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I think back over the last seven years, the family gatherings I sacrificed, the life I led for all of it to shatter. Was it worth it in the end? Then I answer. “Yes. After I graduated early from my undergraduate program, I redirected all that drive immediately into med school. I was selected to be part of the elite Medical Coaching Experience, which began in the spring of my first year. Since then, I have been working on clinical skills, presenting patients, and receiving feedback. So, I’m not surprised we haven’t met before now unless Bailey had some reason she was required to come into the ER.”
“Not until that night.” He takes a sip of his coffee. His eyes widen, lips part. His gaze drops to his cup, gobsmacked at what he tasted.
I drawl, “Now you know why Colby’s caramel isn’t on the menu.”
“No, now I know why you’re going to laugh when I tell you I’m scheduling a conference call tomorrow to yell at your uncle for being a selfish bastard.”
He’s right, I do laugh. The sound comes from deep in my stomach, forcing me to put my drink down so I don’t waste any of the precious drops of caramel. Wiping my eyes after, I admit, “I can’t remember the last time I laughed.”
His gaze bores into mine over the rim of his cup. “Maybe that’s something Bailey can help you with over the next few months.”
Right. I lean forward. “Let’s talk about schedules. There’s one day a week I can’t help out due to my own appointments at the hospital.”
He immediately whips out his phone. “Let’s see if they coincide with Bailey’s. That would be fortuitous for all of us.”
Our conversation immediately turns professional, but that’s not to say I don’t notice the dab of whipped cream lingering in the corner of his mouth on his perfectly trimmed beard.
I do.
It’s just my problem. I want to lean over and lick it clean and maybe spend some time licking down the side of his neck until I get a glimpse beneath his dress shirt. But that’s forbidden from this moment forward. I’m now Liam’s employee. He’s not paying me—ish.
Still, the angel on one shoulder is telling me to go for it. The devil on the other wishes the bullet had taken my damn conscience out because working for a man this sexy for the next two and a half months might push my sanity to the brink.
Chapter
Eighteen
I take a few days off between Mrs. Destry leaving and Laura taking over full time to be there for the transition, as Laura recommended the day we met for coffee. What I learn in those few days is that Laura Lockwood should sainted.
I, on the other hand, might be headed straight to hell for staring at her ass the way I’m prone to do.
Right now, she’s bent over Bailey as they stretch after they’ve gone through her exercises to release the strain on her IT band. In addition, Laura reminds Bailey, “This will increase the strength of your glute and your quads so when you get these off,” she knocks against her lower leg casts. “You’ll have better stability.”
“What’s a glue and a quat?”
“A gluteus maximus and a quadriceps?” Laura’s lips twitch in amusement. Then, as if she was sharing a girl’s only secret with Bailey, she leans down—Christ help me, even further—and whispers in her ear.
Bailey giggles.
Ava Max kicks into singing about queens fighting. Laura changes the stretch. “You and Mrs. D. did a great job together, Bailey. I’m really proud of your progress.”
“Thanks, Dr. Laura.”
Laura sits back and suggests, “Let’s drop the ‘doctor’ part, if that’s all right with your dad.”
Bailey’s eyes dart to me.
I nod.
Bailey glows. “Thanks, Laura.”
After she helps her back into her chair, Laura hands Bailey a glass of water. Bailey glances at it and then tilts her head, asking a silent question.
“Water flushes toxins out of the body, transports nutrients into the cells, and helps with muscle soreness.” To me, she explains, “If you’ve ever had a deep tissue massage, it’s why the therapist is waiting with a glass after you’re done.”
“That makes sense.” But instead of a therapist, an image of Laura’s hands digging into my shoulders flashes through my mind, causing parts of my body to awaken. Before my condition becomes noticeable, I shove to my feet and duck behind the couch. Making my way into the kitchen, I call out, “I’ll be right back.”
Right after I remember this woman—doctor! Stop thinking of her as a woman!—is my boss’s little girl. The blood throbbing through my veins and down to my hardening cock starts to ease. Don’t forget, Laura Lockwood is here because her father and uncle recommended her. She’s your employee. She’s ...