Free An Indecent Longing by Stephanie Julian

At least this woman saved lives, not took them.
    When she stayed silent for long seconds, he wondered if she was going to say no. She kept watching him, deliberating, and he had no idea what she was thinking.
    “Okay.” She nodded. “Sure. I’d love to.”
    Then she flat-out smiled.
    And holy hell, the impact felt like a punch in the gut. Yeah, he’d been attracted to her before, thought she was pretty. But now…
    That smile totally transformed her from haughty cool to warm beauty. This was the woman Ian had fallen for, before he’d discovered who paid her salary.
    And maybe that should’ve made Ben cautious, a little less eager to pursue her.
    But there was a reason their grammy had called him her mountain climber. If there was an obstacle in his path, he climbed it instead of going around. Sometimes he fell off a few times before making it over, sometimes he got to the top and rolled down the other side.
    But no matter what, he made it to the top because he was determined the obstacle wouldn’t stand in his way to getting what he wanted.
    He wanted her.
    And what about Ian?
    Ben knew from experience that Ian could be an immovable force. He also knew his cousin had spent the night wrapped around this woman but had left before she’d woken.
    And maybe it was because their new partners, Tristan and Adam, had a three-way relationship that seemed to be working. Or maybe it was just because Ben wanted it to work.
    But Ian and Dorrie would get on board with Ben’s plan.
    And they’d like it.
    * * * * *
    Dorrie made it through breakfast with Ben without saying anything inappropriate or getting flustered and doing something stupid.
    Put her in her lab coat or scrubs and she was poised and in control. Set her loose on a soccer field and she never faltered.
    Put her in a room with a man she actually liked? Watch her become a bumbling, fumbling idiot. Drinks spilled, food accidentally flew across the room, or she spoke and people gasped or, worse, had to bite back laughter.
    She’d gotten really good at that last one during med school until she’d learned to smile and keep her mouth shut when she was around other people.
    But not with Ben. She could talk to him. He made her feel…normal.
    “Are you sure I can’t give you a ride back to your apartment? It’s not a problem.”
    She shook her head as she grabbed her bag from the chair by the front door. “No, but thank you. I’m headed back to my office first. I’ve got to check on Blank and I’ve got a ton of paperwork. And I usually spend a few hours helping at the clinic.”
    A frown drew down his eyebrows. “Clinic?”
    Nodding, she swung her purse strap over her shoulder and checked out the front window for the taxi.
    “The free clinic on Market. It’s not far from my apartment or my office. I spend as much time as I can there on Saturdays.” And nights when she had nothing else to do, which was at least twice a week. Maybe Risa had a point about her being a workaholic. She shrugged. “They never have enough staff so they’re always grateful for the assist.”
    And she didn’t feel as guilty about her dad’s money—
    No. Not going there now.
    Ben didn’t say anything else for a few seconds and she turned to see if something had happened. She found him staring at her, his gaze almost dissecting.
    Then he blinked and his smile returned.
    “So,” he drew the word out to at least four syllables, “I’ll pick you up at seven tonight?”
    “Okay. Yes, I’d… Yes.”
    Ben’s smile widened and the heat she’d seen in his eyes earlier returned.
    She needed to leave before she threw herself at him and totally embarrassed herself. Luckily, the cab she’d called parked out front and beeped.
    She turned for the door, but Ben had his hand on the knob before she could reach for it.
    “See you tonight.”
    She nodded, not sure she wouldn’t say something stupid if she opened her mouth now, and practically ran for the taxi, grateful she didn’t trip on her