Oh.” Scott’s breathing took over the room. “I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you.”

Rachel opened her eyes during the kiss, close enough to count the freckles on his nose.

“Mm.” Scott slanted his head one way as he guided hers in the other direction, lips sucking the life out of her.

She wanted him to take her right there, but her nemesis common sense stepped in.

“Scott.” She turned her head sideways, her lipstick covering his mouth. “We can’t.”

“Yes, we can.” He gave her deep smacks. “Don’t you want to?” He panted, those pecks dancing underneath his shirt.

“Want is not the problem.” She massaged his arms. “I like you—”

“Then why are you stopping this?” He kissed in between asking. “Is it someone else? Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No.”

He stroked the thigh of her jeans. “I want you so bad.”

“We can’t.” She pushed him away, hating herself for it. “I won’t put you in danger.” She stood, woozy. “I refuse to do that.”

“Let me make that decision.” He stood, grabbing her. “I’m a grown man who can take care of myself.”

“I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to you.” Her hoop earring fell on the carpet and he handed it to her. “Getting involved with you while this other stuff is happening is stupid.” She put on the earring. “I hope the offer still stands to be friends.”

He grabbed her waist, forcing his lips on hers. “You telling me you wanna leave?” His fingertips poked her sides. “You don’t feel like you want to.”

“I have to.” She moved his hands away.

“I don’t wanna be friends.” He tried to kiss her again, but he caught her cheek when she moved.

“I have to go.” She smiled. “I wish there were more people like you in the world.”

He followed her to the door. “And, I wish you’d stay.”

She opened the door, keeping her back to him. “Good night, Scott.”

“It’s not a good night if you’re leaving.” He stood close behind her, rubbing her shoulder. “The offer still stands.”

“I’ll see you.”

She walked out the door, lacking the strength to look him in the face for fear of changing her mind.

* * *

“Fuck.” Scott hit the door after Rachel left, his dick pulsating with painful longing. He considered running after her, but his ringing cell phone postponed the idea.

He entered his bedroom, unhooked the phone from the charger and answered Bobby’s call, “Yeah?”

“Scott, I’m at the Willowick County Medical Center.”

“What?” Scott gripped the phone with both hands. “Is everything okay?”

“It’s Napoleon. We think he had a heart attack. His niece said he had chest pains and he couldn’t breathe.”

“Oh, no.” Scott patted his chest, heart pounding. “Is he okay?”

“They’re observing him now. I don’t know if he’s been taking his heart medication or not.”

“Shit, he’s gotta be all right, man. Napoleon’s all we have. He’s like a father to us.”

“What the hell you been doing? I’ve been calling you for an hour.”

“My phone was charging, and I guess I didn’t hear it ringing.”

Bobby sighed as if disappointed. “Think you can take time from your busy schedule to get down here?”

Scott groaned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just get your ass down here.”

“Bobby…”

He hung up in Scott’s face.

* * *

Scott got off the elevator on the second floor of the medical center and passed aisles of curtained compartments until he saw Bobby and Lita sitting in the waiting room.

Scott tapped Bobby’s shoulder. “Hey.”

“Glad you made it,” Bobby said with sarcasm.

“Scott.” Lita hugged him, smashing her immense bosom against his chest. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Scott and Bobby exchanged curious glances, suggesting Bobby found Lita’s hug as much of an exaggeration as Scott did.

“I’m sorry.” She moved away from Scott with her wavy, red hair swept over one shoulder in a ponytail. “I didn’t mean to get carried away. I was so worried.”

“Course you were.” Scott patted her back. “What happened?”

“You know how stubborn my uncle is.” She rolled her small, royal blue eyes. “He tried to move that chest he just bought into his room.”

“That big ass chest?” Scott shook his head, holding his waist. “Does Napoleon have a death wish or something?”

“He better be all right,” Bobby said. “Because I’m gonna kill him if he is for being so stupid.”

“I’m so scared.” Lita clasped her hands. “But, I’m glad you’re here, Scott.”

Bobby rolled his eyes.

“Napoleon will outlive us all.” Scott held her. “Did they say what’s going on?”

“It so happens his regular doctor Dr. Nadeem was still on duty so she’s checking him out,” Lita said. “Will you excuse me? I have to go to the bathroom.”

“Sure.” Scott stepped aside for her to pass.

Bobby snickered as she left. “‘Oh, Scott. I’m so glad you’re here’,” he mocked in a feminine tone.

“Shut up, man.” Scott sat in the plastic chair beside him. “It’s not funny. She’s worried.”

“What am I?” Bobby got a health magazine off the table. “Chopped liver? She didn’t say but two words the whole time we were sitting here.”

“Jealous?”