Free The Best Medicine by Elizabeth Hayley

thought she discussed little else. The only way she knew how to deflect her discomfort over the whole “liege” thing was to act cool and unaffected, and yet she was doing the exact opposite.
    As she finished speaking, her eyes locked with Scott’s, and in an instant she watched his normally bright green eyes morph into a stormy forest color. And it did things to her that made her glad she’d worn underwear.
    “Well, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you heading out”—Scott looked down at his watch—“three minutes early. My office maid can finish up any work she didn’t get to when she comes in tomorrow.”
    She saw a glint of humor spark in his face.
He reallythinks he’s something else.
“Are you done for the day?” Lauren asked Dr. Scott as she rounded the reception desk and moved toward her friends, looking back at him once she reached them.
    Scott appeared taken aback by her question. “Yeah, I just have some notes I need to write. Then I’m done.”
    “Can that wait until tomorrow?” Lauren asked.
    His eyes narrowed at her as he seemed to try to figure out where her line of questioning was heading. “I suppose.”
    “Then hang up your white coat and let’s go.”
    Scott stared at Lauren for a minute. He looked at her friends, who looked riveted by the interaction in front of them, and then back to Lauren. “Why would I go out with you and your friends?” he asked, his voice revealing his confusion.
    “Dr. Scott, if you really think they’re here to see me, you’re not nearly as intelligent as I thought. Hurry up. We’ll wait for you.”
    Scott stood there for another few seconds. Lauren could tell he was trying to figure out the best way to play this situation. If he declined, he’d show that he was too good to hang out with her beyond work, effectively putting her in her place. But she knew he wanted to accept her invitation. Otherwise he wouldn’t have hesitated. He probably wanted to give her a little taste of the real Scott Jacobs: man on the prowl. And part of her also believed that Scott wanted to know Lauren beyond the office walls, see what made her tick. She knew she was right when he plastered a broad smile on his face and replied, “Just let me get my things and tell Tammy I’m heading out for the day. I’ll meet you ladies in the hallway.”
    *   *   *
    Lauren wasn’t sure what the hell prompted her to invite Scott. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. She had wanted to wipe that smug look off of his face. Which she had. Until he accepted her invitation. Then his Prince Charming facade flew up like a shield as he prepared to win over the damsels in sexual distress. Her girlfriends were already practically drooling, and he hadn’t even spoken directly to them yet.
    “Lauren, I swear to God, if you don’t jump on that like a trampoline, I’m going to have to rethink our friendship,” Simone threatened.
    Lauren quickly ushered her friends out of the office. She figured that Scott had said he’d meet them in the hall because he didn’t want Tammy to know that he was leaving with them. And she was more than willing to comply. She didn’t want to become the subject of office rumors. Nor did she want that to happen to Scott. “Whatever,” she replied with an eye roll, hoping it came across as nonchalant, though she felt anything but. Lauren knew damn well that she wanted on Scott, like yesterday. But part of her—a large part—had liked it when he had initiated their contact in his office. She figured she’d leave it to him to do all the jumping.
    Scott came into the hallway wearing his black slacks and a light blue button-down. He loosened his tie, and Lauren’s eyes were drawn to the way the fabric of his shirt clung to his strong, defined biceps.
    “Ladies, shall we?” Scott asked as he extended a hand toward the door.
    Lauren’s friends were reduced to giggling schoolgirls as they exited the office. Lauren couldn’t help but smileas she shook her head at them.