Page 7 of Cold as Ice

I pulled my lab coat closed. My top wasn’t revealing, but that didn’t stop him from leering. “Hey, how are you today?” We were almost the same height. He rubbed the lenses of his glasses on the lab coat that hung off his gaunt frame before perching them back on his nose. Not the type of man I ever saw myself with, but that was nothing new. Boone was the only man capable of turning my head for any length of time. And even that hadn’t worked out too well in the long run.

“Better now. I was concerned when I didn’t hear from you last night.” He stepped into my office, his beady eyes glaring accusingly at me. My blood ran cold and took a step backward to put more space between us.

“I had personal things come up yesterday. Were you looking for something specific? It’s not like us to talk after hours.” I frowned, trying to think back to see if I was supposed to call him about clinic business last night. I very well could have forgotten about something. The past twenty-four hours were a bit of a blur.

He reached out, brushing his hand down my arm. “No, but I was thinking maybe we could start.”

I backed away and slid back behind my desk. “Garth, we’ve spoken about this.” I could never see a life with him, even if I was single.

He smiled. “Can’t blame a guy for trying, can you? Dating these days is a nightmare, and try as I might, but no one holds a candle to you, Virginia.”

“That’s kind of you to say, but I’m sure you’ll find someone soon.” The grey walls of my office felt like they were closing in around me and I needed my space. This feeling was becoming more frequent when Garth was around.

He chuckled. “Someday you’ll get tired of playing hard to get. Luckily for you, I’m a patient man.”

“Then you’d realize just how desirable I am.” Rolling my eyes as sarcasm dripped from my words, but all he did was smile and nod as he took the chair across from me.

“You’re well-behaved, trainable, and loyal. The perfect woman for me.” His smile was sickeningly sweet, and I wanted to punch him. If he didn’t let go of my hand soon, I’d have no choice. That might shatter the well-behaved illusion.

Shaking my head, I looked over at my computer screen before I spoke. “It sounds like a dog might be what you’re looking for.”

“Well, an obedient dog and a girlfriend have a lot of similar traits, except for the fact that I’m allergic to dogs.”

Of course he was. Was it possible to be allergic to a human? Because I’d love to use that as an excuse to stay as far away from him as possible.

“Garth, I don’t really think this is an appropriate discussion for the office. I have told you on more than one occasion I’m not interested in a relationship.” I grabbed my coffee cup and took a long, slow sip.

“If this is about that hockey player, they were talking about you two on the radio this morning. I think you should reconsider your involvement with him. He’s bad news. Did you know that statistically speaking, athletes are more likely to cheat on their spouses?”

Was there anyone that didn’t already know about Boone?

I scoffed. “So are doctors.” It was about time I showed him the door. “Look, you—”

He reached across the desk and grabbed my hand, squeezing it tight while cutting me off. “Just think about it. I know a lot of men want nothing to do with a divorced woman, but I’m willing to overlook it. My brother married a divorcee and they’re very happy together.” His mouth curled up into something resembling a smile that made my skin crawl.

Just as I was about to tell him that he’d grossly overstepped and needed to vacate my office, there was a rap at the door. I looked up and was surprised to see Boone’s tall, broad frame leaning in the doorway and my heart kept like it hadn’t for eight years. “Hey Gin.” His low voice reverberated through the office and his smile seemed to lighten up the dim space.

CHAPTER8

BOONE

I’d stoppeddead on my way into her office when I noticed the man sitting across from her, holding her hand. I clenched my jaw and leaned in the doorframe, crossing my arms over my chest, listening in before I couldn’t take it anymore. “Hey Gin.”

He looked over his shoulder at me. “Her name is Virginia,” the man sneered.

“I don’t think I was talking to you, and she might be Virginia to most people, but not to me. To me, she’s Gin, my Gin to be exact.” My eyes never left Ginny’s.

Her posture relaxed when he released her hand to stand and turn to me. “And just who do you think you are?” This man was getting on my nerves. He crossed his arms over his chest and puffed it out. Was he trying to intimidate me? That was laughable.

“Garrison Boone.” I held out my hand to him. “The newest member of the Harpsburg Rangers and Ginny’s husband. Otherwise known as ‘bad news’ to you.”

His face paled to an almost deathly grey. It was among the oddest reactions to me entering a room I’d ever had, but not a disappointing one.

I’d been standing in the doorway long enough to hear his opinions of me and, even worse, him trying to convince my wife to divorce me in exchange for him. As if that’d ever happen.

Ginny plastered a smile on her face and stood from her desk. “Boone, sorry, Garrison, please meet Dr. Garth Birch. He’s the physician that oversees bone injuries.” Garth was doing his best to bore a hole through me with his stare.

“Ginny, don’t you dare call me Garrison,” I said, looking back at her, ignoring the doctor beside me, before moving closer to her side of the desk.

---