“I . . .” She paused, not sure how to answer. She’d left Tucker at her place early this morning, without thought as to when, or if, she’d ever see him again.

She didn’t date. She spent days and nights at the hospital, and when she was off, she studied and caught up on things she had to do at home. She’d used one of her rare nights off to go out with him last night. Surely Tucker would understand that she wasn’t looking for a relationship, right?

“You what?” Katie asked, interrupting her thought process.

“I don’t know. We had a fun night. Isn’t that enough?”

“Of course it’s not enough. You two had awesome sex, Aubry. Wouldn’t you want more of it? I mean, it isn’t often we can find a man to give us one orgasm, let alone eight. Why would you let a guy like that go?”

She laid her fork down. “Because I don’t have time for a guy. There’s work and study and those are my priorities.”

Katie sighed. “You need to reset your priorities, honey. Men can give you great orgasms—as you know so well—which reduces your stress and allows you to fully focus your efforts on work and study.”

She couldn’t help herself. Her lips lifted. “You have that all figured out, don’t you?”

“On a spreadsheet and everything.”

Aubry laughed. “Men can also be complicated.”

Katie took a bite of her sandwich, swallowed, then shook her head. “No. We’re complicated. Men are simple. Keep them well fucked and they’re happy as can be.”

Sliding Katie a look of disbelief, she said, “I don’t believe it works that way.”

“Trust me. It works that way.”

“So you’re saying all I have to do is fuck Tucker’s brains out on a regular basis, and I won’t have to worry about any emotional entanglements?”

“Absolutely. If he’s an average male. And from what I’ve seen of him? He looks like an average male to me. Quite possibly above average.”

Aubry couldn’t believe she was even entertaining the idea. She had no time for this. But she had to admit the idea was tempting.

And there was no denying the side benefits would be well worth it. Tucker had seemed fun and easygoing last night. Not at all intense.

At least not until they’d gotten in bed. Then? The intensity level had been off the charts amazing, which she had no complaints about.

She hadn’t been lying to him when she’d told him it had been a long dry spell for her in the sex department. Sex on a regular basis sounded so good, especially with all the pressure she was under at work.

And if she could get that without an emotional tie?

Even better.

Tucker had said he’d call. He’d pushed her about going out, so she expected her phone to buzz sometime today.

They’d make plans, and she’d see where she could fit him into her schedule.

At least sex-wise.

TUCKER PITCHED AN OKAY GAME ON THURSDAY NIGHT. He’d given up eight hits and two runs, but his team had rallied and won.

He could have done better. A lot better. His curve had been a little wonky, and he hated road games, especially in Denver where the altitude always messed with his pitches. But they’d won two of three from Denver and he was happy to be headed home for the next series against New York.

He’d thought a lot about Aubry while he was gone, but he hadn’t done anything about it. He figured after that intense first night, he needed to take a step back. It wasn’t in his nature to enter a relationship, and maybe he’d had a little too much of a connection with her that night.

He liked her, but he also preferred to keep things with women light and easy.

He’d call her when he got home. They could reconnect and have some fun again.

Once the plane landed and he got back to the private parking lot at the stadium, he grabbed his gear, said good-bye to his teammates and made the drive back to his condo. He tossed his bag down, went out and grabbed a bite to eat, then settled in on his sofa. He turned on the television and watched about an hour of sports recap on TV, then picked up his phone.

It was eleven thirty. He wondered if Aubry was still up. Or maybe she was working tonight. He probably should have asked her schedule. Or maybe texted her.

He kind of sucked about things like that. He was more of a spur-of-the-moment kind of guy.

He stared at the key pad, pondering.

If she had worked day shift, she’d likely be asleep by now. He wouldn’t want to wake her. Then again, if she was dead tired, maybe she wouldn’t wake up if he texted.

Shrugging, he sent the text.

Hey! You at work or sleeping?

When he didn’t get a reply right away, he set his phone aside, figuring she was probably asleep.

He’d try again tomorrow.

AUBRY WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF SUTURING A PARTICULARLY difficult elbow gash when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She ignored it until she finished, gave the patient aftercare instructions, then entered discharge information into the system.

She picked up her phone and read the text message on her way down the hall.

Tucker.

It had been four days since he said he’d call. Four days without a word. And now this? She checked the time. It was after midnight.

Did he think she was available twenty four/seven for him? Maybe he thought she’d answer and he could come over for some hot, after midnight sex. Like she was some kind of escort.

Ha.

What a jackass.

Irritation shot through her.