Page 13 of What the Doctor Ordered

K iley

Simon already had his arm around me, but I snuggled closer to him even more.

I looked between the two men. They were both smiling politely at one another, but it was clear there was a thick layer of tension surrounding our little trio.

It was easier for me to notice it on Simon because I was pressed against him.

I could feel his muscles flexing under his suit, and when I looked up at his face, I could see the defined tick in his jaw as well.

“Is there something that you need, Kramer?” I asked, trying to maintain a polite tone.

Kramer frowned at us with mock hurt. “I didn’t realize that I needed a reason to approach people I know in order to say hello,” he rejoined, waspishly.

“You don’t,” Simon said, curtly. “We ask because you aren’t one to typically exchange pleasantries.”

Kramer’s grin widened but there was pronounced tick forming in his jaw as well. “You are speaking as if you actually know me, Dr. Vale.”

Simon’s eyes darkened. “I know all I care to,” he said tightly.

The two were making me more than a little nervous now, especially as memories of the two of them fighting back at the Onyx night club came rushing back. I stepped forward, placing myself between them since I could feel the animosity rising exponentially.

“Why don’t we all get a drink,” I suggested, trying to calm the situation before it could take off.

Simon grabbed my arm and immediately pulled me back to him, causing me to yelp. He lowered his head to my ear. “Stay by me,” he ordered.

I blinked up at him in confusion, shocked by his sudden reaction.

Kramer looked between the two of us, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. “I must admit that I’m surprised to see you here, Kiley,” he commented, his tone contemptuous.

I looked up at Simon for help. “Oh, umm,” I really tried not to babble. “Well, that’s because…”

Simon didn’t hesitate at all when he grabbed my hand and lifted it, showing off the ring. “Kiley is my fiancée,” he declared, and I thought I detected some smugness in his expression.

Kramer’s nostrils flared and he looked down disbelievingly at the ring, as if he could make it disappear with his eyes.

“I don’t see how that can even be possible,” Kramer spat.

Simon opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted when his phone buzzed. He looked at the device and seemed to debate how important the call was before he answered it. He glared one more time at Kramer before taking my hand and pulling me away as he spoke into the phone.

“I understand,” he said into the receiver. “I’ll be there in a moment. Yes. See you soon.”

“Is everything alright?” I asked as he pocketed his phone.

Simon glanced back to where we had left Kramer and narrowed his eyes before looking down at me. “Everything is fine,” he said. “I need to step away for a little while though. Sounds like my mom needs more help setting up for the auction than she originally thought.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” I asked, although I was uncertain that I would be of any use. I didn’t have experience in that area.

“We’ll be alright,” he said, immediately filling me with relief. “You stay here and enjoy the gala. Just do me a favor and stay here in the ballroom.”

I grinned up at him mischievously. “Is that an order, Doctor?” I asked cheekily.

Simon didn’t react in kind. He frowned down sternly at me. “Yes,” he answered with seriousness. “And I expect it to be obeyed.”

I scoffed at him. “You are not the boss of me, Simon Vale,” I said, tilting my chin up defiantly.

Well, technically I supposed that wasn’t entirely true. He was paying me to be here tonight, and I did agree to obey him in certain things but he was being a tad too bossy for my liking.

Simon raised an eyebrow as if he was reading my mind. “For the next few months, I am technically your boss,” he said, smirking.

I opened my mouth to deliver another smart remark, but the words died in my throat. It might have been due to the way Simon’s hazel eyes were shimmering teasingly or the subtle way his lips tilted upwards. I felt heat burn my cheeks and I turned away quickly to hide them.

“Whatever!” I grumbled. “I don’t have any reason to leave the ballroom anyway, so you don’t have to worry about me. You should just go ahead and help your mom. She’s probably going to be wondering what’s taking you so long.”

I was surprised when I heard Simon chuckle. “You’re probably right,” he said. I jumped a bit when I felt a large hand pat my bottom.

“Be good,” Simon warned before he turned to go.

I stared after him in outrage, my face probably flaming by this point. I looked around in a panic, making sure no one saw the embarrassing little exchange. Thankfully, no one seemed to have noticed, all going about their own business.

I spent the next several minutes trying not to stomp around as I thought about what a jerk Simon could be.

He was clearly trying to get a rise out of me by saying suggestive things and touching me the way he did.

He was so aggravating, and yet I found myself attracted to even that side of him, the side that was playful and a bit arrogant.

I shook my head hard. There was no denying the physical attraction. The sex wouldn’t be as amazing as it was if there was no chemistry, but I had to remind myself that this was as far as we could ever go. I was just his fake fiancée, a temp.

I looked around the ballroom, deciding that I needed some kind of distraction to get my mind off of Simon.

I could dance but I really didn’t want to dance with a stranger and doing so alone sounded even more sad.

After some time contemplating and wandering around the large sparkling room aimlessly, I found myself back in front of the dessert bar.

I smirked, imagining how Simon would react if he saw me grab another pastry after he had already cut me off.

It really would have served him right for trying to control me like that in the first place. Trying to keep my teeth from rotting out of my mouth was definitely not part of our agreement.

I was just about to grab an enticing-looking slice of chocolate cake when a figure stepped between me and the dessert table.

“You seem to spend a lot of time here,” Kramer said with a smirk, gesturing at the array of desserts.

I laughed lightly and stepped around him so I could grab my treat. “It’s not the worst place to spend a lot of time,” I countered, growing nervous as Kramer took another step to again reduce the gap between us.

Kramer raised an eyebrow before smiling and gesturing behind him. “I couldn’t help but notice that that inconsiderate Dr. Vale left you all on your own,” he said. “Might I have the pleasure of escorting you on a walk out in the garden?”

I felt my mouth tighten into a straight line. “No, thank you,” I said immediately. I didn’t have a good feeling about this, and not just because Simon had warned me not to leave the ballroom.

Kramer frowned but recovered quickly, his expression polite. “I just want to make things up to you,” he said. “There was a misunderstanding, and I’d like to explain if you’ll let me.”

“There’s nothing to explain,” I replied. “Things didn’t work out between us and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Kramer’s eyes appeared remorseful. “Please, Kiley,” he said. “I deeply regret the way I behaved during our date. Let me explain and make things up to you.”

I hesitated, studying his expression carefully. I didn’t like the way he acted that night, but I knew that second chances were important, both to give and to receive. So, with a nod, I gestured for him to lead the way.

As I stepped through the French doors in front of Kramer, I flinched as I imagined the look on Simon’s face if he were to discover what I was doing. Then I calmly reminded myself that I shouldn’t and didn’t care whether or not he approved of the choices I made.

“It’s nice out here, isn’t it?” Kramer asked, stopping so that he could turn to face me.

I blinked and looked around. Being just a bit nervous to be alone with Kramer, I hadn’t even thought to take in the gorgeous scenery.

“It is nice,” I agreed.

And it was. We were standing in an intricate gazebo with vines intertwined through the metal structure. The gazebo was surrounded by stunning roses of various colors that were in full bloom. It was too bad I was sharing this moment with someone I didn’t like.

We were quiet for a few moments. Kramer seemed to be gathering his thoughts, and I was currently fighting the urge to turn and sprint back into the ballroom.

“I apologize for my behavior back in Onyx,” Kramer finally said, breaking the silence.

I wasn’t sure what to say since it certainly wasn’t okay that he had gone on a date with me while he had a poor wife likely waiting for him back home. Thankfully, he kept going so I wasn’t forced to come up with a response.

“I partially blame Vale for making it look worse than it was. Yes, my wife and I are still married but we are separated now.”

I tried not to let the skepticism show on my face. I wasn’t entirely sure what it was, but something told me that he wasn’t being truthful. Maybe it was the dark glint in his eyes that became more pronounced as he stepped closer to me.

I took a step back. “Thank you for taking the time to explain that to me,” I said stiffly. “But I think I better get back inside. It’s getting chilly out here.”

I turned to go and gasped when Kramer grabbed my wrist and pulled me back toward him.

“Now just hang on,” he growled in a low, dangerous voice. “I’m not finished yet.”

I bit my lip. “Is there something else you need?” I asked tightly.

Kramer didn’t answer. He just looked me over for a long moment, his eyes glinting as they slid down my body. Repressing an uncomfortable shudder at the look he was giving me, I shrank away when he tightened his hold on my wrist and started to lean in.

I pulled my wrist out of his hand and swatted his arm hard. “Please do not touch me,” I warned in a low voice. “Even if you and your wife are separated, that doesn’t matter. I am engaged to Simon now. There is nothing, and will be nothing, between you and I, Kramer.”

Kramer’s whole body stiffened and his blue eyes narrowed. “That’s another thing that I wanted to talk to you about,” he intoned, once again closing the gap between us.

This time, I stepped back as he stepped toward me, refusing to let him grab me again. “What about it?” I asked shakily, having a bad feeling about it.

I could practically see the wheels behind Kramer’s eyes turning as he studied me again, this time much more openly.

“You were just on a date with me a few weeks ago,” he said slowly, as if he was realizing something as he spoke the words.

“Are you really expecting me to believe that after meeting Simon that night, you suddenly fell in love and are now engaged?”

I fought to keep eye contact, my breathing quickening. I felt backed up against a wall. “Perhaps it was love at first sight,” I murmured lamely, wishing my voice was much stronger than it sounded.

Kramer just looked even more suspicious. “Is he forcing you into this, Kiley?” he finally asked, his eyes flashing with what looked like authentic concern. “I can help you. I won’t let him take advantage of you.”

He started to reach for me again.

“Keep your hands off her!”