Is he for real?
“The apartment above the medical practice.”
“Ah, the studio where the guys stay sometimes,” he says with a friendlier tone.
Who the hell are the guys? Since I want him to help me, I just answer, “I guess?”
“So, call the guys.”
Because that’s the perfect solution to my problem. Call some strangers to solve your problems. Why bother the sheriff, who I’m guessing is wearing pajamas and cuddling next to his wife. Who cares about the safety of the town? Obviously, not him.
“Where can I find these guys?”
“They’re probably downstairs, in the bar. They should be playing right now.”
“It’d help more if you’re the one who comes over and tells them to stop.”
“Meh, they’re good musicians. Plus, it’s their property.”
“Isn’t there a noise ordinance law?”
“Only if they were disturbing the neighbors.”
“They’re disturbing me.”
“You should’ve thought about it before you moved on top of the venue, ma’am.”
Is he serious?
“You should talk to them,” he insists. “This is outside my jurisdiction.”
Does he have any jurisdiction? Before I can say anything else, he hangs up on me. The nerve of this man. They should take away his badge. I’ll prescribe him kids aspirin if he ever comes to me wounded, sick, or with some weird rash. Let’s see if that’ll help him feel better.
Reluctantly, I head downstairs. First, I use the bathroom. So much for avoiding it until tomorrow morning. When I come out, there are five guys in the common area. One of them glances at me and grins. “Well, well, well. Who do we have here?”
“Cool it, San,” Manelik orders the guy who I recognize as the bassist from Too Far From Grace.
Okay, so the band is not in rehab. They’re in Luna Harbor…what are they doing here?
“Oh, does Nydia know we have a guest?” he asks Manelik.
“Dr. Brennan just arrived.” Fisher is the one who sort of establishes my identity. “We haven’t been able to introduce her to the town, San. Doc, meet Sanford, Ethan, Zeke, and you already know Manelik. It’s nice to see you, but isn’t it late for social visits?”
“I couldn’t agree more. It’s late, and you are playing music.”
That sly smirk makes me so mad. I want to punch him. “That’s the beauty of owning a place where we can play any time we want.”
“I’m trying to sleep. Your noise isn’t helping me.”
He winks. “From now on, we’ll try to stop at two. Have a nice night, Doc.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
He gives me a predatory look and says, “Cute pajamas.”
Chapter Six
Nathalie
It takes forever to fall asleep again, and in less than five minutes, there’s a knock on the door.
Give it up, Nat. Just pack your things and head home.
While I’m having a mental battle, there’s another round of loud knocks. Who would be knocking so early in the morning?
My mom. She figured out where I was hiding, and she’s here for me. I should hide under the bed and pretend I’m not here. Not that it’ll stop her from dragging me back home. She might call the National Guard. I might as well open the door and confront her—or whoever is behind the door.
As I’m about to check who it is, I realize there’s no peephole.
I swear…but what can I expect from these men who couldn’t put a bathroom in an apartment—or a kitchen. Why even have this place? I don’t understand it. I should call Dr. Westbrook to ask him…what can I ask him?
How’s life in the Caribbean? Why did you lie to me?
Another round of knocks.
“Who is it?” I grunt.
“Room service?”
“I…” I open the door slightly, realizing it’s him—all six feet of lean, tattooed muscle. Blue, playful eyes stare at me, making my knees weak. I must be strong. He’s worse than Frank. I shall never be with a man like him. Never.
“Morning, sweetheart.” The sound of his deep, strangled voice makes my body tremble slightly. Tiny goosebumps surface on my bare arms. “Are we cold?”
“Yes,” I lie. “Did you forget to add insulation too?”
He gives me a sly smile. “So, we’re going to call what’s happening between us a lack of insulation? I like it.”
I open the door wider and poke his hard, muscly chest. Must control the urge to touch him—and lick him. “Listen, buddy, I don’t know what kind of women you’re used to dealing with but I’m not part of that flock.”
“So, you're not a morning person, huh?”
“I am, but this is too early in the freaking morning.”
“On this side of the country, we call it seven. You’re familiar with time, and…shouldn’t this be lunch time for you?” He gives me a cheeky grin.
“The time doesn’t matter. It’s too early—I barely slept.”
He lifts his gaze, scanning the apartment. “Are you going to let me in?”
I look at the cardboard box he’s holding. “Unless you have a coffee with you, nope.”
“Open up and find out.”
The faint smell of coffee hits my nose. I do as he requests. He places the box on top of the poker table. After opening it, he pulls out a to-go cup.
“Please tell me that’s coffee.”
“Did I just become your favorite person?”
“No, but give it to me.” I wiggle my fingers, almost running toward him.
I grab the cup as if it’s gold—a miracle elixir. I take a sip, and it’s probably the best coffee I’ve ever tasted in my life. I moan in delight. His blue eyes stare at me like two pools of desire.
Do not kiss this man. Also, don’t drink tequila around him.
“Thank you,” I whisper, walking away from him, but I don’t get too far.
This place is so small. It’s shrinking by the second. And he doesn’t stop staring at me as if I’m a dish that he’s about to devour.
“Umm, don’t you have anything to do?”
He takes out a paper bag, a plastic tray with what I’m guessing is a burrito, and a cup of fruit.
“I’m here to bring you breakfast. You people in New York eat more than just children, right?”
I glare at him. “Just when I thought you could be a decent human.”
He picks up the paper bag, waving it. “You should be nicer. I got you a couple of special muffins.”
“Special? Like magic brownies?”
He snorts. “They aren’t magic. What makes them special is that they come all the way from Oregon.”
I look at him, unamused. “Why would you bring muffins from Oregon when there’s a bakery down the road?”
“The bakery is closed.”
“But I saw it yesterday,” I argue.
He shakes his head. “It closed down a few months ago.”
“Someone smart who left the town.”