Read Online NYC Angels: Tempting Nurse Scarlet by Wendy S. Marcus - Free Book Online
Authors: Wendy S. Marcus
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her remark. “Thank you for that,” he said.
“I’ll defer decision on the friends issue until I see how you do at keeping your lips to yourself when we’re together.” Because as each day passed with no progress in locating Holly’s family, Scarlet became more determined to keep baby Joey out of the hands of strangers and more excited about the idea of raising the tiny girl as her own. And as a single woman it would be hard enough to get approval to foster and hopefully adopt Joey. She couldn’t chance rumors of an illicit association with a known hospital player, tarnishing her stellar reputation.
“Deal.” He held out his hand.
But she kind of didn’t want to touch him since her body was just starting to return to normal.
“Don’t be a coward.” His smile was all dare.
She shook his hand.
His skin smooth and warm. His grip powerful.
Stop it!
“During our long talk the other night,” he said, seeming unaware of how the simple act of him touching her hand affected her. “Jessie told me she’s not happy sleeping in the loft.”
She’d mentioned that to Scarlet, too. “It has no door. And it’s the
guest
room.” Jess had shared that it felt like he was keeping her there temporarily until he figured out what to do with her.
“It
was
the guestroom before Jessie came to live with me. I put her up there because the loft has a bed in it.”
Made perfect sense.
“But I want her to know she has a permanent place in my home with her very own bedroom and her very own door. I was hoping you’d help me make it happen while she’s away. As a surprise for when she comes home.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Scarlet said.
“If you’d discreetly find out what colors she likes and what her ideal bedroom would look like, maybe, if you have some time over the weekend, we could go shopping and you could come back to my place and help me put it all together.”
“Right,” she said with as much sarcasm as she could muster. And to add to her overall ‘don’t for one minute think I’m going to fall for your scheme’ body language, she crossed her arms over her chest, cocked her head and gave him ‘the look’. “Like I’m going to go over to your condo when Jessie isn’t there.” Not. Especially after that kiss. Only an insane woman would do that.
“I’d treat you to lunch.” His eyes met hers. “And a nice dinner.”
“So I’d feel indebted to you,” she said, shaking her head. “Not gonna work.”
“I will be the perfect gentleman.” He held up his right hand, again, as if that somehow made his words more believable. “Absolutely no kissing. I promise.”
“You know I think that holding up your right hand thing only works in court. And only when your left hand is resting on a bible.”
He smiled.
“And aren’t you supposed to be working all weekend?” she asked. “Isn’t that the reason you’re sending Jess on vacation without you?”
He turned away and let out a breath. “Call me a bad person, a bad parent. But I’m smart enough to know when I’ve reached my limit. I need a break from parenting so bad I lied, to my parents
and
my daughter.” His eyes met hers. “I will not apologize for taking a few much needed days for myself.”
“All parents deserve a break, Lewis,” Scarlet said, touching his arm to let him know she understood.
He covered her hand with his. “Please,” he said. “Will you help me?”
Scarlet was tempted to say she had to work all weekend.
“Perfect gentleman. I promise,” he said. Then he snapped his fingers. “Let’s go to the chapel. I’m sure I can find a bible in there.”
Scarlet smiled.
“Say you’ll help me.” Lewis tilted his head and made an innocent face. “For Jessie, who should not suffer for my transgressions.”
And Scarlet understood how he’d so successfullycharmed so many women out of their panties. But after the year Jessie had endured, she deserved a beautiful bedroom in her father’s house.
“I’ll defer decision on the friends issue until I see how you do at keeping your lips to yourself when we’re together.” Because as each day passed with no progress in locating Holly’s family, Scarlet became more determined to keep baby Joey out of the hands of strangers and more excited about the idea of raising the tiny girl as her own. And as a single woman it would be hard enough to get approval to foster and hopefully adopt Joey. She couldn’t chance rumors of an illicit association with a known hospital player, tarnishing her stellar reputation.
“Deal.” He held out his hand.
But she kind of didn’t want to touch him since her body was just starting to return to normal.
“Don’t be a coward.” His smile was all dare.
She shook his hand.
His skin smooth and warm. His grip powerful.
Stop it!
“During our long talk the other night,” he said, seeming unaware of how the simple act of him touching her hand affected her. “Jessie told me she’s not happy sleeping in the loft.”
She’d mentioned that to Scarlet, too. “It has no door. And it’s the
guest
room.” Jess had shared that it felt like he was keeping her there temporarily until he figured out what to do with her.
“It
was
the guestroom before Jessie came to live with me. I put her up there because the loft has a bed in it.”
Made perfect sense.
“But I want her to know she has a permanent place in my home with her very own bedroom and her very own door. I was hoping you’d help me make it happen while she’s away. As a surprise for when she comes home.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Scarlet said.
“If you’d discreetly find out what colors she likes and what her ideal bedroom would look like, maybe, if you have some time over the weekend, we could go shopping and you could come back to my place and help me put it all together.”
“Right,” she said with as much sarcasm as she could muster. And to add to her overall ‘don’t for one minute think I’m going to fall for your scheme’ body language, she crossed her arms over her chest, cocked her head and gave him ‘the look’. “Like I’m going to go over to your condo when Jessie isn’t there.” Not. Especially after that kiss. Only an insane woman would do that.
“I’d treat you to lunch.” His eyes met hers. “And a nice dinner.”
“So I’d feel indebted to you,” she said, shaking her head. “Not gonna work.”
“I will be the perfect gentleman.” He held up his right hand, again, as if that somehow made his words more believable. “Absolutely no kissing. I promise.”
“You know I think that holding up your right hand thing only works in court. And only when your left hand is resting on a bible.”
He smiled.
“And aren’t you supposed to be working all weekend?” she asked. “Isn’t that the reason you’re sending Jess on vacation without you?”
He turned away and let out a breath. “Call me a bad person, a bad parent. But I’m smart enough to know when I’ve reached my limit. I need a break from parenting so bad I lied, to my parents
and
my daughter.” His eyes met hers. “I will not apologize for taking a few much needed days for myself.”
“All parents deserve a break, Lewis,” Scarlet said, touching his arm to let him know she understood.
He covered her hand with his. “Please,” he said. “Will you help me?”
Scarlet was tempted to say she had to work all weekend.
“Perfect gentleman. I promise,” he said. Then he snapped his fingers. “Let’s go to the chapel. I’m sure I can find a bible in there.”
Scarlet smiled.
“Say you’ll help me.” Lewis tilted his head and made an innocent face. “For Jessie, who should not suffer for my transgressions.”
And Scarlet understood how he’d so successfullycharmed so many women out of their panties. But after the year Jessie had endured, she deserved a beautiful bedroom in her father’s house.
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