Page 23 of Paging Dr. VanRyan

I kissed him back. “Hi.”

In the kitchen, the buzzer went, and I hurried over to pull out trays of cakes, putting them on the cooling rack. I added some cupcakes to the oven, set the timer, and checked the cookie batter I had chilling. I turned to face Matthew, wiping my hands on my apron.

“I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Where is your help?”

“She had to leave about twenty minutes ago. We got everything prepped. While the cakes cool, I’m baking ahead for tomorrow. We ran out today.”

“I brought dinner.”

“That was thoughtful.”

“I hated the idea of you being here alone,” he admitted, stepping closer. “I know you have security and have no doubt done it before⁠—”

I interrupted him. “I have.”

“But I still didn’t like it. I thought I could feed you and help.”

“You can decorate cakes?” I teased.

“I can do dishes. Put cookies on trays. Taste test anything that requires quality assurance.”

I gripped the edges of his jacket and pulled him to me. I flung my arms around his neck and pressed my mouth to his. He immediately took control and slid his arms around my waist, holding me close and kissing me deeply. Our mouths molded together, our tongues dancing slowly. Erotically.

The man could kiss. He was lethal.

We were both breathing heavily when we pulled apart.

“That passed quality inspection,” I gasped, my chest pumping rapidly.

He reached for me again, his eyes dark and filled with desire. “I’ll be the judge of that.”

CHAPTER 7

MADDY

We ate falafel wraps sitting on the high stools by the counter. Dipped warm pitas in hummus and drank iced tea. “This is delicious,” I mumbled around a mouthful of sandwich.

Matthew grinned. “You mentioned you love Middle Eastern food the other night. So do I. Easy to eat and packed with nutrients.”

“And hot sauce,” I laughed, guzzling some iced tea.

“I had them go easy on yours,” he teased. “Lightweight.”

I punched his arm, and he grinned good-naturedly.

I wiped my mouth, studying him. He ate two wraps to my one, obviously hungry. We sat beside each other, our knees pressed close together. His hair was still damp from, I assumed, a shower. He had told me he liked to shower off the day after a shift. His reason for coming to see me was sweet. Thoughtful. Unnecessary, but I had to admit, I liked it. I wasn’t used to someone worrying about me, aside from Sue.

“The ER treating you all right?” I asked, trying to be casual.

“No losses.” He sounded relieved.

“Good.”

“My dad came to see me on Monday. He always checks in if I lose a patient I know.”

I nodded in understanding. “I suppose you lose quite a few in the ER.”