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“Come back to the kitchen,” she said, waving me over. “Fletcher’s waiting back there.”
I nodded, walking over the wood floors on my best pair of heels. Each step marked the time that passed until I was back in the kitchen with them, sitting around a heavy oak table, my hands fidgeting anxiously in my lap.
“Thank you so much for having me,” I said to both of them. “I’m really grateful to you for giving me a chance to apply.”
Fletcher’s wry smile was enough to tell me he might have taken some convincing, but he said, “I’ve been denying for a long time that we might need some extra help around here. But the truth is, Cottonwood Falls deserves the best medical care, and bringing someone on who can specialize in insurance and office management is a big step in that direction.”
Brenda nodded. “And since you know insurance already, it might not be so frustrating to you, all the hoops we have to jump through.”
I chuckled at that. “I’m definitely used to jumping hoops. Metaphorically speaking, of course.”
That got a polite laugh from them and broke the ice a bit so we could discuss the position and what they were looking for. When we were done talking about what they’d need at the practice and going over the details, Fletcher said he’d be doing a lot of thinking and would call me back by the end of the week.
I nodded and thanked them, my heart racing nervously. But before I left the kitchen, I turned back to them. “Fletcher, I just want you to know, if you decide not to hire me, I completely understand. I don’t want a job because I know your wife or am dating your brother. I want a job because you believe I’m what’s best for this practice to help you and your patients, because that’s what I’d be here to do. I love this town and the people in it too much to take a job that isn’t really needed.”
Fletcher and Brenda exchanged a look, and he broke out in a grin. “You’re hired.”
I was on cloud nine as I pulled into the parking lot of Madigan Auto. As soon as I heard the news, there was one person I wanted to tell, and I had to see his face as I did.
Getting out of my car, the first place I checked was the garage, where several cars were pulled in and being worked on. Ethan saw me and said, “He’s in the office.”
I gave him a thankful smile and passed through the side door, going back to the office. The door was shut, so I knocked a few times and Hayes called, “Come in,” as Chopper gave a warning bark.
I smiled. Even here at the garage, it sounded like home.
I pushed open the door, and Chopper bounded up to me. I scooped him in my arms and looked over to my man, who was pushing back from his desk and standing up. Something about him in that gray shirt with the nametag, tattoos winding down his arms, was so damn hot.
“Della.” My name was barely past his lips before he tugged me into a kiss that had me forgetting the news I came here to share. But when he pulled away, he said, “How was the interview?”
I blinked. “Oh, the interview.”
He chuckled. “With Fletcher and Brenda?”
“Oh!” I set Chopper down and grabbed Hayes’s hands. “I start next month!”
His eyes went wide. “You’re shitting me.”
Grinning, I shook my head.
The look on his face was pure joy, and he swept me into his arms, kissing me again between words. “I knew you could do it! You’re going to do such a good job. He’s so lucky to have you.”
I smiled against his kiss, so fully happy. “We should do something to celebrate.”
Still holding me close, he mumbled, “What were you thinking?”
Reaching between us, I ran my hand over his jeans. “Something to do with this?”
“Fuck me,” he whispered.
“Why not?” My voice was breathy. I’d never had sex in a public place like this before, but with Hayes... I couldn’t hold back.
He kissed me again, urgently, his tongue sliding against the seam of my mouth. I moaned softly, not wanting anyone to hear us. But then he walked me back until I was pressed against the wall. And he said, “Put your foot on my desk.”
My eyebrows raised, wondering what he had in mind. But he lifted my knee until I had one heel placed on his desk, the other solidly on the floor. And then he lowered himself to his knees before me.
“I worship you.” And then he was on me, tugging aside my panties and placing his mouth to my sex.
I let out a surprised whimper, and then he hummed. “Bite on a pen.”