Finding Stone (The Stone Brothers Series) (Volume 1) (3 page)

"Back so soon?" I tease.

"Yep. No one is getting into those panties," Maddox says.

"Maybe she is a lesbian?" Evan wonders aloud.

"Or maybe Kerrigan is giving her a rundown on you manwhores," I smirk.

"Us? Manwhores? You get more pussy than the both of us," Maddox chides.

"True. But I rarely frequent the same one twice, besides Sarah," I respond.

Suddenly, music starts playing. I don't pay much attention until I hear someone singing. Hmm, whoever is singing sounds hot. Most people who sing at a bar sound horrible.

I hear a few guys whistle, and now I am interested. I turn around and lock eyes with the new nurse, Molly. Fuck me! She looks shocked to see me. She rolls her eyes and turns to start dancing super close to Kerrigan.

What the hell? My first thought is that I want to drag her off the bar so no one else can enjoy the show. My second thought is that she is trouble.

"Not a lesbian," Evan yells over the music as he watches her shake her very firm ass in front of the men who have gathered in front of her.

"I don't get it. She said she just wanted to sit there and wallow over her shit day. Now she is flapping her ass in front of those jerkoffs," Maddox said.

"Shit day?" I ask.

"Yeah, she said she had a shit day and wanted to wallow."

"She said shit day?" I ask again thinking she has a dirty mouth. Hmm. She's not a girl you would take home to your mom, but a mouth you could go balls deep in. I quickly adjust myself. I have to get out of here. Not happening, not my type. She enjoys the spotlight too much.

"That was awesome! Thank you," I say to Kerrigan. I feel much better.

"Now I know you'll fit in and you're welcome,” she replies.

I go to jump off the bar and not so graciously slam into... please GOD. No. I look up and yep, there he is. Dr. Hotty Asshole, front and center. Dammit.

"Sorry," I whisper.

"I guess I know why you were late this morning. Drinking and dancing on bars is hard on a career," he says with a smirk on his face.

Well, now I am pissed. "Look, asshole. I am a twenty-four year old woman who is living her life the way she chooses. You may be my superior there," I say pointing towards the hospital, "but in here you're just another asshole sent to ruin my day," I yell.

Oh God. I've always spoken my mind. No filter. This outburst, I am sure, has earned me a lifetime of enemas. I risk a glance at him. I wish I hadn't. I am met with angry eyes. No, wait, pissed-as-hell eyes. If I could give myself my right hook, I would.

He leans in closer to me. I want to back up, but don't. He will not intimidate me. His lips brush my ear. My stomach turns. He smells amazing. He smells clean. He smells delicious. His smell is all him, all sexy male Dr. Hotty Asshole.

"If you ever fucking talk to me like that again, I've got something rather large I'd like to shove in your mouth to shut you up," he says, in a sexy, dominating voice.

I know my panties shouldn't be wet at the sound of his threat, but they are. However, I need him to know I am not a child. He will not bully me.

"For a doctor, it seems you know nothing about anatomy. I have incredibly strong teeth. I hear that the penis, no matter how large," I know I am blushing, but I continue, "is the most sensitive place on a male's body. I'd hate to bite down. It would really suck to see you cry like a little girl. Major turn off." This time I see anger and desire in his eyes.

"So, I turn you on Molly?" he asks. I shiver at how sexy he sounds.

"You did, until you opened your asshole mouth," I say with confidence and I am proud of myself.

After my run-in with nurse Molly, I can't get her out of my mind. She has given me many things to think about. First, she is beautiful. I would say perfect if it weren't for that foul mouth of hers. No one speaks to me that way. It pisses me off that she tried to put me in my place. Truth is, I don't value her opinion.

Second, she may be intriguing but she is late for work, a drinker, a bar dancer, and needs to be the center of attention. I couldn't fuck her without her running her mouth to everyone.

Third, there is that protective instinct I felt when the guys were watching her dance her firm ass around the bar. I'd love to smack her ass, and here my thoughts once again leave me with a hard on.

Besides my brothers, I've never been protective. My dad was a drunk. I remember my brothers getting caught smoking his cigarettes. My dad used his fist to teach them a lesson. I stepped in between and took the hits. It wasn't the first, or last, time either.

I've spent my entire life keeping people at arms length. It's why I don't want to be married. It's why I don't want children. I like controlling my own life. I don't want to take care of anyone, besides my patients and myself. Maddox says I got into medicine because I like to fix things. I think I did it because I know what can be fixed and what is beyond fixing.

The good news is I will be on time today. The bad news is that I know at some point I will have to deal with my outburst with delicious-smelling Dr. Hotty Asshole. Why did I have to say anything? Not only do I have to worry about Mean Bitch Katherine, but now also Dr. Stone.

During my walk to work, I start thinking about home. People there are friendly. They are supportive. Bitches are everywhere; of course, we have our share of them. Kentucky bitches are totally different than Chicago bitches. We just slap the shit out of people and move on. Here, they make you feel inferior and that's what I hate. I wanted to say yesterday I actually wasn't late. In fact, I was two minutes early. Being petty would earn me no points, though.

I should have gotten an apartment farther away because I look up and I am already in front of the hospital. I want to whine, but I plaster a confident look on my face and walk through the sliding doors.

It's insane.

"Hope you have your running shoes on. Pile up on the freeway, at least seven patients incoming," Katherine shouts. At least she doesn't have time to be bitchy.

I run to grab supplies and wait on the first ambulance. I am beginning to notice I work with lazy people. No one else gets up to help. It will make my day go faster. I am ready to move.

The ambulance arrives.

"Forty year old unrestrained passenger. Hit his head on the windshield but didn't go through. Vitals good. Head laceration is deep,” the first paramedic says. Well it's not something that'll keep me busy very long, but it does keep eyes off me.

After I finish with my patient, I notice everyone else has gotten off their asses and are busy. I look around to see who needs help.

"I need extra hands here."

Yep, of course he does. Dr. Hotty Asshole doesn't know whom he is about to see, but I am sure it's going to piss him off.

Christ. Why her?

"How can I help?" she asks.

I know she is in work mode. This is good. I can work with this.

"I need you to order a head CT, and have an OR on standby. Why people allow their toddlers to ride in the front seat is beyond me," I say, adrenaline spiking.

"Yes. Dr. Stone," she states in a firm voice. Looking at this little guy, I am worried he is out of time. Pupils are unresponsive, no reflex movement. I want to hunt these parents down and throat punch them.

"Dr. Stone, they're ready." She walks forward gathering tubes and cords to get ready to transport him.

"Thanks." I say as I pass by her. She rushes with me to the elevator. Hmm. She is obviously focused.

Four hours later, I get the phone call that the little boy will pull through. I finally exhale. I walk out to the nurse’s station before heading home. I see Molly charting. She looks up and smiles.

"He made it, Dr. Stone. Good work." She throws her hand up to high-five. I can't leave her hanging so I slap her hand. I let my fingers hold on a little too long. She looks away quickly. Interesting, Molly is feeling me. Surprisingly, I am feeling her too. Doctor and nurse relationships aren't against the rules. It is frowned upon though. It doesn't matter anyway. I won't sleep with her.

I head to Hansons to meet Kerrigan. Pizza and beer, nothing could be more perfect right now. Thankfully, today wasn't too bad. I didn't get yelled at. Dr. Stone didn't leave my high five in the air. After I did it, I felt childish. When he slapped my hand and let his fingers linger, I felt a jolt of electricity run through me. I know he felt my shiver.

What is going on with this man? He acts like he hates me one minute and the next he acts like he wants me. Indecisive men have never appealed to me. I want someone who knows what they want. Obviously, this man doesn't.

Kerrigan spots me when I walk in the door.

"Hey just cashing out. Give me five."

I nod understanding. I’m excited to meet people because I am in need of a social circle. Nothing is more lonely than going home to an empty apartment with sparse furniture. Decorating isn't my thing good cheap sales are though. My apartment looks like a thrift store threw up in it.

"Molly. Did you come to do another dance?" Noah says coming out of the bathroom. WHY?

"Did you come to hassle me? Like I said yesterday it’s none of your business."

"I'm on call. I came to have dinner with my brothers. Why are you here?"

"I can talk slower for you if I need to. It’s. None. Of. Your. Business. Now move, I need to use the restroom." He throws his hand to the wall to prevent me from passing. Asshole.

"You always this quick tempered?"

"Only when assholes won't let me go to the bathroom." Hell. I did it again.

"Two strikes, Molly." Dr. Hotty Asshole says in low, sexy voice. His eyes. God. Why can't he be Dr. Fatty Asshole?

"I swear I will junk punch you if you don't move." He leans his head back and starts laughing. It pisses me off more. I grab his arm to move it.

Holy hell. I want to rub my hand up and down. They feel defined. Not bulky, just hard, smooth muscle and no fat. Again, he gets in my ear.

"Like what you feel Molly? Judging by the doe-eyed look you do."

"No. Actually I was trying to decide where to pinch to cause enough pain that you'd move." I squeeze his arm. Again, I didn't get the pain I was after, just another laugh. He moves his arm though. Once in the bathroom, I splash water on my face. What is his problem? At work, he is completely professional. I need to find another bar. Running into Dr. Stone all the time can only spell disaster. I finish quickly and walk out to the bar. I see him staring at me. I want to flip him the bird, instead, I roll my eyes.

"Ready?" Kerrigan smiles.

"I was ready yesterday," I laugh. "Who am I meeting?"

"My friends Jessica and Lani. Jessica is artsy, but not the space cadet kind. Lani is a bad ass. She does some investigative reporting. She can bully her way into any place. You'll also be meeting my boyfriend, Aaron," she sighs. "He's a cop."

I figure there is something going on between them. I don't pressure her to tell me because if they are in a fight, that's her business. I don't think she'd be comfortable telling me anyways. We did just meet.

We walk into Gigi's Pizza Parlor. The nurse in me wants to head home for some disinfectant wipes. This place is a dump. The linoleum floor is cracked. The red seats have rips. The tables are permanently stained a shit brown.

Kerrigan must have seen my expression and says, "I had that same look when I first came here. After you eat the pizza, you don't notice the place where you're eating it."

"Uh. Next time maybe we can just take it home and eat," I grimace and shiver. The bell rings, announcing the arrival of two beautiful girls. They must be Kerrigan's friends.

Lani looks like a bad ass. She is in skintight jeans, a black tank top and Chuck tennis shoes. She is pretty, if you like that 'I'll kill you with one look’ kind of a girl.

Jessica is artsy. She is in a flowing skirt with a loose baby doll top. Her red hair is down with a couple of small braids that she has clipped in the back. I do like her beaded bracelets.

This is an odd group of girls. Looking at them all, they look like they would have spent high school tormenting each other. The cheerleader, the geek, and the loner. Hmm. Maybe they picked me to play the role of the goody-two shoes. I laugh to myself.

"Hey. This is Jessica and Lani," Kerrigan says.

"Nice to meet you both," I say.

"Love the shirt," Jessica says while extending her hand.

"Thanks." It's a Phish t-shirt. I appreciate that she appreciates it.

"Hi, Molly. It's good to meet you," Lani extends her hand. OUCH! I am not a wimp, but man, the anger in her brown eyes is evident in her handshake.

"Thanks. You too," I say hoping I don't look like a baby.

We sit at a booth. I make sure to sit across and down from Lani. I like her. I just think she may have a quick trigger.

Before pizza is served, they talk about their week and conversation is flowing. They make sure not to leave me out. Kerrigan asks me if I have a boyfriend. I say no.

The bell rings again. A guy, who looks like Mr. Clean on steroids, walks in. Kerrigan stands. She walks over to embrace him. He practically mauls her, claiming his territory. Why is he claiming her? To my knowledge, it's just us. He whispers in her ear. I can't hear what's said but it obviously makes her uncomfortable. Maybe I'm wrong. She looks fine when she faces us. He smiles.

"Molly, I've heard a little about you. Kerrigan went on and on about the girl who danced on the bar with her," he says, clearly agitated. His smile remains plastered and fake. It makes me feel gross. Kerrigan remains sitting there smiling at me.

"Yeah. It was a really bad day. I just needed to let go. It was fun," I say, hoping I'm not getting her into trouble. Does he think I am a lesbian? Maybe that's why he was claiming her?

The tension eases when the Chicago-style pizza arrived. It's loaded with meats, 3 cheeses, onions and mushrooms. It looks great. I realized I didn’t take a lunch today. We all grab our pieces and I glance at Lani. She is giving Kerrigan a reassuring look.

I have a lot of questions. Of course, I won't ask them here, but I make a mental note to ask in the future if Aaron will be joining us again. I will make sure I'm not available if he is. We awkwardly finish our meal. Kerrigan was right, I didn't mind sitting in this dump.

"Hey, thanks for inviting me. I had fun. It was nice meeting everyone." I wanted to add, “…besides Aaron,” but kept my mouth shut.

"Yes. We need to do this again soon," Jessica responds.

"Give me a call if you want to go sight seeing," Aaron responds.

I am offended for Kerrigan. Both Lani and Kerrigan are walking to the door and I follow. After saying goodbye, I walk quickly home. Aaron totally gave me the willies.