“I did,” I admit, glad I didn’t have to resort to causing a scene.
I look over at the man who formulated my escape. I don’t recognize him as someone I’ve been introduced to yet. He looks to be about ten years older than me, so in his early thirties. He has the clean cut good looks that make him look like he belongs on a yacht or at the tennis club.
I stop when we’re far enough away from Mr. Boob. “You have me at a bit of a disadvantage. You know my name but I don’t know yours.”
“Jack,” he shakes my hand. “Jack Harris, and I only know you by reputation.”
Oh God, not another man who thinks I’m up for sale tonight.
He must see something in my expression because he hurries on.
“I’m Lennox’s surgeon,DoctorJack Harris” he explains quickly. “Declan told me you were working with Lennox and I have to admit, I looked you up.” His cheeks redden his skin which is almost as pale as mine and his embarrassment is endearing.
“Oh, you did?” I cock my head at him, smiling at his openness.
“Purely from a professional standpoint, of course,” he adds.
“Of course,” I echo. “I would’ve done the same and, to be honest, I should have already been in touch with you to talk about Nox’s treatment plan, but things have been pretty busy since I started working for him.”
“Well, I’d be more than happy to discuss whatever you need, perhaps over dinner?” He asks the question so smoothly it takes me a moment to realize he’s asking me out. “If you don’t think Lennox would mind?” he adds, his meaning clear. This time, he’s asking if I’m here as Lennox’s therapist and friend, or as something more.
“That would be nice,” I smile. ”And I’m sure Nox wouldn’t mind,” I say firmly, confirming without saying it, that we’re ‘just friends’ as Lennox and I have both agreed.
I’m not sure why I feel a little guilty when I hand Jack my business card with my cell number on it. I haven’t done anything wrong, so why the hell does it feel like I have?
“Great!” Jack smiles broadly. We chat about our jobs and I discover he’s easy to talk to. After a few minutes I’ve all but forgotten how desperate I was to leave after Roger the Pervert’s innuendos.
I can feel the moment when the relaxed atmosphere between us changes and I know without turning around that Lennox is at my back. It’s as if my body is completely attuned to his presence and I’m not sure when that happened.
“Sorry I left you alone for so long, Isabella.” His deep voice vibrates through me and the way his tongue dances over my name causes goosebumps to raise over my skin. This isn’t the moment I’m going to allow my body to betray me, so I keep my crap together, even as Lennox inches close enough that his arm brushes against my bare skin.
“I wasn’t alone, Jack’s been keeping me company,” I say and nod towards the man in question.
I don’t miss the tick of annoyance in his jaw at my words. It makes me wonder what the hell has gotten into him.
Jack frowns a little as he takes in Lennox’s closeness to me and the tension amongst our little threesome thickens up.
“Isabella and I have some work to discuss, Doc.” Lennox doesn’t finish his sentence with ‘so would you kindly fuck off,’ but he may as well have from the dismissiveness in his tone.
“It was great to meet you, Jack.” I smile so hard my cheeks hurt, trying to make up for Lennox’s rudeness.
Jack’s eyes flick between the two of us as if he’s trying to figure out what the hell just happened. Needless to say, he’s not the only one.
“You too, Izzy. We’ll talk soon.” He taps his chest pocket where I saw him place my card, smiling brightly. His face sobers as he nods goodbye to the giant by my side. “Lennox, always good to see you.”
“Doc.” Lennox’s voice is more of a growl as he watches the other man weave through the crowd.
I wait until Jack’s out of sight and out of earshot before turning to Lennox, wrapping all the faux courage I can muster around my voice. “What bug’s crawled up your ass?”
“Is that the charm you used on the doc to make him look at you like he’s hearing a damn choir singing in the background?”
“Jack was just being friendly.”
“Oh, so it’s ‘Jack’, is it?” There’s a definite edge in his voice. I stare at Lennox, mouth practically agape. But Lennox wouldn’t know that because his eyes are still stuck on Jack, staring daggers into the man. If looks could kill, the good doctor would be DOA.
“Would you quit it? You sound like a jealous boyfriend!” I regret the word ‘boyfriend’ almost as soon as it’s out of my mouth, but isn’t that the story of my life? No filter on the words that leave my lips. To cover up my faux pas, I take another glass of champagne from a passing waiter. I’m a complete lightweight, but whatever. I need something to do with my hands.
When I hazard to look back at Lennox, I find he’s staring at me. Really staring at me. Like I’m a bug under a broken microscope.