The Pairing (The Proposition #3)(66)

The corners of her lips tugged up in a small smile. “I really don’t need the details of how much you didn’t enjoy yourself.”

He ducked his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“But at the same time, I’m glad to hear that you won’t be going back for a repeat performance.”

Jerking his gaze up to meet hers, he replied, “Never could I do that.”

“And you really were trying to get me off your mind?”

“Yes, I was.”

“In a warped way, that’s very romantic,” she teased.

“I’m glad you think so,” he mumbled.

“Look, it’s not the fact that she said you were using me for sex that has me so upset.”

“It’s not?”

“She threatened me.”

Pesh’s eyes narrowed. “Physically?”

“Not exactly. She said that if I didn’t watch my back, she would report me to the dean.”

A low growl erupted from Pesh’s chest. “She seriously said that?”

“Yes, she did.”

“I’m sorry that her jealousy and spitefulness is rearing its head. I never imagined she was such a person when I…well, when I got involved with her. I’ll make sure to speak to her. No one should have to work in a hostile environment, and she must understand that just because of her seniority, she is not allowed to harass you.” Pesh watched Megan fidget on her feet while nibbling on her bottom lip. “Do you not want me to speak to her?”

“No, that’s fine. It’s just…”

“Is there something else?”

“You know how much I like you. I mean, the very fact I agreed to date you shows how much I’m committed to you.”

Pesh crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m thinking there’s a ‘but’ coming that I’m not going to like.”

Megan sighed. “But at the same time, whatever it is that is happening between us…” She swallowed hard. “I’ve worked really hard in school, Pesh. I don’t want anything on my record that could hurt my chances of getting a job.”

If she was the crying type, he would have sworn her eyes shimmered with tears. He came around the counter to pull her into his arms. “Hey now, don’t you worry one bit about getting into trouble. Anyone who has seen you in action on the floor knows what a talented and gifted nurse you are.”

She sniffled. “If there’s even a rumor of me having an affair with an attending physician, I could be blacklisted.”

Pesh pulled away to grip her chin in his fingers. “After I speak to Kara, you will have nothing to worry about, okay?”

He could tell that even though she wanted to relax and let go of her anxiety, she couldn’t. “Come on. Let’s fix you up.”

She wiped her eyes. “What do you mean?”

With a wink, he went over to the cabinet and got down a wine glass. Then he poured some white wine into the glass before setting it down on the bar. “Take that.”

Megan glanced at the glass and then back at him. “Are you trying to ply me with wine?”

“Maybe.”

She leaned forward and picked it up. He watched as she couldn’t resist the temptation and she took a hearty gulp. Closing her eyes, she murmured, “That’s so good.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He walked around the counter again. This time he took her free hand. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“For part two of your relaxation.”

Megan smiled at him before he began tugging her down the hall. When he got into the bedroom, he noticed her sigh of frustration when they bypassed the bed for the bathroom. “While I finish dinner for us, you need to soak in a nice, hot bath.”

“You spoil me,” she protested with a smile.

He gave her a playful wink before turning on the bath water. Once he got the temperature right, he turned back to her. “Bubbles? Bath salt?”

She raised her brows. “Don’t tell me you actually have those? I mean, I know you’re a metrosexual but really?”

“We all have our secrets,” he replied. He didn’t have the heart to tell her that he had kept some of Jade’s Bath & Body Works stuff. He might’ve tried to bury them under the bathroom counter to get them out of sight and out of mind, but they were still there. He rummaged around to pull out a vanilla bottle as well as a peach. He held them up to Megan for her approval.

“Hmm, vanilla.”

“Good choice.” It was the one scent that didn’t remind him of Jade since she never used it. He poured a healthy cupful under the water, letting the foam magnify.

“Ready to get in?”

Megan glanced down at herself before looking back at him. “Well, I seem to still be dressed.”

Pesh cocked his head at her. “Oh really? I can help you with that.” He took the wine glass from her and sat it on the counter. His fingers came to the hem of her shirt. Without taking his eyes off of hers, he jerked it up and over her head. He gazed down at her simple, white bra. She sucked in a breath when his fingers skimmed her abdomen before he gripped the waistband of her scrubs and tugged them down. She stepped out of the pants, standing before him in only her bra and skimpy thong.