Wintertime Bad Boy: A Christmas Suspense Romance (Alphas Unboxed Book 3) Read online

  I can handle my own problems.

  But both the men in front of me look furious and I’m starting to get the feeling that they intend to make a big deal about it.

  “It’s just a sandwich!” I protest. “And I told you I stepped on it by accident.”

  “You took it out of its wrapping, stepped on it, and put it back in?” Damien moves toward me and the back of his fingers caress my cheek in a way that has my legs trembling, as he looks down at me, his touch gentle, but his eyes cold. His voice is soft. “I don’t appreciate being lied to, mon chéri.”

  I want to melt into his addictive touch, my body wanting to fall at his feet, this unbearable pressure emanating from him, stroking along my pussy.

  I like it when he’s angry.

  The realization hits me out of nowhere and it makes me take a shuddering breath and I step back, forcing my voice to be even. “And I don’t appreciate people meddling in my business.”

  There’s a considering look in his eyes now when I meet his gaze. The anger is fading and under it, I see a knowing, as if he’s discovered the same thing I have and I suddenly feel like I’m trapped in a room with a very menacing presence. The urge to flee is instinctual.

  I step back. “I’ll bring the reports by later.”

  Dr. Greer looks troubled and I glance between him and Damien, and then quickly turn on my heel and leave.

  I can’t get out of there fast enough.

  Rounding the corner, I lean against the wall and breathe a sigh of relief.

  What in the actual hell?

  I run my fingers through my short hair in frustrated disbelief. What the hell am I getting myself into?

  I’ve never felt so off kilter my whole life as I do right now. Damien has gotten into my head and he’s messing it up, crisscrossing wires that shouldn’t be meddled with, making me want things that I have no business wanting. I whimper in distraught confusion and press the heels of my hands to my eyes until I see stars.

  “Yo, Miss Nurse!”

  I recognize the voice and lower my hands to see Carson halfway through the window as he pulls himself up.

  I gape at him. “What the hell are you—This is the first floor!” I rush toward him to pull him in, growling all the while. “You’ll kill yourself!”

  He clambers in like a monkey, grinning cheerfully. “What’s up?”

  “What—”I stare at him and then gesture down the hall. “There’s a perfectly functioning door downstairs. Why are you climbing into the hospital through windows when there’s a door right there?”

  He waggles his brows. “Where’s the fun in that?”

  I press my hand to my stomach, groaning. “I’m surrounded by lunatics.”

  He gives me an unrepentant look. “What are you up to?”

  I give him a bland look. “I’m working. Why are you here?”

  “I got bored,” he responds, casually, putting his hands on the back of his head in a carefree pose, his tawny eyes gleaming.

  “Then go home,” I advise him.

  “No can do, Miss Nurse.”

  I still, and lift a brow, my tone dangerous. “Did Damien sic you on me again?”

  He gives me an innocent look. “Damien? Damien who?”

  I bare my teeth at him and he just gives me that brilliant smile of his.

  Sighing, I run my fingers through my hair again. “Look, I have work to do. So go away.”

  He makes a small sound. “The brat told me to give you this.”

  I look over my shoulder to see him taking out a crushed bag from his jacket pocket. “Matt?”

  I blink, warily. “What is that?”

  He peers into the bag. “It was a slice of cake.” He looks completely unabashed as he continues, “I ate half of it. It’s ruined. Huh. Should’ve eaten the rest as well.”

  “I thought that was for me.,” I give him a pointed look.

  “I was hungry.” His response is blunt and I wonder if he was raised in the wild somewhere.

  “Okay,” I sigh. “You keep the bag and go away. I have to go pick up some files.”

  I don’t know why I expect him to listen as he falls into step beside me.

  “So where are we going?” He sounds like his exuberant self and I resist the urge to scowl at him. Talking to him is like talking to a brick wall.

  “Go away, Carson.”

  He just whistles a cheerful tune and I want to hit him.

  It’s like my words go in one ear and then out the other.

  I know asking him for an explanation is going to be useless. Letting him follow me around might at least keep him out of trouble.

  Karen is still at the nurse’s station along with a few other nurses who are just gathered around there. I wonder why they aren’t working when they’re clearly on duty right now. I ignore them and reach over to pick up the file, only to find it lighter than usual.

  I open the file and blink.

  It’s empty.

  A slow dread fills me and I start going through the rest of the files to find the sheet. The medical records and the updates on the patient’s condition aren’t there. They haven’t yet been input into the system so that is the only existing copy.

  I hear Karen’s bell like laughter and an ominous feeling moves through me and I lift my head to meet her malicious gaze, and fury rears its ugly head. My tone is quiet and controlled, as I vibrate with rage. “Do you girls have anything to do with this?”

  Karen widens her eyes innocently. “What do you mean?”

  “This is highly unprofessional, Nurse Karen,” I grit out.

  She gives me a narrow-eyed look, her eyes glittering with spiteful triumph. “I don’t think I like your tone. Don’t make accusations you can’t back up.”

  “What’s going on?” Carson looks over my shoulder.

  Now Carson is wildly attractive. I might not feel it but it’s obvious from the looks on the faces of the other nurses that his looks have quite the impact on them. They stare at him unabashedly and even Karen has a blush on her cheeks.

  “It’s nothing, Carson. Go away,” I tell him.

  He stares at me in that disturbingly still way of his. “You look upset. Why are you upset?”

  “I’m not upset. Now, go away.”

  He looks at the file in my hand. “Are you upset because of that?”

  Sometimes his reactions are so childlike that it makes me wonder where he was raised where basic social niceties don’t come to him.

  Before I can say something, however, I hear Annie’s voice. “What’s going on here?”

  Annie strides toward us and Karen’s jaw tightens. Annie is one of the senior nurses here and although she and Karen don’t lock horns, the fact that Annie and I are friends is bound to spell trouble for the younger nurse.

  “Nothing,” Karen mutters, and Annie gives Carson an assessing gaze before dismissing him and turning to me, “Alex?”

  I hand her the empty file. “The patient data is missing. I left it here this afternoon before I left for lunch.”

  I don’t point any fingers, but the hostility I’ve been facing lately hasn’t gone unnoticed by my friends and Annie’s eyes turn cold as she looks toward the wary looking nurses. However, she doesn’t point fingers. She’s too smart for that.

  Her eyes rove over everyone in the nurses’ station and then she glances under the table. She moves toward the trash bin and one of the nurses standing closest to Karen makes a small sound.

  Annie takes out a crumpled up piece of paper and straightens it out and I immediately recognize it.

  “That’s—” I reach out and grab it and then I glare at the women who are avoiding my eyes.

  Annie’s voice is cool. “Meddling with a patient’s data could result in life threatening consequences. I’ll be discussing this with the Head Nurse. Whoever did this had best come forward by the end of the day or I’ll just pick and choose who I think did this. You’ll find yourself on a very strict review with the medical board if I start taking names.”

  Her threats aren’t idle and the nurses pale. However, nobody takes names and Annie just stares at them, repeating sternly. “You have until the end of the day.”

  “She’s hot,” Carson whispers from next to me.

  I shoot him a look but he’s watching Annie with a naked hunger in his eyes.

  “Nurse Alex, a word.” Annie’s voice is sharp and I follow after her, around the corner until we are out of sight, Carson following us. Annie pauses and glances at him, lifting a brow, “Can I help you?”

  Carson grins at her. “Yes you can—Oomph!”

  I elbow him in the stomach and give Annie an exasperated look. “Long story. Ignore him.”

  Annie blinks and then looks at me. “Why aren’t you lodging a complaint, Alex? You know you can.”

  I press my lips together. “I’m hoping this dies down soon. I don’t want to make a thing out of this.”

  “A thing out of what?” Carson butts in.

  Annie gives him a sharp look. “I don’t remember you being part of this conversation.”

  The look on his face is besotted as he watches Annie and I suddenly wonder if he’s a masochist.

  “Seriously, Alex. Who is this?” Annie glares at me.

  I sigh. “It’s complicated. Annie, this is Carson Black. He’s a friend of a friend. He’s uh—he’s just—”

  Carson steps past me staring down at Annie. “You’re very pretty.”

  Annie freezes before giving him a hesitant look. “Thank you?”

  “Go on a date with me.”

  “I—” Annie stammers, thrown off at the bluntness, suddenly treading in uncharted waters. And Carson continues. “I’ll pick you up after your shift.”

  He then wanders off and Annie stares after him, her c
heeks red. “What the hell was that?”

  “Welcome to my world,” I mutter under my breath. I feel a hint of worry, though, so I add, “Look, if you want me to talk to him to back off—”

  “No!” she says, abruptly. Her cheeks are flushed. “He’s kind of cute.”

  I watch her carefully. “If you say so.” I gently nudge her back to the topic at hand. “About this whole thing—”

  She straightens up, “Oh, yeah.” Her eyes turn sharp.“I wanted to warn you about something. The Head Nurse has been asking questions about you. She’s watching you for some reason. An external inquiry or something. I don’t know what happened. But be careful.”

  My blood runs cold and I swallow with difficulty. “Is my job in danger?”

  She gives me an uneasy look. “I don’t know. You’re one of the best nurses we have so I don’t understand either and she won’t tell me anything.” She takes a deep breath and continues, “This started after the incident last week when Mr. Fox left without being discharged.”

  “She blames me for that?!”

  Annie shakes her head. “No. I have a feeling, from what she said, that the people who came looking for him launched a complaint. They must have some high-powered end background for the Board to have you investigated. Once again, I’m not completely certain; it’s just a hunch. So, be careful.”

  I nod, feeling a little dazed.

  Annie grasps my hands, looking upset. “I’ll try to fix this, Alex. I know that Barbara respects your work so as long as she doesn’t need to bring you in front of the Board, she won’t.”

  I try to nod along but the shock is sinking in and suddenly Karen doesn’t seem that significant.

  Despite me telling Barbara, who is the current Head Nurse, about the incident that occurred, about how I was assaulted, and with the present nurses and Dr. Greer, providing testimony, I’m still being held responsible for something like this?

  I spend the rest of the day in a daze and it’s as I’m leaving, I walk past the doors when I hear a familiar voice from behind me.

  “Mon chéri.”

  I still and then turn around to see Damien leaning against the brick wall next to the entrance, shrouded in the shadows.

  Our eyes meet and my heart skips a beat as he just stays there watching me with those eyes of his that make it hard for me to breathe sometimes when they’re pinned on me like that.

  He doesn’t move, just watching me and I have to force my brain to start working. “W-What are you doing here, skulking around?”

  A deep chuckle from him and he moves toward me, his gait slow and unhurried and I feel my mouth become dry. How does he always manage to look this good?

  He reaches me and by this time, my body is tense, as I don’t know what to expect from him. The man is unpredictable.

  His hand tugs at one of the longer strands of hair on my forehead and I make a face. “Stop it.”

  “I’ve missed you.”

  I open my mouth to tell him the truth, that I’ve missed him too, that my apartment seems empty after just four days of his presence, that I wish he would come back, but nothing comes out. I glare at him. “You left.”

  It takes me a second to realize how accusatory my tone sounds but Damien’s eyes light up in delight and he steps closer to me, smirking. “You sound upset by that.”

  “N-No, I’m not!” I stammer out, suddenly feeling way too exposed for my liking.

  “I think you’re lying,” he murmurs, his arms looping around my waist, cutting off my escape. He pulls me into himself and I put my hands on his chest to push him away, but I don’t. They just remain there.

  With nothing else to say, I just glare up at him. “Let me go.”

  He just smirks, his lips curling in a self satisfied way. “I don’t think I want to.”

  I open my mouth to say something but he cuts me off. “Let me take you to dinner.”

  “Why?” I give him a suspicious look and he just grins, lowering his head to nudge at my cheek with his nose. “I like feeding you.”

  “I’m not a child,” I complain, half-heartedly.

  His breathy laugh is right next to my ear and I shiver as the vibration of his smooth voice resonates within me. “Mon chéri, trust me. I know.”

  “I’m not—.” I feel helpless, torn between wanting to go with him and yet wanting to listen to the voice inside my head which was telling me that I should stop getting so involved with this man who is virtually a stranger.

  Despite him sharing an apartment with me, feeding me good food, and setting my skin on fire every time he manages to get his hands or mouth on me.

  “I’m busy,” I manage to say.

  He pulls his head away to look at me and lifts an arrogant brow. “Oh, yes?”

  I lift my chin, the lie giving me some amount of courage. “Yes.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Stuff. I have stuff to do. Like clean up and um, make dinner, and—” I continue to prattle on, making up activities.

  He grins at the last part. “Well, then I’ll save you the task of making dinner.”

  And then his hand is on my lower back and I’m being guided toward a car, even as I protest, “I’m not going to—”

  “It’s a wonderful Mexican restaurant. Matt runs the place. He’ll be pleased to see you.”

  The words give me pause and give Damien enough time to herd me into a sleek looking Land Rover that I have no business sitting in. I’m buckled in before I can start protesting and can only look glumly out the window by the time he starts the car.

  I lost.

  He laughs at my expression. “Don’t look so annoyed, mon chéri. You can order whatever you want off the menu.” His eyes darken as he gazes at me and gives me a wink. “I’m also on there.”

  My lips part at the insinuation and then my entire face flushes and I start stammering. “I’m not—You—”

  The more flustered I get, the more he enjoys it. When I can’t spit out words any longer, he just laughs and with one hand on the wheel, he takes my other hand and presses it to his lips. “You’re a breath of fresh air, mon chéri.”

  His accent is thicker than normal and I swallow as it does something to me, making me want to twist in my seat.

  As we reach the restaurant, I say suddenly, trying to make one last attempt to seize control of this situation, “This is not a date!”

  His lips twitch and he presses one hand to his heart. “Mon amour, you wound me.”

  I give him my sternest look. “You can’t kidnap somebody to go on a date with you.”

  He’s out of his seat and is helping me out of the car at this point. “Then as your captor, let me treat you to some of the finest cuisine in this part of town.”

  He’s clearly not affected by anything I throw at him and it’s frustrating and yet a little thrilling.

  “Whatever you’re trying to do, it’s not going to work,” I whisper to him as we enter into a dimly lit restaurant which has classy rich vibes exuding from every corner. It’s not overly decorated but under the intimate lighting, the beautifully designed walls flicker playfully with the shadows, the wooden floor gleaming, the tables neat with exquisite cutlery and a single candle on each table, giving off a romantic vibe. The tablecloths are a golden white, and the candlesticks are pure silver. It shouldn’t go so well together but it does.

  I feel a little out of place in my t-shirt and jeans, especially when I take off my jacket. Damien, on the other hand, looks like he belongs here. In his white t-shirt and black jeans, he stands out and yet the confidence which exudes from him, the sheer arrogance, makes him look like he’s a part of the setup.

  We are guided to a private booth and since it’s ten at night, the place isn’t crowded. To my surprise, Damien pulls out my chair first and I stare at him, blankly, having never had anybody do that for me.

  He raises a brow when I stand there frozen. “Darling, if you don’t want to sit there, you can always sit in my lap.”

  That has my eyes widening and I quickly take the offered seat.

  A server provides us with two menus and then leaves.

  I go through it and some of the food sounds really tantalizing from their descriptions, and I feel my stomach grumble. But even as I want to order something off this ridiculously overpriced menu, the recent miser in me stops my hand. I’d rather wait and see what Damien will order and then order something in that price range.

  However, Damien isn’t playing the same game as me as he tilts his head when he sees me watching him. “Have you decided?”