Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
His two staff members hovered nearby, dressed down today in Dockers and polo shirts, playing darts but watching everything.
“I don’t think so, Senator,” she said politely.
Kyle pushed a stack of papers away. “Actually, you might want to reconsider.” His voice dropped low.
A prickle of warning spread through her. She hated that voice. Ace’s voice could go low and so could all of the Osprey men’s tones. But Kyle’s carried something else. Something colder and calculated.
She walked toward him anyway, her pulse ticking faster with each step. “I take it your hand is hurting you.”
Kyle glanced down at the bandage on his right hand. “No. You did a good job with that.”
She crossed her arms. How in the world had she even liked him at one time? “Why were you punching walls anyway?”
“My private life is no longer any of your business,” he said smoothly.
“Fair enough.” Her tone cooled. “What do you want? I have to get going.”
He studied her face, his cold eyes unreadable. Up close, he looked exactly as he always had. Immaculate with his dark hair perfectly in place. He didn’t wear a tie tonight, but the pressed polo shirt screamed power just the same. “You’re avoiding me.”
“I’m busy.”
“That’s not an answer.”
May held his stare. The noise of the tavern faded into background static. “You didn’t ask a question.”
Kyle’s mouth twitched, not quite a smile. “Still stubborn.”
“Still breathing.”
One of his staff shifted near the dartboard, pretending not to listen.
Kyle rested his forearms on the table. As usual, he was both tan and muscled. The senator liked to work out and look good in all of those pictures. “Did you honestly think I wouldn’t find you?”
“I didn’t give you a thought once I left.”
His chin lifted. “We both know that’s a lie.”
Yeah, but he thought she missed him. That wasn’t it. Not at all. She blew out air. “I figured you’d find some other woman to look good on your arm, Senator.” Her fingers curled slightly against her sleeves. Old irritation stirred inside her, way too familiar.
Kyle’s gaze flicked briefly to the bar, then back to her. “Maybe I’ve missed you.”
“That’s unfortunate and you need to move on.” She caught sight of a group of younger adults sitting around a table near the fireplace, all staring into their beers. They were more subdued than the rest of the crew in the bar. Were they Laura’s friends?
Kyle gave his smoothest smile. “We need to talk. Just join me for dinner, all right?”
“No. What do you want?” May wasn’t playing his games.
He sighed, glancing around the tavern. No one seemed to be paying attention. The crowd buzzed with its own noise. Glasses clinked. A burst of laughter erupted near the dartboard. “We took pictures today, and we need more showing the gorgeous scenery around here. I’d love to have you in a few photographs. We’re going fishing tomorrow, and I want you to come.”
May crossed her arms. “No.” She’d learned early on to be direct with him, regardless of his reaction. Otherwise he’d twist her words against her. The guy was a master at it.
A look entered his eyes that had her spine stiffening. “All right. I wanted to express some concern.”
“Really?” She nodded toward his bandaged hand. “You said your hand felt fine.”
“Oh, it does.” He looked down briefly. “I’m concerned on two levels. First, that you’re the only medical professional for this entire region. That’s too much for one person.” He paused, his handsome face settling into an expression that almost looked sincere. “Especially someone who has had…shall we say…mental problems.”
She burst out laughing. A few heads turned before drifting away again. “Mental problems?”
Kyle’s gaze didn’t waver. “You think I didn’t get your medical records?”
The smile stayed on her mouth even as cold slid through her. “That’s a HIPAA violation.”
“Even so,” he said calmly, “if someone anonymously leaks that to the newspaper here—or in Anchorage or Fairbanks—and questions your stability, it could turn into a serious issue.”
May’s spine straightened. “There’s nothing wrong with me.” She stood steady in white tennis shoes, jeans, and her favorite short-sleeved black shirt. Comfortable. Casual. Off duty, technically. Though she was always on call.
Kyle’s brows lifted. “We both know that’s not true.”
She tried for a bored look but wasn’t sure she managed to pull it off. Sure, she’d had panic attacks and had even seen a counselor for a while. Who hadn’t? She encouraged her patients to do the same. If she could get Ace to talk to someone, she’d call it a win.
Kyle tapped the papers stacked in front of him. “There’s information in here you wouldn’t want to get out.”
“Whatevs,” she said, channeling the kids in town. “Only healthy people seek help when they need it, and I did so to handle panic attacks. I don’t care who knows it.”
He smiled then. “Just panic attacks? I’m sure your records show a lot more red flags than that.”