Dex ARe by Jayne Blue

through surgery. He would live, thank God. Ortho had been called in for his mangled right hand. They could work miracles but I wouldn’t be surprised if his fighting days were over. But he would live to figure something else out for himself and that was all that mattered.
    I peeled off my scrubs in the nurses’ locker room. Joleen came to join me. She’d missed the excitement since she’d rotated up to pediatrics for the week. But I knew gossip traveled fast in this place and she’d already been well informed about what happened with Dex.
    “Are you coming home tonight?” She sang it against my ear as I pulled on a clean pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I still smelled like blood and a few other vile things. I needed a shower and badly.
    “Dex is picking me up,” I said. “I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen after that. But we owe each other a conversation so let’s leave it at that.”
    Joleen put her arm around me and wrinkled her nose. “Eau de E.R,” she said. “That’ll turn him on. Go take a shower.” She tossed her backpack at me. You can borrow my spare clothes. I’m not letting you out of this place smelling like that.”
    I smiled and did as I was told. I took a quick shower in the nurses’ locker room and changed into Jo’s clean set of jeans and t-shirt.
    “I love ya, Ava,” Joleen said when I emerged. She gave my shoulders a squeeze before letting me go. “Just be careful. Whatever you do, I’ve got your back, okay? I just don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
    I nodded. “I don’t want to see me get hurt again either. Thanks.”
    Then Misty poked her head through a crack in the door and wagged her eyebrows at me. “Mr. Tall, Dark and Dangerous is waiting right outside in the ambulance bay. He’s gonna scare the patients.”
    I took a steeling breath, grabbed my purse and headed out to meet him.
    ***
    Dex cleaned up delicious. He waited for me, leaning against his Harley, looking just as dangerous as the first time I laid eyes on him. He wore his cut, a white t-shirt, faded jeans and motorcycle boots. He held a helmet against his hip and when I got a little closer, he tossed it to me. I caught it two-handed and smiled. My pulse raced.
    “He came out of surgery like a champ,” Dex said. I knew it already but was happy for the look of relief that settled into Dex’s eyes.
    “I had high hopes,” I said, standing in front of him. I held the helmet up, ready to toss it back to him. “I’ve got my car.”
    Dex shook his head. “You’ve been on your feet for twelve hours. And I don’t want to give you the chance to change your mind and give me the slip. Get on.”
    Again, the command in his voice thrilled me to my core. He was going to lead me into trouble. The rational part of my brain knew it, my body screamed out not to care. This was Dex. This was me and Dex. I’d known from the minute he walked back into the Wolf Den this couldn’t end any other way no matter how much I tried to talk myself out of it.
    He turned and got on his bike, pulling another helmet off his handlebars. I climbed on behind him. I had to practically swallow my heartbeat. So many times I’d dreamt of what it felt like to ride with him. He kick started the bike and the engine roared to life between my legs. I hesitated for just a moment, then I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around his waist. The smell of his leather jacket brought back a flood of memories, bringing me both comfort and pain. As he pulled out, I tightened my grip and rested my head between his shoulder blades where it had always fit so well. Whatever else happened tonight, it was too late for me to turn back.
    We drove to the Den. I should have told him to meet me at my place. Here, it would be so much harder for me not to drown in memories and keep my head straight. My apartment was neutral turf. He’d never been there before. Dex was silent as he parked the bike, slid off and held out a hand to me. I pulled off my helmet