She shot a quick look over her shoulder, but didn’t slow her pace one iota.
He had to jog down the hallway to catch up to her and take long unruly strides to stay at her side. “We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
She laughed…that is, if air being blown out the nostrils counted as an expression of amusement.
“I don’t have time for this,” she explained. “Dr. Stone is a well-respected doctor. I’m sure he’ll find someone who can help you.”
“I don’t want just anyone. I want you.”
Bingo! He’d hit a soft spot, or at least a spot, because she stopped in her tracks. He did too, and then wondered if he’d really just told her he wanted her. Judging by the sour look on her face, he’d done exactly that.
“We did meet before,” she said matter-of-factly. “Years ago.”
“I knew it!”
She stiffened. “You were naked.”
Max tried not to look surprised, although he found himself scratching his head. Now they were getting somewhere. He flashed a roguish smile that rarely—make that never—failed him and asked, “Were you naked too?”
She shoved her hands into the pockets of her white lab coat and stood as stiff and straight as the Washington Monument. Intense green eyes met his. For a millisecond, she looked sort of sad and maybe regretful. “Yes…yes I was.”
Max found himself wishing he hadn’t followed her out into the hall after all. How often did a guy find himself in a situation like this? And how the hell did that same guy get himself out of such an awkward situation in one piece? He was certain his buddies would find his retelling of the story amusing. He had no idea when he’d met the woman standing before him. “I feel like an idiot,” he admitted.
“I’m glad.”
He smiled. “That was your cue to assure me I wasn’t an idiot…that it’s understandable I might forget a face, albeit a pretty face like yours, out of the hundreds I run across.”
“Oh, I see. Do you have a script for me, Max?”
A knot formed in his throat. “You’re right. That was uncalled for. I’m sorry. I’m generally charming and witty.”
“Is that right?”
Shoot me now. Max couldn’t help but hope she would run off again. But that would be too easy, and they both knew it. She was obviously one of those intelligent sorts, and she knew she had him by the balls. “Yeah,” he said, “so I’ve been told. Can I take you to lunch?”
She crossed her arms and shook her head for good measure.
“Dinner? Restaurant of your choice?”
“No. Never.”
The woman hardly blinked. Didn’t even waver. She was tough as nails, and damn if he wasn’t completely turned on. “Can you at least tell me your name?”
“Kari,” she said through tight lips.
Kari…Kari…the name didn’t ring a bell…or did it?
She patted his arm as if he were a small child in need of sympathy. “Don’t worry about it, Max. It’s completely understandable you would forget the name of a woman you slept with considering there must be zillions of faces and naked bodies swirling within that head of yours. All those nameless faces squished together like tiny gnats. Sheesh, I can’t imagine the difficulty you must have sorting it all out.” She exhaled. “Believe me when I tell you you’re not the biggest jerk in Los Angeles. You’re small, very, very small, if you get my meaning.”
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “I do believe I get your meaning.”
“Well, good. I must admit it has been delightful talking to you.” She tapped a short unpolished nail against his chest. “I haven’t felt this good in years. Thank you, Max. Thank you very much.”
“My pleasure,” he found himself saying as he stood there and watched her turn and sashay down the hall until her white coat disappeared through revolving doors.
Contents
Title page
About the Author
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Having My Baby
Finding Kate Huntley
Taming Mad Max Excerpt
An Offer He Can't Refuse Page 19
