Chapter Four
The silk sheets twisted around her body as Stacey moaned. He hovered over her, gliding his hands over her body, delving into her secret places. Tension mounted inside her, but that release was just out of reach. She raked her nails over his toned body and cried out of more. She needed him. She needed him deep inside her. Nothing else would satisfy the desperate ache that haunted her.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Stacey’s eyes flew open as the alarm brought her back to the rude reality. Her white sheets were drenched in sweat and wrapped around her. She must have tossed and turned all night, and after that dream, it was no wonder.
Three of her four glorious days off had passed, but she’d been plagued by dreams and daydreams of the sexy man from the hospital.
But there was no point in dreaming. Chances were slim that she’d ever run into him again, and even if she did, he’d never look twice at her. She was a plump, overworked, nobody. People like her didn’t bag men like him.
But God, the things that he did to her in his dreams. At least a girl could fantasize.
She hauled herself out of bed and tried to focus on the day ahead of her. She’d spent the last three days recuperating, but today she needed to clean and get a few things done around town. Elizabeth, her best friend, was celebrating her birthday this weekend, and Stacey still needed to get her a gift. Not to mention that even though she lived in scrubs, her laundry had piled up.
With a sigh, she did a few stretches before starting a pot of coffee. Nothing happened without caffeine.
Two hours later, she found herself roaming the second sporting goods store. Elizabeth was an adrenaline junkie, and Stacey wanted to get her something new to try. Her friend had mentioned that she’d always wanted to do some zip lining, and the other store had recommended G&S Industries. Apparently they had excellent guides for that sort of thing.
She wandered around for the store for a bit before she made her way to customer service. A young pretty brunette smiled at her. “Can I help you?” she asked in that fake customer service tone.
“I hope so. I was told that you offer zip lining packages through the Woodland?”
“You enjoy zip lining?”
The familiar voice curled around her, and for a moment, Stacey forgot to breathe.
It couldn’t be.
As she turned her head, her heart started to pound furiously. The patient from the hospital leaned against the counter with a crooked smile on his face.
She swallowed hard. She was no clothing connoisseur, but she knew money when she saw it. The grey suit alone that cut so close to his figure would probably have cost her several month’s worth of paychecks.
“Mr. Gordon,” she said as she struggled to regain her composure.
“Stacey,” he acknowledged. Her name on his lips sent her heart fluttering.
“How’s the hand?” she asked quickly. Her eyes flitted down to the injury, and she frowned. There was no dressing on it. There was no sign of the injury whatsoever.
“Good as new,” he said with a smile as he flexed his hand.
Astonished, she grabbed his hand and studied it. “That’s not possible,” she murmured. His skin was warm under hers, but she ignored it. “The stiches shouldn’t have dissolved for at least another three days.” Her eyes rounded when she realized the implications. “You’re a shifter.”
He cocked his head when she quickly dropped his hand. “Does that bother you?”
“Of course not,” she said hastily. “I just don’t know much about shifters, that’s all. I’d heard the rumors that you heal quickly. Apparently very quickly. But I’ve never seen it in action.”
Should she ask what kind of shifter he was? Is that rude?
Micah read her thoughts. “I’m a bear shifter. And yes, we do heal rather quickly. But sometimes, we need a little bit of help. Like the stitches, for example.”
He stared at her thoughtfully for a moment before looking at the girl behind the counter. She was staring at him with stars in her eyes. “Katya, why don’t you take a break? I’ll finish Ms. Bronson’s transaction.”
“Of course, Mr. Gordon. Thank you,” she said before batting her eyes and scampering away. Stacey watched as he walked around the counter and smiled.
“G&S Industries,” she murmured. “Gordon and… ?”
“Steward.”
Stacey did a mental check in her head. Dangerously sexy. Shifter. Billionaire. Of course he was all these things. There was only one other way he could possibly top that list.
Unless…
“Alpha?” she asked jokingly.
“Yes. Bear clan.”
A burst of laugher escaped her. “Of course. And you’re going to book my friend for her zip lining trip.”
He cocked his head. “Is that funny to you?”
“You don’t exactly look comfortable behind the counter, Mr. Gordon.”
“Call me Micah. And there was a time when I worked behind the counter,” he said, clearly amused. “You did your job to help me. Now I’ll do mine to help you. Your friend wants to go zip lining?”
“For her birthday. I was hoping I could buy a package without setting up a date. It’s a surprise, and I’m not sure about her availability.”
He nodded and bent down to peer at the computer. “That’s not a problem. We can do a voucher that she can cash in whenever she’d like. What’s her name?”
“Elizabeth Morris.”
He entered her name and printed out a piece of paper. She immediately reached for her wallet and checked the receipt for the total. It had a zero balance.
“Oh, I’d actually like to go ahead and pay for it today,” she said as she pushed the sheet of paper back. “It’s a birthday present for her.”
“It’s already taken care of,” he said in a neutral voice.
For a moment, she was confused. “What do you mean it’s already taken care of?”
“You stitched up my hand. I’m providing you with a service,” he said easily.
Irritation built up inside her. “Dr. Littleston stitched up your hand. I helped because it’s my job. I get paid to do it. You don’t owe me any favors. Don’t think that because I’m not rich like you, I can’t afford to take my friend on a trip. I didn’t come here to get a free trip. I didn’t even know I would find you here.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “That’s not what I mean,” he started quickly.
“Forget,” Stacey snapped. “I’ll find something else to get Elizabeth. Thank you for your time.”
Seething in rage, she turned and stalked down the aisles. He didn’t know her. How dare he think that she needed something for free!
As she pushed open the double doors, a hand pressed against her waist and whirled her around. She shrieked as she stumbled against the wall. He caught her and pushed her gently to the side. Micah loomed over her with anger in his eyes. Her breath caught, but it wasn’t fear that she felt.
She was turned on.
“I didn’t do it because I think you’re a charity case,” he said in a low voice. “I think you’ve misread the situation. And I certainly don’t appreciate you walking out on me like that.”
“I didn’t misread anything. You failed to explain yourself clearly, and I’m not part of your pack. I can go wherever I please,” Stacey said. She winced when she heard the attitude in her voice. It was probably not helping the situation.
Fascinated, she watched as the muscle in his jaw clenched. Clearly she had said something that really pissed him off. “Are you dating the doctor?” he demanded.
“What?” she asked, trying to keep up with the new turn in the conversation.
“The damn doctor who couldn’t keep his eyes off you. Are you dating him?” he asked succinctly.
“Dr. Littleston? No,” she said as she grimaced.
“I’m not treating you like a charity case. I just wanted to get you attention,” he said as he backed up to give her more space. She glanced quickly around to make sure no one was watching. She cleared her throat.
“You definitely have my attention.”
“Have dinner with me tomorrow night,” he said quietly.
“Okay,” she said automatically. “Wait, I can’t. I have to work. I’m working the next four days, but afterwards—“
“Have dinner with me tonight,” he interrupted.
Tonight? Tonight was so soon. She needed to shave. And do something with her hair. Buy a new outfit. Lose ten pounds. “Okay,” she whispered.
He nodded. Satisfaction was written all over his face. “I’ll pick you up at six.” He leaned in close, and for a moment, Stacey thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he straightened and turned to walk back in the store.
“You don’t know where I live,” she called out to him.
He turned and smiled wickedly. “Actually, I do.”
Her jaw dropped as he entered the store. It should have been creepy, but to know that he’d checked up on her was hot. She felt safe around him.