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Turning to him, I said, “Kiera, meet Dr. David Botting.”

“Please call me David. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He smiled, shook her hand, and held it too long for my comfort.

Julie appeared and stared at Kiera.

“This is Dr. Julie Allen,” I introduced her to Kiera, studying her reaction.

“It’s very nice to meet all of you.” Kiera gave them a warm smile, revealing nothing.

“Join us for dinner,” I said.

Hesitation sparked in her eyes. “Oh. I was just heading out.”

Her stomach growled, and David smiled. “I think your tummy is trying to tell you something. As doctors, we can force you to eat so you don’t pass out.”

“You might be disappointed in what I eat. I’m not always a salad girl.”She smiled at him.

Why was she smiling athim? I was the one who asked her to dinner. I couldn’t wait for our text appointment, though she hadn’t specified a time. I’d ask her later.

David laughed. “Then you’ll fit right in. Contrary to what people believe, not all doctors practice what they preach.”

“Speak for yourself, David,” Julie said. “I love salad, and I can eat it all day, every day.”

I held her eyes. “Join us and see what doctors eat.”

We walked to an Italian restaurant around the corner.I pulled out two chairs for Kiera and Julie. Out of all the places I imagined seeing her, I didn’t expect it to be at a medical conference. I wanted to ask her what she was doing here, but held back based on her hesitation for dinner.

I sat down beside Kiera, and we gaveour orders to a waitress wearing big hoop earrings. Under the table, my thighs touched Kiera’s. Heat radiated from the point of contact. Instead of moving her thigh away, she pushed it closer, as if testing how far I’d go.

Vixen.

My Sexy K was more potent than any virus. She had slowly snuck under my skin and took over my body and mind, destabilizing my defensive mechanism. That should have alarmed me, and yet I couldn’t resist the urge to be closer to her.

I brushed my thigh back and forth, creating more friction.

When the waitress arrived with our food and drinks, Julie yanked the tie from her blonde hair, ruffled it, and turned to Kiera. “Do you work in the medical field? What brings you to this conference?”

“I’m a fashion photographer.” Kiera lifted a shoulder. “Saw this conference while I was shopping in the area and wanted to check it out.”

That could be true, but the Kiera I knew—the one before we slept together—wouldn’t be interested in a medical conference.

I slid my hand to her thigh and squeezed.You’re lying.

She grabbed my hand, and a war of fingers ensued under the table while a conversation about fashion and the arts exchanged between Julie, Kiera, and David.

“It must be easy work, huh?” Julie asked. “Not like the stress that doctors have to endure.”

I sensed Kiera tense. Herfingers strangled mine as though punishing me for Julie’s unnecessary remark. I was about to interject, but Kiera removed her hand from mine and straightened her spine.

“That depends on your perspective and definition of easy. Photography is like any artform. Just because it looks easy doesn’t mean it is.” She shot Julie a sharp look. “I’ve met people who work two jobs to make ends meet, but they’re always smiling and helpful. I wouldn’t say their lives are easier or less stressful.” She organized the knife, spoon, and fork in front of her slowly, as though preparing for something that might require medical needs to her enemy.

David looked at me, feeling the tension at the table. I shook my head, signifying for him to just watch the scene play out.

“We all have different limits.” Kiera sipped her cocktail, peered at Julie over the rim, then placed it down elegantly. “We can define ‘easy’ as something one wishes for after a long day of work. Or we can define it as how a person presents herself.” She smiled and slid her gaze to Julie’s low-cut dress.

Julie’s eyes lit up with indignation.

I squeezed Kiera’s thigh, and she intertwined her fingers with mine. I liked how she pissed off Julie in style. My woman could handle herself. She didn’t need me to interfere.