Flirting with the Society Doctor

Stunned by how much she trusted him.

Stunned by the fact they’d made love twice without protection.

“Vale?”

“Hmm?”

“I do love you and I will marry you, but I’m not ready for a baby.”

He rose up on his elbow, staring down at her. “No? I’m in no rush to start a family. The idea of having you to myself for a while appeals.” He waggled his brows knowingly. “But when you’re ready to start trying for a baby, I’ll be an eager participant.” His lips quirked into a half-smile. “What are you ready for, Faith?”

“You did offer me my job back,” she reminded him, sitting up and reaching for her clothes.

He watched her replace her bra, fastening the hooks between her breasts. “I also offered to come to work for you.”

“I doubt starting a new business and getting married at the same time would be a wise decision.” She pulled her blouse over her head, straightening the material at her waist, and looked around the table for her panties. Looking way too sexy, he held up her panties like a prized trophy. Faith rolled her eyes and snatched her silky underwear from him. “I loved working here with you, our research and the progress we’re making on Parkinson’s.”

He sat up, pulled on his boxer briefs and slacks. Not bothering with his shirt, he leaned against the table. She tucked her blouse into her skirt. He stood silent a few minutes, then shifted his gaze to her.

“If starting your own clinic is what you want, we’ll make it happen, do our research there.” He sucked in a deep breath, met her gaze. “I don’t want us being together to stand in the way of your dreams. Not ever.”

Straightening from slipping her shoes back onto her feet so he wouldn’t tower over her, she turned to him. Vale was a top-notch neurosurgeon, used to having his way, leading the pack. Was he seriously saying he’d help her build a neurology practice of her own?

“You’d really come work for me if I wanted my own clinic?”

He nodded. “In a heartbeat.”

She stared at him in wonder, seeing the sincerity shining in his eyes. “I believe you would.”

One corner of his mouth lifted and he gave a low laugh. “Haven’t you figured out the truth yet, Faith? I’d move the world if that’s what it took to make you happy, to make you mine for ever.”

“No moving the world necessary.” Pressing her palms to his bare chest, she smiled up at him, happier than she could recall ever being. “But I would like my dog back.”

He grinned. “About that…”

Faith narrowed her gaze, giving him a playful glare. “What have you done to my poor Yoda?”

He held up his arm, displaying the tiny teeth marks. “Your poor Yoda is anything but poor. We need to work on his people skills.”

Faith rubbed her finger over the red spots. “He was just trying to defend my honor.”

“We need to sit down and have a talk with him, let him know that in the future that’s my job.”

“Where is Yoda?”

“At Sharon’s.”

“Sharon’s?” Faith shook her head in wry amusement. Her friend had sure played it cool that evening. Faith had never suspected a thing. “She was in on this? Agreed to watch Yoda?”

He shook his head. “Nope, but I shut the little Cujo into her bedroom along with water, food, and newspaper. I figure he should be okay there for a few hours until she comes home and finds him.”

Uh-oh. Faith grimaced. “You didn’t happen to notice if her closet door was shut, did you?”

Looking confused, Vale shrugged. “I didn’t notice. Why?”

Faith started laughing. “You are going to be in so much trouble when she discovers Yoda. Sharon isn’t Yoda’s biggest fan.”

“See…” he grinned “…another example of needing to work on your dog’s people skills.”