Page 24 of The Fall

“Ah,” he said, giving me the look that told me he knew I was full of shit. “So, how mad was he?”

“Well, let’s just say you and I—” I gestured between us “—will not be going to any intimate dinners for two for the next…decade.”

“That bad.” He smirked.

“It looked bad,” I said, stepping onto the elevator as he followed.

He pushed the buttons for his floor and mine, and I had to fight a desperate battle to keep my eyes averted. Perfect hair, perfect face, perfect suit, and perfectly matched tie.

“When he’s not being a jealous guy, is he good to you?”

“Very, very good, Dean, and I can’t screw it up,” I pleaded as I braved a look at him. His jaw hardened as he nodded at me with understanding.

Why did I suddenly feel guilty? Dean didn’t deserve an explanation.

“I really would like to catch up, but now—”

“I get it, Dallas. No big deal,” he said, moving to the opposite side of the elevator to let someone on. I felt the loss of him and sighed. He turned to look at me, his gaze intense as he took in my appearance, and then quickly answered the smile of the woman next to him. I felt the heat race through me at my instant pang of jealousy. I couldn’t stop staring at him. I spent every night of the past two weeks wondering what would have happened if I’d let him kiss me.

When we were the last two left in the elevator, and it was my turn to exit, I turned to him.

“Why did you try to kiss me?” Damn it, Dallas, let it go!

He took a step forward and held the door for me as he leaned in. “You look beautiful today, Dallas. Have a good one.”

“Aren’t you going to answer me?” I gazed up at him as his stare penetrated me as he grazed his bottom lip with his teeth, a move I had specifically told him I found irresistible when we were dating. He chuckled when he saw me take in a breath.

“You know, old habits,” he said before he pecked my cheek and stepped inside, letting the door close.

I stared at the elevator and heard my name being called.

“Dr. Whitaker, good morning.”

I turned to see Dr. Pierce giving me an odd look. I quickly shook off the spell I was under and nodded to him, regaining what senses I had left. I instantly became angry at myself and Dean for what he had just done to me.

I finished my rounds with the med students and Dr. Pierce and found refuge in my office. I sat at my desk, clicking and un-clicking a pen in a complete stupor. Why the hell was he coming on to me when he was engaged? What the hell was he trying to do? I heard the light knock on my doorframe and looked up to see Josh.

“Hey, baby, lunch,” he said as he stuck a plastic container on my desk and kissed my cheek. I smiled as he pulled away.

“This is awesome,” I said, pulling the lid off and inhaling the mouthwatering scent of sautéed vegetables and risotto. “The perks of having a chef for a boyfriend.” I beamed as I took a huge bite and exaggerated a moan in appreciation.

“There is more than one,” he reminded me with a cocky grin.

Josh took a seat next to me as I ate and stayed with me until it was time for his shift. We were laughing as he left me at the reception desk and turned to walk toward the elevator.

“That man is in love with you, honey,” Beatrice said, looking between the two of us as Josh stepped on the elevator and it closed. “I can almost guess that this time next year, he will make you his missus,” she added.

“Will she say yes?” This time the voice belonged to a distant memory—someone who didn’t belong in the new world I’d created. I jumped at the intrusion and turned quickly to face Dean, who was being scrutinized by Beatrice as he stood behind me with his arms folded on the counter. His stance was arrogant, and I couldn’t help but notice the tick of his jaw as he eyed the closed elevator behind me.

“What’s up, Dean?” I asked dryly as I braced myself for a look at his gorgeous face. As usual, it did not disappoint. My insides sighed as I studied him.

Beautiful bastard.

Dean was half-Spanish from his mom’s side and could credit her for his flawless olive skin and startling blue eyes. His parents had met when his dad had taken a trip overseas after college. I had met them a few times when we were kids and once in college. His mom, Dayana, had a nickname for me that she frequently spoke in her native tongue. Dean had refused to tell me its meaning. I constantly worried when we were younger that she didn’t approve of me, but she treated me with nothing but kindness. It seemed so long ago, and yet I couldn’t help but notice the same kindness in her son’s eyes now as he watched me closely.

Dean grabbed his tie, studying it without interest as he spoke. “I was just meeting you halfway to treat you to day-old egg drop soup and green Jell-O for lunch in the cafeteria, but it looks like you already had a lunch date.”

“Yes, I’m all set. Maybe tomorrow.”