Page 23 of Indebted

“Right,” Zoe smiled cheekily. “So you always smile when you’re in a rush and have zero percent change of being late because your shift at a certain clinic with a hot boss doesn’t start for another hour and a half?”

I shot her a look and slowed my movements. “So I’m enjoying it a little bit. Sue me.”

I was enjoying it more than a little bit, and it wasn’t even about the work.

I was torn between telling Zoe what had transpired between me and Justin last week. A dark part of me wanted to keep it a dirty secret.

It’d been the hottest moment of my adult life, and we hadn’t even been naked. Hell, he hadn’t even been the one to touch me. He’d made me do it. And fuck if that didn’t get me hot and bothered just thinking about it. I could remember all too clearly his eyes on me, how he’d looked like he wanted to consume every inch of me. His attention had been intoxicating. Like everything about Justin. I was being pulled into his orbit and had no idea how to break free. Or if I even wanted to.

Part of me wanted to travel down this black hole and see where it took me. Would I come out the other end of the quarter with the best memories of my life?

Or would I be in complete ruin?

And most importantly, was it worth the risk?

Chapter 9

“You’re in early,” Midge said by way of greeting when I strolled in forty-five minutes before my scheduled shift.

I shrugged, pushing back the bite of disappointment that Justin wasn’t at the front. Not that he was there often. Well, I mean he kind of was, but I didn’t expect him there every minute of every day.

“Class got out early, so I thought I’d get a jump on things and come in early.”

If Midge was happy about getting free hours of labor out of me, she had a funny way of showing it. Her scrutiny left an itch between my shoulder blades.

Dropping my backpack under the reception desk I slid behind my computer and shook the mouse.

Over the weekend I’d started on the new charting software I’d thought up. It’d been the only thing that could take my mind off Justin’s hands on my breasts for longer than five minutes.

I’d already discussed with my professor that I wanted to change my final project and when I told him my ideas, he was all for it.

It felt like a step in the right direction.

Once I got settled, I plugged my USB in and got to work. Time ticked by fairly quickly as I coded, pulling up the clinics charting software from time to time when I needed to work. I also used it to get ideas on function and intuitiveness.

Midge handled most of the patient interaction during my shift, which I appreciated, disappearing from time to time to deal with patients in the back.

I didn’t even notice she was gone halfway through my shift until a voice spoke from above me.

“I haven’t seen you before.”

The deep baritone made me look up.

Wow.

The guy could’ve been a model. Not completely outside the realm of possibility given the clinics location and clientele list. He had perfect cheekbones, a broad forehead, and a mile-wide smile.

“I’m new.”

“I can see that,” his eyes twinkled, and he held out a hand, “I’m Tanner.”

“Katie.”

His hand engulfed mine, hot to the touch.

He leaned over the ledge and I got a sneak peek at the pecs under his tank top. “Are you new to the area as well? Because if you are, I’m a great tour guide.” The suggestive curve to his lips told me what kind of tours he would provide.

He didn’t release my hand.