As soon as she was out of sight Adam turned to the group of men, his eyes falling on Justin.

“I hope you realize what an AMAZING woman she is, and no, I am not just saying that because she is my sister.  Truly, she is the strongest, bravest, most compassionate, caring and intelligent woman I have ever known and although I am not one for violence, nor do I want to risk losing my license to practice law, I have contemplated kicking the shit out of my ex-brother-in-law on several occasions.  In other words, don’t hurt her.”

Justin cracked a smile and nodded.  “I know, and I agree, but for the record, I would never hurt her, not intentionally.  And, just so you know, I think your niece is equally AMAZING, just like her mother.”

Adam grinned.  “Good answer.”

Thanks to Justin and his chauffeured car Chloe arrived at the hospital in record time.  Once inside she made a mad dash up to the Physician’s locker rooms.  Thank goodness she had the forethought to always keep a set of spare scrubs in her locker, as well as a change of clothes for after.

Chloe sighed heavily as she slipped out of her dress. 

“So much for a fun night off.” She thought to herself as she carefully folded her dress and put it in her locker.

By the time Chloe got changed and made it downstairs the Emergency Room was packed.  There were patients in every bed waiting to be seen.  Doctors and nurses were running back and forth, trying to meet the needs of the most critical patients first.

“We need you in Trauma room 3 Dr. Hunter!” A nurse called from across the room.

Chloe nodded then quickly made her way to the room.  The room was already crowded with people but Chloe didn’t hesitate.  She quickly approached the gurney and took charge.

“What do we have?” She asked.

“One of the victims of the pile up.  6 year-old male.  Complaining of abdominal and leg pain.”

Chloe took the stethoscope from around her neck and looked to the frightened child lying on the gurney.  She HATED treating younger patients like this.  Treating juvenile patients hit a bit too close to home for her but given the circumstances she didn’t have a choice.

“Hey buddy, my name is Dr. Hunter.  I’m just going to check you out, make sure you are ok. Do you understand?”

The boy nodded, his brown eyes wide and tear filled. 

“Where is my mommy?” He asked as the tears started to roll down his face.

Chloe immediately looked to the nurses. 

“Mom is in trauma room 4, Dad is in room 6 and sister is already headed upstairs.” A nurse answered.

Chloe nodded.  “Get a status on Mom and Dad for me, please?”

“Absolutely.” The nurse answered before quickly leaving the room.

Chloe immediately turned her attention back to her patient.  “What’s your name?”

“Toby.”

Chloe forced a smile.  “Ok, Toby, that nurse went to go find out where your Mommy and Daddy are.  She will be back soon, I promise.  In the meantime, I am going to use this stethoscope to listen to your heart, lungs and your tummy.  Will you let me do that?”

The boy nodded.

“Ok, this might be a little cold but I promise it won’t hurt.  It’s just so I can listen to what’s going on inside of you.”

Again, the boy just nodded.

For the next few moments, the room was quiet.  Everyone stood back as Chloe performed her examination.   When she got to the boy’s abdomen the reason for his pain became crystal clear but she had to be certain.

“Someone go get me a portable ultrasound machine, right now!”

As if out of thin air and ultrasound machine appeared and immediately Chloe went to work.

“Toby this is going to feel cold on your belly, but again, it’s just so I can find out what’s going on inside of you.”

“Ok.”

Once the ultrasound jelly was on his stomach Chloe took the transducer in her hand and started her scan.  It was exactly as she’d feared.  This little boy had a ruptured spleen and he was bleeding internally.  He needed surgery…NOW!

Thankfully, the nurse that had been sent to check on his parents reappeared just then.

Chloe shot the nurse a questioning look. 

“Both stable.” The nurse replied.

Chloe breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

“That’s great news.  Get one of them to sign a consent form, please.  We are headed upstairs.  Let Mom or Dad or both know that I will come update them as soon as we are out of surgery.”

“Will do Dr. Hunter.” The nurse answered before disappearing again.

Chloe then turned to one of the other nurses.

“Would you please make the call and have a Child Life Specialist meet us in Pre-Op.  Also, please find out which Pediatric surgeons are on tonight and ask one of them if they are available to assist.”

“Got it.” The second nurse replied before darting out of the room.

Again, Chloe turned back towards her patient.

“Alright Toby, I want you to listen to me very carefully.”

The little boy nodded, his eyes wide and very much fearful.

“We found your mom and dad.  They are going to be ok but there are other doctors checking them out.  I just sent a nurse to let them know what’s going on with you.  I need to take you upstairs so I can fix you up and make your belly stop hurting.” Chloe explained.

“Will I get to see my mom and dad?”

Chloe took a deep, quiet breath and nodded.  “I will make sure your mom or your dad is there waiting just as soon as we finish.”

Just then Medical transport came to help move the little boy, and his gurney up to a surgical suite.

She needed to move quickly.  The longer it took the bigger the chance that he would bleed out before she even got him on the table.  For the next few hours Chloe was busy repairing this little boy’s ruptured spleen and although he’d lost quite a bit of blood he was going to be just fine.  Thank God! 

As soon as she finished, and as promised, Chloe made her way back down to the Emergency Room to find Toby’s parents and give them an update.  They were beyond grateful. 

“You should go home.” A nurse said.

Chloe was standing at the Nurse’s station in Post-Op, working on charts.  After repairing the ruptured spleen she’d done two other surgeries.  She was exhausted. 

Chloe cracked a smile.  “I know I just wanted to finish up these charts before I left.”

The nurse returned the smile.  “Thank you for that.  Makes my job so much easier.”

“I do what I can.”

“I hear you are going to be running Trauma very soon.”

Chloe blushed.  “Word travels fast.”

The nurse grinned.  “Well, when we heard Torres was leaving, we were all hoping…”

“That’s nice to hear.”

Having nurses that liked you was always a good thing. 

“How close are you to being done?’ the nurse asked.

Chloe smiled.  “Signing off now.”

Smiling, the nurse reached for the charts.  “Go on, get out of here.  Go rest.  You deserve it.”

After handing off the charts Chloe started towards the Physician’s locker rooms.  She was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted and her entire body ached.  Sighing, she looked down at herself.  She was in her third pair of scrubs.  She’d changed into clean ones after each surgery.  This pair were relatively still clean, thank goodness, because she didn’t have the energy to change.

Groaning inwardly as her body screamed in protest Chloe reached for her phone.  The time on the screen said 7:00 a.m.  Justin probably wouldn’t answer and she didn’t want to wake him if he was sleeping but she’d promised she would check in with him.  That, and well, he had offered to send a car.  At the very least she could text him.  If he didn’t respond she would just take an Uber home.

Chloe: Do you still want me to come over?  If you’re sleeping no worries.  We can talk later.

She was about to put the phone down on the bench beside her when she heard the notification alert.

Justin:  Come over

Chloe couldn’t help but smile. 

Chloe: You’re sure?

Justin: absolutely

Chloe:  Ok, I should be there in about 30 minutes

It was just a few minutes after 7:30 a.m. when Chloe stepped into the elevator at Justin’s Greenwich Street apartment.  She couldn’t wait to crawl into bed.  True, it wasn’t her bed, but at this point a bed was a bed, and his was more comfortable.

Chloe felt herself suck in a breath when he opened the door.  He was dressed in nothing but a pair of flannel pajama bottoms.  It made sense.  It was 7:30 in the morning.  He had probably been sleeping.   Regardless, it wasn’t at all what she’d anticipated.  The waistband of his pants rode low on his hips, exposing the perfect v.  She couldn’t help but stare.  Her eyes trailing up his hard abs and chest until her eyes met his.

He was smiling and biting his bottom lip.  She could only imagine what he was thinking. 

For a moment he didn’t speak.  He was gauging her expression.  Her eyes looked tired.  Understandably.  However, it was the way she was chewing on her bottom lip and the quick rise and fall of her chest that caught his attention.  He knew the reason and it gave him a thrill.

“Hey.” He said, taking her hand and pulling her into the apartment.

“Hi.” She whispered.

“You ok?’ He asked, his voice low.

Chloe swallowed hard and nodded.  “Just tired.”

Justin cracked a smile then pushed a strand of hair away from her face.  “I bet.  How many surgeries did you do?”

Chloe held up three fingers. 

“Did they all make it?” He asked, his voice still quiet.

Chloe nodded.

Smiling again he pulled her into him a bit more then leaned in to whisper in her ear.  “I’m glad, now c’mon, let’s get you out of those scrubs.”

Immediately, Chloe pulled back and made a face.  She looked confused.  It made Justin chuckle a bit.

“Just trust me.”

Chloe didn’t have the energy to protest so instead she just nodded again and allowed herself to be led up the stairs into the master suite. 

Once inside, Justin dropped her bag on the floor then proceeded to the bathroom. 

She’d been in his bathroom before, a few times, but this time felt different.  For one, she’d always been alone every other time.  This time he was standing in front of her, still half naked.  Without a word he pulled her through the room until they were standing beside the doors leading into the shower.  The shower was huge.  It was a walk-in shower that spanned almost the entire length of the wall.

“Wait right here.” He said.

Chloe stayed quiet but managed a weak smile. 

In the next moment he was gone, leaving her standing in the massive bathroom by herself.  Too tired to move.  She didn’t know what was in his head or what he was doing so she stayed still, her eyes wandering the space.  Behind her there was a giant porcelain tub against a marble backsplash.  Next to her, just opposite the shower a long, white, apron sink with two faucets. 

Briefly, she caught her reflection in the mirror above the sink and inwardly she groaned.  She looked as tired as she felt.  Her eyes were bloodshot.  There were dark circle starting to form beneath her bottom lashes.  Then there was her hair.  Her hair that had been twisted into an elegant knot just hours before now had strands sticking out in every direction.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, she didn’t have much time to dwell on the state of her appearance.  Justin reappeared just moments later.  He was carrying what looked to be a t-shirt over one shoulder and an extra towel in his hand.

Again, Chloe gave him a puzzled look.

He grinned.  He loved the cute little faces she made when she was thinking.

“I’m going to guess you probably don’t have anything to sleep in in that bag of yours.” He said smiling.

Chloe shook her head.

“Thought so.  I figured you probably didn’t want to sleep in your scrubs either.”

Chloe bit her lip and shook her head again as she tried not to smile too much.

Justin handed over the t-shirt and watched a bit nervous as she unfolded it in front of him.  Her eyes widened and a blush started to creep up on her cheeks when she realized what it was. 

“It might be a little big.  It was what I could find but I promise it’s comfortable.”

Chloe’s eyes widened more if possible.

“It’s yours.  I mean…of course it is…but …it’s one you’ve worn?” She managed to get out.

Justin chuckled awkwardly.  “It’s clean…I promise.”

“That’s not what I asked.” Chloe replied, her eyes still wide.

Justin nodded.  “Yeah. It’s mine.  I’ve worn it a few times on stage.”

It was a “Man of the Woods” tour shirt, and as Justin had just confirmed it wasn’t just merchandise. It was a shirt he’d actually worn. ONSTAGE. 

“I can’t…” Chloe started.

Justin immediately took a step closer and placed a finger to her lips, quieting her.

“Please.” He whispered.

Chloe could only nod as her heart leapt into her throat. 

In the next moment he was pulling her scrub top over head leaving her in just the bottoms and her bra.  Then, he pushed her pants down and she stepped out of them, kicking them into a pile with her top. 

There she was, standing in front of him in nothing but her bra and panties, her heart pounding in her chest and her pulse now racing.

He smiled at her then opened the door to the shower and stepped in.  Standing clear of the spray he turned the handles, adjusting the water to the perfect temperature then stepped out again. 

“Go on.” He said nodding to the shower.

Chloe blushed.  “Thanks.”

Chloe was feeling a bit self-conscious standing there half-naked in front of him but somehow mustered enough courage to drop her bra and panties with him still standing there.  Once inside the shower Chloe closed her eyes and allowed the hot water to hit her back and neck.  It felt like heaven to her sore muscles.  She stood there for several moments, her eyes closed, letting the hot spray massage her neck, shoulders and back.  She didn’t hear the shower door open again or Justin step in.

Chloe gasped.  She felt his hands at her waist and his breath tickling her neck.  Justin was behind her. 

“Just relax, and trust me, ok?” He whispered.

Chloe nodded and allowed her shoulders to relax.  Trust was a big thing with her and as much as it terrified her, she wanted to trust him.

Her eyes remained closed but she could hear Justin moving behind her.  She was trying desperately to follow his instructions, to relax, but she hadn’t showered with a man in a very long time.   In fact, she could count the number of times she’d showered with Eddy on one hand.

Her mind was racing but not for long.  The moment she felt the loofa against her back all ability to think disappeared.  Involuntarily, she sighed and allowed her body to relax into his gentle touch as he washed her neck, shoulders and back.

Justin took great care with her, washing every inch of her skin. It wasn’t until he finished washing her back that he spoke.

“Do you have pins in this?” He whispered, gently touching her hair.

Chloe nodded. 

Carefully, he removed the pins from her hair, letting her hair fall down her back in waves.  He placed the pins on the bench in the shower then returned to his spot behind her.  Smiling to himself he pushed the hair away from her neck then placed his lips against her wet skin, kissing her softly. The feel of his lips against her wet body sent shivers racing down her spine.  She shuddered slightly then sighed as she felt herself melt into him.  Her back was against him now and she could feel every part of him gently pressed against her. 

After several minutes nipping at her neck Justin took her hand and gently turned her around to face him.  Slowly, Chloe’s eyes fluttered open.  He was looking down at her, his eyes on fire.  It made her voice catch in her throat.  Eddy had NEVER looked at her that way!

Without a word he took the loofa and started soaping up her front.  His brow was furrowed and he was biting his lip in an effort to keep calm.  The way his body had started to respond was definitely making the task more difficult.

After several minutes he stopped then offered her the loofa.

She started at it, her eyes wide.  He wanted her to return the favor. 

“Body wash?” She managed to get out.

Justin bit his lip and grinned, then handed her the bottle but kept quiet.

Taking the body wash in one hand and the loofa in the other Chloe squeezed a bit out and then began to work the soap into the lather.  Once she had enough suds Chloe lifted the loofa tentatively to his chest and gently began to scrub.  He groaned and fell back against the wall.  Watching the bubbles start to slide down his chest sent her pulse racing. 

Swallowing the lump that had appeared in her throat Chloe continued to work the loofa in a circular motion across his chest and down his perfectly toned abs.  When she reached the spot just below his navel she stopped abruptly.  He was excited, that was obvious.  Then again, so was she.  His excitement was just a bit more tangible.

When she didn’t move after several moments his eyes opened.  She was frozen.  Her hand was still on the loofa, still just below his navel and her eyes were wide. 

Justin smiled down at her then took the loofa from her hand and dropped it on the ground.  With his hands free he grabbed her hips and pulled her into him before dropping his head and closing his mouth over hers.  The hot water was now splashing down over the top of them as his lips slid expertly over hers.

It was a sensation that would definitely remain etched in her brain for a long time.

Chloe was still acutely aware of the very excited part of his male anatomy as it was now pressed up against her

She needed to calm her thoughts, but the feel of him against her and the way his mouth slid against hers, his tongue pushing and pulling hers in a steady rhythm was making it hard to focus. 

The feel of his wet body against hers, the taste of his mouth, the smell of the body wash in the air and the sound of her pulse racing in her ears mixed with the sound of the water splashing was making her crazy.

Justin pulled away for a moment and looked down at her.  Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing a bit labored and her wet hair clung to her cheeks.  However, it was the expression on her face that made him smile.  Her green eyes were wide, but sparkling and the way she was chewing on her bottom lip as if in thought made him grin.

“Do you trust me?” He whispered.

There it was, that word again.  TRUST.  She wanted desperately to trust him.  Apparently, it was time to take a leap of faith.

Chloe nodded.

“Put your arms around my neck.” He said quietly.

Chloe did as instructed, wrapping both her arms around his neck and in the next moment he hoisted her off the ground.  Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around his waist as he turned and pushed her back against the wall.

“I’ve got you, ok?! Just relax.” He said, his voice low and thick.

Chloe nodded again.

“Your ribs?” She breathed out.

He smiled and popped a kiss on her lips.  The fact that she was concerned for his well-being made his heart leap.

“I’m not worried.”

Giving her another pop kiss, he used his hands to push her hips back against the wall, using the wall to hold her in place before pushing his own hips forward and sliding inside of her.

Chloe gasped as her head fell back against the wall and her eyes closed.  The feeling of him inside of her mixed with the water splashing down over her and being held against the wall was utter bliss.

“You ok?” He asked.

Chloe bit her lip and nodded again.

Justin took that as his cue.  He pulled back a bit then pushed forward again slowly, thrusting into her and she moaned softly.  Justin smiled the repeated the motion.  Several times he thrust into her, each time pushing just a bit further.

“Chloe?!” He called softly.

Chloe’s eyes fluttered open, her green eyes locking with his blue ones.  His eyes were smoldering back at her.

“Much better.” He said smiling at her.

Chloe looked back at him confused causing him to chuckle slightly.

“Your eyes. I like looking into them.”

Chloe blushed. “Oh.”

Again, he kissed her softly then started to move again.  Over and over, he pushed and pulled inside of her, his pace slow and steady until he felt his climax start to build.

“Justin?!” She called out, her voice shaking.

Her own climax was rising inside of her.

“Oh GOD!” Justin groaned before unravelling inside of her.

Chloe felt a wave rush through her at precisely the same moment. 

For a while neither of them moved.  He stood there, still holding her against the wall until his pulse started to slow.  Once he was able to catch his breath Justin let her down slowly, but the exhaustion she felt from the day mixed with the adrenaline crash she was experiencing after being with him got the better of her.  Her knees buckled beneath her almost as soon as her feet hit the tile. 

“Easy there. I’ve got you.” Justin said, catching her quickly.

“I’m sorry…I guess I’m just a bit shaky after…” Chloe whispered.

Justin wrapped an arm around her, helping her to stand then popped a kiss atop her forehead.

“No apology needed.  C’mon let’s get you dried off and into bed.”

With a flick of his wrist, he turned the water off then moved to help Chloe out of the shower and into a towel before wrapping a 2nd towel around his waist.

“I’m going to go get some clean…umm…” Justin started.

Chloe giggled and nodded.  “Go. I’ll be fine.”

He wasn’t convinced.  “You’re sure?”

Chloe smiled then nodded reassuringly.  “Go on.  I’ll be out in a minute.”

When she emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later she found that the shades had all been drawn and the only light from the room was coming from the lamp next to Justin’s side of the bed.  Justin was in the bed, the covers drawn to his waist, his chest and torso exposed as he propped himself up to look at her.

The t-shirt Justin had given her came down to mid-thigh, leaving her shapely legs exposed and him to wonder if she was wearing anything underneath.

She combed her hair and dried it some but it was still damp, making it look darker against her olive skin.  She looked slightly refreshed but still tired. 

Smiling at her, Justin patted the bed next to him and lifted the covers so she could easily slip in.  As soon as she was in the bed next to him, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, nestling his chin in her hair.

Then, before she had the opportunity to speak, he flicked off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness and pulled her into him a bit more before whispering in her ear.

“Just rest, ok?! We can talk later.”

A content sigh escaped her lips as she allowed her eyes to flutter closed and her body to snuggle into him a bit more. 

Yes, this was exactly what she needed right then.  She could analyze what had just happened later.  Right now, she needed to sleep.