The Third Kiss

No, she’d decided she’d misunderstood him. He didn’t want to marry her, temporarily or permanently, any more than she wanted him.

“He’s not a patient,” she said, deciding right then not to admit him to her office.

He was a nuisance.

A headache.

Definite trouble.

She pushed away from her desk and headed toward the closed door to her office that led to the reception area. She didn’t know what kind of game he was playing, but she wasn’t playing any longer. Before she jerked the door open, she paused to smooth the wrinkles out of her suit skirt.

God, she wished she’d taken her mother’s advice and bought a new pair of shoes. Maybe with a bit more of a heel to accent her legs. And look at her hands! She could use a manicure or at least some lotion. What about her makeup? She should have at least stuck her lipstick in her purse this morning.

Are you nuts? Look at you! Primping as if you’re about to meet Prince Charming!

Prince Charming, my foot. It was Matt Cutter. He was a spoiled man with obviously too much time and money on his hands.

But a good-looking man if she’d ever seen one.

What are you thinking?

Trouble was that she wasn’t thinking. She was reacting, like a hormone-raging teen about to meet Ricky Martin. And she had the simple solution. She wouldn’t see Matt Cutter. She’d let her secretary handle it. He could take his appointment and—

She eased open the door.

“Jennifer,” she whispered, hearing the desperation in her own voice. Self-preservation, she corrected. “Get rid of him—”

Then her gaze met Matt’s grin. Damn!

“Now, why would you want to get rid of me?” First one broad shoulder, then the other squeezed into her office. He stepped inside as if he owned the place. “After all, I did as you asked. I didn’t surprise you this time. I made an appointment. And—” he checked his watch, mimicking the way she had over a week ago in the orphanage parking lot “—you owe me the next hour.”

She gulped. An hour with Matt Cutter! Her heart fluttered, and she clenched her hands. She wouldn’t allow him to affect her that way. Any way. “What do you want?”

He closed the door behind him and gave the bright garish decor geared more toward kids than adults a once-over. “I thought I made that clear last time. I want…need you.”