Free The Billionaire's Bauble by Ann Montclair

guessed she was jealous. Sloane wanted to crawl under the table.
    Luckily, Tony Forster came onto the terrace and said, “Here she is. Good to see my newest employee is feeling better.” Tony smiled broadly, oblivious to the tension in the air. He carried two beers in brown bottles and walked over and handed one to Maya.
    David left Maya’s side and came to Sloane. He slipped his arm around her waist, and said, “Sloane, Maya and Tony stopped by to say hello, to check on you. Nice surprise, isn’t it? They are my dearest friends. I was best man at their wedding.”
    “Oh, oh,” Sloane stammered, and David squeezed her reassuringly.
    “Sloane took a nice, long nap upstairs, and we recently finished a delicious dinner. I’m doing my best to take excellent care of your patient, Dr. Traynor.”
    “So I see,” Maya smiled. “Sloane, you look beautiful this evening.”
    “Thank you,” Sloane squeaked. “I didn’t know you and Tony were . . . here,” she finished lamely.
    “That’s my fault,” Tony laughed, “Maya wanted me to call first, but I wanted to make sure David didn’t brush us off and try to keep you all to himself. He can be a pretty selfish guy, you know?”
    They all laughed, and David took the opportunity to pat Sloane’s rear, scooting her toward the table.
    “Tony is a real jokester. I’m sure you two will get along famously,” David teased as he held out her chair.
    Sloane sat down, and Maya asked, “How does your head feel, Sloane? Are you still very sore?”
    David pulled out the chair closest to Sloane and sat down. He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. “She hasn’t complained once,” he answered for her. “She’s pretty tough.” His eyes twinkled into hers, and Sloane felt the corner of her mouth lift in a wry smile.
    “Yes, I am,” she agreed.
    “Well then maybe this one can handle your bull,” said Tony.
    “Let’s hope so,” concurred Maya as she sipped daintily from her bottle of beer. “David has a terrible track record, but that’s because no one’s been able to put up with his insane work ethic.” Maya’s tone taunted as her dark eyes appraised the way David and Sloane’s fingers twined together.
    Tony took the opening and asked, “David, how’s our deal?”
    “I took the night off.”
    Maya and Tony nearly dropped their beers, and then they shared a look Sloane had seen her mother give her father. The look could mean almost anything, but one thing seemed certain, David had boggled them both.
    “Speaking of work, Tony, I need to swing by the hospital and get some files before we head home. We better leave these two love birds to their privacy. Sloane, please continue to rest. Tony gave you the rest of the week off, right?”
    She poked her husband in the ribs, and he said, “Whatever you say, my love. Doctor knows best.” Tony rolled his eyes and then gave Maya a quick peck on the cheek. Maya looked adoringly at her husband.
    “Let’s go, babe,” she said, and they set their beers on the table.
    Sloane and David said nothing. The words “love birds” had probably shocked him as much as they thrilled Sloane.
    Tony reached across the table and pumped David’s hand.
    “Have a great evening, David. See you soon, Sloane. So glad you’re looking and feeling so well.”
    “Bye,” said Sloane, “and thanks so much for the position, Tony. I look forward to returning to Forster soon.” The she added, “And thank you, too, Maya, for your care and understanding.”
    Maya looked at her, nodded and winked. Sloane felt a rush of gratitude and relief that her uncharacteristic rudeness toward the doctor had been forgiven.
    David waved his goodbye and whispered into the shell of Sloane’s ear, “I absolutely love a jealous woman.”

Chapter 7
     
    What he meant to say was, “Jealousy is a huge turn on.” What he meant to do was kiss Sloane until she begged him for sex. David’s confusion was only surpassed by the tenderness he felt creeping