Page 68 of Forgot to Tell You Something

Ugh, I really hope he isn’t lying when he says they haven’t done anything together.

I bite back some nausea. Another fun addition over the last week. No doubt it’s because of the stress I’m putting myself under by over-analyzing everything. As per usual.

I knock on his door and immediately hear his gravelly timbre. “Come in.” Even those two simple words drip with appeal, but hell, Owen is appealing to everyone. It makes his comment last week so confusing. He asked me if I was ashamed of him as if that was a scenario he encountered before.

I can’t imagine any woman anywhere, being anything but proud of Owen Stevens. Hell, I’m in awe of the man, even if I can’t admit publicly the number of his body parts on my worship list.

Discretion is a dying art. I don’t need our co-workers poking their noses into our business. Besides, should it go south, I don’t want those sympathetic glances or whispers about another one biting the dust.Yep, it’s my good old self-esteem issues. Back in action. I need a shrink. Or a drink. Likely both.

I walk into Owen’s office, jolting when I spot Dr. Empreso standing by Owen’s desk. I break out in hives whenever I’m near him. He is one of Memorial’s top surgeons and an absolute sleaze. Literally, that’s his nickname, and I didn’t invent it. I certainly use it enough, though.

Owen smiles at me from across the room. “Hi, Tally. It’ll just be a second.”

“Should I wait outside?”

Upon hearing my voice, Dr. Sleaze pivots, offering me a slow, shark-like smile. “Oh, it’syou, Lu. What’s shaking?” The question is innocent, but his openly ogling gaze is anything but.

“Why does everyone call you Lu?” Owen questions. “Why not Tally? It’s softer.”

I shrug, aware that Dr. Sleaze is still ogling me, and Owen is blissfully unaware. “Everyone always called me Lu. I can’t remember how it started.”

I really wish this surgeon would lookanywherebut my tits. Hell, could he at least pretend to be interested in the conversation? “A good question. Lu is such a masculine name for such a wisp of a woman.”

“Your Dad calls you Tally. I call you Tally. But then again, I’m not everyone. Am I, Darlin?”

My jaw slackens at Owen’s brazen use of my pet name, showing just how well he knows me. Then I meet his gaze and realize he is blissfully unaware of nothing. Owen is rigid in his seat, and I bet money his fists are clenched under the desk as he observes Dr. Empreso’s blatant eye fuck.

The surgeon swings his beady-eyed gaze to Owen. “You sly devil. It appears you knowLubetter than I do. Well, I won’t keep you two. I’m sure you have tons to discuss.” With a final wink, he walks out, ensuring his body brushes against mine. “See you soon,Darlin.”

I close my eyes and grimace at his unwelcome touch. When I hear the door latch, I release an audible shudder. “I want to go take a bath in bleach.”

Owen is on his feet, striding with purposeful anger toward the door. “That smug son of a bitch—”

My hands raise to his chest, halting any further forward movement. “No. Go sit down.”

Owen grabs my upper arms, his eyes flashing. “The way that man looks at you. The way hetouchedyou. No, just no. It’s not happening.”

“Stop it. He’s not worth it. Dr. Sleaze does that to several women. He thinks he’s God’s gift.”

“I’ll take him down a few pegs. He won’t do that to you again.”

There’s nothing quite as endearing—and sexy—as Owen’s quest to save my virtue. But he’s also very determined in said quest, and if I don’t distract him fast, there will be a heated exchange for the hospital to see. Not the best way to end a week.

Looping my arms around his waist, I lay my head on his chest and squeeze. Holy hell, I love this man. He’s my home. “Thank you.”

As soon as my body connects with Owen’s, I feel the fight leave him. His tense muscles relax as he returns the hug, squeezing me so tight it almost hurts to breathe. “I know what you’re doing.”

I giggle. Of course he does. The man knows every facet of me. “Is it working?”

“You have the magic touch. But I’m still going to speak to him.”

My gut clenches. Dr. Empreso is a sleaze, no doubt, but in Memorial’s eyes, he’s irreplaceable. Me? Not so much. I don’t want to lose another job because of a jealous and vindictive man, and I certainly don’t want Owen coming under scrutiny for defending me. “And say what? He’s a pig, Owen. That’s what he does.”

“I’ve seen the way he ogles you, and not just today.” He runs his fingers across his beard, letting out a huff. “The way most men here ogle you. It drives me crazy.”

I laugh, gazing up into that gorgeous face. “Don’t even get me started. The entire hospital is in love with you, one doctor in particular.” I don’t say her name. He knows who I’m talking about.

“I’m in love with you.”

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