Chapter One

~ 5 years ago ~

It was my first day assigned in the trauma unit. I've only begun my first year of residency a month ago. Being in a foreign country while just now beginning your career is exasperating, even so when your job is to save lives. Looking around, I tried to suppress my anxiety and take a deep breath to keep myself relaxed. This was the most deafening room in the hospital with patients in every direction you turn. On the left was a five year old with his fist stuck inside his mouth, on the right was an old woman who had a stroke and directly ahead was the entrance of the hospital. The door that wouldn't stay shut for longer then two seconds. The paramedics arrive darting in with two patients that are severely injured, one with a large metal rod stuck inside his chest and the other burnt so much that I couldn't tell if they were male or female.

I glance over at one of the patients and noticed that he was trying to give himself an injection. My eyes widen and I pause to stare at him for a second before hastily running towards him and snatch the needle from his hand.

" What are you doing ? You could hurt yourself or someone else. You shouldn't be taking matters into your own hands. Is there anyone helping you ? " - I asked concerned

" I think I can take a jab without hurting anyone else " - he said sarcastically and looked directly into my eyes.

I think I stared back too long. He was devilishly attractive, grey eyes, dark brown hair and a strong chiselled jaw line. He breaks eye contact and grabs the needle again causing me to return to reality.

" Wait , let me help you " - I said and picked up his x-rays from the table beside him

The x-rays showed that he had dislocated his knee. That explains why there's a numbing injection here, he needs to take this before the chiropractor or orthopaedic surgeon would put his knee back into place.

" Okay, I'm going to administer this lidocaine injection on your knee. It is a local anaesthetic that will help ease the pain and will last long enough until a doctor can fix you up " - I nervously explain to him as I point to his disclosed knee

He doesn't seem like his in as much pain or misery as I expected him to be in. It might be because this happens often or has a high tolerance for pain

" You're new here " - his tone of voice indicating that was not a question rather a statement. It must be because of the traditional short white coat that I'm wearing which indicates that I'm an intern

" Can you tell? " - I ask nervously looking away

" No, not at all " - he chuckles

I look up at him and smile while discarding the used needle.

" Were you crying? " He asked looking at my puffy red eyes.

" uh N, No " - I stutter and frantically rattle the syringe in my hand.

Yes, I was crying. Before getting to work today I found out that my best friend had found the love of his life. At least that's what he said to me, I always thought that I was the love of his life. We've known each other forever and he occupies a big space in my heart. Finding out that he met his soulmate tore me apart and I thought that I would never recover from this but right now all I could think about was my patient right in front of me, I know that it was wrong and inappropriate but he was not just good looking. He was devilishly sexy, his gruff sardonic tone of voice and sarcastic attitude really turned me on.

" Uh mm " - he intentionally clears his throat forcing me out of my daydream.

" Let me find you a bed" - I said and tried to pull out his file to read his name but instead he grabbed it himself

" But do we need a bed? " - he questioned with a cheeky smirk

I gulp back a snarky response and turn away hiding my now flustered and red face.

" A bed for you rest and elevate your leg as I get the orthopedist immediately " - I blurt out

He bent down to my height and towards my right ear from behind and whispered in a seductive manner

" oh you'll be the one elevating your legs alright "

I froze, a pleasing chill ran through my spine and I shook. I tried to ignore his prurient remarks but my body involuntarily

revealed what I tried to hide. I unintentionally bite my lip as he tries to climb up the bed, I run my hand down his leg while I help to settle him in a comfortable position on the hospital bed. I accidentally make eye contact and go on to stare at him for a long seven seconds.

I instantly shudder and drop his x-rays from my hand as the orthopedist entered the room and greeted him.

" Let's get you fixed for the second time this week " - Dr. Wright chuckled.

It was evident that they knew each other and that the patient, who's name I still didn't get, had endless problems with the tendons in his knee. There was nothing left for me to do as I stood there with hopelessly waiting to leave

" You may leave now " - Dr wright instructed

I continued working in the trauma unit for the rest of the day, attaching and stitching a finger back to someone's hand, bandaging broken arms and performing many unnecessary x-rays.

My shift was finally over, I stood against the elevator wall and closed my eyes as it began to slowly move down and stop between floors. After the third stop, I felt as if there was a pair of eyes strangely watching me. I slightly open one eye to see the patient I attended to earlier staring at me. I jump up and correct my body posture while running my fingers down my tangled hair.

" Thanks for helping me out earlier, I'm James " he said as he walked closer for a handshake.

The elevator stopped again and the door closed, leaving James and I alone. I extended my hand to touch his and the lustful feeling comes over me once more. My breathing becomes heavier as he moves closer to me. My hand still wrapped within his, he roughly throws it over my head and presses it against the elevator wall. I dreaded the thought of leaving this elevator and could only wish that we could be stuck in there. As he leaned in closer towards my lips, he just as quickly stepped back as we stopped on the ground floor.