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She placed a hand on my chest, eased back, and breathed, “I’m working.”

“I know.” I grinned. “You’re doing a fabulous job, Tulip. Do it again.”

Smiling, her eyes darkened. “I mean, I’m working at the office. You’re causing too much trouble for me.”

“But you love it.”

I could hear her heart racing. The bulge in my pants had grown exponentially, achingly pushing against the fly of my jeans. Could she feel it? I shifted her ass into the appropriate position.

“This is what you do to me. Be a caring dentist and help me deal with it sooner rather than later.”

“It seems like you have a different agenda for coming here.” She tried to get off my lap, but I secured her with both arms, wrapping them tightly around her.

She laughed. “Let me go. What are you doing?”

“Holding onto my lifeline.”

“I have a schedule to keep up with.” She rose to her feet and straightened out her white coat. “I’ll do my best to make your cleaning comfortable.” She placed a hand on either side of my shoulders. “Many people suffer from this phobia. Just try to imagine a pretty or safe place. I can even play gentle music for you.”

“But I’m an adult, Tulip. I shouldn’t have this ridiculous fear.”

“We all have fears, Bullseye. Including me.”

I liked her calling me that. It was our connection before we knew we were linked to each other. “What do you fear?”

She waved a finger. “There’s only room for one phobia today. I’ll tell you that if you win the duel.” Her face beamed.

“Well, that just means I willhaveto win now. Hurry and set a date and time.”

“Come on. Let’s get your cleaning done so I can take care of my other patients.” I followed her to an exam room.

“Thanks for squeezing me in,” I said when she gestured to the exam chair.

“You’re welcome.” She looked at the tray where someone had already set up the tools.

“There’s another place I’d love to squeeze into.” I smirked at my bluntness. What was the point of hinting when I could be direct with her?

She narrowed her eyes at me. “If you keep this up, I’ll have tosqueezeyour neck.” She demonstrated with her hands.

I laughed as she placed a napkin over my chest and reclined the chair.

“Do you want to listen to music?” she asked.

“No thanks.” I placed my hand on her arm. “I’m going to keep my gaze on you. It’ll ground me and make me think of sexy things, so the loud noise and splashing water won’t bother me. Okay?”

“Okay.” She smiled warmly and placed a pair of goggles on me. “This will protect your eyes from any sprays. Just concentrate on your breathing. In and out through the nose. You’ll be fine.” Her caring voice soothed me.

My heart raced when she asked me to open wide, but I stared at her and wondered about her scars. That kept my fear at bay.

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

VIVIAN

What had triggered his phobia?What had happened to him? Phobias could paralyze a person to where they couldn’t function properly. The human mind was such an interesting mystery.

It must have taken a lot of courage for him to be vulnerable in front of me. When I got home tonight, I’d replay the kiss and his body’s reaction to me. If I thought about it now, I wouldn’t be able to do my job well.

No one had wanted me this much. Part of me relished in it. But the cautious side had me staying a few steps back, not fully giving in. What if all this was just some game that men liked to play?