Vital Signs by Em Petrova Read Free Book Online

get a workout and she’d need a fresh set of batteries.
    “Can I get you another drink?” she asked.
    He set a hand on her forearm. “I’m fine, thank you. I appreciate your help today.”
    Feeling a little shy, she lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “I feel better knowing you were looked after.”
    “And you do this for all your patients?” His dark gaze stabbed deep into hers, sending ribbons of heat through her lower belly. His eyes darted back and forth as he searched the depths of hers as if to uncover the truth.
    When she could stand no more, she tore her gaze away.
    He settled back against his pillows again. “That’s what I thought.”
    “Okay, so I don’t track down all my patients. I guess I worried about you a little more.”
    “Why?” His tone came out as a challenge. She moved away a fraction so their bodies no longer touched.
    “I’m not sure why,” she lied. She did know. The pull she felt toward him was magnetic. It was as strong as gravity and she was as helpless against it. She’d learn how to fly faster then she’d figure out how to stop thinking about him.
    A crevice of worry stood between his brows, making him look menacing. She wasn’t fooled—he was a sweet puppy dog. At least when he wants to be.
    Before she could turn the topic, he did. “So you had today off?”
    She nodded. “Tomorrow too.”
    “Hm.” His noise sounded more like a grunt. Maybe Sarita shouldn’t think of coming back tomorrow to help him. He might desire his privacy and she’d barged into his life and demanded he eat when she said eat. Then she’d cleaned his apartment, taking liberties with his belongings that she shouldn’t have.
    She scooted farther away but he didn’t give her an inch more of space on the sofa. Torn, she perched on the edge. She couldn’t read him. Did he want to be rid of her or keep her close by him?
    “I wish to hell I could go back to work,” he muttered.
    She gave him a sympathetic look. “I’d be going crazy too with excess time on my hands.”
    “I have work to do but it’s being exhausted that’s taking its toll.”
    She arched a brow. “What kind of work are you doing? You just got home from the hospital at the beginning of the week!”
    A storm cloud broke over his features. “The arsonist set that fire that gave me this injury. I can’t rest until I know the bastard’s behind bars.”
    At the quiet vehemence behind his words, her breath hitched. To be so filled with passion…well, not many men would make it a personal mission to find the criminal.
    “Surely there’s a team of detectives on the case. You shouldn’t have to be worrying—”
    He raised a hand to stay her thought. “They haven’t found him so far, and I’m the only guy who has the time. I’ve got nothing but time right now.”
    “But you need to concentrate on getting better. Your injury wasn’t something to take lightly, Corey.”
    He stared at her lips as a wolf might stare at a small animal, ready to pounce. She twisted her fingers, heart rate increasing. Was he going to kiss her again?
    The moment passed with a shake of his head. “I can’t kick back and relax while my fellow firefighters’ lives are on the line. This asshole needs to be caught.”
    “I agree with you, but you’re hardly kicking back relaxing.”
    The stubborn set of his jaw told her she was wasting her breath. He’d do what he wanted, at the cost of his own health. She suspected the things she’d seen on his laptop were research for the case.
    Pushing out a breath, she stood. “I understand but I hope you’ll consider what I said. You don’t have any obligations besides making yourself whole again.”
    The muscle in the crease of his jaw fluttered. “I don’t feel that way.”
    They stared at each other for several heartbeats. “I hope you’ll reconsider. If you don’t get enough rest, you could be laid up longer.”
    “I know what’s best for myself.”
    A humorless laugh escaped her. “I disagree. No