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  “You’ve skipped doses?” Worry and anger clashed together and made that question come out way louder than Tanner intended.

  Ricky flinched. “It’s not like I did it on purpose. I just got busy and it slipped my mind.”

  Tanner didn’t know whether to shake Ricky for his recklessness or to put the guy in a bubble to protect him from his own naivety. Taking in a deep breath to calm himself, Tanner slowly let it out before saying, “Okay, let’s go.”

  That suggestion earned him nothing more than a surprised look.

  “Go where?” Ricky asked, still making no effort to stand.

  “To the ER. We need to get those levels stabilized.”

  Ricky shook his head and shrank back in his chair. “No.”

  “No?”

  “Do you always repeat things people say to you, or is just me?”

  “I find that it’s only you, but that’s because I usually have trouble following any conversation that you’re involved in. Now, get up and get your butt to the ER.”

  “I can’t”

  “Why?”

  “Because I have to get home. My family needs me. Look, it’s really sweet that you’re worried and all, but I’m used to this. I have some fruit and juice in my backpack. I’ll nosh them down and by the time I get home, I’ll be as good as new.”

  “Are you planning on driving home?” Tanner asked incredulously.

  “Of course I am. My family—”

  “Needs you. I know.” Tanner let out a sigh. “Can’t you get Ben to drive you?”

  “No! He has a mandatory meeting this morning so he’s staying over a few hours.”

  Well, that just sucked. Damn, what to do? There was no way in hell Tanner was about to let Ricky drive himself. He realized the he’d just have to intervene and offer up his help.

  “I’ll drive you.”

  Ricky’s eyes widened in shock before he gave a slight shake of his head. “I can’t let you do that. Plus, I need my van so I can fit all the kids.”

  “All the kids?”

  “You’re repeating again.”

  “Sorry, I just didn’t know you had any children.”

  Ricky laughed, some of the tension leaving his face. “They’re my brothers and sisters.”

  “How many are there?”

  “Counting me, seven.”

  Tanner almost echoed the number, but held back, not wanting Ricky to accuse him of chronic repeating again. “That’s a lot.”

  “Yeah, and since my mom is out of town on a business trip for the week, they’re my responsibility. So, I need to get home and get them to school.”

  “Okay, we’ll take your van, but I’m still driving.”

  Ricky hesitated. “Are you sure? I know it’s a lot to ask. You probably just want to go home and fall into bed.”

  Only if you’re under me.

  Tanner held in a moan as an image of a naked and sweaty Ricky popped into his head. With the way Ricky liked to talk, Tanner just knew the guy would be a firecracker in between the sheets.

  He abruptly pushed those erotic thoughts away because scrub bottoms did a piss-poor job of hiding an erection. Tanner gathered up the glucometer supplies and stuffed them back into the case. Taking off his gloves, he tossed them into the trash.

  The women for the next shift wandered in and paused at the door as they studied Tanner with unabashed curiosity. A blush came over Ricky’s face as he nervously cleared his throat, “I have to give Erica and Mandy a report, but I can be ready to leave in about five minutes.”

  “Sounds good, I need to let Ben know that I’m leaving and grab my stuff. I’ll be back in a few.”

  “Are you going to tell Ben how low my blood sugar is?” Ricky asked, his brow creased with worry.

  “Yes, but I’m also going to tell him that you’re going to have your own personal RN for the morning.”

  Even though it really wasn’t the time or place for PDA, Tanner couldn’t resist running one finger down the side of Ricky’s face. He made sure to keep it brief, but the way Ricky gasped let Tanner know the gesture didn’t go unappreciated.

  Turning, he walked out. As he passed the women, one of them murmured, “You better treat him right or else you’ll be dealing with me.”

  Tanner didn’t fire back a comment because he could see how they’d be so protective of Ricky. The guy had a vulnerability to him that just screamed out to Tanner. So why shouldn’t others feel it, too?

  He went back to the ER and found Ben still standing behind the nurse’s station. Setting the glucometer on the shelf, Tanner said, “It was too damn low. That kid needs to take better care of himself.”

  Ben frowned. “Or maybe he just needs to find somebody to take over the job of Ricky keeper.”

  “You’re his best friend. Why don’t you apply for the job?”

  “Because he never listens to me. No, what he needs is some big, strong guy who can spank him into submission.”

  Tanner sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Do you ever stop?”

  “Nope, so you may as well get used to it.”

  Funny thing was, Tanner was getting accustomed to Ben and his antics. More so, Tanner was actually beginning to like the guy and could see them hanging out besides during work hours.

  “I’m going to drive Ricky home and help him get his boatload of siblings off to school,” Tanner revealed.

  Ben let out a low whistle. “Ouch, I feel for you, buddy.”

  “Are they that bad?”

  “No, they’re just a bit…” Ben tilted his head to the side as he seemed to be searching for the right word, “Much at times.”

  “I’m sure they’re not that bad.”

  For some reason that comment made Ben laugh like a loon. Clapping a hand on Tanner’s shoulder, Ben advised, “You may want to grab yourself a great big coffee. Hell, add a couple energy drinks to it because you’re going to need the caffeine.”

  Tanner swallowed hard as he wondered just what he’d gotten himself into.

  Chapter Four

  Ricky nervously twisted his fingers as Tanner pulled into the driveway of the house. While on the outside it looked like a basic, non-descript Cape Cod home, Ricky knew very well how deceiving that appearance truly was. Inside, there was sure to be mass-destruction and chaos on a FEMA worthy level.

  Tanner turned off the engine and Ricky took off his seatbelt, but made no move to get out. “Are you sure about this?”

  A frown passed over Tanner’s sexy-as-sin face. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “It’s just that my family can be a bit much at times.”

  As if on cue, a loud shriek sounded from inside the house. Since they were still in the car, it was too muffled to tell if it was male or female, but Ricky would bet his last penny that it was Carla. Ever since she’d turned fifteen, she’d taken on a melodramatic streak so bad that it threatened to drive Ricky to drink.

  “Shit,” Ricky muttered as he hurried to get out.

  If he didn’t get in there soon, she’d only get worse and then the rest of the kids would start shouting. After that, it was impossible to get them calmed down. He opened the door and rushed inside, Tanner hot on his heels.

  Entering the kitchen, Ricky came to a skidding stop, his mouth parting in shock at the scene in front of him. Oh, they were all so going to get it once they were alone. Jess held the younger twins, Lenny and Angie, by the scruff of their shirts, both of them so high in the air, the toes of their socks barely touched the tiled floor. Carla was trying to get Alex down from the table. Not that Ricky saw fault in her logic, given the ten-year old boy was only wearing his Spongebob boxers. He kept dodging her grasp, pausing long enough to flex his non-existent biceps. Malinda was scrambling around, trying to clean up a huge puddle of what looked to be milk mixed with orange juice.

  “What in the hell is happening?” Ricky demanded.

  The room instantly fell quiet as all gazes locked on him. The silence only lasted a few beats before the excuses st
arted a’coming.

  “I was just trying to tell them to get dressed,” Jess defended.

  At fifteen, he was already taller than Ricky, but the kid was always the best at obeying the rules when Ricky was left in charge. The problem was sometimes he was too zealous in his efforts to make sure everybody else toed the line, too.

  Jess’ twin, Carla waved her hands at Alex who was still playing muscleman. “Look at him, he’s a barbarian.”

  “Shut up, Carla. You’re not the boss of me,” the ten-year old Alex retorted.

  “She is when Ricky or Mom aren’t here,” Malinda cut in. She rolled her eyes at Ricky, “Do you see what I have to live with. Why can’t Mom send me to boarding school like the kids from the Harry Potter books?”

  “Because you’re not a wizard,” Ricky drawled, a headache already forming.

  “I think I am,” Lenny called, still in Jess’s grasp. “I’m pretty sure I made my lizard move a couple of inches the other day only by using my mind.”

  “Good for you,” Ricky replied, after all, kids did need positive encouragement.

  Carla tilted her head to the side, her long dark hair brushing against her shoulder. “Who’s your friend?”

  “It’s Tanner.”

  Carla’s eyes widened and Ricky prayed that she wouldn’t mention all the times Ricky had talked about the hot, flight medic. “So, how do you know him? I’ve never heard you mention him before.”

  Ricky could have kissed her at the moment. He gave her a tiny nod of thanks, which she acknowledged with the barest of smiles.

  “We know each other from work,” Tanner replied, his gaze still wide from all the chaos they’d walked into.

  “Hmmm…I guess you’ll do. You’re not as cute as Chauncey or Brody, but you’re not a troll either,” Carla replied.

  Tanner blinked a few times and Ricky almost wanted to apologize for his sister’s bluntness. Then again, for Carla that was actually a compliment, so maybe he shouldn’t complain too much. Ben faced much worse and he was considered family.

  “Yeah, she’s fifteen,” Ricky explained.

  Luckily, Tanner just smiled, showing he didn’t take offense. “I remember how my own sister was at that age.”

  “How old is she now?” Carla asked.

  “She turned twenty last year. She just got married a year ago.”

  “That’s awfully young.”

  “Carla, zip it,” Ricky snapped between clenched teeth.

  Of course, the brat ignored him and kept on interrogating Tanner. “Was the wedding nice?”

  “I wouldn’t know. I wasn’t invited,” Tanner replied tightly.

  Carla’s face softened, mirroring the emotions swelling through Ricky. “Is it because your family is a bunch of bigots like my dad?”

  Okay, that was just about enough of that type of conversation. Ricky clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. “Get moving or you’re going to be late. Carla, take Alex and get some clothes on him.”

  “But I wanna go to school like this,” Alex pouted.

  “Not happening. Now get moving and put something on, and not shorts or a t-shirt. It’s going to be cold and rainy today. Jess, take Lenny and Angie, and find something for them to wear. Make sure they brush their teeth and by that, I mean actually watch them do it, or else they’ll just wet down the toothbrushes and fake it.”

  Angie stomped her foot. “I hate the taste of toothpaste.”

  “I went out last night before work and bought that iCarly brand that you really like.” Fishing into his backpack, Ricky found the tube and handed it to her.

  She grabbed it with a squeal and ran off, her twin and Jess in tow. After the rest of the kids filed out, Ricky started to clean up the mess so he could make them a decent breakfast.

  “Why don’t you rest and let me do that?” Tanner offered.

  Ricky knelt down and swiped up a bit of the juice-milk combo that had been missed. He straightened and tossed the paper towels into the trash. “You don’t need to bother. I ate on the drive home, remember? I’m feeling much better.”

  In truth, Ricky still felt a bit shaky and tired, but he’d die before he admitted it. He already looked dorky enough as it was without adding more to it. A bit of a jam ended up on his scrub top and he took it off, regretting it immediately when he realized he’d worn a Doctor Who shirt underneath. It even had a picture of one of The Daleks on it with the words Exterminate!

  He glanced down at it, heat covering his cheeks. “Can you not tell Ben about this? He loves to ride me for loving this show.”

  “Why? I happened to love The Doctor.” Tanner started to help clear the remaining mess on the table.

  Relief flooded Ricky and he found himself falling just a little bit harder for the nurse.

  “Ben worries that I don’t get out enough,” Ricky confessed.

  “Trust me, the club and bar scene are really overrated.” Tanner moved closer and ran a finger down Ricky’s chest. “Personally, I’d rather stay in and watch TV.”

  “Really? Because if you want, we could come back after we drop off the kids…what I mean is if you’re not busy or….hell, you may not even be interested, and if you’re not, that’s okay. It would suck, but I won’t get upset… Not that I really don’t want—”

  Tanner cut him off with a soft but intense kiss that demanded Ricky give it his full attention. Something he gladly did and then some. Letting out a short gasp, he brought his hands up and grabbed Tanner’s shoulders, wanting to get even closer to the man.

  Ricky parted his lips, allowing Tanner to slide his tongue in his mouth. Desire punched through Ricky at the warm, spicy taste of Tanner. Each stroke of the man’s tongue seemed to go directly to Ricky’s cock, making him so hard and needy that he let out a couple of whimpers.

  Tanner broke the kiss, but didn’t step back. Gazing down, he gently ran the pad of his thumb over Ricky’s bottom lip. Feeling a bit bold, Ricky darted his tongue out so he could lick the man’s skin.

  “You taste so good,” Ricky whispered.

  “Not nearly as good as you do,” Tanner whispered back, before going in for another kiss.

  This second one was just as sweet as the first, making Ricky weak in the knees and lightheaded for other reasons besides low blood sugar. This time he thrust his own tongue out, tangling it with Tanner’s. Meanwhile, Ricky’s cock was so hard, he was almost crazy with need. The urge to rock forward so he could ride Tanner’s thigh was strong, but Ricky resisted. Any one of his sibs could come in and while Ricky didn’t mind them seeing him kissing, he wasn’t about to subject them to X-rated displays.

  “I would love to spend the day with you,” Tanner said. “I’ll even let you pick out what shows we watch.”

  “Are you sure? We’d have to come back here. While I have my own place, I usually stay over when Mom is out of town. That way the kids will have somebody home if needed.”

  “I don’t mind at all. The only thing you have to do is let me help you make breakfast. Don’t think I haven’t noticed you’re still shaky.”

  Ricky grinned. “Maybe it’s because you’re such a good kisser.”

  Tanner laughed as he nuzzled their noses together. And how sweet was that? Ricky felt his insides melting into a pile of goo at the tender gesture. Along with that came the realization that he was already head-over-heels for Tanner. If Ricky wanted to be truthful, he’d had it bad for the nurse for months.

  “As good as that suggestion is to my ego, we both know better,” Tanner said.

  He guided Ricky to a chair and forced him to sit before going to the refrigerator and opening it. Peering in, he frowned. “Ah…Ricky?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Why are there pinecones in here?”

  “That would be Malinda. She’s always trying to keep things she finds outside.”

  “What? She doesn’t have a treasure box like other kids do?”

  “Yeah, but she wanted to make sure the pinecones stayed fresh.”

 
Tanner gave a slight nod. “Strangely enough, that kind of makes sense.”

  He pulled out some eggs, butter, and shredded cheese and dumped them on the counter. “Where do you keep your pans?”

  “Since it was Jess’s turn to clean up after dinner last night, they’re probably still in the dishwasher.”

  While Ricky loved his brother, the kid had perfected half-assing to an art form. Sure enough, Tanner found the pans right where Ricky predicted. He pulled them out and began to make up omelets and toast.

  Gradually the kids began to filter back in. The younger ones took a seat while Carla and Jess went over and helped Tanner.

  “Hey, Ricky, what time are you supposed to take your next insulin shot?” Tanner asked, not turning away from the stove.

  “Not for a couple of hours yet,” Ricky mumbled, more embarrassed by his weakness than ever.

  “You need to check your blood sugar again,” Tanner pressed.

  “I will in a second.”

  Pressing her lips together, a determined line, Carla marched over to Ricky’s backpack and dug out his glucometer. Going over to the table, she took the chair opposite and held her palm up, waggling her fingers. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”

  Ricky let out an aggravated sigh, but gave in, stretching his arm over the table. Carla moved almost as efficiently as Tanner had earlier and soon the readout was displayed. She let out hiss of anger. “What in the hell?”

  “Watch your mouth,” Ricky automatically admonished.

  She made a slicing motion in the air. “Don’t you dare tell me what to do. Not when you can’t even take care of yourself.”

  “You’re making a big deal out of nothing. I just need to get some more food in me and then I’ll be as good as new.”

  “That’s exactly what you said right before you ended up in the hospital,” she shot back, her voice breaking a bit in the end.

  Ricky felt like the biggest jerk in the world for upsetting her so much. Then Angie ran over and wrapped her tiny arms around Ricky’s waist and an even heavier dose of guilt hit him.