Crash (Sinners and Saints #1)

by Kathy Lockheart

All six foot three of him, with his infuriatingly hypnotic muscles carved by unfair gods, a jaw that could start religions, and the kind of dominant energy that had the power to spontaneously combust every pair of panties within a five-mile radius.

If you can’t manage basic human compassion, at least keep your judgments to yourself.

Successful doctor wasn’t enough. He had to go all ER trauma savior in a sexy white coat too.

“Your heart stopped.” And mine nearly stopped with it.

Based on what I could see, he was nothing special. Not even close to what she deserved.

For the record, I NEVER stopped thinking about you. In fact, I had to stop myself from calling you every single day for the last 687 days. You deserved better than my silence. After a thorough self-examination, I’ve diagnosed myself with Acute Chronic Jerkitis. Recommended treatment plan: Extensive groveling, followed by a lifetime of making it up to you.

“Honey, I don’t know who you are, but I’ve worked with Dr. Morrison for years, and I’ve never seen him like that with anyone. I don’t know who you are to him, but old friend doesn’t sound like it cuts it.”

“I can’t focus on anything else. I can’t help any other patient. I can’t even breathe right until I know what’s been happening to you.”

“Nothing, nothing, could make me think less of you.”

Eric Voss. I’m going to fucking end you.

made two promises to myself: I’d respect your space, and I’d always know where to find you if you needed me.

“I’d hold you every moment of every day if it meant you felt safe.”

“I care so much that it fucking scares me. Do you want to know the biggest reason I pushed you away? Because everyone I’ve ever loved has left me, and the thought of you leaving …” His voice broke. “I couldn’t survive that. Not you.”

“So, don’t you dare think this obsession means I don’t care about you.” He closed the distance between us, eyes blazing. “It means I love you, Tessa. I have always loved you, no matter how hard I fought it. I will always love you.”

Because this was Blake. My Blake. My body recognized him on a cellular level, reaching for him like a flower turning toward the sun.

if Ryker asks, you seduced me. With that lip-biting thing, I was helpless.”

“On my face, Cupcake. Now.”

“Time of death,” I murmured, “is when I say it is.”

“I’m not telling you this so you can avenge my honor.” I wiped a tear. “I’m telling you this because as a doctor, you need to hear what some patients go through before they land in your emergency room. A lot of patients are fighting a war with their bodies, with the medical system, with medical professionals who make them feel hopeless or like their concerns aren’t valid.” My voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “And when enough people don’t believe you, it starts to take its toll. There’s nothing more isolating than having the very people who’ve taken an oath to protect you be the ones who hurt you.”

“You start to wonder if maybe it is all in your head. And you go through your days, getting sicker and sicker, those words echoing in your mind: that you’re doing this to yourself.” The tears were flowing freely now. “I spent over 365 days in this battle, and there were times when I’d lay my head down at night, alone in my bed, sobbing, wondering if I could cope with another day of it.”

“Almost, Cupcake,” he promised. “I want you to come on me when I come inside of you.”

I remember the exact moment it hit me: watching you walk past me as a teenager. The way you ran your fingers through your hair, how the sunlight caught those auburn highlights. Then your green eyes met mine, and my world just … stopped.”

But it’s always been you, Cupcake. Through everything, it’s only ever been you.”

I stayed with her every night after. Four days later, as I held her hand, Sarah took her final breath.

Like Sarah teaching one final lesson: sometimes, the bravest thing is to let love in, even knowing it might hurt.

My very own library, complete with that rolling ladder I’d always dreamed about since watching Beauty and the Beast for the first time.

“Day or night,” I continued, “one call to any of us, and we’ll help you. That’s what family means to us. And, Tessa, you’re their family now too.”

Now, I’ve never been more certain of anything, Tessa. You’re my reason for everything. I promise I’ll protect you as we build our future together. I love you.”

“You meet a hot-as-sin guy, spend a no-strings-attached weekend with him, and then when you go back to work on Monday morning, you discover he’s the new owner of your entire company.” She traced the rim of her wineglass. “Jace Lockwood.”

“Because the man hurting me—the one Jace is hell-bent on destroying—isn’t just dangerous. He’s Jace’s best friend. And if Jace finds out the truth, everything could burn.”