Bound to Remember, a Paranormal Romance (Book 1 of the Spellbound Series) (5 page)

“
Have all the nurses in emergency rejected you, so that you have to come back to me as your last resort?” In my peripheral vision, I saw Ben at the door. I felt like cringing as I wondered how much he’d heard.

“
Toni, you know you still want me. That’s why you’re walking around here with the nurse to try and make me jealous.” At that moment, Ben walked in and I took a step away from Kevin. I looked from Kevin to Ben. Ben smiled at me making me melt before I felt myself in Ben’s arms and had his lips pressed against mine. His lips were cold but the kiss sent warmth throughout my whole body and it had a flavor to it, something that was sweet, like honey but also metallic. Either I had not been kissed in a long time or he was the best kisser. We kissed for what seemed like minutes before his lips released mine.

I felt feverish as I pulled back and looked at him, suddenly remembering we had an audience of nurses and Kevin. I straightened up as he released the embrace he had wrapped me in during the kiss. I saw Kevin’s frown and Dawn’s grin, when did she get there? I looked around the break room at the awe struck on lookers.

“
I’m sorry; I just couldn’t resist it anymore,” Ben said with a suggestive smile. He never took his eyes off mine, and I knew that was true. I couldn’t help that he happen to pick the perfect time to kiss me, in front of Kevin. I did something completely out of character: I put my hand around Ben’s neck and pulled him down into another kiss —
my kiss.
Kevin stormed out. Somehow, my 5’7” self- pulled Ben’s 6’ foot frame down into a kiss that was even better and hungrier than the first.

I pulled back after I heard a throat clearing. I looked over my shoulder to see Dr. Stevens in the doorway of the break room.

“
Dr. Hollander, may I see you in my office?” he said, and walked out without waiting for a response. My cheeks flushed not with the fever I just felt but with embarrassment that I was just caught.

“
Yes, sir,” I answered anyway. I looked at Dawn; she still in a daze with the same stupid grin on her face. My worried stare snapped her out of it.

“
Is she in trouble?” I heard Ben ask Dawn as I walked down the hall.

“
Probably.”

As I walked into Dr. Stevens’ office, which was right next to the break room, I had my head down like a kid walking into the principal’s office.

CHAPTER THREE

“
Yes, Dr. Stevens you needed me?” I stood in the doorway, not wanting to enter.

“
Yes; close the door and have a seat.” He was looking at a chart with a worried expression on his face. I closed the door and sat in the chair in front of his desk.

“
I’m sorry. I know that was unprofessional. I mean, we are still on our shift and it won’t,” I was rambling on about my actions when he interrupted.

“
I am not worried about who you kissed, Dr. Hollander. We are all adults here; as long as your relationship doesn’t conflict with work, it’s none of my business. I am more concerned with your patient, Ms. Blanke.” The look on his face confused me. Dr. Stevens’ usually gentle and calm expression was rather grim.

“
Yes, I sent her for a CT scan and psych evaluation earlier tonight.”

“
Yes, well, here are her CTs, which looks fine — but she went to sleep during the CT test and her heart stopped. Dr. Hollander, she died this morning.” The embarrassment erased as disbelief took over. While I knew some patients die… mine don’t! My heart felt heavy and this seemed wrong.

“
But — but how is that possible?” I demanded.

He seemed puzzled by my question. “Well, she was eighty-nine years old and complaining of migraines.”

“
But I mean, to die while on the CT scan? Has that ever happened before?” My thoughts went to Ben and Ms. Blanke’s strange exchange. Did that have anything to do with her dying?

“
Not that I can recall, but it’s not far-fetched.” He reassured me with his usual smile that everything would be fine.

“
I’ll contact the family with the news. Is there anything else?” I sighed to keep from crying. I was always emotional when one of my patients died.

“
No, that’s all. This is not your first loss, Dr. Hollander, so don’t be so hard on yourself.” The sincere look on his face made the tears I was fighting back well up in my eyes.

“
Thanks.” I stood up and took the chart he passed me before turning my face to let a lone tear fall. I took a few steps toward the door and slowly turned the knob. I rubbed my cheek on my shoulder to wipe the tear that had smeared there. I sniffled, stepping into the hallway. I turned and walked down the hall with my head hanging, to find Dawn and Ben pacing.

“
What happened?” Dawn asked with big eyes. Ben looked concerned too.

“
My patient died.” The tears I held back in the office with Dr. Stevens burst forward with full force. “Now I have to call her family to tell them.” I turned my tear-filled face away from them.

“
Oh honey, it happens every night; it’s not your fault.” Dawn wrapped her arms around me, pulling me close to her.

“
I know, but still.” Ben slid the chart from my hands to his while I hugged Dawn.

“
I’ll call the family for you.”

“
You don’t have to,” I managed in between sniffles.

He placed his hand on my shoulder. “She was my patient too.”

Dawn still had me wrapped in her arms and pulled me closer to her. “We’ll be in the relief room when you’re done.” She nodded to Ben as he left for the nurse’s station. Dawn shuffled us away. She closed the door as we sat down on one of the cots.

“
Do you think Kevin had sex on one of these recently?” Dawn frowned as she looked between the two small cots. I sniffled and looked at the expression on her face. I couldn’t help but giggle at the look of disgust.

“
Probably both; you know him.”

“
I am so glad you didn’t get in trouble for kissing Nurse Hero.” Dawn smiled as she put her hand on my knee.

“
He was actually cool about that.”

“
See? That’s why I’ll have to marry that man one day. That and his gorgeous smile.” I sat there for a minute, thinking about Dr. Stevens and Dawn being married. They would definitely make a beautiful couple — and their kids. Oh, they would put Brad and Angelina’s to shame. With Dawn’s warm blue eyes, Dr. Stevens’ smile and a combination of their perfect hair, those kids would be perfect. I beamed at that thought.

“
Go for it!” I urged. Dawn leaned back, getting comfortable as I sat on the cot opposite her. I rested my head on the wall behind me.

“
I will soon, but now . . . kiss and tell.”

I crinkled my nose up. I love Dawn, but she can’t keep anything to herself, and I knew telling her about the kisses I had with Ben would be the buzz of the night. Still, it was too tempting not to tell.

“
Did you see both kisses?” I asked as she rolled her eyes.

“
Uh, yeah, and so did Kevin. He was as red as a beet when he ran out,” she laughed.

“
Well, I think Ben kissed ME because he overheard Kevin talking his usual crap and I kissed HIM because . . . I wanted to.” I stuck my tongue out at her. Dawn looked like she was about to explode from excitement.

“
My, my, looks like my little Toni is all grown up.” Another thing I loved about Dawn was whenever she got excited about something, her Southern accent and mannerisms emerged. I laughed while she fanned herself.

“
Let’s get back out there, Miss Alabama, before Kevin comes in here with a conquest,” I said. Dawn frowned as she heard me imitate her drawl. We stood up at the same time. She narrowed her eyes and pointed her finger at me, as if to correct me.

“
It was Little Miss Kentucky, and don’t ever bring that up AGAIN!” she ordered as she marched out of the relief room and into the hallway. I could do nothing but laugh and I almost skipped out of the room. I extended my arms and wrapped them around Dawn, pulling her into a hug.

“
Thank you, Dawn.”

“
For?” She still had the drawl but she was patting my back.

“
Getting my mind off Ms. Blanke,” I whispered. She wrapped her arms around me.

“
Don’t worry; it happens every night.”

“
I know; but still, thank you.” Ben came upon us hugging in the hallway. I released Dawn when he was at my side. I was still laughing at Dawn being the “Little Miss” and my laughter let him know I was feeling better. I looped my arm with his, taking the chart from him and we walked back to the pit to wait for more action.

***

After ten hours, you’d think we would be tired and hungry, but Ben and I had more energy in the morning than we did in the evening. As we walked into the locker room, Ben made a joke that everyone laughed at except for Kevin.

“
T? Can I use your bike? My car is in the shop until Monday and I don’t want to take the bus home.” Dawn grinned as she looked at Ben.

“
Sure, but how will I get home and back to work?” I knew what Dawn was up to and I eyed her sideways, giving Ben a wink.

“
Hmmm, Ben? Would you mind giving Toni a ride home?” Her smile was bright enough to light up a house on Christmas.

“
No, not at all, I just have to make one stop first,” he answered. I rolled my eyes at the skit these two were putting on. I smiled and mumbled curse words under my breath.

“
Thanks, Ben and Dawn,” I said through my teeth.

“
Don’t thank me now; thank me after you get laid,” Dawn whispered. I shook my head and sighed as I noticed Kevin’s eyes still fastened on me. I changed out of my scrubs, sliding on my jeans and sweater. Ben stood behind me, ready to go. I walked out of the locker room with Dawn and Ben as Kevin’s eyes burned a hole in my back. I looked over my shoulder and smiled, knowing he would eventually go crazy. When we were outside, I handed Dawn my helmet as she swung her leg over my bike. I ran my hand along the front of my motorcycle.

“
Be careful with her, she’s all I’ve got in this world,” I said as I patted my little silver Honda. Dawn tilted her head back and pulled the helmet over her blond layers.

“
I know what I’m doing, T; trust me.” She started the bike and revved the engine a couple times before taking off. I looked over at Ben, who stood next to his bike, zipping up his jacket and sliding on some gloves.

“
You take this biker thing pretty seriously, don’t you?” I laughed.

He said nothing, but passed me a small helmet as he climbed onto his bike. I questioned if this was planned for him to carry his extra helmet but I dismissed it. I put the helmet on, swung my leg over, and sat on the bike before wrapping my arms tightly around his waist. He started the engine and looked over his shoulder at me.

“
Hold on tight,” he muttered; then he took off. It had been years since I‘d ridden on the back of a motorcycle, and I’m not sure if it was due to his driving or his expensive BMW motorcycle, but we arrived at his “stop” in no time. I looked at his two-story house as we waited for the garage to open. Once enveloped by the dimness of his garage, I swung my legs off the bike, removed the helmet, and shook my head to untangle my hair. Ben observed my post riding ritual in silence. I put my hand on my hip as he took off his helmet.

“
Fancy driving.” I felt his gloved hand take mine as he guided me to the door.

“
Thanks.” He pressed the button to close the garage before opening the kitchen door.

“
So, this is your stop.” I sat on a bar stool in the kitchen.

“
I did not want you to hang on the back of my bike for any prolonged period of time; plus, I thought you might be hungry.” He walked to the refrigerator.

“
Actually, I want to talk.”

“
Well, follow me and we can talk.” He led me through the empty dining room and into the living room. He sat on a couch that looked like it belonged on the
I Love Lucy
set, and I sat next to him. I looked at him, wondering how to start this conversation about the kisses, his statement, and most of all, what it meant. I took a deep breath and jumped in headfirst.