Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 92899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
As I said it, I realized how true it felt. How right it felt to be standing here in pine-scented air, my hands still steady from the morning’s challenges, surrounded by students who were hungry to learn not just the mechanics of emergency medicine but the art of it.
When was the last time I’d felt this energized after a shift? When was the last time I’d looked forward to the next challenge instead of dreading another twelve hours of controlled chaos and electronic medical records?
“You look happy,” Robyn observed, falling into step beside me as we headed through the dining room toward her office.
“Just thinking,” I said. “About how different this feels from hospital work.”
“Good different or bad different?”
“Good different,” I said. “Very good.”
“Excellent!” Robyn said with cheerleader-like enthusiasm. “That’s wonderful to hear.”
As we entered her office, she turned to face me. The fake blood from the training exercise was smeared on her torn shirt, making a funny contrast with her signature friendly smile.
“On that topic, I wanted to let you know your medical licensing came in.” She rocked back and forth on her boots. “You’re licensed to practice in the state of Montana. Isn’t that great?”
I blinked at her. This was good news, but hardly a surprise. “Uh, yeah. Great.”
“This means you can practice here!”
“I… yeah, I got that. Trace wanted me to get licensed if I could, and reciprocal licensing was pretty quick and straightforward.”
She propped her hip on her desk. “I think he was hoping to convince you to stay on permanently.”
I laughed. “He mentioned that. But he also knows I’m interviewing for a position in California, near my family. Besides,” I said, trying to keep it light, “he can’t afford me.”
She smiled up at me, eyes bright. “Just think about it, okay? I’m sure he’d make as strong of an offer as possible.”
“I appreciate that, Robyn. I really do. But I’m an ER doc. I can’t turn down the opportunity to work at a world-renowned teaching hospital.”
Her smile faltered, but she nodded. “I understand. Worth a shot.”
I reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “I really appreciate it. It’s nice to know I’m doing well enough for you not to want to boot me out.”
She laughed and gave me a quick hug. “We just think the world of you, Tommy.”
I pulled away awkwardly with a mumbled thanks and turned to head back to the dining room. Foster had just passed the office on his way to the men’s room, so I followed him there instead.
As soon as the door closed behind me, I glanced under the stalls to make sure we were the only ones in there.
“You get what you need in there?” Foster asked, keeping his eye on the urinal as he reached for his fly.
I kicked a nearby rubber wedge under the door so no one could open it, and then I walked up behind him and crowded him against the urinal. “Not one single bit,” I said in a low voice.
“Mpfh. Looked plenty friendly to me,” he grumbled. “Back off. I can’t do this with you watching.”
I eased off but pressed my forehead to the center of his back, just above his shoulder blades. “Good drill this morning.”
“Yep.”
“Is it wrong to wish the workday came with a sex break?” I asked softly, just in case someone was near enough to hear me.
He finished up and moved to the sink, gently dislodging me by rolling his shoulder. “I could go for it. Maybe we should form a union and make some demands.”
I met his eye in the mirror and was happy to see his eyes sparkling with humor. I took his place at the urinal and opened my pants, trying to hurry now in case someone else needed to use the bathroom.
Foster yanked out a couple of paper towels and turned to face me as he dried his hands. I tried to stay relaxed.
“What did Rainbow Brite want with you?”
Was it my imagination, or was there a tinge of jealousy coming from the big guy?
“Hmm. Take a guess.” I finished and refastened my pants before moving to the sink. This time, Foster crowded up against my back, his arms snaking around my front and his hot lips landing on my neck.
“I’m thinking she wants to join your union,” he grumbled. The sound was low near my ear, enough to make the hairs stand on end all over my arms and legs.
I shuddered. “No. Just wanted to tell me my licensure came through. Now maybe I won’t get arrested for playing doctor.”
His big hand moved down over my fly and pressed my cock. “Mmm, arresting someone for playing doctor… I knew I became a sheriff for a reason.”
I finished washing my hands and dried them as quickly as possible.
And if there were wet handprints on Foster Blake’s clothes when we returned to the dining room, it was nobody’s business where they came from.