Skye took a step back, closing herself off to Ash’s imminent kiss. This was where she worked, and while no one could see them, someone could walk into the small entrance at any moment.

What was she doing anyhow? Getting back at Spencer? And, while she was angry, hurt, and devastated, wouldn’t she be guilty of a similar sin, letting this stranger have his kiss?

Why was she thinking of Spencer at all?

Reckless was a word that didn’t belong in her rigid existence. Every step in her life had occurred after intense deliberation. It was the only way she’d survived her childhood. She had taken a broken little girl and transformed her into a successful physician, precisely because she’d measured and weighed every risk, knowing what she was willing to lose.

Things with Spencer hadn’t been perfect. Perhaps some of it had been her fault. The lingering scars from her past caused issues. Maybe she shouldn’t have been surprised that he’d looked outside their relationship for sex. Despite their difficulties though, a future with Spencer had had merit.

And maybe that highlighted the problem. Maybe she didn’t need safe anymore. Maybe it was time to do the unthinkable.

Ash traced the seam of her lips with his thumb, his eyes focused on where he pressed. A stillness enveloped her as his head lowered, and his lips closed the distance.

Screw Spencer.

She owed no loyalty to him.

And rational thought? Time to toss it out the window.

This was going to happen—even if her coworkers were just beyond those double doors.

Carpe diem.

She’d spent too much time being careful. In the end, by choosing Spencer, she’d still gotten hurt. Maybe it was time not to worry and to simply live in the moment without all her usual ponderous rationalization.

When Ash’s lips touched hers, he gave a cautious caress, nothing like Spencer's rough and insistent demands. A smoldering heat replaced the chill from the outside air. His breath released, and she shuddered. Her eyes closed, and she leaned into him, returning his touch with a more hesitant glide of her lips against his.

His fingers swept down her jawline, trailed down her neck, and cupped the back of her head, tangling in the lengths of her hair. He supported her head and opened her lips with his warmth, letting her taste spiced coffee on his tongue. When he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close, she placed a hand against his stomach, tracing the toned muscles underneath. His fingers massaged through the layers of her clothing, strong and confident, and she luxuriated in his exploration, sure but not rushed like Spencer. Then, Ash disentangled his other hand from her hair and pulled back from the kiss.

For a moment, they were separated.

They stared at each other, their faces a breath apart. She had never experienced a more intimate moment, and she couldn’t help but compare this with the thousands of kisses she had shared with Spencer, so cold when contrasted with the desire this man stirred.

His expression softened, as if asking, Is this okay?

With her heart fluttering, she gave the briefest nod.

He walked the fingers of both hands down her back to settle above the rise of her ass. Then, he pulled her close again, kissing her deeply. His tongue tangled with hers, as if he were desperate to devour her. Masculine deep breaths surged from within him, punctuated by rumbling moans of desire in his throat.

She savored his ardor, his willingness to reveal his passion.

Ash transformed the kiss into an act of worship, more of a giving than a taking, whereas Spencer robbed the donation tray. She slid her hands around to Ash’s back and melted into the strength of his embrace. He didn’t hide his growing arousal, but neither did he force it. It was merely there, a potent presence of male virility, a symbol of what was happening between them.

And something most certainly was happening—not only with her, but with him as well. The long, hard length of him pressed against her belly, and an awakening pulsed between her legs.

His lips laid a blistering trail along her jawline, his stubble scratching the sensitive skin of her face. She giggled at the unfamiliar sensation.

Ash gripped her nape, angling her head, and intensified the kiss as he found her lips again. His mastery of the art of kissing sent an electrifying tingle running through her body. He released her then, his hooded eyes staring down, mesmerizing her with their incredible depths.

Was it possible that he’d enjoyed that half as much as she had?

“Wow.” She shook her head to clear her thoughts. “You’ve done that a lot, haven’t you?”

His grin confirmed her suspicions. “Don’t hold my past against me, Skye. I’ve certainly never enjoyed it as much as just now.”

Holy shit, was this guy for real?

And she loved how the harsh, sometimes jolting sound of her name tumbled from his lips. Ash caressed her name with the tonal qualities of his deep voice, sounding out each letter until her name danced from his lips.

He adjusted his erection without any sense of shame. Spencer would never have been so obvious about such a thing.

Ash winked and looked toward the double doors leading into the staff area of the emergency department. “Shame we’re not somewhere more private, but I’ve never let that stop me before.”

With a chuckle, he lifted her, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his hips. She yelped as he pressed her against the wall. Her head whipped left and right. One set of doors led into the building. The other set led to the ambulance bay. She looked for anyone who might be watching, terrified she’d find someone.

“If we were some place else,” he said, “I’d have you stripped by now.”

Now, that was a little too forward, but damn if he didn’t stir a rebellious streak within her mind. Some primal part of her brain was responding to his blatant proposition. But this was her workplace, and she refused to lose her job over a kiss gone wild. Besides, she would never let a man she’d just met fuck her. Skye Summers wasn’t a one-night-stand kind of gal.

“Ash, let me down.” Her gaze flicked to the doors. She was still worried about getting caught.

He kissed the warmth of her mouth and stopped her thoughts cold as she sank into the sensation.

When he let her up for air, he continued, “I want to be buried deep inside you until you can’t think.”

She could barely hold together a coherent thought as it was. Kissing him was such a bad idea. She pushed against his chest, more forceful this time. “Put me down.”

Only she didn’t want him to stop. She wanted him to pound her against that wall like he’d said. She wanted to feel that degree of passion at least once in her life. She wanted what every other woman had seemed to experience and enjoy. Skye wanted to fly free in the arms of a man.

His erection pressed against her inner thigh and ignited something deep within her core, driving her to a frenzy she had never felt before. Sex had always been a physical act to endure. She’d never enjoyed it, but he had her body reacting in new and different ways. Instead of her body shutting down, Ash was awakening something silent and slumbering deep inside of her.

Unlike Spencer, Ash listened when she said to stop. He set her down, steadying her on her feet, but he captured her lips with his again—kissing, licking, sucking, and leaving her breathless. Her cheeks flushed, burning with the implications of Ash’s desire to fuck her against the wall. This wasn’t who she was. It wasn’t how she responded to a man, but she wanted exactly what he’d described.

And, as she’d feared, the outside doors swished open. Mortified at being caught, she broke off the kiss and peeked over Ash’s shoulder. From there, she tumbled straight into Spencer's hard glare.

Oh, shit.

Fury filled Spencer's eyes, and anger reddened his face. Her stomach dropped, and she pushed Ash away.

“Spencer.” Her voice cracked. She lifted a hand to her lips, finding them slightly swollen.

“Skye? What is this?” The restrained control in Spencer's voice stopped her heart because she knew what would come next.

Her hand flew to her pocket, her fingers feeling for his ring. “What are you doing here?”

The scowl on Spencer's face deepened, his eyes narrowing with dark intent. “I told you not to leave. We need to discuss what you saw.”

Ash stepped in front of her, shielding her against Spencer. “Who are you?”

She tried to push Ash away, desperate to defuse Spencer's notorious temper, but Ash wouldn’t budge.

Spencer's muscles bunched under his expensive suit. His fingers curled into fists, the veins on the backs of his hands as well as those on his forehead sticking out.

“Who am I? I’m her fiancé, asshole. Who are you, and why are you kissing my girl?”

“Your girl?” Ash crossed his arms, letting his muscles flex in a classic male pose.

Spencer's brows pinched together, casting his eyes in shadow. “Skye, tell me what’s going on.” He grabbed her wrist and jerked her out from behind Ash.

She yelped as pain shot to her shoulder.

“Whoa, what the fuck, man?” Ash took a step forward. “Let her go.”

Spencer snapped her to his side.

“Stop! You’re hurting me,” she said.

But he never stopped, not when he got like this. His grip tightened.

He pulled her toward the door. “When I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it. Now, why did you leave?” He said the words without a hint of remorse, like he’d expected her to wait while he finished fucking that girl.

She fought his hold, trying to shove him away, but he was too strong. She should tell him off, but the words died on her lips as dark coal eyes bored into her with a fury reminiscent of another man who had once held great power over her life.

“Let her go.” Ash pinched Spencer's wrist, pressing, until Spencer yelped and released her arm.

She stepped away, terrified.

Her attention snapped to Ash. He was stepping into a shitstorm.

Spencer's derisive snort made her flinch. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

She should call security, but she couldn’t walk away.

Ash grabbed the lapels of Spencer's expensive suit. “I don’t care who you think you are. You’re threatening a woman, and that’s not going to fly.”

The two men locked gazes as the rising testosterone level clotted the air.

“She’s mine,” Spencer said.

While Spencer matched Ash in height, years of law practice had softened his physique. Ash clearly worked out, and she feared what would happen if things escalated.

Ash’s voice came out as a growl. “I said…don’t. Touch. The. Girl.”

Spencer swung, moving in a blur. His fist connected with Ash’s jaw. A resounding smack echoed in the small antechamber.

Skye screamed, “Spencer, no!”

Ash gave a slow, measured smile and then launched a fist toward Spencer's face. His punch connected with Spencer's nose, producing a crunch and a red plume that flew in an arc. Ash followed with a jab to Spencer's gut, and Spencer doubled over.

Fabric ripped. Blood streaked through the air.

Her screams drew security but not before both men got in several more shots. They were all arms and legs and fists connecting with flesh. Spencer's nose was definitely broken, dripping blood. He also bled from deep cuts in his temple, jaw, and cheekbone. Ash sported a split lip and a cut under one eye, and a purplish lump was slowly forming over a cheekbone.

Two security guards separated the men. Ash grinned as he bounced on his heels, relaxed and moving back at the insistence of one of the guards. Spencer breathed heavily and surged against the second guard, who held him in an armlock.

Spencer pointed at Ash. Frothy pink spittle flew from his mouth. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyers.”

Oh no, his law firm would pulverize someone like Ash. She’d need to call her foster brother, Forest, and explain what happened, so she could somehow help Ash before Spencer destroyed him in court.

Ash spit out congealing blood, laughing. “Go ahead, buddy, but remember who threw the first punch.” He rolled his shoulders, shaking out his arms and hands.

She rushed to Ash. “Are you okay?”

The security guard looked hard at Ash. “Hey, aren’t you—”

Ash held his hands up and out, and with a quick jerk, he shook his head. “Not now, please.”

Spencer struggled in the grip of the security guard. Freeing himself, he lunged forward, clocking Ash on the side of his head. Ash spun, his fist lifted, but the guard grabbed Spencer, dragging him into the emergency department.

Ash rubbed his head, the corner of his mouth quirked up.

He was enjoying this.

The guard who remained asked, “You want to press charges?”

Ash shook his head. “It’s over, as far as I’m concerned.”

The tiny antechamber felt entirely too crowded as coworkers rushed to check out the commotion.

Skye wrung her hands, her eyes darting around at the questions etched on the faces of colleagues who had no business knowing anything about her personal life.

Ash draped an arm over her shoulder. “Only wish I’d kicked his ass more. Are you really engaged to that asshole?”

She shook her head. “Not anymore.”

He pulled her close. “Good.” Then, in a whisper, he asked, “Are you okay?”

Her eyes widened as she looked at him. He was asking her? She should have been asking him.

Her boss, Bob Manley, walked into the chaos. “What’s going on?” His keen eyes took in the scene.

She spoke to her longtime mentor, “There was a misunderstanding.”

Bob knew her as the quiet one. God only knew what was going through his mind now.

“Okay.” He scanned Ash’s injuries with clinical efficiency. “You want me to take him, so you can take care of your boyfriend?”

“Uh…best that I don’t.”

Ash arched an eyebrow.

She turned back to Bob. “Can you see to Spencer?”

Bob’s attention shifted from Ash to the door leading inside the emergency department. He gave a quick nod and disappeared without another word. The questions would come later.

She placed her hands on her hips and shook her head as she surveyed Ash’s injuries. “You’re a mess.”

The grin on his face was even sexier with a swollen lip, but he was going to need stitches for the cut under his eye. The skin was swelling already.

“Tell me about your asshat fiancé.” Instead of disappointment, his voice held a hint of a challenge.

She huffed out a breath. “Ex-fiancé.”

His eyebrow lifted. “Well, that’s good, but it didn’t look like he believed he was an ex.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Doesn’t sound too complicated.” He leaned forward. “And, with the way you were kissing me, I’m assuming something changed recently?” His green eyes implored her for an answer.

Spencer had his faults, but giving him up would be like amputating a part of her life. Although it was the right thing to do, it didn’t make it hurt any less. Next to her foster brother, Spencer was the only family she had in the world. No matter how toxic he could be, Spencer had redeeming qualities. Even if they sometimes vanished beneath a jealous rage, they were still there.

She reached into the pocket of her scrubs and pulled out the diamond ring.

“Damn,” Ash said as she held it up. “Big rock.”

“He proposed last night, and this morning, I found him in bed with another woman.”

Ash’s eyes rounded with surprise, and he vented a low whistle. The softness of his fingers pressed against the corner of her jaw. “That’s low. I’m telling you, Asshat is a douchebag.”

Desperate to change the direction of the conversation, she touched his face. “You need stitches. I’ll get you patched up.”

He shook his head. “I need to leave.”

“You’re not leaving.”

“I don’t think he and I should be in the same building together. I don’t like the way he treats you, and I’ve made enough of a scene.” He ran his fingers against the cut beneath his eye, wincing. “Besides, it’s not that bad.”

She didn’t want to think about the conversation she and Spencer would have. Spencer was a master at twisting words, and somehow, she always wound up at fault. She needed to hand the ring back and walk away—away from Spencer and the home and family he had come to represent. She needed to leave that dream behind. Giving Spencer up would drop the bottom out of her world, but if she were being honest, it wasn’t Spencer she would be saying good-bye to. It was the idea of the family she’d never had.

A finger lifted her chin, and she met Ash’s emerald stare.

“Hey, babe. You okay?”

A tear trickled down her cheek, and she wiped it away. “I’m good.”

He laughed. It surprised her and brought a smile to her face, lifting her heart in the process.

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Damn bastard split my lip.”

“It’s not your lip I’m worried about.” She touched his cheek, careful to avoid the blood seeping out of the cut. Too many years as a doctor made her cautious about other people’s blood and body fluids. “You need stitches.”

His fingers touched the cut under his eye, probing. “Yeah, probably.” He reached for her hands. “Listen, I want to see you again. Can I meet you after work? Buy you that drink?” His eyes glittered with hope for more, but his next words confirmed it. “How about dinner?”

“You want to see me after all this?” She waved vaguely around. “I thought you’d be running for the hills.”

“Maybe I like the excitement,” he said. “Say yes!”

“Only if you let me stitch up your cut.”

He shook his head. “I promise to have it taken care of, but I gotta go.”

What was the rush? It didn’t make sense when they were at an emergency room. A couple of stitches, and he’d be as good as new.

Unless he didn’t have medical insurance?

Knowing the cost of a visit to the emergency room, she understood the financial liabilities associated with what seemed like a simple visit. Looking at his beat-up jeans, she assumed he might be strapped for cash. It didn’t explain the Hummers, but he didn’t act like he had a lot of money.

She should force him to stay, but she didn’t want to embarrass him. His skin would heal, but the scar would be ugly. She bit her lower lip, deciding between practicality and impulse.

Inside, she had a difficult conversation to get through with Spencer, and with his foul mood, she didn’t see it going well. It would be nice to have something positive to look forward to at the end of the day.

“I’ll do dinner, but we’ll split the check,” she said, coming to her decision.

Ash tucked his chin. An argument was brewing in his eyes.

“After everything we’ve gone through about manners,” he said, “a date is a date. I’m taking you out, and you’re not paying.”

She laughed. “I always pay my way. It makes things less complicated.”

The corners of his lips twisted up. “I suppose you could use a little less complicated right now?”

“It would help.”

He dropped his hands. “Fair enough. When do you get off?”

“My shift is over at eight. I’m usually done with sign-out by eight thirty.”

“Sign-out?”

“Checking out the patients to my relief.”

He brushed her cheek with a kiss. The swell of his split lip pressed unevenly against her skin. “Until then, babe.” His eyes narrowed with purpose. “I don’t envy your talk with the ex. Give that rock back. Better yet, shove it down his throat.”

“I had planned on giving the ring back to him tonight. Now, I get to do it sooner.”

Ash cupped her cheek. “If he ever lays a hand on you…”

She leaned in to his touch. “Don’t worry about Spencer.”

Spencer was her problem. Ash had done enough.

But getting rid of Spencer might take work. The man was tenacious as hell when he wanted something, and there was no doubt in her mind that he wanted her. That begged the question, Why had he been screwing another woman?

“I’ll see you tonight.” She lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed Ash on the cheek.

She took a deep breath, trying to dispel whatever madness Ash had put in her head. Skye Summers didn’t kiss strangers, and she certainly didn’t go out on dinner dates with them, but somehow, Ash had her breaking all the rules and taking chances.

He waved good-bye, and she entered the world of Forest Skye Memorial’s trauma ED.

She had two checkboxes now.

Give back the ring.

Dinner with a stranger.

And who knew? It might turn into something more.