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“Touché ... and thanks for the compliment—I think.” He looked right at me. “But from where I’m looking, I think he’s doing a serious disservice to the male population keeping the two of you lovely ladies covered up five months of the year.” He flashed those adorable dimples.

“You’re a keeper! I like you. You’re welcome at ladies’ night any time, dude,” Sierra added.

I was glad she was getting a taste of the fun, flirty banter I had told her about. Suddenly, Sierra’s eyes shifted above my head. Her mouth dropped open like she was going to catch a fly at any moment.

“Lili, can I have a word with you?” The deep gravelly voice was unmistakable. Goosebumps rose over the flesh of my arms, and a shiver ran down my spine. His voice alone had my body completely under command. A command that was not familiar. I slowly turned my head to look over my shoulder.

“So you must be Dr. Colton?” Sierra wasted no time.

“Yes. And you must be the best friend I’ve heard so much about.” He answered Sierra, but his stormy gaze never wavered from his target. Me.

My stomach fell into my lap and heat began to pool from my core. Suddenly, the two emotions that had been completely consuming me since I met this man were waiting for a puck to drop to face off, anger vs. desire. Emotions I steered clear of for the past three years.

My mind silently supported the well-deserved anger, while my traitorous body succumbed to desire. What did this man want from me? And why the hell was he standing in this bar?

Maybe his medical groupies fell over themselves to kiss his brilliant ass, but that was not me. Would never be me. It did not matter how riddled with unfulfilled desire I was, I would never willingly hand anyone that power.

Unlike our previous interactions, the tension was glaringly obvious; a dense fog smothered our table. It was choking. Guy’s eyes pinballed between his boss and me, while Sierra sat cross armed, studying Chase. This was the moment that life decided to push pause.

I had no control of my physical reaction to this man, but I had the power to push play.

“Um. Chase. This is Sierra Baldwin. Sierra, meet Dr. Chase Colton.”

Chase barely broke his gaze. He silently shook Sierra’s outstretched hand. Sierra played it well. Her body language read calm and cool, but my best friend’s eyes screamed what-the-fuck. I explained the “intensity” factor to her pretty well, but I had a gut feeling we would revisit that topic again in the very near future.

“Lili. A moment.” He motioned with one hand toward the door, his unapologetic eyes bolted on me.

“Ohhkaay.”

“Excuse us.” Chase pulled my chair out, making room for my exit. Presumptuous much?

“Hey Chase. The lady is off the clock. Can’t whatever it is wait until Monday? Why don’t you pull up a chair and have a drink?” Guy leaned back and waited for Chase’s response. He didn’t respond, at all.

“Um … it’s okay, Guy. It’s fine. I’m sure he just needs to go over a few things. Um, we’ll be right back.”

Guy and Sierra exchanged inquisitive glances.

“Why are you here, Chase?” I pushed through the front door into the humid night air, looking up at the cloudless midnight blue sky. Lord help me.

“We need to talk.”

I spun on the heel of my ballet flats and tightened my arms around my waist trying to tame the butterflies. I was tempted to ask what the hell was wrong with the past seven days.

“We do?” I sarcastically questioned.

“You know we do, but I would rather not have this conversation here. Let me take you home. My car is right around the corner.”

My eyes narrowed and I frowned.

“Why would I leave with you, Chase?”

“You don’t have to, but I want you to. I owe you an explanation.”

Damn straight he did.

“Damn straight you do.”

He reached for my hand, but I backed away slightly, breaking the connection. The heat from his fingertips sent shivers up my arm. He sensed my trepidation, because his eyes morphed from intense to something softer, something genuine. My stomach lurched and I knew I was screwed. But it didn’t stop me from remaining pissed.

“This is crazy!” I snapped. “You had all week to say something. You’re the one who walked away. You’re my freaking boss, for god’s sake. I don’t do this ...we can’t do this.”

Sierra interrupted by walking out the door, providing a much-appreciated pause. I needed to regroup, unsure if I believed a word coming out of my mouth.

Sierra’s eyes cautiously tried reading the situation. “Hey, Lil. You okay?”

“I’m fine. Are you leaving?”

Chase stood ruminating with his hands snaked in his pockets, eyes locked on me the entire time.

“Dodd just called and surprised me. He got an earlier flight back from his meeting. I’m gonna shoot over to the airport and pick him up. You mind?” Her expression screamed “you sure you want me to leave you here with this dick?

“No, I’m fine. Go pick up your husband. He’ll be psyched to see you. I’ll call you tomorrow.” She gave me a peck on the cheek and uttered a curt “good night” in Chase’s direction. She walked across the street and hopped in her SUV. If I weren’t so distracted by this man in front of me, I would have sworn she waddled.

“Now there’s no reason to stay. Can we go?” Chase shifted his weight between his long legs as if he were losing patience. His chiseled face was focused and determined. He was seriously off the charts breathtaking; however, I was no lovesick nursing student ready to bow at his command.

“No, Chase,” I clipped. “This, whatever this is, can’t happen!” I pointed back and forth between us, silently regretting every word that escaped from my lips. My inner turmoil was causing a relentless havoc. My attraction for this man was overwhelming.

“Calm down. Just let me take you home. Your ride just left and you’re not cabbing it home alone.” I might not live in his upscale part of town, but it was a far cry from the hood. He was unreal.

My irritation bubbled to a head, and I snapped, “It’s fine. Guy can drive me home. I’m sure he won’t mind. He lives in my part of town.”

“Like fuck he will.” Chase clenched his jaw so tight I thought he was going to pop a vessel in his neck. “He’s been drinking, and there is no fucking way you are getting in a car with him.” He was dead serious.

“He had a margarita. I’m pretty sure he’s fine.” I defended Guy, even though there was nothing to defend. Guy was a giant by normal people standards. It would probably take a pitcher of Rosa’s house margaritas to impair Guy’s big toe. Besides the fact, Guy wasn’t stupid.

“That’s one drink too many.”

Oh-kay.

“Chase, what do you want from me? Why are we even talking about any of this? As far as I’m concerned, we have a professional relationship. End of story. No more sushi dinners, no more call room ... anythings.” My face flushed.

He took a step toward me and gently lifted my chin. “Blue, look at me. You know you don’t believe that. Let me take you home. Let’s talk. If after, you really don’t want this, I promise I’ll back off.” His eyes turned molten, causing an explosion of tingles between my legs. My body cross checked my brain and prevailed in the battle. I would deal with the penalty later.

“Fine, Chase. I don’t owe you a damn thing after the way you treated me, but I’ll let you plead your case.”