She gave a nod. “How’s it going?”
“Good. We’re really anxious for results, but it takes time to get that kind of data, data that has any real meaning.”
“Know how that goes. Dad used to talk about it all the time.”
“Can I see you on Saturday?”
A playful grin moved on to her face. “You aren’t going to get another show like that for free.”
“I’m pretty broke from last time…you wrung me dry.”
She flipped her hair. “Just doing my job.”
“You’re very good at your job.”
She chuckled. “I know.”
“Were you a stripper before you got into medicine?”
“Nope.”
“Are you sure?”
She chuckled again. “I’ve watched Hustlers so many times. That’s where I learned everything.”
“Well, if the poker thing doesn’t work out…”
She laughed. “Doctor by day, exotic dancer by night.”
“Hot.”
She grabbed her bag and stood up again. “I’ll let you get to work. I’m sure you have a lot of things to do.”
“I’d rather be doing you…for what it’s worth.”
“Oh, I know,” she said confidently. “I got an ass that you won’t forget.” She gave herself a smack on the tush before she walked out.
It was all I could think about for ten minutes straight.
I skipped the gym and slept in late.
So fucking tired.
The week had been spent at the hospital, at the lab, and then the clinic. I had to stay on top of everything and couldn’t make excuses. If I were too busy to do my job right, I’d lose one of them.
That was the last thing I wanted to happen.
I worked at my dining table during the day, my laptop and papers around me, and when the afternoon arrived, I got a text from one of my boys.
You want to go out with us tonight?
I had been waiting for my date to show up at the bar when I met Matthew, and we hit it off a lot more than she and I did later. Long story short, we became friends, met his other friends, and it’d been that way ever since. Now that my family was gone, they were really all I had, other than some colleagues. We didn’t talk about anything serious. Kinda just hung out. Can’t tonight.
Dude, you work too much.
It’s actually not because of work.
Ooh… Matthew’s voice was audible in my head. Hot babe?
Super hot.
Is this a date?
Yeah.
You? You have a date tonight?
Yes.
She must be something special since you don’t do that shit anymore.
You could say that.
I texted her next. Come over tonight.
I’ll think about it.
I smiled when I looked at her message. You think about things a lot.
Because I’m smart.
If you were smart, you wouldn’t have to think.
Alright, then. Not coming over.
That bit me in the ass, didn’t it?
Yep. Now you gotta talk me into it.
I was planning on cooking for you.
Hmm…what else?
That’s not good enough for you? Every time I fired off a message, she responded immediately, her mind working as quickly as mine.
Just trying to milk this for all I can.
I grinned. What else do you want?
Maybe a strip show.
I don’t dance, but I’m happy to get naked for you.
Great. What else?
What else? Damn, this woman wanted the whole pot.
I’ll blow you good.
Her message was instant. What time do you want me there?
“Damn, this looks good.” She stood with me in the kitchen, looking at the platter of tacos I’d prepared. Vegetarian, steak, and chicken, with all the fixings, along with chips and salsa.
“You like tacos?”
She gave me an incredulous look. “If someone doesn’t like tacos, they should be locked up.”
“With the murderers and all?”
“Yep.” She grabbed one of the platters and carried it to the dining table. “This is really impressive. You did this all by yourself?”
“I like to cook. I just don’t do it a lot.” I opened the fridge and grabbed a couple beers. “Beer okay, or do you want something else?”
“I’ll drink anything. Just nothing too sweet.”
I joined her at the dining table, sitting across from her.
She was in a teal summer dress, her thick hair down over one shoulder, bracelets on her wrist. Her petite frame was squeezed into the fabric, and her makeup was darker than it normally was. Her eyes had a smoky appearance, and her eyelashes were thicker. When she was in her workout gear with no makeup, she was hot. But when she did herself up, she looked out of my league.
She grabbed a couple tacos, squeezed the lime, and took a bite of the steak. “Mmm…” She covered her mouth and let out a loud moan, chewing quickly to get it down. “Jesus Christ, what did you put in this?”
“Like it?”
“This is like the best thing I’ve ever eaten.” She put it down and grabbed the vegetarian one. Her head rolled back, and she released another moan. “Oh wow… You cook the way you fuck.”
I watched her as I ate, enjoying the never-ending compliments. I had a million dishes in the kitchen that would require my attention, but her reaction made all the hard work worth it. “Thanks.”