Game Over | 18+ ✓

IV

I didn't want to kiss him; I swear I didn't. He tasted like cigarettes and black coffee, and those two weren't exactly a great combination.

Perhaps it was the way he smelled. He was a wreck on the outside and had bags under his eyes that said he hadn't slept in days, but his natural, masculine scent overpowered even the distinct smell of sanitizers I was so used to in the hospital.

Perhaps it was because Norman Gage could really kiss. He had leaned in really slowly in the beginning, as if offering me an opportunity to back away, but when our lips touched, he made sure to tell me through his actions that he knew precisely how he wanted to play this. His mouth brushed against mine in almost the softest way possible, yet firm and possessive. His kisses were not of force but encouragement, hungry and fervent but not at all hasty.

Or perhaps, it was due to the fact I hadn't been kissed in some time.

But when I parted my lips to move with him, it was clear that there was always a part of me that had fantasized about this.

He got a little bolder when he felt me responding. His tongue darted out, swiping across my bottom lip to ask for access.

Despite how deafeningly loud my subconscious was screaming at me, reminding me how much I detested this man, my body knew it yearned for this. I physically couldn't tear myself away. He had me sucked in like a magnet attracts steel.

"Doctor." I heard someone call out, and immediately, my soul returned to my body.

God, what am I doing?

I pulled away hurriedly, instinctively adjusting my hair and attire, though I was certain it wasn't touched by him. A brief glance at Norman's face revealed his moist, pink, and slightly swollen lips, meaning mine should more or less look the same. I pressed them together quickly, hoping it'd look less like they were just kissed, and went to push the curtains back with no objection from the patient sitting in silence.

"Yeah?" I asked the concerned-looking senior staff nurse standing right there.

"Just checking, Doctor. Does the patient need anything?" She side-eyed Norman, examining him from head to toe.

I didn't even want to think about what she must have concluded in her head.

I cleared my throat. "Go ahead and order an X-ray for Mr. Gage's face. If all is good, you may proceed to discharge him." 

I continued with further instructions, but my eyes met his for a second, and the way they were looking at me terrified me.

"Okay."

"All right." I nodded lightly and took off, berating myself when I turned to take a final glance from the exit and caught him watching me.

•••

Kai snapped his fingers in front of my face.

"Are you sleeping with your eyes open?" He eyed me suspiciously.

I had my chin resting on my palm, elbow on the table, and was looking out the window into the distance.

"Would I blink if I were?"

"Right. So what's gotten you so distracted? It's strange not hearing you rant about Robbie, or is she in a good mood today?"

Nurse Robbie is a 60-year-old veteran and is one person everyone warns newcomers about when they begin their career path here at Seattle General Hospital. She might be experienced and perfectly capable in her line of work, but with the years came arrogance and belittling of younger colleagues, especially since it seemed she had it out the hardest on the doctors.