Page 20 of Merry with Me

“Thank you, Dr. Thompson,” she says when I come down off the ladder.

“Oliver,” I correct her, my voice husky. “You’re supposed to call me Oliver.”

“Oliver.” She smiles, and I swear to everything holy, I feel that smile inside my body. It’s a warmth and a… yearning like I’ve never felt before.

“What’s next?”

“Next?” She pauses. “Right. The gala. Let me run to the office and grab my notes.” She turns on her heel and rushes toward the double doors while I take the time to adjust my cock that’spressing uncomfortably against the zipper of my dress pants that I wore to work today.

I should make my excuses and leave. I knew being this close to her, especially after the way I can’t seem to get her out of my mind, was a bad idea. However, now I know what it feels like to have her body next to mine. I’ve seen those deep blue eyes up close. I’ve felt her hot breath against my skin.

I’m giving myself tonight. I’ll stay here with her and be present for whatever she feels like she needs me for, and then I’m done. I’m too attracted to her, and I can’t go there. I won’t go there, so this has to stop. There needs to be a buffer between us at all times.

After tonight.

CHAPTER

SEVEN

Blakely

As I barrel into my mom’s office, my heart pounds out a heavy rhythm. “Hey,” I greet her. I’m breathless and turned on, something I did not expect to happen with the grumpy doctor. Sure, I knew he was hot, but his touch set my body on fire.

“Are you okay?” Mom asks, standing from her chair to come closer. She places the back of her hand on my forehead, just as she used to when I was younger and she was checking for a fever.

“I’m fine.”

“Blake, you’re all flushed, and you’re wheezing. What happened?” Her voice is firm. She’s not going to let me out of this office until I give her something.

I love my mom. We’re close, but I’m not telling her the reason my face is flushed is because I’m turned on. Nope. I’m not going there.

“I’m fine,” I assure her, trying to slow my breathing. “I was on the ladder, and when Dr. Thompson walked in, he startled me.”

She studies me as if she knows I’m not giving her the entire story. “And why did you come rushing into my office like there was a bull chasing you?”

“Oh, I need my tablet.” I point to my messenger bag that I carry back and forth from work. “We’re going to go over my list for the gala.” I pause, not sure how much to give her, and decide she needs a little more. “Dr. Thompson insisted on hanging the rest of the garland, and I don’t want to take up more of his time than necessary.” It’s a good thing my face is already flushed. I can hide my reaction to the sexy grump.

Bending over, I grab my bag from the chair and toss it over my shoulder. My eyes meet my mom’s, and she’s smirking. I have to fight the urge to roll my eyes, because I already know what’s coming next. I’m just glad my aunts aren’t here as well.

“So, Dr. Thompson seems nice.”

“He’s a grump,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Oh, I didn’t get that impression. He was very cordial to me.”

“That doesn’t mean he’s not a grump,” I counter.

“Would a grump help you hang garland?”

“He was worried he’d have to fix a broken bone if I fell off the ladder. It was purely selfish. I’m certain.” I’m proud of myself for coming up with that answer on the fly. Sure, he didn’t want me to get hurt, but I can say with 100 percent perfect certainty that it had nothing to do with not having to fix my broken bones. Well, maybe it was, but not in the way she’s implying.

“He’s very handsome.” Mom’s grinning like a fool at this point.

“Mom,” I whine. “Really? He’s a colleague.”

“Is he your boss?”

“No. You know he’s not.”

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