Page 29 of What the Doctor Ordered
“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, Iamtechnically 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 wassurrounded 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.
