I slouch onto the bed, disappointed that Henley didn’t get his I love you back. Which is ridiculous because, I mean, why should I even care?

He and I are in the world’s most fucked-up relationship. He hasn’t called me since he left in a huff the other night, and the sick thing is, I don’t expect him to.

It’s like I’m becoming accustomed to dysfunction and am now even expecting it.

I’ll give us another couple of weeks, and then I have to decide where we go from here.

Nothing is ever easy, is it?

Thursday morning I stretch for my run. “Morning, Carol,” I call.

“Good morning, dear.” Carol smiles as she walks across the street toward me. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

“Sure is.”

Henley’s front door opens, and he walks out. He glances up and sees us. His step falters a little. My heart somersaults in my chest. Fuck it. I hate that just the sight of him makes my heart race.

Why does he affect me so?

He waves and puts his head down.

Is he going to come over?

I watch as he walks around and gets into his car. And then, without making eye contact, he gives a quick wave as he drives past us down the road.

My heart sinks.

I get the feeling that it’s not going to be okay between us.

I need to work out how I’m going to fix us, but then what if he’s too far broken and will never be fixed?

Maybe there is nothing to fix. Maybe this connection we have is all in my head.

No.

I’m not imagining it. I know I’m not.

In fact, the only thing I do know for certain is the way that he makes me feel. It’s real and raw, an earth-shattering addiction that I’ve never felt before.

And no matter how self-destructive I know that this is, I need to follow it through and see where it goes.

I want to try.

I take a long last look at myself in the mirror, wearing my green scrubs, with my hair in a high ponytail. I’m trying my very best to be hot nurse porn.

It’s Thursday night, and without one single word from Henley, I’m taking matters into my own hands.

He better take the bait.

“Okay, this is it. I’m offering him an olive branch, and if he doesn’t take it, then poof to him.” I look down to my trusty little best friend. “Wish me luck, Bazza.” I bounce downstairs and grab the key off the counter and head over to Henley’s house.

I knock on his door.

Knock, knock.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom bangs my heart.

The door opens in a rush, and I come face to face with Henley James. He’s wearing satin navy-blue boxer shorts and is shirtless, with his dark hair and perfect face. His ripped body only makes me more nervous.

There’s a lot at stake here.

“Hi.” I smile awkwardly.

“Hi.”

“Umm.” I frown as I try to get my practiced speech right before I say it out loud. “I’m on my way to work a night shift, and Barry seems jumpy today, and I’m worried that he might bark and keep you awake.” I’m blurting the words out in a rush. “So I was thinking that if I gave you a key and he’s being noisy, you could come over to my house and put him inside.” I hold a key to my house out to him. “Because we’re friends and all.” I shrug nervously.

He doesn’t take the key from my outstretched hand. Instead he gives me a slow sexy smile and leans against the doorjamb.

I swallow the lump in my throat as I wait for his reply. “What do you think?”

His dark eyes sweep down my body and then back up to my face. “I think that you should come inside for a moment.”

“You do?”

He nods. “I do.” He steps to the side, and I walk past him, and he closes the door behind us and then pins me up against it and puts his lips to my ear. “You should know better than coming over here looking like a walking fucking wet dream.”

Butterflies dance in my stomach at his close proximity.

He takes my face into his hands and kisses me. His lips linger over mine with just the perfect amount of suction. “Hi,” he murmurs against my lips.

“Hi.” I smile shyly.

He kisses me again, and I feel his erection grow up against my hip. “What are you doing on Saturday night?” he asks.

Aah . . .

“Nothing.” His lips take mine again as our kiss deepens.

Damn, he’s good at this.

“I have tickets to the opera.”

“You do?”

“Do you like the opera?”

I do now.

“We should go.” He licks my open lips, and I feel it between my legs.

My brain has officially left the building. “Uh-huh . . .”

“But it would mean staying in town.”

I’m literally a genius. This plan is working to perfection. He’s asking me on a date—not just any date, a whole-night date.

“I suppose we can do that.” I try to act casual.

We keep kissing, and he slides his hand down the front of my pants and slides his fingertips through the lips of my sex. He works me as we kiss, and I see stars.

Oh . . .

We didn’t even make it inside. I’m still pinned to the back of his front door.

Animals.

He lifts me, wanting more.

“I have to go to work, Henley.”

“You have work to do here.” He carries me to the couch and throws me onto it. I laugh as I bounce. He crawls over me, his erection now peeking over the top of his boxer shorts. Pre-ejaculate is dripping from his end.

Gah . . . I want it.

This man . . .

Suddenly our kiss turns frantic. He holds my legs back as he rubs his erection over my sex.

We stare at each other as desperation runs between us.

So hot.

Wait a minute, what the fuck is going on here? I have no restraint at all when it comes to him. Who even am I? This is an intel mission only.

Go to work.

“Henley, I have to go.”

“No, you have to come.” He smiles darkly against my lips as he pumps me with his hips.

I so do.

No, play it cool.

“You’re a fucking sex maniac, Henley James.”

“You make me one.”

I climb out from under him and stand. “Saturday.”

His eyes hold mine. “Saturday . . . ,” he whispers darkly.

The air swirls between us, and damn it, can he feel this?

Whatever this is . . .

I kiss him quickly, and without looking back I walk out the door. I bounce down the steps feeling triumphant, and I just want to jump and punch the air.

Touchdown!

“Good evening, Mrs. Greenwell.” I smile as I walk into the room. “How’s my favorite patient?”

Mrs. Greenwell’s eyes light up. “Here she is, my favorite nurse. Hello, Juliet, I’ve been waiting for you.”