Page 6 of Lovesick

Chapter 3

“Don’t go.” Louise licked her suddenly parched lips. They were probably dying for another drink of Dr. Love’s elixir, the one that came from kissing that kissable mouth of his.

He studied her a moment as if he were deciding what to do with her, as if she represented a puzzle. She didn’t want to be a puzzle. She wanted to be the answer to his dreams.

“Not before we set up our next date,” she said.

He laughed.

“Are you sure about that, boss?”

It was a pointed challenge. One she couldn’t ignore.

“Okay, you have a point, but technically I’m not your boss.” She drummed her fingers on the lukewarm compress that now sat on her lap. “Make that, I’m absolutely not your boss.”

“I believe you.”

“You’re reluctant.” There was no use hiding her disappointment. She’d been too transparent since he’d walked into the room to try and play it cool now.

“Not because I don’t find you attractive. And interesting. Someone who I’d be delighted to take to dinner—”

“Then it’s a date. Tomorrow night. That’ll give me a chance to shake this whatever it is—”

“Likely the flu,” he said, “but I’ll know for sure after we send your blood sample to the lab.”

“How long will that take?”

He looked at his watch. “I can get it done by five if I leave now.” He arched a brow at her. If she’d been standing her knees would have buckled. What was it about this man that got to her so?

“I hate to see you go.” What happened to all her cool guile?

He grinned. “I’ll be back. Take a nap. Doctor’s orders.”

She felt the spark spread in a slow burn through her entire body and knew it had nothing to do with the flu. Dr. Max was a delicious man. What luck that he happened to be available. Or was he?

Panic rose and she darted a glance at his ring finger, realizing she hadn’t bothered to check if he was married. Relief made her sigh when she saw a ringless hand—two ringless hands. A woman could never be too careful.

Reaching out, he pressed her back onto the couch.

“Let me give you something to help you sleep. A natural relaxer—no drugs.”

“What is it?”

“My grandma’s secret recipe. A combination of tea and herbs with a pinch of brandy.”

He reached into his bag again and took out a dark, unlabeled bottle. If anyone else were to try and give her something from that mysterious bottle, she’d have gotten up and run, flu or no flu. But Max made her feel safe, taken care of. She supposed it was his job—which he was very good at—but it felt more special. Or she was delirious and egocentric.

“I’ll call you tonight with the results of the blood test.” He poured a measure of his mixture into a glass and handed it to her. She drank it all down.

* * *

Max closedthe door to Louise Regal’s office behind him and took a deep breath. If only that was enough to dispel the attraction, the pull, the downright hunger he felt for her. He hadn’t felt like this about a woman in years. Since before his divorce.

And he wasn’t entirely sure it was a good idea that his libido decided to go into overdrive here and now. With this woman. Biology or no biology.

Walking through the outer office and down the plush-carpeted hallway with Regal family photos dating back to the 1890s lining the walls, dismay deepened to troubled. By the time he got into the elevator, away from her and her charm, he questioned the wisdom of a date.

He went into his bright office, the one he’d felt so at home in, and sat behind his desk adorned with a photo of him and Tim. It had been taken not long before he started this job. Tim was eight now and the love of his life.