Alpha Dom and His Human Surrogate

Chapter 311 – Cora at Home

Cora

When I wake up it’s almost eight at night and I groan, realizing that my sleep schedule is

completely wrecked. I’m reminded, suddenly, of my years as a medical resident when this sort of thing was normal – sleeping all day, taking night shifts, living moment to moment rather than a steady, scheduled life.

And quite frankly, right now? That sounds really wonderful, compared against a whole night of empty hours in which I have nothing to do but… think.

Think about what I’m doing in my life, think about my career which has gone in a really weird direction, think about my relationship…s.

About a certain kiss in the woods.

About a sweet doctor who, apparently, wants to build a life with me.

I sigh and sit up, looking around at my sterile little apartment. I never really decorated, I realize as

I look around at the grey and beige furniture, the simple linens, the charmless curtains. Everything is functional and high quality but none of it is… me?

Or is it?

I frown at my space, thinking of Ella’s sweet home that – even though Sinclair picked out most of the furniture before she moved in – still sings Ella Ella Ella in every corner. It’s warm and sweet

and comfortable. What does my space say about me?

I mean, I’m an orphan – I never had any possessions or any control over the environments in

which I lived, so where would I have learned to decorate? I never had a mother to show me how

So where did Ella…

eyes at myself, sick, again, of being jealous of my sister.

so much – and I’m so happy she has what she wants in her life. But sometimes she’s just so….perfect. That it makes me realize

phone, seeking some kind of distraction from these disquieting- thoughts. But when I pick it up the first thing I see is one of those relationships I’m trying to avoid leaving me an assortment of messages. I sigh and click

– how did the

You okay?

2

a text when you get up – I know you were up all night but I’m worried that I

heard from you.

click through the rest of

a peep. As I take a deep breath and check my email, another message from Hank pops up.

I mean, this is a little pathetic, but I’m outside. Can you let me in?

your apartment door…

heart twinges a little bit when I see that. Hank. He’s being so sweet and I’m…well, I’m not being

despite what might have passed between us last night, it doesn’t change anything. And there’s a man standing outside my door with mooshoo pork, dying to love me.

I jump out of my bed

get to it, I yank it open,

wide, accidentally dropping the large bag of Chinese

bright, cheerful – maybe too bright, too cheerful. “I’m so sorry,” I continue, smiling at him, “I just woke up – we were up all night. It’s – I’m very sorry. I should have texted before I fell

warm smile. “I get it – you had

to come in?” I ask, leaning against my door frame and gesturing towards my little apartment.

he says, his lips turning up a bit at the corner.

sit on the house, the Chinese spread out around us on the coffee table, eating right out of the containers with the supplied chopsticks, Hank tells me all about his day. He held down the fort at the little free clinic we both

apparently, a busy day with some tricky cases. I watch Hank closely as he tells me his story, my

something that makes me…well, makes- me want to jump across the

blink and focus

sorry, Hank,” I say, giving him an apologetic look. “I got….lost in my thoughts a little bit. Forgive

out to grab my hand, squeezing it a bit before sitting back. “I was just

involved in the clinic,” I respond instantly, looking down at my chicken with broccoli and picking up a morsel. “But she doesn’t have any medical experience. Would