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She’s so damn beautiful that it also defies reason. Her dark, wavy hair is in a loose braid, pieces falling around her heart-shaped face, and she’s smiling at me like I’m the best thing she’s ever laid eyes on. In a leather bomber jacket, pale pink scarf, and jeans, she’s a fantasy come to life.
“Haley,” I greet, coming around the desk to her.
“Hugh,” she replies, eyes twinkling. “I brought you coffee to, um, say thank you and that–” I watch in satisfaction as her cheeks go red, “and that I had a good time.”
“Did you?” I pluck one of the cups of coffee from the holder and take a sip, raising my eyebrows when I notice that she remembered exactly how I take it from the morning I made her breakfast. I slowly lick my lips, never breaking eye contact with her. “This tastes delicious.”
I didn’t think she could blush any harder, but she does, the double meaning of my words clear to her. She’s about to say something, but then I hear the door swish open from the entrance, and I hold up my hand to stop Haley. Because my son has just walked in.
To make matters worse, I know that Dr. Green, the secretary, and all the other neurology workers have filtered out to be close by, curious about the woman who has come to visit me. Alex showing up just makes an even better show for them. My temper flares red hot. There’s no way to get out of this, and I doubt there’s any way to resolve it peacefully.
Alex is looking at me right now since he’s only able to see the back of Haley’s head, and he looks relieved. At least for now. “Dad,” he huffs. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for days–”
“You know where I live,” I grit out, but he just looks annoyed.
“Yeah, like almost an hour out of the city. You know I don’t have a car.” He keeps approaching, and I weigh the options of cutting him off and taking him outside before he sees Haley, and just letting him come close so we can get this over with. “Why have you been avoiding me? If this is about me bringing Haley…Haley?”
His voice changes from questioning to confused as Haley turns around and Alex gets a good look at her. I can see him putting the pieces together in his mind—her presence, the coffee and cup carrier still in her grasp, and the matching cup in mine. His eyes drag between me and her, and all I can do is cross my arms and wait for him to speak, daring him with my eyes to make a scene. I hope he has at least some self-awareness left in him somewhere.
Finally, everything clicks for my son, and he goes pale, looking sick to his stomach. Then, there’s a flash of temper. “What in the fuck is going on here?”
Haley’s eyes are wide, and she looks directly at me, begging me with her expression to handle this. I feel bad for her, I really do, but not at all for Alex or the fact that I’m just a better man for Haley than he is. She’s mine, and he needs to just get over it. The faster the better.
But I can handle Alex if it makes Haley feel better. “What’s going on is none of your business, Alex. And it definitely isn’t business that we’re going to talk about where I work. So why don’t you just go home and call me later, son?”
“Hell no.” He jerks his head side to side. “I want to know why she’s bringing you coffee and why the both of you have been ghosting me!”
Neither of them is going to like this, but being blunt might be the only way to cut this encounter short. “What do you think is going on, Alex?” I laugh mockingly. “Because you might just be right.”
I see his fists clench and his jaw go tight. “Are you trying to tell me that you’re messing around with my girlfriend, Dad?”
Haley is the one who answers, surprising both Alex and me. “I’m not your girlfriend. I never really was. We just went on a few dates and it didn’t work out.”
He whips around to face her. “So you decided to fuck my father?!”
I see red instantly. How dare he speak to her like that? Son or not, no one is going to speak to my woman that way.
Before I know what I’m doing, I’m on Alex, grabbing him by the collar and pulling him up until his face is close to mine and he’s on his tiptoes. Alex is shocked, just like everyone else in the room, but he’s the only one I’m concerned about.
“You have been taking advantage of everyone in your life for long enough, you little shit,” I hiss at him through clenched teeth. “You are a grown man now, Alex, and I have no problem whipping your ass if it puts you in your place and makes you start taking things seriously. What you are not going to do is speak to Haley ever again. Don’t call her, don’t text her, don’t even think about her.” I give him a little shake, feeling his hands trying to pry my fingers off him to no avail. “Do you fucking hear me, Alex? Do you?”
He doesn’t want to answer, but there’s genuine fear on his face when he finally stutters, “Y-yes. Yes! I get it, okay!”
I drop him, and he stumbles, barely able to keep his feet. I can feel everyone’s eyes on us, but I simply straighten my doctor’s coat and approach Haley, taking her hand. Leaning down, I tell her quietly, “Follow me. I’ll get you out of here.”
I don’t give fuck how Alex is recovering. I’m fuming, ready to destroy anyone that stands in my way. Their faces don’t even register with me, just Haley’s small hand in mine and the way I can feel her nervousness through it.
She’s all that matters. Haley needs me, and I’m determined to take care of my little girl.
I lead her through the hallway of exam rooms and out the back exit into the daylight. As soon as we’re outside, Haley lets out an exhale of relief. She’s shaking like a leaf, so much so that her teeth are almost chattering.
“Come here,” I pull her into my arms, stroking her back as she settles. “It’s okay. It’s over.”
Her voice is quavering as she responds. “I just thought we’d have more time before that happened. I mean, I don’t know what you and I are, but?—”
I stop her right there, leaning back enough to capture her mouth in a deep kiss that answers all of her questions. I intend to have Haley and to keep her. I think deep down she knows that but is afraid to admit it to herself. So, as I delve my tongue into the hot cavern of her mouth, I make the kiss into a claim. I want there to be no doubts in her mind.
It’s supposed to be just a kiss, but my blood is running so hot from the almost-fight and having to think about Haley all day that I can’t resist touching her body. Who gives a fuck if everyone is just a wall away inside the building? I want her, so I’ll have her.
