Page 57 of Wild For You

Her face turns a dark shade of red, and her palms squeeze into fists. “Did you just compare me with a lapdog?”

“Your choice of words, not mine, sweetheart,” I say.

“My patients respect me.” Her tone is menacing, lest I dare contradict her.

“I never claimed otherwise.”

“It’s only you who’s so—” She breaks off, struggling to find her words.

“Stubborn? Confident?” I offer.

“You wish!” She laughs. “I was going for ‘an ungrateful brat’.”

“I’m never ungrateful,” I say coolly. “You see, I always return the favor, at least twice.”

She blinks, taken aback by my remark. I can almost see her brain working as she tries to figure out whether the sexual innuendo was really there or whether she just imagined it.

I grin at her, meaningfully, to help her brain along.

Her face turns a brighter shade of red, if that’s even possible.

In that instant, I make up my mind.

In spite of the pain and the fear that I might never regain my full mobility in my leg, I haven’t felt like this in months.

She makes me laugh; she makes me feel alive; she makes me forget, if only for a few moments.

I don’t want her to go—not yet.

I wince at the sudden realization that I’ve just changed my mind about her.

“That’s it,” Erin says. “I can’t work with someone who’s as sexually harassing as you are. You’re getting your wish fulfilled. I quit.”

“It’s sexual harassment now?” I take another step toward her, my right hand pressed against the wall behind her head. “Let me remind you, Erin, that you made me an offer. Go along with your wishes, and I could have you.”

She’s fuming mad, her eyes two glowing points of anger. “You started it.”

“And you agreed to it, and then took it a step further.”

She crosses her arms over her chest, bringing those perky things closer to my attention. “Are we seriously fighting right now? What would your father think? He’s—”

“—no longer your employer, Erin. I’m your boss. Remember? You agreed.” I regard her coolly. “In fact, as I mentioned before, whatever my father’s paying you, I’ll double it. And we’ve already agreed that I decide the rhythm. You’re to be available at all times, whenever I want you. Three months, Erin. Whatever we do in that time will remain our business. After those three months, you’ll get to leave with a glowing recommendation and the kind of job offers that will pay more than you ever dreamed of.”

“What you’re doing isn’t fair. I haven’t agreed to anything yet. But you’re not really giving me a choice,” she says weakly.

“Your words, not mine.” I turn around on my crutches, readying myself to leave. “There’s always a choice, Erin. But think about it. I expect an answer by tonight.”

She remains quiet as I start toward the hall, but I can feel her scowl on me and can’t help but smile.

Clearly, Erin’s in shock, but even shock wears off.

“I won’t do it,” she whispers, the words spoken so low, they barely reach me.

I turn around. “What did you just say?”

“I won’t do it. My answer’s ‘no.’”

“No?” I ask incredulously that she would turn down so much money.

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