Page 77 of Help Wanted

Scanning her desk and the cabinet behind her, he found only pictures of her with an older couple he guessed were her parents, and a number of photos of a brown lab.

“I’m not going to sue you.”

Her shoulders sagged in relief and a smile took over her face. He’d definitely not noticed the smile the last time. No way would he have forgotten it if he had. She had dimples. Perfectly matched on either cheek.

“Oh, thank you. Please have a seat.” She gestured to the chair he’d sat in the last time and walked around to the back of the desk. He had a split-second view of her perfect ass.

He sat down, hoping he’d be able to get back up with the erection growing in his pants.

“How is Hunter?” she asked.

Hunter. Right. She was Hunter’s doctor. The woman he needed to apologize to, and whom he hoped would have a plan to help his brother get a job. He couldn’t mess things up for his brother because he was lusting over the hot doctor.

“He’s great. That’s why I wanted to talk to you.”

“Are you taking him out of Elmhurst?” She worried her bottom lip and he shifted in his seat. He was trapped with her in the small room. The blinds were shut and the door closed. The smell of her perfume luring him in as intensely as the way she looked down at his lips. Focus. Focus.

“No. Not right now anyway. I wanted to apologize to you for losing my temper.” Losing his temper most likely meant he’d lost whatever shot he might have had. Women didn’t like scary guys. He was definitely scary. He remembered the way Kenley used to step away from him whenever he walked in the room.

“You had every right—”

“No. I didn’t. You were looking out for my brother, and I was being stubborn. I thought over what you said, plus something happened this weekend that made me realize you were right. Hunter is capable of more in his life. I think it would make him happy to have a job. I have to say, the idea of having him living on his own and going to work terrifies me, but I’ll have to work on it.”

“You’ve been taking care of him for a very long time. It’s going to be difficult for you to take a different role in his life.”

He wanted to argue with her assessment, but once again he knew she was right.

“I’m willing to give it a shot. What do we need to do?”

She smiled at him again, flashing those dimples. Then she pulled out a file.

“The first thing would be the occupational therapy I spoke of. We would teach him some basic skills and evaluate the types of things that interest him. Then we can do a job shadow session. Where he would sit with someone and try the job to see if he enjoys it. Then we would move into job placement. I would suggest going slow with Hunter. While he’s always pleasant, it’s obvious any change from his routine causes stress.”

Brady nodded, remembering how many times Hunter had asked if he was going home on Sunday night. He would have brought him back the night before, but he wasn’t sure if Dr. Walker—Michaela, he’d seen on her business cards—was working that late.

“Would you ever consider having him live with you at your home full time?”

Brady sat up straighter. “I’m away a lot. There wouldn’t be anyone to watch him.”

“If it got to the point that he didn’t need anyone to watch him?”

“He would be welcome, if that’s what you’re asking. My place isn’t much since most of my income goes to paying for this place.” He hadn’t meant it to sound like an accusation but she frowned.

“I want you to know, I would never, ever do anything to change your insurance coverage for Hunter. He qualifies to stay here. I was desperate last week and I overstepped.”

“You probably wouldn’t have been so desperate if I hadn’t been so hardheaded.” He grinned at her and watched her eyes widen in response.

Thank God, it wasn’t just him. There was something going on from the other side of the desk too. It meant he had a chance. He would start with a little flirting today. Maybe by next week he could step it up to asking her out.

He was still working out the elaborate plan when she stood and nodded.

“I’m so glad you’re willing to give this a try. I’ll set up the first session tomorrow, and I’ll call you with the results.” She stepped around the desk and he briefly checked out her curves.

“Thanks.” He stood too. It was obvious she wanted him to go. Maybe he was making her uncomfortable. “I really appreciate what you and your staff do for my brother. I’m glad there are other people who care about him. I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to realize I’m not in this alone.”

She hadn’t backed away like he’d expected. They were standing way too close. He could see the amber flecks in her blue eyes.

And then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he bent down and kissed her. It started out as a tender kiss of appreciation—both physical and professional. But then she engaged.

It was as if each touch escalated the situation. When her hands wound around his waist, he pulled her closer, pressing those breasts up against his chest. When her tongue reached out for his, he moved his hands down to cup her firm ass. In only a matter of a minute or two he had her pushed back on her desk, and his hand was under the edge of her shirt moving up.

At the sound of her gasp, reality forced him back. They blinked at each other for a second before she spoke in a rough voice. “What just happened?”

“Chemistry. A whole hell of a lot of it.”