Chapter 87
Adam waited in his treatment room, lounging in his comfy sleepwear The soft evening lights gave the usually clinical space a cozy vibe. Thomas stood nearby, pretending to check his tablet while actually keeping an eye on the door.
When trene finally walked in, she looked like she’d been through the wringer. Dark circles hung under her eyes, and her usual confident stride had turned into a tired shuffle. Still, she managed to put on her doctor face as she entered.
“You look dead on your feet,” Adam said, genuine concern replacing is typical poker face. “Are you okay?”
‘I’m fine, just a long day.” Irene brushed it off, setting up her equipment with practiced hands. She paused and glanced up at him. “Thanks for watching the kids today. They couldn’t stop talking about your chef’s food.”
Adam downplayed it with a slight shrug. “No big deal. You were busy saving someone’s career, I had time on my hands. Despite his casual tone, there was something softer in his voice than usual.
“They really like hanging out with you,” Irene said while prepping the treatment equipment. “Lucas came home absolutely raving about your chef’s cooking. I could barely get him to stop talking about it before bed.”
The corner of Adam’s mouth quirked up. “That kid and food–it’s a love story for the ages.”
Thomas caught the way Dr. Sterling’s hands weren’t quite as steady as usual. He exchanged a quick look with his boss.
Adam gave a barely perceptible nod, and Thomas faded back into the corner, making himself scarce.
As Irene started the routine nerve therapy, her hands moved on autopilot. “Lucas swears he caught a monster fish at your place- said it put Alex’s catch to shame.”
Adam let out a low chuckle. “Those two always have such a blast together. It’s great to see them having so much fun.”
“You’ve been so good with them lately…” Irene’s voice softened as she adjusted a setting. “It means a lot.” Her words trailed off as she concentrated on her work.
Adam sat still during the treatment, but his eyes rarely left her face. He noticed her movements getting slower, her blinks lasting longer with each passing minute. The warm room and soft lighting weren’t doing her any favors in her exhausted state.
Halfway through, Irene’s hands went still. She remained kneeling beside his chair as if still working, but her head was gradually dipping lower. The marathon surgery had completely drained her batteries, and her earlier nap had barely taken the edge off.
When her head finally rested against her arm, Adam and Thomas exchanged knowing looks. Neither made a move to disturb her. The room fell quiet except for the equipment’s soft hum and Irene’s steady breathing.
They let her rest until the scheduled treatment time ended. Only then did Thomas step forward.
“Dr. Sterling?” he said softly. “Treatment’s done.”
Irene’s eyes fluttered open, confusion briefly crossing her face before recognition kicked in. Still half–asleep, she began gathering her equipment, her hands moving with the muscle memory of countless previous sessions. Even in zombie mode, she knew exactly what to do.
After packing up, she rose unsteadily. “All set for tonight,” she mumbled, not fully awake.
What happened next was pure slow–motion drama.
Irene took a step and her tired legs gave out. She started to tilt sideways, balance completely shot. Adam reacted in a flash,
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grabbing her arm and pulling her toward him to stop her fall.
The sudden movement jolted Irene fully awake. The sensation of falling followed by the strong grip on her arm sent a surge of adrenaline through her system. She instinctively reached out to steady herself, her hand landing squarely on Adam’s thigh as she was pulled toward him.
And then time froze.
They were suddenly face to face, closer than they’d ever been. Irene could feel his warm breath against her forehead, the firm grip on her arm. Her palm pressed against his thigh, creating an accident intimacy that sent electricity through her entire body.
Adam’s eyes widened slightly as their gazes locked. Something unreadable flashed across his face–surprise, definitely, but mixed with something she couldn’t quite place. His gaze briefly dropped to her hair, catching the highlights from the room’s soft lighting. For just a split second, his free hand twitched as if contemplating something.
Thomas cleared his throat with all the subtlety of a foghorn.
Irene’s heart hammered as the moment shattered! She snatched her hand away and straightened up, all too aware of the heat rushing to her face.
“Thanks for the save,” she managed, her voice unnaturally high. “Guess I’m more wiped than I realized.”
She took a step back, suddenly finding it impossible to meet his eyes Her face burned, and she knew she must be turning an impressive shade of red.
“Don’t skip the bath tonight,” she reminded him hastily, already backing toward the door. “It’s crucial for… for recovery.” The words tumbled out as she made her escape, walking out like someone had lit a fire under her feet.
Adam watched her go, the ghost of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
Thomas stood frozen, determined not to acknowledge what he’d just witnessed. The memory of his last bonus vanishing was still painfully fresh. Some things were better left completely unseen.
“I’ll get your bath ready, sir,” he said carefully, and promptly disappeared, pulling the door shut behind him.
Back in her villa, Irene closed the door and leaned against it, still feeling the heat in her cheeks. Her pulse had barely settled, and she could still feel the phantom sensation of Adam’s grip, the warmth of his leg under her palm.
She took a moment to catch her breath. What had just happened? She was a professional, a respected doctor–yet she’d fallen asleep during treatment and then practically landed in her patient’s lap. The embarrassment was off the charts.
And yet…
There had been something in Adam’s eyes during that moment of unexpected closeness, Something that made her stomach do a little flip.
Pushing the thought away, Irene headed upstairs. She checked on the triplets first, finding them completely knocked out. Alex had one arm flung dramatically across his pillow, Lucas was curled up like a hedgehog, and Lily lay flat on her back like a tiny sleeping beauty. The sight of them immediately centered her after the strange evening.
She tucked their blankets in, dropped light kisses on their foreheads, then retreated to her room. A hot shower helped wash away the physical exhaustion but did nothing to clear her mind of those few seconds of unexpected closeness.
As she slipped under the covers, Irene firmly told herself she was making mountains out of molehills. It had been a simple accident,
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nothing more. Tomorrow, they’d both act like nothing happened, maintaining their strictly professional relationship.
Yet as sleep finally claimed her, the last image in her mind wasn’t the successful surgery or her sleeping children, but the surprising warmth in Adam Haven’s usually cool gray eyes when she’d found herself caught in his arms.
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