Page 49 of Intense

No. She doesn’t want to be like me. Maybe my work self. But not who I am underneath.

I do horrible things. Even if I believe it’s right, that doesn’t mean it is.

“Come on, let’s go watch Dr. Quinn win all the awards and rub it in my face,” I joke, hiding the sting that comes with it.

Just another thing for him to be smug about.

By the time we get down to the lobby, all the guys are already at the bar drinking. Finn is assessing the room with a whiskey in hand while the other men laugh beside him.

His eyes lock on mine the second I walk in, then drag down the length of my body.

I walk straight past him and order my drink at the bar.

“You’re late,” his deep voice rumbles behind me.

I ignore him, taking the champagne from the bartender.

“Write it in your notepad if you’re bothered. You might get me fired by the end of the year if you carry on.”

“Hopefully.”

I spin to face him.

Holy shit.

The black tux. The slicked-back hair. The tattoos. That goddamn smirk.

“I’ll need something new to write in if you carry on with this attitude.”

His eyebrow arches, and I take a long, slow sip of my drink.

“Write a book or something, Dr. Quinn. Go make yourself even more money.” I wink at him.

That’s how he gets through everything in life. Just more and more money.

He tilts his head, staring into my eyes. Like he’s trying to read my soul.

“You scrub up pretty well, Dr. Miller.”

“Jeez, thanks. What a compliment.” I roll my eyes and scoot past him, half expecting him to follow. But he doesn’t. By the time I get to the table with Poppy and Josh, I don’t need to look over to know he’s still watching.

The double doors open to the grand hall.

Everyone rushes in to get to their tables. As I tip my head back to finish my drink, I sense someone next to me.

“Dr. Miller. Lovely to see you again.”

I go still and cringe internally.

Jesus. I forgot he was going to be here.

The one-night stand that won’t fucking die.

This is why I have thenever sleep with someone in the same industryrule.

Because it comes back to bite you in the ass.

I turn to face him, plastering on my professional smile.