Run! The Black Wolf's prey.

Chapter 14 - A perfect avocado

Isabel had been working the nightshift, but it had been an unusual calm and quiet one, so she had even managed to sleep a few hours in the on-call room. Her mind had been too agitated to go back to sleep when she had come home from work, so she had started her day without any further rest - the exhaustion she had been feeling the last couple of weeks was finally subsiding, and she was starting to feel much more energized.

She had even got the brilliant idea of surprising her mother by cooking them dinner! However, the fridge was more or less empty, so after a quick breakfast she had gone to the grocery store to find some inspiration.

She was currently going through the fruit section as she sensed the now familiar burning sensation of someone looking at her. She ignored it at first, but as it got more intense, she turned around and... There he was. John! The surgeon that had occupied her thoughts day and night, ever since they first met a couple of nights ago.

He was only a few meters away, holding his shopping cart in a firm grip, wearing a pair of jeans and a white linen shirt. He had cut his hair, which wasn’t as wild as when she last saw him, and he was actually looking quite sophisticated.

When their eyes met, his gaze flickered with an embarrassed look on his face, as if he was caught doing something inappropriate. That was something! she thought. She didn't think this man would be the one to be embarrassed by anything.

Usually, when she met people like this, in the grocery store, she would just nod and smile and then continue with her own business. But the pull to approach him was way too strong! She was so happy to see him again that she couldn't resist pushing her cart his way.

“Dr Hendricks”, she said, tilting her head slightly with a playful smile on her lips.

John flinched, but then a big smile spread over his face.

“Dr McKay”, he replied, humoured. “But please, call me John.”

He leaned over his cart, his arms resting on the handle. The top buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned, and Isabel could faintly discern some of his chest muscles, lightly covered in dark hair. She instantly had an urge to unbutton the rest of his shirt and touch his chest, and she felt her face starting to turn red.

“I’m Isabel,” she smiled, wishing she could put something cold on her hot cheeks.

“I know,” John winked. “I’ve done my homework!”

“Oh really?” Isabel laughed. “So, you know everyone at work by their first names, then?” she teased him.

“Naah. Not everyone. Only those who catch my attention.” John noticed her blushing, and his heart speeded. “So... how are you? It was a pretty rough shift we had the other night,” he continued.

“Yes it really was,” Isabel sighed. “I had to tell the family of my cardiac arrest patient that he didn’t make it. They were all in shock, so it was… difficult. What about you?”

“The patient that needed acute surgery survived, it was quite a difficult operation, but we made it. So did the other two I had to operate that night, so I really got some good practice,” he smiled apologetically. “I guess you could say it was my lucky night.”

“That’s a horrible thing to say!” Isabel gasped, playfully punching his upper arm.

“Sorry, sorry!” John laughed as he pretended to try to evade her fist. “But you know what I mean.”

“Sure, it’s OK. Lucky you, none of our patients are hearing us,” she stage-whispered, playfully leaning forward, pretending to look over her shoulder.

“Yes, sometimes it’s good they don’t know what assholes we are,” he smiled.

“Speak for yourself,” she said with a crooked smile, arching her brow.

“Maybe,” he shrugged. “Wow, that’s a lot of groceries. You have a big family?” he leaned over to investigate her shopping cart, changing the subject.

“No!” Isabel laughed. “No, it’s just me… and my mom. I’m going to cook dinner for her tonight, she’s so good to me, letting me stay there, taking care of me now after my break u...” She interrupted herself, realizing she maybe was telling a bit too much of her personal life.

John's heart skipped a beat, and his wolf stirred excitedly in his chest. She was single! It didn’t matter, he reprimanded himself. She’s off limits.

“Ehrm, anyhow,” Isabel continued. “I just want to give her a treat. But I really don’t know what to cook, so I guess I’m just buying loads of stuff and then we’ll see what I’ll make out of it,” she chortled.

“Excuse me?” A voice behind them startled them both.

“Oh sorry, are we in the way?” Isabel hurriedly moved her shopping cart closer to John’s and they started walking side by side in the section with vegetables.

“Look, this would fit perfectly in your cart,” John teased, pointing towards a giant bag of carrots.

“Ummm, I think I would prefer if it were full of avocados,” Isabel stopped by the avocado shelves. “But for the same price! They are so expensive... Avocados are one of my main weaknesses. That, and coffee. And maybe chocolate,” she carefully examined the avocados with her fingers.

“That was not much of a weakness,” John took an avocado and pinched it hard between his thumb and index finger. “I never know when they’re ripe, these ones.”

“Well, that’s easy,” Isabel got closer, standing right next to him. She took the avocado from his hand, their hands slightly touching as she did. Her skin tingled from their touch, and she blushed again. For God’s sake, she scolded herself, stop blushing!

“So this one is definitely ripe,” she explained. “But I think it will probably be all grayish and moldy inside. It’s way too squishy. But sometimes, you don’t know, you think you’ve chosen the perfect one, and then when you cut it up, it’s full of mold.”

“Like people,” John nodded. “Some seem good on the outside, but when you get to know them better, they’re just full of shit.”

Isabel looked at him in surprise before she burst into laughter.

John was excited to see her like that, immediately feeling a desire to impress her and to make her laugh again, to make those hazel eyes continue to sparkle!

He found himself totally fascinated by her, and a warm feeling was spreading in his chest. He was surprised to feel something more than just crude attraction - he wanted to swoop her up and carry her away to some place where he could hold her. All he wanted was to nuzzle her neck and inhale that wonderful scent of hers... This was very troublesome, he stated to himself.

“OK, so I’ll have these,” Isabel took a couple of avocados and placed them gently in her cart.

“But what do you make of them?” John asked curiously. “Salads?”

“Oh, I have them in everything,” Isabel smiled. “Salads, hamburgers, sandwiches, sushi… and soup! With some sour cream and shrimps”

“Avocado soup? Never heard of it,” John smiled.

“It’s delicious, trust me,” Isabel beamed.

They continued chatting as they were walking down the aisles, Isabel’s cart growing more and more full while John’s remained half empty. They were walking slowly, as if they were on a Sunday stroll.

When they eventually arrived at the checkout lines, Isabel got nervous. What if he would take off, without saying goodbye? His line was much faster than hers! She was desperate to talk to him again, wishing their moment had lasted a little longer, and she almost panicked when she saw him packing his things and looking at the exit. No! He couldn't leave just like that?

John paid and packed his groceries, and then turned to look for Isabel. She was still standing in line, and he considered simply waving goodbye and leave. That's what he should do... But he couldn’t. Just one more moment! One more smile. One more touch. He would be a gentleman and help her out to her car, and then he would leave. Yes, it was the most decent thing to do.

Who do you think you’re fooling? his wolf snorted.

“Let me help you with those,” John reached for her bags.

“It’s OK, I can carry them myself,” Isabel laughed but straightened her back, not wanting him to believe she could not take care of herself.

“I’m sure you can,” he chuckled. “But that wouldn’t be so mannerly of me, would it?” He grabbed her bags, leaving only one in her own grip.

“Well, if it’s so important to you,” she teased, and started walking.

“Where is your car?”

“Right there,” she pointed towards her little Cooper.

He helped her to load the bags into the trunk and, once again, she almost panicked at the thought of him leaving!

“Thank you for the help,” Isabel looked up at him, their gazes locked. “I … I guess I’ll see you around?”

John hesitated, not knowing what to say. Should he tell her the truth? That he was leaving town, not planning to come back?

“At work, I mean,” she added when he didn't reply, suddenly feeling anxious.

“Yeah… right.” He really did not want to leave, but he knew it was time.

Slowly, he took her hand in his and lifted it to his lips. While looking deeply into her eyes, he placed a long kiss on the back of her hand, secretely sniffing her scent that made him wild with desire! Her soft rosy lips curved into a shy smile, and he had to suppress a low rumbling growl as his instincts fought to take control. He had to leave. Now. Or else...

“Bye Isabel,” he said and turned around.

He could feel her gaze at his back as he walked away, and he felt a big lump in his throat.

This is not right, and you know it, his wolf grumbled.

“There is no other option,” John muttered back.