Authors: Lexy Timms,Sierra Rose,Bella Love-Wins,Christine Bell,Dale Mayer,Lisa Ladew,Cassie Alexandra,C.J. Pinard,C.C. Cartwright,Kylie Walker
Sexy Bastards Anthology: Bad Boy, Biker, Alpha, Motorcycle Club, Contemporary Romance Collection (61 page)
Chapter Nine
“Have you given any thought to my suggestion?” Dr. Gardiner asked the question at the start of their next session. She started in on the topic before he even sat down.
“You really want to get rid of me, don’t you?” Jace asked.
“I’ve crossed the line professionally, Jace. I don’t think I can help you rehabilitate, given the circumstances under which we met. I’ve prepared this form for you to sign. With your agreement and signoff, I’ll be able to get you assigned to a new therapist.”
“I still don’t understand. What are you really afraid of, Doc? You think I’ll tell someone? That I’ll hold what happened over your head? Or are you just afraid you can’t trust yourself to be a professional around me?”
“I won’t get into this with you. The fact is our…circumstances won’t allow for a productive doctor-patient relationship,” Jessie admitted to him.
“You know for a professional, you seem to like conversations that cross the line. Do you ever listen to some of the things you say?”
Jessie was wearing slacks this time. Her legs were completely covered, shirt buttoned up, glasses in place, hair pulled back into a ponytail, and she happened to be sitting at the edge of her table. Jace stood near the door imagining all the things he could do to her on top of that desk.
“No, Jace Roma, my focus is usually on listening to my patients, not the other way around.” She was getting flustered. He enjoyed seeing her a little off her game. “There’s also no room for us to have a different relationship.”
“Doc, there you go again, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. What kind of relationship are you talking about?”
She cleared her throat. She wasn’t answering that question and they both knew it. “The Arizona State Parole Board assigned me as your therapist and you as my patient. That was before we…had an interaction. This puts me in a tenuous situation, Mr. Roma. You do understand that, right?”
“If I sign this form, we’ll no longer be in this…tenuous situation, correct?”
“Exactly. That’s the point. We can’t continue on, Jace. We’ve…no, I have compromised my professional standards.”
Jace nodded and fought back a smirk. Compromising professional standards never felt so good.
He continued to taunt her with it. “What you’re saying is we’ll just be Jace Roma and Jessie Gardiner. Is that what you’re telling me? Or Jace and Jill?”
The doctor was unravelling, slowly handing him control. And it showed. “Mr. Roma, there are other therapists who are better suited to guide you in your adjustment to the outside. It doesn’t have to be me.”
“Because you don’t trust yourself with me…”
“That’s not correct.”
“Whatever you need to tell yourself, Doc. Besides, my support network is guiding me just fine.”
“How do you mean?”
“I have my brothers back. I have good job prospects. I have a place to stay. It’s like I never left. I’m right where I would have been if I had stayed on the outside. I don’t need your therapy, Doc.”
“Is that what you want? To get me to recommend ending these sessions completely? Wait. Is there more to what you just said?”
“More as in what?”
“Never mind. What is it, then?”
“You know, Doctor, you should come by the clubhouse sometime.”
“What?” She was visibly shocked. She obviously didn’t see that one coming.
“You should see ‘the life’ up close. Or maybe stop by one of our shops. I want you to see what supports I have access to. Maybe you or the next therapist, if there is one, will stop being so judgmental.”
“Mr. Roma,” she cautioned.
“Don’t say it’s crossing a line. You can attend as my therapist. You know, investigate my progress so you can put it all in your little report to the court,” Jace continued.
“You don’t want to be reassigned because you feel you can convince me to make a recommendation to the parole board to conclude these sessions. Is that what this is about?”
“Those were your words, not mine.”
“That’s not going to happen, Mr. Roma.”
“Fine. Have it your way, Dr. Gardiner. You can’t seem to let this go, and I’m not up for being harassed for a bunch of sessions that won’t end up counting toward fulfilling the conditions of my parole. As you refuse to let these sessions progress, I’ll sign the form.”
Dr. Gardiner didn’t like what he was suggesting, but seemed relieved he would sign it. She slid the form across the desk and produced a pen so he could sign it.
“I’ll sign it on one condition,” Jace added.
Jessie groaned. “Which is?”
“Have dinner with me.”
Their eyes met. Behind her glasses, he saw her expression change. “Mr. Roma, I don’t know,” she finally said.
“You said it yourself. This form will dissolve our professional relationship. No more doctor-patient formality. No more reminders about what I saw or didn’t see. All you have to do is come to my place, let me cook you dinner, and relax.” He walked up to her and added in the most gravelly whisper, “Whatever happens after that is fair game.”
Dr. Gardiner blushed. “I want you to understand that signing this does not mean we can pick things up where we left off.” She paused before adding, “I’m not looking to get romantically involved.”
“Hey, I didn’t say a thing about romance, Dr. Gardiner. It’s just dinner. Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“You know what I mean,” she said.
Jace slid the form off the desk, folded it, and slid it into his back pocket. This close to her, his dick was already getting ideas. The woman had a sexual presence like nothing he’d ever seen or felt. “Dinner at my place. I’ll sign it then.”
Jessie’s eyes searched his face. He couldn’t tell whether she was trying to find a way out, or looking for some confirmation that he was not being serious. Jace could think of a few ways to get her mind on something else. He was about to turn and leave, and in the next second, decided to do something else. Facing her again, he stepped directly in front of her, crowding her personal space. She really was a tiny little thing. Standing this close, he dwarfed her tight, compact frame. Dr. Gardiner wouldn’t hold his gaze for a second. Her eyes kept darting around the room, avoiding what he was sure she felt too.
Suddenly he didn’t care where they were, what she thought, or how she’d react. It was clear as day. He wanted her, and fuck, he was going to have her. He lifted a hand to the side of her face, tilting her head up so she’d finally look him in the eye. His fingers slipped back into her hair, gripping the base of her loose ponytail. The doctor may have been nervous, but she didn’t move an inch. He could hear her breathing become ragged, and her eyes closed briefly as he lowered his head and planted a kiss on her lips.
He pulled away right then. “I’ll text you the address, though I’m sure you already have it in your files.”
Her eyes slowly opened before she asked, “When?”
That was the right question.
He had her.
“How soon do you want this form signed?”
“Tonight,” she blurted out. “How about tonight?”
“Fine with me. After that, we’re through here.”
“Yes. Thanks for understanding.”
Jace got up to leave but stopped himself. “Hey, do you have any enemies? Or any patients who might want to hurt you or anything?”
“If you mean do I expect you to rough up a few exes, then no,” she answered, her tone turning cold.
“No, it’s not that,” he assured her.
“Why did you ask?”
“Two men were outside, and they looked like they were staking out your car. They jumped into an SUV and drove off when they noticed me driving up. That got me to wondering. You do work with us hardened criminals. You may have a patient or two who might hold a grudge.”
“No. I don’t.”
“Never mind. Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you tonight, Doc.”
“Tonight,” she agreed.
To Be Continued…
Continues in Bad Boy Biker 2, coming to Amazon soon.
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Thank you for reading.
Fortune Riders MC Series
Book 1
By
Lexy Timms
Copyright 2016 Lexy Timms
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to an actual person, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
All rights reserved.
Copyright 2016 by Lexy Timms
