All She Ever Wanted Read online

  Alex chuckled and got up. He stared at his bloody face in the mirror. “Man you did a number on me,” he remarked as he tilted his chin into the light.

  Julie turned on the warm water and started to soak some washcloths. “Sit down,” she ordered, pointing to the toilet seat. “Let me clean you up.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Alex replied obediently as he sat.

  Julie wrung out the wet washcloth and started to gently clean under Alex’s nose where the blood had begun to dry. “This takes really nursing skills, you know,” she kidded. “This is pretty gross.”

  “Yeah,” Alex replied angling his head back. “Either you’re a great nurse or you must really like me.” He winked.

  Julie smiled shyly at his grinning face before responding, “Of course I like you. You’re a good friend. I enjoy talking to you.”

  “I like talking to you, too,” Alex told her. And then he added a sly grin. “And um, especially the dirty talk.” Julie blushed as she rinsed the washcloth out in the sink. She had not come to terms with the risqué conversations that had been having. It embarrassed her for him to speak of it out loud. Since they were simply written words, they had never technically said anything inappropriate to each other, but if Alex were to bring those words out in the open, well, Julie didn’t know how she would react.

  Alex sensed her apprehension and reached for her arm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize the subject was taboo,” he whispered gently.

  “It’s not necessarily taboo. It just that I’ve never said things like that to anyone before and it makes me feel, well, cheap. I feel like if I say them out loud then I’m really dirty.” Julie continued to blush as she spoke.

  Alex, still holding her arm, tugged her down towards him. “I don’t think you’re dirty or cheap,” he asserted. “I like it. I think it’s hot and it makes me feel alive for the first time in a long time.” He drew her closer to his face and kissed her gently.

  Julie wanted to fight it, she tried to will herself to stop him, but she was so caught up in how phenomenal he made every cell in her body feel, she didn’t resist. She found herself not only allowing him to kiss her, but kissing him back, as well. His mouth was warm and inviting as he parted his lips and slid his tongue inside her eager mouth. Julie’s arms looped around the back of his neck as she climbed onto his lap. She felt his hands sliding up the back of her blouse and finding their way to her breasts. He pushed up her shirt and lowered his face to her chest, flicking his tongue over her left nipple as he cupped her breast in his hand. Her back arched and she involuntarily moaned as she felt him getting hard between her legs. Her own lower regions began to swell and pulse, making her feel like she would let him take her right here and now, in the bathroom of her office.

  Fortunately, that that thought was quickly interrupted by the shrill ringing of her cell phone. Julie jumped to her feet, surprised by the sudden noise.

  “I think it’s your phone,” Alex said, pointing at her purse on the floor.

  “Yes, yes,” Julie replied breathlessly as she searched through it to find the offensive ringing. The screen of the cell phone was blinking furiously, HOME, HOME, HOME.

  “Josh?” she finally answered with a quaking voice.

  “Julie, where the hell are you?” his annoyed voice inquired on the other end. “It’s almost 10:00! I’m worried sick over here, I’ve sent you a dozen messages and I’m thinking you got attacked in the parking lot or something…”

  An idea popped into Julie’s head. “No, no, not me,” she replied, “but, um, another nurse got hurt in the parking lot as we were leaving, so I was helping them with first aid and getting cleaned up.”

  Alex’s head bobbed rapidly as Julie spoke.

  “Oh,” Josh replied dryly. “Wasn’t there anyone else who could have done that?”

  “No, Josh, I’m in charge here. I don’t mind helping out,” Julie replied angrily. He never seemed to understand her job wasn’t simply Monday through Friday, 9 to 5. She was in charge and had a vast array of responsibilities. Granted, making out with staff in the office bathroom probably did not fall under the umbrella of her duties, but that was irrelevant.

  “I’ll be home in a bit, Josh,” she snapped. Just let me finish the accident report.” She disconnected the call, wishing she still had a flip phone so she could snap it closed angrily.

  Alex was still grinning as he sat watching Julie argue on the phone. “Nice cover,” he complimented, reaching for her. “I think I have to help you ‘fill’ the accident report out.”

  Julie stepped back and adjusted her blouse. “No, Alex. I definitely think we’ve crossed the line here. Thank goodness Josh called or we might have done something we regret.”

  She snatched her purse from the floor and held the door open for him, indicating that it was time to leave.

  Alex stared at her. “I wouldn’t regret it, Julie,” he replied, standing up and following her out of the bathroom. “I really like you. I’m really attracted to you.” He took her arm to stop her in her tracks. “I admit, maybe this isn’t the best place, but I want to be with you.”

  Julie wrestled her arm free and locked her office door, her keys dangling from her heavy key ring. This was becoming very difficult. Even though she was very attracted to this man, she needed to put her foot down now and be realistic, no matter how much it hurt, no matter how he made her feel.

  Julie headed to the elevator, Alex close behind. “Well, I don’t. I’m sorry, Alex. I was really just caught up in the moment there.” She pressed the down button. As they stepped on to the empty elevator, Julie continued, “It’s best we end contact here to avoid getting caught up in the moment again. Delete my number from your phone and I will delete yours.”

  Stoically staring straight ahead at the closed elevator doors, they rode down in silence. She fought the urge to look at him, knowing she could not stand firm if she saw his dejected eyes. She stepped off the elevator and briskly marched toward the exit, aware he was only a few steps behind her. “Goodbye, Chuck!” she called out, feigning cheeriness.

  Alex remained silent until they had reached the parking lot. “So, that’s it?” Alex called after her as she pressed the button to unlock her car. “That’s the end? We don’t even get to talk about this?”

  “No,” Julie replied firmly, climbing into her car and turning toward him. “We don’t. Not tonight anyway. When we see each other in the hospital, we’ll be cordial, but nothing like that can ever happen again. Understand?” she asked as if she was speaking to her twins.

  Alex responded pleadingly, “I want to say my piece first and then you can vow never to talk to me again, but at least let me speak.”

  Julie glanced at her watch and knew she didn’t have the time or energy for this conversation tonight. Knowing Alex would not let it go until she agreed to let him speak, she replied, “Ok, but not tonight. I need to get home. It’s late and I’m tired and we may say or do things we regret so let’s just discuss this in the morning when we are fresh. Ok?” She smiled weakly at him.

  “You promise?” Alex asked doubtfully.

  “Yeah,” Julie answered resignedly, closing her door. Alex watched her pull out of the parking lot before he turned and walked to his car, shoulders slumped. Julie sighed and relaxed her own tense shoulders as she drove home in a fog, unable to concentrate on anything but the road.

  Chapter 11

  The buzz of her cell in the cup holder interrupted Julie’s daydreaming on her drive back to work the next morning. She glanced down at the screen as she pulled into her space in the lot. It was a text from Alex. “Damn! I forgot to erase his name from my address book,” she mumbled.

  She pressed the button to read his text as she gathered her purse and attaché. Can we talk now? it read. Julie peered around the parking lot at the swarms of employees arriving for the day.

  No, she typed back, getting out of the car. Too late obviously, as the phone rang in her hand. Reluctantly, she hit the answer button.

&nbs
p; “Looking good, sexy,” purred the husky voice on the other end. Julie scanned the lot for the voice’s owner. She could see him walking toward her, grin in place. “I like how those pants accent your perfectly toned ass.”

  “Not now, Alex,” she hissed into the phone. “There are about fifty people I know in sight.”

  “They don’t know you’re talking to me,” Alex reasoned, “You could be talking to your hubby.”

  Julie turned in his direction and whispered into the phone, “But I’m not. Listen, what happened last night was a huge mistake and I’m sorry I sent you the wrong message. I’m a married woman and I am not interested in getting involved in an affair.” Her voice cracked with the word affair. “I apologize for the confusion, but there is nothing left to discuss.” Looking directly at him, she ended the call. Julie turned on her heel and marched into the hospital ignoring the sound of his footsteps close behind her.

  “Julie,” he murmured, only loud enough for her to hear, “you know that’s not true.” Julie smiled and waved at the security guard, pretending not to hear Alex.

  “Hey, Clyde!” she called sunnily. She shifted her purse to the other shoulder, hitting Alex in the cheek as he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

  “Hey!” Alex cried, “That’s not nice!” Then he lowered his voice. “Just proves all the more that you want me.” Finding the nearest stairwell, Julie pushed the door open with force, hoping Alex would follow. He didn’t disappoint and was soon right behind her on the stairs. She whipped around on the first step, standing eye level with him.

  “Now you listen to me Alex Peyton,” she commanded while poking his chest. “You seem like a nice guy. You’re very good looking and I’m sure you don’t have any problems with the ladies. Why are you so dead set on me? This is not an optimal situation and I don’t want to get involved in it. Not only could this devastate my marriage, it could be a career ending move for both of us.” Julie paused for a breath before continuing. “Do us both a favor and give it up. If you need any nursing advice, I’m your girl. But our relationship is professional only. It ends there.”

  Alex listened politely without comment as Julie spoke. When she was finished, he once again, cupped his hand on her chin, drew her face towards his, and kissed her. His tongue found hers and they stood there in the stairwell kissing passionately. Julie tried to protest, but her body once again betrayed her reasoning. All the electricity she had felt the night before was back and it didn’t stop at her lips. It surged down her arms, body and legs, leaving her throbbing and wanting more when Alex pulled away.

  “Now you listen to me, Julie Hendricks. I have never in my life felt like this about someone. You know you feel it, too. I’ve wanted you from the moment I laid eyes on you and I know you feel the same way. You can try to fight it all you want but you can’t resist it,” Alex declared adamantly.

  Julie just stood limply on the steps, knowing he was right. She wasn’t able to get him out of her head and every time he was near, she lost all control of her sensibility.

  “I know I’m not as happy as I could be in my life.” Alex continued. “I think we owe it to ourselves to see where this goes.”

  “Well, I am happy in my life,” Julie protested, puffing out her chest, “I’m sorry you’re not.”

  Alex shook his head. “I think you’re lying to yourself. If you were completely happy, you wouldn’t be intrigued by me and this,” Alex replied waving his hand between them.

  Julie was speechless. Was it true? Did I pretend that I was happy because I had all that I ever wanted? If nothing is missing in my life, why am I so drawn to this man that I met only a few short weeks ago? These were questions she needed to find the answers to. These were also questions she was scared to find the answers to.

  Alex wrapped his arms around her and gazed into her eyes with his own steel blue eyes revealing his soul. “Take a leap of faith, Julie. Let us figure out what this is before you completely say no.” He once again drew his lips to hers. This kiss was short, but even sweeter than the first.

  Julie knew at once she could not refuse him. “Ok,” she replied nervously. “We can see where this goes.” She put her fingers to her temples and rubbed, not believing what she was saying. She had never once even considered cheating on Josh or any boyfriend for that matter. Commitments were important and binding, especially her marriage. But in a little over a month, Alex’s charm had her throwing caution to the wind and ignoring her vows that she once held sacred.

  Alex smiled and winked at her. “Then I think we need to get to work. I’m late, and I’m sure you are too.” He started to climb the stairs toward his floor. Julie followed close behind. “Thank goodness everybody in this hospital is lazy and nobody takes the stairs anymore,” Alex called back to her. She couldn’t help but laugh. He knew exactly what she needed to lighten the mood. He stopped at the door to the 3rd floor as she continued climbing. “See you later?” he asked.

  Julie grinned shyly, “Yes,” she replied. “Definitely.” She continued to hike to her floor, aware that his eyes were still on her. That made her giggly for some reason. Laughing quietly, she exited the stairwell. She quickly bit her lip to stop her laughing when she saw Maryanne at her desk, appearing exasperated.

  Maryanne spotted Julie and tapped her watch, indicating that Julie was once again, late. Julie simply shot Maryanne an apologetic look, bypassing her desk and going directly into her own office.

  “Julie!” Maryanne called, following behind her friend. “You really need to get here on time. It’s almost 7:30 and I already have a dozen phone messages you need to return and you have back to back meetings scheduled…” Julie put her fingers on her friend’s lips, shushing her.

  “It’s ok, my dear,” Julie responded patiently. “I remembered. 9:00 with the nurse’s union and 10:30 with the drug company rep.” She held her Blackberry in front of Maryanne as proof that she had the meetings in her calendar. Maryanne simply nodded and held out her hand, full of phone message slips. Julie cheerfully seized the messages and planted a kiss on the older woman’s cheek. “I love you!” She called out as Maryanne closed the office door while shaking her head.

  Julie settled down behind her desk and sorted through the messages. Nothing appeared to be urgent or pressing, so Julie began to number them in order of importance. Humming loudly, she decided to read through the hospital’s proposal to the union first and answer the representative’s phone call before their meeting.

  As she systematically checked off the items on her morning’s to do list, she absentmindedly clicked on the radio. As she sang along to a song about kissing an angel’s lips, Julie could see through the glass partition. Maryanne was on the phone, shooting her an agitated look. Julie waved apologetically and turned the volume down. Her eyes involuntarily wandered to the bathroom door, where she and Alex had been intimate the night before.

  Feeling the tingle of excitement it had caused her the previous night, Julie giggled to herself. Everything would be fine. They were just having a little fun, harmless making out, like teenagers. As long as it didn’t get serious or anything, no harm would come from it. It wasn’t like they were in a relationship. Julie’s smile stayed on her lips her thoughts went back to Alex’s kiss on the stairwell.

  .Chapter 12

  Julie made rounds of the hospital for the remainder of the morning, smiling and giddy. Nothing seemed to faze her, not even the fight that erupted between two of the nurses on the maternity floor that resulted in security being dispatched. She felt light hearted and unstressed, despite the craziness that surrounded her. Delight consumed her when she was riding the elevator to the cafeteria and received a text that read, My lunch is 1:15. ‘Accidentally’ bump into me in the cafeteria?

  A broad grin broke out on her face as she replied, Will you catch me if I fall?

  Seconds later, his answer came, Hmmm it might be more fun if I have to take care of your injury….bed bath?

  Julie’s blush as she read his response started at
the tops of her ears and went all the way to her toes. She tittered in the crowded elevator, causing several people to turn and look at her as if she were an escapee from the psych floor. Quickly deleting the messages, she checked the time. 12:45. Plenty of time to head upstairs and freshen up. After the elevator completely emptied on the ground floor, Julie hit the button for the 4th floor. She rode up the four flights, nodding at those who entered in acknowledgement, but her mind was clearly somewhere else. When she stepped off on her floor, Maryanne looked up from her tuna salad, surprised to see her.

  “I thought you were going to grab something from the cafeteria?” Maryanne remarked between bites. Julie’s mind frantically raced to come up with an excuse.

  “Yeah,” she replied, “I got down there and wouldn’t you know, I forgot my wallet.” Julie smiled nervously. She closed the door to her office before Maryanne could see that her purse was hanging off her shoulder. Julie dropped her purse on the desk and went rummaging through her drawer for her brush and eyeliner. Grabbing both, she headed over to the mirror behind the door. She was applying the eyeliner when the door popped open, nearly causing her to poke herself in the eye with the liner pencil.

  “Damn it, Maryanne!” she shouted, grabbing a tissue to wipe the smudged make-up off her cheek. “I almost stabbed myself.”

  Maryanne eyed her distrustfully. “Why are you applying makeup to go down to the cafeteria?” she inquired, crossing her arms over her chest. “What is going on with you lately, Julie?”

  Julie peered into the mirror at her half lined eyelid in order to avoid her friend’s stare. “My contact came out, Maryanne, and I smudged my eyeliner trying to get it back in. I didn’t realize that was a problem,” Julie responded defensively. She congratulated herself for her quick thinking.