Share an office? For seven or eight months? Janet cringed. She liked her privacy and her space. But what choice did she have? She wanted to be a team player.
“No problem,” she said.
“I’m glad to hear you say that. Your temporary quarters are cramped, but I’m certain you’re going to love working with Dr. Gregory. He’s very energetic and full of innovative ideas.”
“I’m sure he is.” She smiled brightly.
“Sorry I’m late. I had an unavoidable delay. It won’t happen again,” a rich masculine voice interrupted from the doorway.
Stunned, Janet watched the tall, muscular man who sauntered confidently into the conference room as if he owned the entire world.
Under his white lab jacket, he dressed in a wild Hawaiian print shirt, chinos, and a pair of black motorcycle boots. He didn’t seem to care one fig that it wasn’t proper business attire. His sandy hair curled attractively around his ears. He could just as easily have been on a tropical beach as in a pediatric practice. He looked cooler than cool and sexier than any midnight fantasy.
A man at ease in his own skin.
Then recognition struck as fierce as hot lightning. Dumbfounded, she could only stare. Her new office mate, the renowned Dr. Gage Gregory and her new neighbor, the very strange Naked Terrace Guy, were the same person.
2
“Well,” Gage said, some ten minutes later when the meeting had adjourned.
He and Ms. Doctor Gorgeous Tushy were standing alone in the office they would share for the next several months.
“Yes?”
“This is a bit awkward.”
“A bit?” She crossed her arms over her chest, leaned back against one of the two oak desks jammed into the room, and raised one perfectly arched eyebrow at him.
Damn. What was it about the woman that made him want to take her into his arms and kiss her into next week?
“Okay,” he admitted and gave her a grin he hoped was both contrite and captivatingly boyish. The grin that had charmed the pants off more than one willing female. “A lot awkward.”
She leveled him a measured stare, sizing him up in one cool glance. She didn’t return his smile. Didn’t give an inch.
He had a sinking feeling she did not like what she saw. So much for his infamous foolproof smile.
Damn it, but he wanted her to like him. Why her opinion mattered, he couldn’t say. But he wished he had opted for a traditional black suit, white button-down shirt, and conservative tie just to look better in her eyes.
Except he didn’t own any clothing that fit the bill.
“Listen,” he said, extending his hand and walking toward her. “We got off on the wrong foot. I would love to start over.”
She slid along the edge of the desk, backing away from him. The soft material of her tailored gray dress made a gentle whispering noise that caused a curious tightening in his solar plexus.
“I respect your reputation, Dr. Gregory. I’m certain you’re a fine doctor, but just because I’ve seen you without your pants on doesn’t mean I’m interested in being pals or friends or buddies. This is a work environment. We are colleagues. We will perform together as a team. We will be pleasant to each other, but that’s it.”
“Ouch.” Gage retracted his extended palm. “Think I got a barb.”
“I don’t mean to be harsh.” Her tone lightened a little. “But this is my first position, and I want to make a good impression. I’ve worked my entire life for this goal, and I can’t afford any missteps that might jeopardize my future.”
“I understand completely. You would prefer not to mix business with pleasure.”
“Nailed it.” She rewarded him with a smile that did amazing things to her face. “I’m glad we got that out of the way.”
“How do you feel about carpooling?”
“What?”
“We do live in the same complex and work in the same office. Wouldn’t it make sense to share a car? Good for the environment and all that.”
Vehemently, she shook her head.
Boy, she sure didn’t want to get stuck alone with him.
“No, that won’t work. What if one of us had to work late? What if one of us has to go to the hospital to see patients? What if there’s an emergency call?”
“I wouldn’t mind waiting, or even helping you out.”
“No. It’s a bad idea.”
That was pretty definitive. Fine, if that’s the way she wanted it, so much the better. Hadn’t he just given himself a lecture on the dangers of getting too involved with people? Maybe the good Dr. Hunter had it right. Keep everyone at arm’s length and don’t depend on anyone but yourself.
“You think I’m a hard egg, don’t you?” She folded her arms over her chest, but her stare thawed a degree or two.
He shrugged. “No. Not at all.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I believe in projecting a professional image. I don’t want you to think me uncaring, but I feel people should keep their business and personal lives separate. Don’t you?”
“You’re right. Just because we’re neighbors and we’re going to be working very closely together is no reason for us to become friends or even carpool.”
“That’s correct.” She loosened the reins on her smile. “I’m happy that you see things my way.”
Whew! His laid-back style rubbed her the wrong way. Probably their rocky beginning hadn’t elevated him in her estimation, either. Still, it grated on his nerves that she didn’t like him. Gage used to being liked and determined to get on her good side.
“Despite what happened this morning, there’s no reason you should feel vulnerable or embarrassed around me,” he said.
“I don’t feel vulnerable,” she denied, but the look in her indigo eyes belied the words.
He scared the hell out of her, Gage realized and grinned inwardly. Now he knew the reason she was erecting roadblocks to their friendship. Not because she didn’t like him, but precisely because she did. What
