Open Heart One Shots (Choices)

Mine

Summary: Cassie can't help feeling jealous of Ethan's admirer.

If the busty redhead touched his arm one more time, she would not be responsible for what happened next.

Cassie Valentine huffed at the sight of her boyfriend getting hit on at the bar. Not that anyone besides them knew he was hers. Still, it was the principle of the matter.

Ethan Ramsey knew he was taken, but did he tell the other woman off? No! He just chuckled inanely like the selfish jerk that he was.

Okay, maybe that wasn't entirely accurate. He was a jerk but never selfish.

Didn't he always make sure she came first when they made love, sometimes more than twice, before he let go himself?

"Hey, Valentine, hit the ball or forfeit the game."

Cassie stopped staring at Ethan and his admirer long enough to throw Jackie an annoyed look. They were at Donahue's decompressing after a long shift over beers and pool. But right now, her mind was on anything but the game.

Eyes snapping with green fire, she bent over the pool table, took aim with her cue stick, and struck the cue ball with such force that the other balls scattered loudly in every direction. She got lucky, pocketing two solids before her streak ended.

Just as well. Focusing on the game meant she couldn't see Busty Red make moves on her man.

Cassie was used to Ethan getting hit on by nurses, doctors and even patients at Edenbrook. It usually didn't bother her. Most of the time, he was oblivious, wearing a cloak of indifference as comfortably as his white coat.

But tonight was different. He was actually laughing with the other woman.

The bastard!

She took a violent swig of her beer, disappointed to find the bottle empty.

Time for a refill, she grinned wickedly at the idea of interrupting the Great Flirtation.

"Hey, Si?" She called out to her bestie, who was watching from the sidelines. When Sienna walked over, Cassie handed her the cue stick. "Take my turn, would you? I'm parched and could use another drink."

She walked off before Sienna could say anything.

Muscling her way through the crowd on the minuscule dance floor, Cassie slowed her pace as she neared the bar. There was an empty spot a few stools down from Ethan, but she deliberately eased her body into the tiny space beside him. Her arm brushed against his, and feeling him stiffen gave her immense satisfaction.

She leaned her elbows on the bar, arching her back slightly and pushing her hips out seductively. Her jeans hugged her curves perfectly while her silky off-shoulder top shimmered in the light. She looked damn good tonight, and she knew it.

Reggie, the bartender, gave her a hold-on sign as he served another patron, but Cassie wasn't concerned, ear cocked to the conversation occurring beside her.

"You must tell him I said hello," Busty Red gushed, leaning closer, practically hugging Ethan.

Cassie was not a jealous person by nature, but she had her limits. Unable to take it anymore, she pretended to stumble, crashing into Ethan and causing him to spill his drink.

"Crap," he cursed and jumped off the stool as the whiskey dripped down his shirt and stained his pants.

"Oops," she gasped with faux sincerity. "I'm so sorry, Dr. Ramsey. Here." She grabbed some napkins off the bar and started dabbing at the wet stain on his shirt.

Cassie smiled nastily as the woman stepped back from Ethan and wiped the triumphant look from her face before anyone noticed—not quickly enough. He caught her smug expression, and his blue eyes narrowed in suspicion and annoyance.

"Forgot how to walk, Rookie?" he grumbled, snatching the napkins from her hand to swipe at the front of his pants.

"It was an accident, doctor," Cassie said, trying for remorse but failing miserably as a light giggle escaped. "Uh, maybe you should retreat to the men's room. That stain is spreading."

Ethan turned back to the other woman. "I'm sorry, Dee. I better take care of this." He pulled the wet shirt away from his chest.

He glared at Cassie, then turned on his heel and marched towards the restroom.

Cassie stared briefly at the other woman, who was now watching her with a bewildered look, and walked away, shrugging her shoulder in apology.

Instead of heading to the pool tables and her friends, she made a beeline for the restrooms in the back. She stopped outside the men's room door, took a bracing breath and pushed the door open to peek inside.

Sighing in relief at the sight of Ethan alone by the sinks, she hurried inside, letting the door swing behind her. He met her eyes in the mirror.

"Happy with yourself?" he asked, lips curled in a sneer. He whirled around to face her. "You did that on purpose!"

Cassie stalked toward him; her eyes were on fire as she stepped on her toes, tugged his head down and pressed her lips against his.

A mix of anger and jealousy fueled the intensity of the kiss. His initial surprise gave way, and he responded, his hands instinctively gripping her waist. The kiss was fierce, almost desperate as if she was trying to claim him, to make a statement that he was hers and no one else's.

Cassie broke the kiss just as abruptly as she had initiated it, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps.

"Maybe I did," she shot back, her voice trembling with defiance and desire. "But you're mine, and no Busty Redhead gets to put her hands on you. Is that clear?"

Ethan stared at her, eyes widening as her words hit home. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Instead, he reached for her again, pulling her closer. "Were you seriously jealous of Dee?"

"Yes. She was all over you, Ethan." Cassie snapped in exasperation. "I know our relationship is secret, but that doesn't mean I will stand by and watch other women paw at you. Not right in front of me."

"So, just in private?" he said, amused.

"I don't find this funny," she retorted.

He started to respond when they heard voices outside, and Cassie's eyes widened in panic. The last thing she could risk was getting caught with Ethan in a restroom at Donahue's. Her reputation could survive an ethics trial but not this.

"Quick, get in there." Ethan shoved her into a stall just as the outside door swung open.

So, Cassie hid in the stall, rolling her eyes at her predicament, and waited for Ethan to let her know when the coast was clear. This was why she never let herself get jealous.

Five minutes later, Ethan knocked, and she unlocked the stall door and stepped outside. He grabbed her hand and dragged her behind him, briefly popping his head through the door to check the hallway.

"All clear."

They stepped into the hallway and stood facing each other, a respectable distance between them.

Ethan folded his arms across his chest and stared down his nose at her, as he used to when he joined them on morning rounds. The way his biceps rippled under the sleeves of his shirt made her feel hot under the collar.

"We will discuss this in detail later, Cassie," he said sternly. "But, for the record, Dee is an old family friend. She's visiting Boston with her family and could only meet for a drink tonight. There's nothing for you to worry about." He looked over her head at the main bar area beyond. "Now, go before our luck runs out."

Cassie nodded and walked away before she did something reckless again. Like drag him outside and order him to take her up against the wall.

One stupid act was enough for today. She'd worrying about eating humble pie tomorrow. Tonight, she needed a cold shower.