Free Revved Up Soul: A MC Romance by Liz K. Lorde

wrong,” he motioned with his hand at Royce, “anddd that you were right,” he did the same to Jasmine. He lifted his head to the sky, “big G if you’re up there puh-lease grant me the strength to make them listen.” Augustus brought his head down and balled one of his hands, as if he had just caught something.
    His voice lowered into his usual default snark. “You’re both idiots, get over yourselves and start focusing on saving lives. You know, the thing that actually matters – not how far either of you can piss what you think is success. I’m just here to tell you: it’s all piss.” His eyes shifted towards Jasmine, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking smile.
    Butterflies whimsically danced in Jasmine’s chest. He’s still the idiot, not me, Jasmine countered in her head, opting for a passive-aggressive huff.
    Before she could get a word in edge wise, Royce said, “Whatever,” he retreated a couple of steps from Augustus then. “You’ll see her for what she is.”
    Augustus’ fox-like green eyes widened and he folded his arms one over the other, his brows furrowing. “Oh by allll means big daddy warbucks tell me just ,” he made a singular bobbing motion with his head for emphasis, “how well you know our lovely new ray of sunshine in paradise city.”
    Ray of sunshine she was not. Jasmine struggled then to contain the laughter simmering just below her person – hoping that Augustus wouldn’t notice. She wished that they worked together.
    Unfolding his hands, Augustus cocked his head and started counting out with his fingers. “Gee you work quick let’s see . . . one two three . . . wow, I mean. Wow! Three days, Ryan?”
    Doctor Royce’s nose flared at that. “That’s not my name.”
    “Seriously though,” Augustus shook his head in a rapid-fire motion as he spoke. “I mean I’ve seen you around here trying to get in women’s pants for what, two years now?” He smiled brightly and his voice lowered again. “So go on then, tell me everything that you know about me – if you work so fast.” Silence hung in the hall for a moment as Royce smoldered, standing close to the wall – when he said nothing Augustus put his hand to his ear and motioned with his brows.
    A giggle left Jasmine’s lips. “Sorry,” she said, putting her hand to her mouth. Not sorry.
    Augustus moved over to Jasmine and put an arm around her shoulder, pinioning her against his big and surprisingly strong body. “Nothing? Nada? Good. Now make like my ex and get, get-get-get get ! Go on; don’t make me find a newspaper now.”
    Royce rolled his eyes, storming off and back into his office. Chauvinist.
    Augustus made a kicking motion, looking over to the two nurses that were still floating around – he wanted something from them.
    Jasmine’s face was practically squished against the doctor’s side, a pain starting to bloom where he was holding her. “You can let go now,” she harped, noting how he smelled strangely beautiful of lemongrass.
    Looking down at her as if he had forgotten she was there, Augustus let go. “Oh, right,” he said. “My bad there sunshine.”
    Jasmine straightened her white coat, “Don’t call me that,” she complained.
    “Oh you don’t want to do that,” Augustus narrowed his eyes and lifted his chin slightly. “I’ll give you one for being new – but if you do that, I’ll have to mentally file you off as just another Debbie or Melissa.”
    He leaned in closer. “Is that what you want, Doctor Debbie?” He pulled away then, he clicked his tongue and his face turned sour. The man walked in brisk strides before she could even voice her opinion – was he disappointed in her somehow?
    Jasmine hastily shuffled to catch up to the man that moved with such purpose. Why can’t I just let him go? “It’s Giuseppe,” she called out. “And if you have any stones at all you’ll drop the petnames,” her words came out a bit more playful than she had intended. Am I