Read Online Nerves of Steel by C.J. Lyons - Free Book Online

hair and large gray eyes.  His white coat gleamed in the bright lights, pristine and wrinkle-free, making him look like a soap opera actor who had just stepped on stage.
    "Ella," he drawled.  "Long time no see." 
    Cold flooded Cassie's veins as tendrils of fear worked their way through her body.  She winced at his use of the nickname she hated, tried to grab onto anger, to force out the panic the sight of him brought.  "Richard."
    He pushed himself from the wall and came over, grabbing the back of her chair, trapping her against the desk.  She shoved her chair back hard, banging into his legs, and rolling over one Ferragamo clad foot.  Childish, but it felt good.   Like maybe she was in control, could remain in control.  She spun out of the chair to face him on solid ground.
    "Same ole Ella, I see."  He slid the chair out of the way.  Leaving no barricade between them.  He was dressed in blue scrubs and a surgical cap spilled over the rim of one of his pockets.
    "I thought you lost your privileges."  A nurse glanced up at her raised voice, and Cassie fought to regain a façade of professionalism.  Her jaws ground together.  Leave it to Richard to get her flustered here in her own territory.
    "Finished rehab and got reinstated."  He held out a hand.  "What, no hug, not even a handshake for your husband?"
    "Ex-husband.  You're lucky I don't have a restraining order."  The words emerged clipped, filled with venom.  Good, hang on to the anger, it kept the fear at bay.
    Richard's smile hardened.  "C'mon now, Ella.  You never got anything you didn't ask for.  Besides I know it was you that called the Medical Board and turned me in."
    She wished.  But someone else had done her that favor.  "I'm not having this conversation."  She handed him a chart, forcing her hand to remain steady.  Her mouth was dry, parched by fear.  "Your patient is in room six." 
    She turned and marched down the hall.  Footsteps echoed on the linoleum behind her.  She ducked into an empty suture room.
    The door banged open, and she jumped.
    "You still have feelings for me," Richard said, easing the door shut behind him.
    Cassie backed away until the tile wall halted her.  Back to the wall.  Again.  Memories flooded over her.  Her heart began to pound as if trying to escape the cramped confines of her chest. She struggled against the knot of panic constricting her chest.  "Go take care of your patient, Richard.  You wouldn't want to lose your privileges again."
    "Don't worry, that won't happen."  He straightened to his full height, towering over her.  "I'm a changed man."
    "Fine.  I'm glad.  How about if you go do your job, and I'll do mine."  Wasn't that what Drake had told her earlier?  She wished the detective would make an appearance now.  Why was there never a cop around when you wanted one?
    Richard reached out a hand.  Cassie flinched, old habits hard to break. 
    "Ah, Ella, you're always so serious," he said, caressing her cheek.  "Don't you remember all the fun we had?"
    "How would you know?"  She batted his hand away.  "You were drunk most of the time."
    He took a deep breath, looked away for a moment, then returned his gaze to her.  "I never said I was sorry, did I?"  His hand rested on her shoulder, and this time she did not flinch at his touch.  "That's one of my greatest regrets.  Losing you."
    His voice was sincere, but Cassie knew Richard was an accomplished actor when it came to getting something he wanted.  She met his eyes.  A warm gray, they had promised her the world when they first met.  Promised now to grant her that dream once more.  Could he have changed that much in a year? 
    She edged away.  "I've patients to see."
    His fingers closed on her shoulder, and his other arm came up, boxing her in, her back against the tile wall.  She swallowed, gulped in air as if she was drowning.
    "Ella, this is important."  A note of pleading entered his voice.  He leaned his body toward