Page 9 of Must Be Love - Irresistible Bachelors

We shake hands again. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Hart. Now, as I was saying, don’t fret about it. You didn’t know then, but you do now. It’s clear to me that you’re trying to make a change in your life.”

“I am,” I say, probably a bit too eagerly. “I want my skin to be better when I’m older. And you said your product can help?”

“I believe it can,” he nods. “But as Briana pointed out, it’s not ready yet.”

More tears spring to my eyes. “Please, Dr. Blake. I’ll do anything. I don’t care what it takes. I just want to improve my skin and keep it healthy for as long as possible.”

“Absolutely not,” Briana says. “That product is still in the early testing phase. It hasn’t been put through any clinical trials yet. That’s why it was in a plain bottle with no ingredients or usage information. I was looking for something and set it out on the table to keep it out of my way. You never should have seen it or touched it.”

My cheeks go red. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize… I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”

“Briana is correct. The product is obviously in its early stages. However, I have been looking for people to test it for me.”

“Really? Like in a clinical trial?”

“Dr. Blake!” Briana cries out. “Think about what you’re doing.”

“Amber, would you give us a minute, please?”

I nod, unable to comprehend what is happening. I don’t see the big deal. People test products all the time. Merhalle has teams of testers, plus the regular clinical trials we go through to be certified. I’ll sign whatever forms I need to sign if it means testing this product. My hand still feels soft and smooth from where I used the serum ten minutes ago. I can only imagine how my face will feel with regular usage!

While Amber and Dr. Blake whisper at each other on the other side of the booth, I look around for Nicole. She’s not back yet. That’s not surprising, considering the amount of people here. Plus, her boss is a talker. She may be on the phone for a while.

“Sorry about that,” Dr. Blake says. His appearance causes me to jump. “Briana is more than just a part of my marketing and sales team. She acts as an advisor on occasion. Sometimes, she takes her job a bit too seriously.”

Behind him, the young woman rolls her eyes. She’s clearly annoyed, but at least now I don’t feel like I’m the problem. Briana doesn’t want anyone using this product before it has been properly tested. I get that. There are all kinds of legal reasons for going through the right channels.

“I’ll sign a waiver,” I offer. “Just like I would if I were doing a regular clinical trial. I’m willing to do anything, like I said. Please, help me fix my skin, Dr. Blake.”

He smiles down at me. This man is so freaking tall! His button-down shirt stretches across his sculpted abs and chest. I wonder how many days a week he spends in the gym.

“Like I said, I’ve been wanting a patient to try out the product for me. Do you live here in the city?”

I nod. “I have an apartment in Queens.”

Was that too much information? Probably. Oh well. He asked!

“Perfect. My office is in Manhattan.”

“So is mine!”

“Even better,” Dr. Blake says. “I am willing to have you test out AJB-9, but you have to come into my office for regular appointments with me. Is that something you’d be willing to do?”

I can’t help it. I jump forward and throw my arms around Dr. Blake’s neck.

“Oh, thank you so much! Of course I’ll come in for appointments. Whatever you think is best!”

Dr. Blake chuckles. “Excellent. The appointments will be covered, of course, since you’re testing this product.”

Even better, I think. I earn a decent salary working for Merhalle, but New York apartment rent is steep, and I’m still paying off my student loans. That’s one of the reasons why I haven’t gone to a dermatologist to get my skin checked out before. It would cost way too much.

Now, I’ll get the appointments for free, I’ll get a new elixir that will help heal my skin, and I’ll get to see Dr. Blake regularly?

This is a win-win situation all around.

“This is going to be excellent, Amber. I can feel it. We’re going to do great things together.”

My heart pounds in my chest. Surely, he’s only talking about the appointments and the serum. Unless Dr. Blake is feeling what I’m feeling. The crazy, charged air between us. The desire to find an empty room and have my way with him. And let him have his way with me.

Dr. Blake walks into his booth, leaving me hot and bothered on the other side of the counter. Ok. He was definitely only talking about the serum.

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