Page 22 of Big Dix
He lowers me softly to the ground with a strong grip on my hips and then steers me through the room toward the bathroom with a hand at my lower back. “I’m so sorry. Can I help? Maybe we should get you to the hospital, get it checked out?”
I shake my head in defeat. “No, I just need a minute, thanks.”
The furrow in Atticus’s brow and his frown deepen with his sullen nod. “I’ll leave you to it. I’ll be on the balcony if you need me.”
The door shuts behind me with a soft click, and I sag against the cool wood for a moment. “Shit!”
If dumb shit can happen, it happens to me. I push off the door and head toward the sizable opulent mirror hanging over the vanity.
My eye is a watery mess, and I struggle to pry it open and investigate the damage. The moment air hits it; it burns with the sting of a thousand suns.
“Crap. Why me? Why tonight?” I turn on the faucet and let it run cool for a moment. Maybe if I can rinse my eye, it will feel better. After checking the temperature, I cup my hand, then gently splash my eye. I onlythoughtit burned before. Now, it’s onfire.
A screech comes from somewhere deep inside my throat, and moments later, Atticus is standing behind me where I hold my wounded eye and pride.
He scoops me up bride style and turns toward the door. “I’m taking you to the emergency room.”
“I don’t need to go; it’s okay. Really, put me down. See?”
His gaze shifts to mine and more tears involuntarily fall when I try and fail to open my eye.
He huffs. “Yeah, I see all right, and if we don’t get you taken care of, you may not be.”
It’s time for me to just shut up. I’m a little scared, and a whole lot mortified. “I can walk, you know.”
He just offers that sexy, lazy smile as I drape my hands around his neck. “I’m sure you can.”
Maybe I might be temporarily blinded, but even I can see how good I have it sitting in the cradle of Atticus Dixon’s arms.
FIFTEEN
Evelyn
“Let me get this mask off; then, I want you to follow the light for me, Miss Salinas.”
A moment later, gentle fingers pry my mask away before I squint against the bright intrusion, doing my best to complete the task the impressive Dr. Hale has set before me.
Of course, leave it to me to get my eye half gouged out trying to get my sexy times on only to turn up at the ER with the hottest real-life doctor I have ever seen.
The ER staff must think I’m weird since I am dressed in a formal sparkly red dress and refused to take off my mask until Atticus was out of the room. I made him sit in the waiting room while I checked in, too. You know, secret identity and all. I bet the staff thinks we are all sorts of kinky. Or, well, at least me.
“How did this happen?”
I bite my lip.Lord, how embarrassing.I don’t even know what to say. With a lack of a good lie, I opt for the truth. Well, a tamed down version of it.
“Seduction gone wrong.”
Dr. Hale—who is far too good-looking with his smooth russet-brown skin, full lips, and a jaw that could cut glass—chuckles. “Ah, I see. Well, it couldn’t have been too bad; Mr. Dixon is out there pacing the waiting room like an anxious, caged wolf.”
My cheeks heat from embarrassment just hearing his name. I can’t even imagine what he thinks of me now. How will I ever face him again?
“He instructed me that you are to receive the best care. So, maybe the seduction fell short, but I think it’s safe to say you’ve made an impression.”
“Oh, I made an impression, all right.”So embarrassing.“Do you think I still have a shot, Doc?”
Warm, caring golden brown eyes meet mine. He would seriously give Idris Elba a run for his money in the looks department. “If he’s any kind of man worth your time, you’ll have all the chances you might need, Miss Salinas.”
Damn, he’s good.
