into my mouth, and I heard someone moan.
It was me.
And then I was kissing him back, and I dropped my clutch so I could grab the lapels of his leather vest and pull him toward me.
Boxer’s mouth was a match, and I was a rope doused in kerosene. I twined around him, wanting to get closer.
Just as I was about to sink deeper into our kiss, he pulled away. He looked down at me, and his thumb skimmed across my cheekbone.
“Have a good night, Linden.”
He released me and stepped out of the elevator.
His intense silver gaze was the last thing I saw before the doors closed.
Chapter 6
“Mom, I already told you,”I said calmly. “I can’t come home for Christmas.”
“But why?” she demanded. “I don’t understand. You need time off as much as anyone.”
“I’m the new hire, remember? Just because I’m a surgeon doesn’t mean I run the hospital and can take off whenever I want.”
“Last year it was because you were finishing your fellowship, and you didn’t want to take the time off. The year before that you were spending it with Jeff in Chapel Hill. Before that it was—”
“I’m not doing this with you.” I pulled out my leftovers from the hospital lounge fridge and brought them to the counter.
“I guess I should be glad you called at all.” She sniffed, threatening to unleash the crocodile tears.