Page 27 of Wild For You

“I want you to take the next flight to Montana and do this job,” I say matter-of-factly.

Her eyes narrow. “Why? I thought you were excited about it. What changed?”

“Because—” I cringe inwardly. Ally’s the one person I’ve never lied to, mostly because she’s always had my back. She never judges, which is why I know I’m safe revealing the truth. But that doesn’t make speaking it out loud any easier. “We made out.”

“Who did?”

Peering at the closed door, I lower my voice. “I made out with my patient.”

“You did what?” She doesn’t just sound genuinely shocked; she also looks the part. Who could blame her? As a physical therapist that’s the one thing you never, ever do. It’s textbook knowledge.

“I know.” I wince. “It’s just that he’s hot and I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I—” I break off because I knowexactlywhat’s gotten into me.

Six-foot-three of hard muscles, an accent that could whisper dirty things into my ear all night, and smoldering green eyes I want to peer into as I moan his name.

“I can’t help you.” Ally jerks me out of my reverie.

“You can’t?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“I have this new job and—”

“Oh.” I stare at her face, unsure whether I’ve just heard her right.

“In fact, I’m headed out the door this minute. But call me if I can help you with anything else.”

She’s trying to wriggle her way out of it. I just know it from the way her gaze darts around, avoiding my eyes.

“Did I mention how much it pays?” I hurry to add before she hangs up on me.

Her expression doesn’t change. That’s when it dawns on me. Ally’s a city girl through and through. Relocating to Montana, if only for a short period of time, is probably the equivalent of relocating to Northern Alaska to her.

She shakes her head. “No. But like I said I—”

“You’re lying.” She is. I know it. “There’s no important job, is there, Ally? You just don’t want to fly down here.”

She looks so guilty, it’s almost comical.

“Sorry,” she mumbles. “But I’m sure you’ll do just fine. Just don’t get involved with the guy. Got to go. Love you.”

With that, she hangs up.

I stare at the black screen for a minute or two, unable to comprehend what just happened.

“Unbelievable,” I mutter, wondering who else I could call.

Ally was my best bet. I know a few fellow physical therapists, but I don’t trust any of them. If someone finds out that I made out with my patient, my license could be gone forever.

I can’t trust Cash not to spill the beans, either. He might do it out of spite, maybe not with the intention to hurt my career chances, but simply because he might not understand the implications of the situation.

“Unfuckingbelievable,” I repeat.

Looks like I’m stuck with Cash Boyd, whether I want to be here or not.

What the hell was I thinking?

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