“An above-the-knee amputation makes it harder to walk with a prosthesis since there’s no knee to stabilize the prosthetic and hip,” Emily says.

“That’s correct,” Dr. Dursley clips.

Emily is testing my patience, and with all the commotion, I’m not sure I have much left before I snap at her insubordination.

“Dr. Bell.” I shoot her a warning glare, but she barely flinches, which pisses me off even more. She’s wasting our time arguing about this when I know Dr. Dursley is highly proficient in burn cases.

“He’s a father and only thirty-five. At least consider a below-the-knee amputation, so he has a better chance of walking again and playing with his kids,” she continues.

I glare and give her a silent warning to stop arguing, but of course, she ignores me.

“He can get a skin graft from his butt to cover the burn once it heals, and then he can at least work toward getting a prosthesis if he has his knee.” Emily’s bottom lip is trembling, which makes me think she’s running on pure adrenaline and needs to calm the hell down before she makes a scene.

“Dr. Bell,” I warn, my voice growing louder.

“Ultimately, it’s up to Dr. Wood, the ortho surgeon. I’ll give him my notes, and he’ll examine Mr. Brauer before making any decisions,” Dr. Dursley explains.

“But you can encourage him to at least do a BKA instead,” Emily insists.

“A below-the-knee amputation won’t be as successful since he has a lot of burns below his knee,” I interrupt, needing to end this back and forth bickering. “Going above the knee gives him the best chance at healing.”

“At least consider it, Dr. Dursley. I’ve done a lot of work with amputations in my residency,” Emily continues, dismissing my words completely.

“Is that so?” He arches a brow but continues to debride the patient’s wounds.

Emily visibly swallows at the tension filling the room. Veronica and Fiona are still in the room, and by the way they’re acting, I know they can feel the uneasiness brewing. I’m tempted to haul Emily over my shoulder and carry her ass out of here.

“That hardly makes you an expert,” I snap, turning to Dr. Dursley. “I apologize. She’s new and still learning her place.” I narrow my eyes to her, hoping she understands my final warning.

“Learn my place?” Her voice goes up an octave. “Just because I didn’t train in a trauma hospital doesn’t mean I’m a clueless twit. If you’d asked about my work history at all instead of making assumptions, you’d know that I’ve worked side by side with some of the top-rated orthopedic surgeons in the country. I’ve seen predicted amputations of every limb that were deemed damaged and unrepairable end up getting saved. I’ve witnessed a man’s severed ankle hanging on, literally by a thread of a blood vessel. The surgeon reattached it after sixteen hours of surgery, and the man ran a 5k a year later. A motorcycle crash victim almost seven feet tall was hit at fifty miles an hour, and when his leg got tangled in the wheel tire of the other driver’s truck, the surgeon did everything he could to only amputate halfway up his calf and saved his knee. His long legs made it nearly impossible since the nerves were shot from the knee down, but he made it possible and salvaged everything he possibly could. The man has his knee and walks flawlessly with a prosthetic, so he can work and play with his three young children. So with all due respect, doctors, I think you should consider leaving this man’s knee, so he doesn’t have to depend on a wheelchair before he even hits middle age.” Her breathing is rapid, and her face is turning red at the long-winded speech she just spewed. She swallows, her chest rising and falling as she awaits a response.

“You make some great points, Dr. Bell.” Dr. Dursley finally speaks but doesn’t get to continue before I interrupt.

“Every doctor has to evaluate their risk tolerance and if that risk is worth the potential of losing the patient or not. Mr. Bauer isn’t old, but he’s not young and athletic either. His body has taken its toll from working construction the past twenty years. His blood pressure is naturally high, which is why his doctor has him on medication. His medical history states heart disease runs in his family. These are all factors in deciding his care. As a physician, you have to look at the whole story, not just what’s happening on one page.” My words come out fast and harsh, but I don’t care.

“I understand that, Dr. Bishop,” she says my name with exaggerated expression. “But the facts also attest that people with amputations or become wheelchair bound are more susceptible to mental health diseases and sometimes even become suicidal.”

I stand with my arms crossed over my chest, slowly shaking my head at her. She’s brought me to an unnecessary level of anger. “Those factors can occur in any form of illness, Dr. Bell, whether or not the patient can walk. A man who once ran his own company and supervised hundreds of employees has a stroke one day and is now dependent on being fed by his wife. His life changed in a second and oftentimes that brings depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.”

Veronica clears her throat, dismissing the heated argument that’s unfolding in front of everyone. “Dr. Wood is on his way,” Veronica announces.

“Please Dr. Dursley,” she starts begging. “He needs his knee.”

“I appreciate you voicing your concern, truly,” Dr. Dursley begins, but Emily’s face drops when she realizes she’s not going to get her way.

“I’ve learned lots of things in my life, a lot of life lessons and a lot of lessons passed down to me from my father. Something he’s always told me is that when I’m passionate about something, I do everything in my power to voice that. Regardless of titles or years served, I won’t allow anyone to make me feel inferior because I truly believe this is the right thing to do, especially in this instance,” she states matter-of-factly. “Mr. Brauer is stable for now, and he might not make it through surgery, but he also might survive all of this and continue to live another forty years. Doesn’t he deserve to live the best possible life? If down the road the leg causes problems, he can have revision surgery and then go above the knee, so why not try to give him the best possible outcome first?”

I’m grinding my teeth so hard, the pain is shooting through my head.

“Dr. Wood,” I hear Fiona greet. The silence grows between us when he walks up to Mr. Brauer.

“Hello.” He gives a small smile. “Someone want to brief me?”

“Dr. Dursley will,” I blurt out before anyone else can speak up. “Excuse us.” I grab Emily’s arm and turn us toward the door. “We’ll be right back.”

“What are you doing?” she asks between gritted teeth the moment we’re out of the room.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing? You cannot undermine me,” I whisper-hiss, my anger about to boil over.

“Let me go,” she scoffs, trying to jerk her arm away, but I hold her firmly as I lead us down the hall to the on-call rooms. “What the hell is your problem?”

Checking for an open room, I shove her inside before closing and locking the door behind me. “You have pushed me far enough, Emily.” I get in her face. “You do not call the shots on my patients. You might’ve gotten away with that at your other job, but here we have boundaries, and I’m getting really pissed off that you keep crossing them.”

“I was voicing other options!” she shouts in my face, her cheeks burning red. We’re both still running on the adrenaline from the scene that unfolded today. “Boundaries or not, a patient’s quality of life will always come first in my book.”

“You will listen to your superior’s instructions, or you’ll end up killing a patient! What don’t you understand about that? We have protocols for a reason, but you need to fucking follow them, or everything goes to shit.” She backs up, and I step right into her space.

“Not when your protocols aren’t the only way to do things!” She pushes a finger into my chest for emphasis. “I’m sick of your macho bullshit and never taking my suggestions because God forbid mine actually might be better than yours!” She shouts louder this time, and I know the nurses down the hall can probably hear her. The last thing I need is them in our business, considering our history.

“Keep your voice down, Dr. Bell,” I hiss between my teeth.

“Oh screw off,” she shouts, her neck pulsing with anger. She’s red in the face, and I can tell she’s past the point of pissed. This discussion needs to end so I can get back to my fucking job.

“You do what you’re told, and you do your job. You don’t argue with specialists who have years of experience on you and know the right procedures. Do you understand?”

“I am doing my damn job. Hell, I’m the only one doing anything out there while you stand around and bark out orders. Then when I actually give an alternate option and speak up for a patient who can’t speak for himself, you get your caveman panties in a bundle because it wasn’t your way!”

“I told you to keep your fucking voice down,” I warn. I don’t let anyone get away with talking to me like this, especially at work where I’m a respected doctor, and people are expected to take orders from me.

“Fuck you, Evan,” she spits out loudly. “I’m so sick of—”

Cupping her face, I push her until her back hits the wall then cover her mouth with mine and immediately silence her. She won’t lower her voice, which leaves me no damn option. She’s hesitant for only a second before sinking into it as we battle for control. Her arms wrap around my waist and pull me closer as I slip my tongue between her lips and seek out her taste.

“You want to defy me, Emily?” I whisper against her lips as she pants. “You do it outside of work. Do you hear me?” I kiss along her jawline and neck until my mouth is over her ear. “Do we have an understanding?” Sliding my hand around her body, I cup her ass in my palm and squeeze.

“You can’t use kissing to distract me, Dr. Bishop,” she states boldly, making me smile against her skin.

“Are you sure about that?” I push my groin against her stomach, so she can feel how hard I am.

“I think you like it when I defy you,” she taunts, wrapping her fingers around my shaft through my scrubs. “In fact, I think you like it a lot. I think it makes you hard as fuck.”

Fucking hell.

“Emily…” I warn, nipping her bottom lip between my teeth. “You’re playing with fire.”

“What? Afraid to put your money where your mouth is?” She lifts up her head, and I catch her mouth with mine. Goddamn, she tastes so fucking good.

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” I release a frustrated moan when she starts stroking me faster. “I’m not going to play these games with you.”

“Who says I’m playing?” she whispers against my lips. “I’m so fucking wet right now.”

I release a deep growl, and I shut my eyes trying to regain control, but it’s fucking useless.

“See for yourself, Dr. Bishop,” she taunts in a low, seductive tone.

Taking my hand, she slides it into her panties where I feel how soaked her aching pussy is. “Jesus Christ,” I mutter, pressing my forehead to hers as I slide the pad of my finger along her slit, and her wetness coats my skin. “Shit.”

I’m battling with walking away—knowing how bad this is for our professional relationship—and taking what she’s offering. She gets me so goddamn worked up, I can’t even think straight.

“Fuck it,” I mutter, going against my better judgment. Hungrily, I take her mouth and kiss the fuck out of her. Hands and lips roam each other as heavy breathing fills the small room. I cup her breast and eagerly untie her bottoms. Once her shoes and scrubs are removed, her fingers fly to my pants, and she releases my throbbing cock in her palm. I reach a hand behind my neck and pull my shirts off, tossing them to the floor.

She kneels, pulling my scrubs down with her as she wraps her luscious lips around the crown of my cock. My head falls back as she licks from the base all the way to the tip and sucks it urgently into her mouth.

“Fuck, Emily,” I hiss, bringing my eyes down to watch her masterfully suck me off. I fist a hand in her hair and control her pace, knowing she’ll probably give me shit later for taking charge. “Stand up,” I order, releasing her head and helping her to her feet. “Turn around, baby.”

Spinning around to where the bed frame is, I lower my eyes and admire her ass. She’s probably caught me on more than one occasion staring at it, but for a damn good reason. It’s a fucking fine ass.

Unable to hold back, I slap a hand across her ass cheek, and her surprised gasp turns me on. “Let me be real clear, Dr. Bell.” I align my cock at her entrance as I whisper the words over her ear. My free hand wraps around her throat as the other fists my cock and pushes an inch inside her. “I’m the one in control here.” I push in another inch. “At work…” Another inch. “And inside you.” Another inch. “You undermine my orders again…” Another inch. I release her throat and bring my hand down her stomach and circle her clit. “And I’ll work your pussy so good until you’re begging for release, but—” I push my cock the rest of the way inside her tight cunt, and she moans at the way her pussy stretches around me. “I’ll stop.” My finger rubs her clit faster as I start thrusting in and out of her. “I’ll bring you right to the edge; you’ll be pleading for me to make you come, but until you learn to stop pushing my goddamn buttons, I’ll torture this sweet pussy instead.”

I slide out of her as my fingers increase their pace on her clit, and she’s nearly gasping for air. Reaching behind her, she grasps my cock and strokes it. “Do we have a deal?”

Her head falls back on my chest as she shakes it. “No?” I ask, amused.

She arches her back and slides my cock back inside her. I give in, letting her take control but only for a moment. Gripping the plastic bed frame, she pushes her ass against my pelvis, and I squeeze her hips to increase the pace.

“Is this what you needed?” I bend my body over hers until my lips are pressed against her ear. “My cock need to remind you who’s in control here?” I thrust deeper, earning a throaty moan in response.

“Fuck off,” she hisses.

“Tsk tsk,” I tease, pounding harder against her. She nearly falls onto the bed, but I wrap my arm around her waist and catch her. “I’m going to fuck that sassy attitude right out of you because I’ve had enough of your defiant mouth.”

“I’m not a puppet you can control, Evan. I’m allowed to have my own opinions and suggestions, and they won’t always match yours. So fucking deal with it,” she says, clearly out of breath, but she doesn’t let that stop her from telling me off. Ironically, I find it fucking hot.

“You can have your own opinions, but when I’m the one in charge, you will listen to my orders. That’s not up for discussion.”

“We’ll see.”

She has me so fucking riled up, I can’t take her defiance anymore. “You’re going to make me lose my goddamn mind, Emily.”

Before she can respond, I kneel between her legs and spread her ass cheeks then move my mouth to her swollen pussy. Her knees buckle, and I hold her up as I sink my tongue deep inside her.

“Oh my God…” she says, her legs shaking.

I can’t take her like I want to, knowing the longer we’re in here, the more suspicious everyone will be, but I wasn’t about to let her go without tasting her again. I know she’s close when her pussy tightens against my tongue, but I don’t give her what she needs. Not yet.

Standing back up, I cover her mouth with mine again, so she can taste how fucking good we are together. She releases a moan when I slide back into her and lift her leg, thrusting deep and hard.

“Evan, please,” she begs as her arms wrap around my neck.

“What do you need, baby?”

“I need to come. Please.”

“Then you know what I need to hear,” I taunt, not feeling the least bit guilty keeping it from her.

“That’s not fair,” she hisses, arching her hips and seeking relief.

“Never said it was,” I remind her, pressing my lips to her neck and sucking. “How bad do you need it?”

“Fuck you,” she seethes.

I smile. “Better keep that pretty mouth of yours quiet, or we’re going to draw in an unwanted audience,” I caution, raising her leg up even higher so I can fill her deeper. Her pussy is aching for it, I can feel it, which means I’m closer to getting what I want.

“Please, please, please,” she whimpers, and I love hearing her desperate moans. God, she’s so gorgeous when she’s like this—vulnerable and eager for release.

“Say it, Emily,” I demand roughly, running a hand down to her clit and softly brushing the pad of my thumb against it, just enough to drive her wild. “I’m about to come, baby, so if you want me to send you over the edge, you better—”

“Fine!” She groans, tossing her head back as she seeks out her pleasure.

“Fine, what?” I growl, my patience growing thin because I’m not sure how much longer I can hold off. I’m about to fucking burst.

“When you’re in charge…” I increase my pace, hitting her deeper.

“Keep going,” I encourage, knowing she’s getting close because her walls tighten around me.

Grinding her teeth, she fights to hold back her moans and bites down on her bottom lip. I know she’s almost there, so I make an abrupt stop, and her eyelids fly open in shock.

“I’m about to come all over your perky tits if you don’t finish your sentence,” I say, palming my cock in my hand and pumping. “I’m so goddamn close, Emily.” I’m provoking her, and I know it, but I’m a man of my word. If I don’t show her who’s in charge now, she’ll never take me seriously in or out of work.

I can almost see the steam blowing out of her ears when she realizes I’m not going to finish her off until she says what I need to hear.

“I hate you,” she mutters, shooting daggers at me through narrowed eyes. “I can finish myself off anyway.”

“Good,” I reply immediately. I slowly pump my cock as I step into her space, pinning her eyes to mine as she backs up to the wall. “But you and I both know it won’t be as good as coming from me.”

Her lips tremble as our eyes remain locked. She’s contemplating her words carefully, but nothing she says will push me away. I know she needs the release as badly as I do, and I’m not leaving this room until she admits it.

I place my palm flat against the wall next to her ear and dip my head until our lips are nearly touching. She’s breathing heavily as she anticipates my next move, waiting. Arching my hips up, I brush the tip of my cock against her pussy and smack it against her clit over and over. When she releases a moan, I press my mouth to hers and capture it. She digs her nails into my arms and wraps a leg around my waist, desperate for her release.

Sliding my cock down to her entrance, I push in just slightly, and she groans angrily when I don’t go all the way in. I nip at her ear, grazing my teeth along her neck as I tease her pussy.

“When I’m in charge, you listen to my orders. Got it?” I ask, my tone deep and deliberate. This is her last chance to answer my question, and she knows it.

“Yes,” she finally responds, arching her hips and seeking my cock.

“That’s my girl.” I smile victoriously against her lips. It was a dick move, I know, but I never said I played by the rules anyway.

“Now,” she begs her voice soft and pleading. “Please, Evan.”

“Hang on, baby.” She tightens her hold around my neck as I plunge fast and deep inside her. Gripping her hips, I increase the pace and fuck her with everything I have. She struggles to stay silent, so I press my mouth to hers and inhale every one of her throaty moans as she comes hard and long on my cock. “Fuck,” I curse, feeling her pussy tighten around me like a vise grip. I’m only seconds behind her, so I quickly pull out and come on her stomach.

All that can be heard is our heavy breathing, and now that we’ve both come down from our highs, I notice the hesitation in her eyes as we stand naked and sated. When I pulled her aside, I had no intention of this happening, but I can’t say I regret it either. Emily gets under my skin like no other, and until we can learn to respectively work together, we’ll have to fuck each other out of our systems first. That’s the only solution I can think of right now, especially since all the blood has rushed out of my brain.

Emily’s the first to move as she scrambles around the room for her clothes. My undershirt is near my feet, and I hand it to her, so she can clean up. I pull my scrub bottoms up and throw my top on as quickly as I can. We can’t walk out of here at the same time, looking guilty like we just did some seriously hot fucking. She’s standing in her bra when I look down and see the thin lace panties she was wearing. Instead of handing them over, I scoop them up and shove them into my pocket.

“I’m going to walk out first, so it doesn’t look—”

“Yeah, good idea,” she interrupts without looking up at me.

I decide it’s best to leave before things get awkward. We still have a few hours left of our shift, and I won’t let what just happened affect my work or my team.

“Toss the shirt when you’re done,” I say since I definitely don’t want to carry that around. Taking a quick glance at her before leaving, I open the door and walk out, her panties securely tucked in my pocket. I smile, knowing she’s going to be freaking out any second—the same way I did the morning she left me with no fucking clothes.