The Nurse's One-Night Baby
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Tina Beckett
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PROLOGUE
THE STROBING LIGHTS played tricks on Serena Dias’s perceptions, imbuing everything around her with a feeling of disjointed sensuality. One that came in snatches that made her see stars. And every time the flash came, the people had shifted. Moved.
Danced.
Except one couple who appeared fixed in time, straining together as the world swirled around them.
Not quite what she’d expected from her celebratory night.
She’d long since lost sight of her cousin Amilda, but then again, Ami had already warned her not to expect to leave the bar together. Serena knew her well enough to take her at her word. Which left her alone in one of the wilder parts of her hometown of Cozumel.
And yet, it was perfect. Fit her mood to a tee.
Her time in nursing school had been much like this. Not the bar itself, but the atmosphere. Her memories of the grueling process of qualifying for—and then passing—that last licensing exam came in quick, stilted vignettes that depicted the passing of time. This trip to Mexico was a celebration of finally being legally allowed to use the coveted title of Registered Nurse.
She’d worked so, so hard. Surely she deserved to cut loose for one night?
Maybe she would have been better served by staying in San Diego and going to dinner with her hunky roommate, who’d also just finished qualifying. Then, at least, she could have pretended she had someone special in her life, even though she and Avery were just good friends.
Ah, to hell with it. She could celebrate on her own just as easily as she could with Ami or Avery or anyone else. She took one last pull of her frosty margarita and set it firmly on the bar. She was here to dance, and dance she would. With or without a partner.
Her first step had a slight wobble to it, only because Ami had talked her into wearing her sky-high pumps rather than Serena’s own more sensible slingbacks. By her second step, though, she’d decided she was going to own the shoes and all they stood for.
Before she could, a man crossed her path and stopped dead in his tracks, giving her a once-over and a smile that told her in no uncertain terms what he was thinking. Her chin went up, and she shook her head, moving to step past him. Except one of her heels chose just that moment to hit the floor at a wonky angle before starting to slide sideways, gaining momentum.
Oh, God. She was going to fall. In slow, strobing motion.
But something caught her from behind. Not the leering stranger, who hadn’t moved. And not something.
Someone.
A very solid, very steady someone. His arms were locked around her midsection, her back pressed against the entire length of him.
Oh. Wow.
She closed her eyes for a second, somehow not wanting to turn around and be disappointed by yet another leering stranger. But she owed him at least a thank-you.
Shifting, she somehow managed to tame her stilettos and get them back underneath her. She pivoted and blinked, finding a white button-down shirt. Craning her neck, her gaze followed the trail of buttons up past a tanned neck, a strong, square chin, until she met eyes that were startlingly blue.
Her mouth went dry, and she completely lost her train of thought.
“I... I... Oh...” She finally remembered what country she was in. “Muchas gracias.”
He said something that she couldn’t quite hear.
“Sorry?”
Damn. She’d done it again. She’d lived in the States so much of her life that now English came naturally, even though Spanish was her mother tongue.
“I said, ‘you’re welcome.’” He glanced pointedly over her shoulder before bending down. “Would you like to dance for a few minutes?”
He’d had to put his lips close to her ear to be heard over the next round of music, and the low rumble of his voice sent a shiver over her.
She realized he was trying to help her avoid an uncomfortable situation with the guy who’d stepped into her path a few seconds ago. Through the blinks of light, she studied him for a second or two before something in his face satisfied her. He really was trying to help.
She nodded and let him lead her into the throng, leaving the other guy behind.
Thank God.
Except the second she went to lay her palms on this new stranger’s shoulders, they slid behind his neck instead and linked there. If he noticed, he didn’t say anything, those swoon-worthy eyes of his meeting hers before he leaned closer. “How steady are you on your feet?”
Was he asking if she was drunk? Ha! Not hardly.
Her brows went up. “Steady enough.” As if to demonstrate her point, she took a step back, her right hand sliding down his arm until she found his fingers, an unspoken signal for him to twirl her. And twirl he did. Thankfully, her brain managed to trick her feet into doing exactly what she wanted them to do. When the rotation was complete and she’d settled back against his chest, she looked up at him in triumph, almost shouting to be heard over the rocker on the DJ’s playlist. “See? Very steady.”
Just as steady as the man’s hands, his gaze...his body.
“So I see.” One corner of his mouth lifted, and the sheer deliciousness of the act made her insides shimmy.
They stood there for a moment or two without moving, as the lights, the music, the people continued to swirl without noticing them.
But she noticed.
And suddenly, she knew exactly the kind of celebration she wanted. The celebration she needed. She bit her lip, trying to decide just how shocked he would be if she kissed him.
Not very, she decided. He was hot. Evidently unattached...and here.
She tried to go up on tiptoe, but the shoes already had her at maximum elevation.
But somehow, he seemed to know what she wanted. Because as the lights flashed around her, his palm came up to cup her chin. He seemed to ask a question that she was only too eager to answer.
“Yes.”
And then his mouth was on hers, one arm sweeping around her back to bind her to his hips. And that was all it took to seal her decision:
This man.
This venue.
This night.
