The Deal Maker chapter 6

 The Deal Maker

Chapter 6

I watched Claire as she made her way toward my SUV, her long legs looking so graceful despite the awkward rhythm of the crutches. With every step her hands tightening the rubber as she swung her injured leg forward. The swelling and purple ankle drawing my gaze like a magnet.

She paused beside the passenger door, all her weight onto her good leg. Her green eyes flicked up to mine, expectant.

"Are you going to open the door, or are you just going to stare at me all night?" she teased, almost forgetting that I'm the owner and her immediate supervisor.

I smile, stepping forward. "I'm admiring the view."

She rolled her eyes but didn't hide the smile on her lips.

I opened the door, sliding an arm around her waist to help her up into the seat. She smelled so good. My hands lingered just a second longer than necessary as I lifted her injured ankle, guiding it carefully inside before resting it across the center console. I grabbed her crutches and tossed them into the backseat.

The drive was quiet, but the sexual tension between us crackled like electricity. Claire shifted slightly, adjusting her seat, and her injured leg slid on my lap.

Every red light became an opportunity.

My fingers skimmed over the swelling, tracing her injured ankle and foot. Vulnerable on my lap, the curve of her arch tempting me like never before. I let my palm drift lower, over her toes, feeling the way they flexed instinctively at my touch. She sucked in a quiet breath, watching me through half-lidded eyes.

"You like looking and touching my injured limb, don't you?" she asked, voice teasing, but there was something else there too. Something deeper.

I didn't even bother denying it. "Guilty."

Her smirk widened, and she shifted slightly, deliberately stretching her leg out just a little more. Offering me a better view. A silent invitation and she was rubbing it against my penis.

"At least buy me dinner next time before you... you know..." she murmured, her voice laced with something dangerously tempting.

I let my thumb graze the top of her foot, watching the way her breathing changed at the painful touch. She arched a delicate brow, her lips parting as if to respond but the light turned green, and I pressed the gas, sending us forward to the hospital, tension thick in the air between us

Claire sighed as I helped her out of the SUV, only her good foot touching the ground before she steadied herself on her crutches. The hospital doors slid open with a soft whoosh, and the sterile scent of disinfectant filled the air. Later on we checked in at radiology, and within minutes, a nurse in blue scrubs called Claire's name. I walked with her as she crutched down the hall, her ankle stiff and unable to move now.

The room was dimly lit, the only real illumination coming from the monitors and the lightbox on the wall. A tall, middle-aged radiology tech with square glasses gestured toward the X-ray table.

"Alright, Miss Claire, let's get you situated. We're taking images of the ankle, lower leg and foot."

Claire nodded as I helped her onto the table, my hands lingering under her thigh longer than necessary as I lifted her leg into place. The tech didn't seem to notice or if he did, he didn't care.

"Okay, now, I need you to hold still while I position your foot."

He gently took hold of her injured limb and adjusted her foot onto a small padded block, angling her ankle slightly outward. Claire winced, sucking in a breath through her teeth.

"That uncomfortable?" he asked

"Just a little," she admitted.

I stood beside the table, watching intently as the tech adjusted the X-ray machine above her leg. I could see the way her toes curled slightly as she braced for the discomfort.

"Alright, hold still," the tech said, stepping behind the protective glass. "One more angle," he said, stepping forward again. He gently turned Claire's ankle inward, just a bit more than before. Her fingers gripped the edge of the table, breathing hard.

"You're doing great, Claire."

We waited in a small exam room, Claire absentmindedly wiggling her toes. She looked relaxed, but I could see the subtle tension in her shoulders.

"I will be right back Claire, I will get us some coffees"

I met the doctor, a man in his late 40s with a confident stride and a crisp white coat. He flipped through Claire's chart, barely glancing at the X-rays.

"Well sir I've reviewed the images of your wife's ankle and lower leg, and the good news is It's just a third degree sprain, nothing is broken. A walking boot for a few weeks, and she'll be good as new."

Offering the doctor a firm handshake, holding it just a second longer than necessary.

"Doctor..." I glanced at his name tag, "...Dr. Reynolds. Let's talk."

He gave me a wary look. "About what?"

I smiled, slipping my hand into my pocket. "I'm a man who appreciates... certain aesthetics."

I let my gaze drift toward Claire's X Rays. "And I'd like a second opinion from you sir on that X-ray."

His brows furrowed. "I don't understand"

I took a step closer, lowering my voice. "Come on, doc. Do you know who I am? I know a simple sprained ankle when I see one. But I also know how these things can be... reassessed." I let my fingers against his arm.

"What if this wasn't just a serious sprain? What if... it required a bit more care?"

His gaze flickered toward my face and eyes, then I could tell he realized who I was.

I smirked. "Six weeks. A full leg cast. That's what I'm thinking is in poor Claire's future and for you next time you need anything, I mean anything I'm your man Dr. I'm a very good friend to have in your pocket"

He hesitated, flipping back through the X-rays. After a long pause, he exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "You're persistent."

"No, I'm a deal maker." I said, he sighed, shaking his head walking into Claire's room.

"Well, Claire... upon examination, it looks like you actually fractured both the tibia and fibula at the ankle. That means..." He glanced at me before continuing. "We'll need to immobilize your entire leg. Full cast, six weeks, non weight bearing and crutches."

Claire's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Are you sure? That's impossible."

I leaned in closer, my lips just inches from her ear. I brushed a slow, deliberate kiss against her skin, my tongue flicking lightly, my breath warm as I exhaled a quiet moan.

"Who are you working for, Claire? Who the fuck are you really?" I whispered, letting the words linger, my fingers grazing the edge of her jaw before I kissed her lovely red lips...

The Deal Maker
Chapter 7 to come
K