“It’s not often someone takes my breath away.”

“Noah—”

He eased forward slowly, giving her ample time to stop him. “I can’t pretend you don’t stir something in me, Callie. And I sure as hell can’t pass up this opportunity.”

Her mouth felt soft beneath his as he caressed her uninjured cheek. Keeping his touch light, he coaxed her mouth open and slid his tongue in to meet hers.

Callie pulled back and brought her hand to her lips. “Noah, we can’t do that.”

“Pretty sure we can and did.”

“You don’t need this complication on top of caring for me, and I can’t afford to be sidetracked by you and your charms…and those kisses.”

He couldn’t help but grin. Apparently he’d found just the thing to distract her.

About the Author

National bestselling author JULES BENNETT’s love of storytelling started when she would get in trouble as a child and would tell her parents her imaginary friends were to blame. Since then, her vivid imagination has taken her down a path she’d only dreamed of. And after twelve years of owning and working in salons, she hung up her shears to write full-time.

Jules doesn’t just write Happily Ever After, she lives it. Married to her high school sweetheart, Jules and her hubby have two little girls who keep them smiling. She loves to hear from readers! Contact her at authorjules@ gmail.com, visit her website, www.julesbennett.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter, or send her a letter at PO Box 396, Minford, OH 45653, USA. You can also follow her on Twitter and join her Facebook fan page.

Hollywood
House Call
Jules Bennett

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For my husband, who thinks I’m beautiful whether I’m wearing a formal dress, jeans and boots or lounge pants. I love you with all my heart.

Thank you for showing me the beauty of love.

One

“I want your body.”

Callie Matthews jerked around to see her boss, her very sexy Hollywood-plastic-surgeon boss standing only a few feet away in the foyer of his office. When he reached behind his back, the lock to the front door slid into place with a quick flick of his wrist.

“Excuse me?” she asked, thankful the office was now closed.

A naughty grin spread across Noah Foster’s face, showcasing that killer smile that never failed to make women weak in the knees as their panties were dropping. Granted, her panties had always remained in place, but still…

Mercy, she was so shallow, because if he so much as crooked a finger for her to follow him into the break room and…

“Hear me out,” he said, holding his hands up. “I know you want to catch your big break by acting—”

O-kay. So they obviously weren’t having the same thoughts about him wanting to tear off her underwear in the break room. Such a shame.

“But,” he went on, oblivious to her naughty thoughts, “I have a proposition for you.”

Those last three words were like music to her ears. That break-room fantasy might come true after all.

“I have an upcoming ad campaign I’d like you to model for.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. What?”

Model? The chubby teen that still lived inside her nearly laughed. But Callie had long since left that girl behind in Kansas.

Noah moved toward her, never taking his gaze from hers, never breaking that signature smile. “I’d like you to do the modeling for the ad to launch my new office across town.”

Callie came to her feet and moved around the desk. “Obviously, you haven’t thought this through.”

He raked his eyes down her body, sending all kinds of yummy thoughts swirling through her overactive imagination. “Oh, but I have. And it’s you I want.”

Oh, baby. If only those words were used under different circumstances.

“You have tons of clients you could use,” she told him as she turned and marched down the hall to the lounge to retrieve her purse. “Besides, I’ve never modeled.”

Like most transplants to L.A., Callie had come eager to be the next actress that would make Hollywood directors and producers sit up in their chairs and take notice of her remarkable talents. Unfortunately, her agent couldn’t get her any auditions that weren’t embarrassing. So far she’d done a commercial for zit cream and one for STD meds. Yeah, not the claim to fame she’d been hoping for. But she had to start somewhere, right?

Wait, maybe that whole STD thing was why Noah wasn’t so interested in seeing her outside the office. He did know that was purely acting…didn’t he? She was free and clear in that department, especially considering her lack of sexual experience. Not that she was a virgin, but she might as well be for the two pathetic encounters she’d had.

“I just want a few pictures of you, Callie.” Noah followed her and rested an impressive broad shoulder against the doorjamb. “The ads we’re going for will showcase the natural side of surgery, how to stay young and fresh.”

Callie mimicked his action and crossed her own arms over her chest and leaned against the counter. “But other than that minor chin scar you did microdermabrasion on, I haven’t had anything else done. Isn’t that false advertising?”

“Not at all,” he argued. “If you had never been a client, then that would be false advertisement. But you’re perfect, Callie. You’re beautiful, the camera will love you, and you’ll be on billboards across town. Tell me you don’t want that kind of exposure.”

Well, this was a giant step up from zit cream and STDs.

“You think this will help with my acting?” she asked.

He shrugged. “It can’t hurt.”

There was a role coming up in an Anthony Price film that she would give anything for, and her agent had yet to get her an audition. But maybe if she had the right connections…

“I have a proposition to throw back at you,” she countered.

Dark brows drew together as his eyes narrowed. “You make me nervous when you get that look. Last time you had a lightbulb moment we ended up with a cappuccino machine in the break room that shot mystery liquid all over the walls and the floor.”

She waved a hand through the air. “Minor technical difficulty.”

He sighed. “Let’s hear it, Callie.”

“You talk to Olivia Dane about getting me an audition for this upcoming film of Anthony’s and I’ll pose for you.”

If Noah called the Grande Dane of Hollywood, who just so happened to be their number-one client and mother to the hotshot producer on the new film Callie was aching to get a part in, Callie would forever be grateful.

“I’m not asking you to have her give me a part,” she went on when he was silent. “I just want an audition to show them what I can do.”

God, she hated to sound as if she was begging, but, well…she was. She’d come to L.A. to pursue a dream, not to get this close and have a door slammed in her face.

Callie believed in fate and it was no coincidence she worked for the same plastic surgeon who catered to all of the needs of the most recognized woman in Hollywood.

“Please,” she said, offering a sweet smile.

His brows tipped down as he tilted his head. Damn, he had that George Clooney sultry look down pat.

“Your agent can’t get you an audition?” he asked.

Callie shrugged. “She claims this isn’t the right role for me. But I can’t prove myself if I don’t get the chance.”

He reached out, placed those large, masculine hands on her shoulders and all sorts of happy tingles spread through her. Mercy, she wanted those hands on her without the barrier of clothing.

One dream at a time, Callie.

“Your agent has been in this business for a while,” he told her, his voice softening as if he were trying to explain something to a toddler. “Maybe she knows what she’s talking about.”

“I don’t see how it would hurt,” she insisted. “If I don’t get it, I’m no worse off. But there’s that chance I could land this and launch into something I’ve been dreaming of my entire life.”

Dark gray eyes searched her face. “I can’t call her. I know how bad you want this, but I couldn’t live with myself if I threw you into a lifestyle that isn’t as glamorous as you think it is. You haven’t been in town that long, Callie. Why don’t you ease into this? Anthony Price is a big deal.”

No matter how sexy Noah was, she refused to let him ruin her dream. “Fine. I’ll get this audition my own way.”

He dropped his hands and placed them on his narrow hips. “Let your agent do the grunt work, Callie. Stars weren’t born overnight.

“You’re a beautiful woman. You won’t have a problem getting attention.”

Something very warm spread through her at his declaration. To think a man like Noah Foster thought she was beautiful, a man who created beauty for a living, was one of those compliments she’d keep locked away in her heart forever.

“I’ll give you fifty thousand dollars to pose.”

Callie froze at his abrupt offer. “Fifty thousand? Are you out of your ever-lovin’ mind?”

He chuckled. “You know, when you’re shocked, your accent becomes really strong.”

“I don’t have an accent,” she told him. “And get back to that offer. Are you kidding me?”

His smile faded. “I don’t kid about business or money.”

Fifty thousand could go so far. Her parents needed a new roof desperately and she could buy them a second car, something reliable. God, how could she turn down this offer?

As she ran through the pros and cons—and there were definitely more pros—Noah’s eyes studied her in that way that always made her nervous. For one thing, he was a Hollywood surgeon to the stars and she always felt as if he was analyzing her. Another reason was because, well, she found her boss drop-dead, curl-your-toes-into-the-carpet sexy. Why on earth the man was still single was beyond her.

Maybe he slobbered when he kissed—that was a total turnoff. Or maybe he was terrible between the sheets.

As she studied him, she knew there was no way a man like Noah Foster would be a slacker in the sack. The man exuded sex appeal, and he looked so amazingly perfect with clothes on she couldn’t even imagine what he did to a birthday suit.

Noah offered that killer, dimpled smile as if to reassure her of her future. He was not fighting fair with those damn twin dimples, and she had a feeling her resolve was going to crumble about as fast as her panties would drop if he’d offer that break-room fantasy of hers.

Yeah, she knew she couldn’t turn down that money. As much as she’d wanted him to talk to Olivia, she was grateful for the fact he had so much confidence in her to offer such a large amount.

“I’ll do the ad,” she told him. “If you’re sure my look is what you want plastered on billboards.”

Crazy thought, but whatever he wanted. He was the one paying.

“You’re exactly the look, Callie. I want to capture that youthfulness, that innocence.”

Callie laughed. “I’m not that innocent.”

“You moved here less than a year ago and you grew up in the Midwest.” His lids lowered slightly over those dark eyes as he leaned forward just enough to get into her personal space. “You’re practically still a virgin.”

Callie’s mouth went dry because the word virgin instantly brought to mind sex, and the word sex hovered in her mind while Noah stood this close with his bedroom eyes locked onto hers.

“I assure you, I’m not a virgin.”

Shut up, Callie.

“Good to know,” he told her with that cocky grin. “But I’m glad you’ve given in to the pictures.”

“Have you ever had to fight for anything you want or do you just flash that smile?” she joked.

Something dark passed over his face; his smile faltered, and he swallowed. But just as quick as it came, it passed. “You’d be surprised by what I’ve had to fight for and what I’ve lost.”

None of her business, she told herself. Everybody had a past, and just because he was a rich, powerful surgeon didn’t mean he’d had it easy. But this was the first glimpse she’d had of any kind of pain hidden behind that billion-dollar smile.

She wasn’t a virgin.

Noah inwardly groaned. Callie Matthews might not be a virgin in the sexual sense, but she was certainly very innocent because if she had any clue where his thoughts traveled when he thought of her, she’d be suing him for sexual harassment.

He refused to be so clichéd as to date his receptionist, but damn if he didn’t want to see her on more personal, intimate terms. He’d played with fire when he’d cornered her two days ago in the lounge. When he’d moved in closer to her, he’d noticed her bright green eyes widening, the way she kept nervously licking her lips…those sexy, naturally full lips that begged to be kissed. His female clients paid a small fortune for a mouth like Callie’s.

Noah eased back in his office chair. She’d be coming in any moment and he intended to keep their relationship professional. No more touching, no more getting pulled under by her hopeful eyes and childlike dreams.

If Callie had any idea what she was in for in this Hollywood wannabe-actress cycle, she’d run back to that cornfield she came from. It wasn’t all glitz and glamour. There was no way in hell he’d see another woman he cared about fall to the dark side of Hollywood.

The scars from his fiancée were still too fresh, too deep. And between the house they’d shared that he had to go home to every day and her ailing grandmother he cared for, Noah had a sickening feeling those wounds would never heal.

And Callie reminded him so much of Malinda sometimes it hurt to even think of the bright way his fiancée used to light up over her future career. Callie was Malinda all over again…only this time he refused to get attached.

He raked a hand through his hair, trying to rid himself of the nightmare that still plagued him.

His fiancée had meant everything to him. He’d have done anything in his power to save her. But he’d failed. He’d failed the one woman he’d loved with his whole heart, the one woman he’d wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Noah refused to ever let his heart become entangled again. He honestly didn’t think he could afford another crushing loss.

So there was no way he could talk to Olivia about this role for Callie. He was actually using the modeling as a way to keep her from slipping into a darker world that Callie had no clue about. If he could keep her satisfied with the money, the attention from modeling, perhaps she’d reach those stars in her eyes. Maybe she’d let go of this movie-star fetish.

He had to intervene and do something. And no, he didn’t care that he was being devious. He couldn’t stand by and watch another innocent woman fall victim to the ugly side of the industry.

Because he already had a nugget of worry where his beautiful, naive receptionist was concerned. He knew what he paid her, but he also knew she was always scraping by. Those few commercials she’d done surely hadn’t sucked her into the dark world he wanted to keep her from…had they?

Cynicism had never been part of his life until he’d lived with an addict, and he hated that negative vibe that always seemed to spread through him.

The back door to the office opened and shut. He heard heels click down the tiled hallway, then slow at his office. Noah smiled at the vision that stopped just outside his door.

“Everything okay?” Callie asked, clutching her purse to her shoulder and her lunch bag with the other hand.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

She gave him a sideways look and a half grin. “Because you’re never in the office before me.”

That vibrant blue dress hugged her body in a professional yet sexy way, and Noah had to force himself to keep on track and not think about what it would be like to peel that garment down her body…or to think of how she managed to fit anything beneath it. She either had on a thong or nothing. If she was going commando…God, he couldn’t go there.

“I had some things to do before my first client showed,” he told her, trying to stay professional. “There’s a little boy who was recently scarred due to a house fire and might be referred to me. I actually just hung up with a colleague about some options for this boy.”

“I remember that referral.” Callie smiled wider. “That’s what makes you an awesome doctor. I was so excited when you agreed to take on his case.”

Noah didn’t want her to look at him like some type of savior. And he sure as hell didn’t want to get emotionally involved with a child. Children were vulnerable creatures by nature and he worried that his heart simply couldn’t take that level of commitment again.

“The boy’s aunt is a good client and she asked if I’d look at him. That doesn’t mean I can make him perfect. I just have to wait a few weeks because his wounds are still fairly fresh.”

“You’re at least giving him a chance and hope,” Callie told him, still smiling and still looking at him as if he was more than just a doctor. “That in itself is so much, Noah. Don’t downplay your talents.”

“I’m not, but I’m going into this realistically. There may be nothing I can do, but I’ll do everything in my power to help.”

Most doctors had a God complex; Noah liked to think he was not one of them. He knew his abilities, his limitations. But he never backed away from a challenge, and he certainly wasn’t about to turn away a ten-year-old boy, no matter if the aunt was a client or not. Noah would try to help a burned child regardless of who called.

“You’re quiet,” he told her. “That means you’re thinking. Should I be nervous?”

A wide, vibrant smile spread across her face. “Well, I have news since we talked the other day about the audition.”

Oh, no. That smile could only mean one thing… .

“I got a call!” she shouted. She stepped farther into his office and dumped her items in the chair across from his desk. “Isn’t that awesome? My agent called me when I was on my way home yesterday and said she was able to get me an audition for this Monday.”

A dreaded sense of déjà vu spread through him.

“I’m happy for you,” he lied. “Make sure you call Marie to see if she can fill in for you.”

“I will.” She smiled, then looked down, brought her hands up to her face…and burst into tears.

What the hell?

“Callie?”

He moved around his desk to get closer to her. What had just happened? One second she was beaming with joy and the next she was sobbing into her hands.

“Callie?” he repeated softly. “You okay?”

She swiped her damp cheeks and shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Noah. It’s just…”

Those moist eyes turned to him, and even with the smudge of mascara, she was still amazingly stunning.

“You wouldn’t understand,” she told him.

Wouldn’t understand? Understand what?

“I’ve wanted a break and this is it,” she told him through a hiccup. “Once I called Olivia—”

“Wait.” He held up a hand. “You called Olivia?”

Callie sniffed and nodded. “Yesterday morning. I was calling to remind her of her Botox appointment next week. I just had to take a chance and ask her about an audition. The worst she could’ve said was no.”

Un-freakin’-believable. This was not happening.

“She was impressed with my initiative and said she’d see what she could do.” Callie smiled through the tear tracks. “And my agent called last night, so it’s a done deal.”

He truly didn’t think she knew what she was asking for. In Callie’s starstruck mind, she probably had this image of Hollywood as all about red carpets and cocktail parties.

But right now she looked so happy how could he not act supportive? She had no family nearby and she’d only talked about her neighbor a handful of times, so he didn’t even think she had too many friends. He’d be a total jerk if he didn’t at least show some support. Damn the gentleman-like qualities his mother instilled in him.

“I can’t believe you used a patient contact,” he said. “Don’t you think that was overstepping a bit?”

Callie shrugged, but her smile remained. “No. I’ve become friendly with Ms. Dane. I don’t think I abused my power, and I can honestly say I’d do it again, Noah.”

He studied her and knew she was fighting for a dream she believed she deserved. He could forgive her anything when she smiled at him that way.

“That’s great, Callie.” He even gave her his own smile to show her he was happy, then pointed toward her face. “You may want to touch up your makeup before the patients arrive.”

Callie gasped, reaching up to pat beneath her eyes. “Oh, no,” she cried when she glanced at her black fingertips. “I’m sure I look like a mess.”

“There’s nothing you could do that could diminish your beauty.”

Without thinking, he reached out to wipe away the tear tracks on her porcelain cheek. As the pad of his thumb slid across her skin, her breath hitched, her eyes held his. How had they gotten this close? Had he stepped toward her or had she come to him?

Her damp eyes dipped down to his lips, then back up.

What he wouldn’t give to pull her against him and taste those full lips. Just once. Would that hurt anything?

Oh, yeah. Their working relationship.

“I better go clean up,” she told him, backing away and gathering her things from the armchair beside him. As she turned to walk away, she glanced back over her shoulder. “Thank you, Noah. It means a lot to have someone cheering me on.”

And now he was a damn hypocrite. But what should he have done when she’d been all teary and smiling? Shot down her dreams right in her face? Showing support and being supportive were two different things…weren’t they?

And what the hell had he been thinking? Touching her, complimenting her and getting into her personal space so that he could see the dark green rim around her irises and become spellbound by her fresh, floral scent that always seemed to hover around the office.

She’d already been looking at him as if he was some saint. He didn’t want that. He wanted Callie, but not on a deeper level than the physical. Anything else would be insane. But his hormones weren’t getting that message.

Damn it, he had to gain some control. Beautiful women were his bread and butter, but there was something so innocent, so vibrant about Callie that he found intriguing. She wasn’t jaded or bitter like most women he knew. And perhaps that was why he found her so fascinating and why he wanted to keep her that way.

Now, if he could just remember that professional relationship they had, maybe he could stop imagining her naked and wrapped around him.

He couldn’t get too close to Callie. He’d sworn to never get involved with anyone again. Besides, she worked for him. Wasn’t that reason enough to keep his distance?

Damn if he didn’t want to seduce her. He’d never experienced such a strong sexual pull with a woman. And all the signs were there that she was just as attracted.

But he had to keep his distance. There were too many similarities between Malinda and Callie. The stubbornness, the stars in their eyes, the naive way they went after their goals. Not to mention that fiery-red hair and that porcelain skin. Noah couldn’t let his heart get mixed up or broken again. But he also couldn’t stand by and watch Callie ruin her life.

He’d stick close to her to make sure she didn’t make any life-altering decisions that could destroy her.

God help him for the torture he was about to endure by making Callie Matthews his top priority.

Two

Callie’s hands were literally shaking. Was this really happening? Was the door of opportunity finally opening for her? Granted she’d been in L.A. a little less than a year and most people took much longer, if ever, to get the audition that would launch their careers.

But Callie had not only gotten the audition nearly two weeks ago, she’d completely nailed it. And her agent had just called to inform her she’d landed the part. It wasn’t huge, but she had lines and three scenes with the lead actors. Now she just had to prove herself, make that role shine and wait for other opportunities to come her way.

She squeezed her steering wheel and let out a squeal as she drove toward Noah’s office. She couldn’t get there fast enough to tell him the good news. Today was her half day to work, so Marie would be there, too, to share in her good news.

This was it. She was finally going to put the old Callie to rest and have everything she’d ever wanted. She’d landed the part; next she would pose for some pictures for Noah and get the money to help her parents in a major way. God, they’d be so happy for a little more security in their lives, and she couldn’t wait to be the one to give it to them.

Her whole life she’d been overshadowed by her siblings—her übersmart brother, who was about to graduate college after attending on a full academic scholarship, and her homecoming-queen sister. Callie had been the average middle child. Because she hadn’t excelled at sports, academics or popularity, she was most often forgotten. Well, no more being overlooked…by anybody.

Callie knew she looked like a complete moron driving down the road with a wide grin on her face, but she didn’t care. For an overweight girl who’d come out of Kansas with big dreams, she’d finally gotten the break of a lifetime.

All her college years of hard work, dieting and exercising before coming to L.A. had paid off. Her goal of becoming an actress was within her reach. That chubby teen in her mind could just shut up because that naive girl with low self-esteem didn’t exist anymore.

Callie shoved aside the humiliating years of her past and focused on the happiness she felt now. No way would she let those old insecurities and her school days of being bullied and made fun of come into play. This was her moment to remember, her moment to shine in the glorious fact that she was going to be in the next Anthony Price movie.

Callie pulled up close to the office and barely got her old Honda in park before she was out and racing across the parking lot. Thankfully it was almost lunchtime and the last of the clients should be finishing up before the office was closed for an hour break.

When she entered the cool, air-conditioned building, Marie, the fill-in receptionist, greeted her.

“Hey, Callie,” the elderly woman greeted, a smile beaming across her surgically smooth face. “Someone looks very happy today.”

Callie couldn’t hide her excitement. “I got the part,” she all but yelled. “I can’t believe it. I got it.”

Marie jumped up from her chair, came around the desk and threw her arms around Callie.

“I’m so excited for you,” Marie said as she squeezed her.

“You may not be excited when I have to quit once filming starts.” Callie eased back. “You’ll be swamped with extra hours.”

Marie laughed. “I’ll make sure he hires someone else, though no one could replace you.”

The compliment warmed Callie. “Is Noah wrapping up back there?”

Marie nodded. “Mrs. McDowell is getting her stitches out and then he’ll be all done. Go on back to his office, and I’ll make sure he knows you’re here.”

“Don’t tell him the news.” Callie shifted her bag higher on her shoulder. “I want it to be a surprise. Actually, don’t even tell him I’m here. You can just let him know someone is in his office.”

Marie giggled. “I like how you think. I’ll make sure he goes straight there.”

Callie turned to the right, toward Noah’s office and away from the patient rooms. She couldn’t wait to tell him, to share her excitement and accomplishment.

She went in and took a seat behind his desk in the big, oversize leather chair. Maybe it was not professional to get cozy at his desk, but she honestly didn’t think he’d mind. Easing her bag to the floor beside her, she crossed her legs and waited.

She’d tried to call her parents on her way here, but the phone had been disconnected…again. She couldn’t get that fifty thousand fast enough. She’d buy the new roof, a reliable new car and prepay some of their utilities for a few months.

With her father still laid off from the chemical plant and his unemployment long since run out, Callie’s mother was pulling double shifts at the local grocery store to make ends meet…and they weren’t meeting very well.

Guilt ate at Callie. How could she spend all the money she made on herself when her parents were facing such desperate times? She knew families all across the country were struggling, but it was hard to see the ones she loved fall on hard times.

Besides, she’d do something for herself with the money she made from the movie. God knew she could use a new car, as well. Her poor Honda needed to be laid to rest years ago. She couldn’t wait to go car shopping. To find something that really said I’ve arrived.

Before her thoughts turned too shallow and she could imagine the color of the car she’d look best in, Noah stood in his doorway. She didn’t give him an opportunity to speak before she jumped from the chair and screamed, “I got the part!”

Noah froze for a moment as if to process her words, then he crossed the room and she suddenly found herself coming out from behind the desk, meeting him halfway and being enveloped in a strong, masculine hold.

Oh. My. God.

Had she known he felt this good, this…hard all over, she would’ve insisted on good-morning hugs every day he came into the office—a much better pick-me-up than coffee. When you could feel a man’s rippled muscles beneath his clothing, you knew there was some mighty fine workmanship beneath that cotton.

Noah eased back, keeping a firm grip on her bare biceps. “You seem really happy.”

“I’ve never been happier,” she told him, the thrill of her phone call still running through her.

“Then I’m excited for you,” he said, letting his hands fall away.

“I feel like celebrating.”

He laughed. “Don’t celebrate too much and forget the photo shoot in the morning.”

Callie smiled. “I know when it is. I’ll be there.”

Noah studied her face, and Callie refused to look away. When a man like Noah Foster held your gaze, you didn’t want to focus your attention on anything else.

“What do you say to dinner to celebrate?” he asked suddenly.

“Dinner?”

Noah’s rich laughter washed over her…and she was still tingling from his touch. “Callie, I understand what it’s like not to have your family here. Someone needs to share this time with you.”

Callie recalled him saying some time back that his family lived in Northern California. Other than that, the topic had been off the table, so she’d assumed that meant for her not to ask any questions about them. But that didn’t stop the questions from whirling around in her mind.

“When should we go?” Callie asked, knowing there was no way she would turn down personal time with Noah.

“How about after work?” he suggested, sliding out of his white lab jacket and hanging it on the back of his office door. “Our afternoon is light. We may even get out early.”

Callie glanced down at her clothes. While she might look fine, she’d want to freshen up.

“You could leave your car here,” he continued. “I’ll drive.”

Callie wasn’t going to turn that offer down. This might not be a date, but it was as close as she would get to dating her hunky boss—though she wasn’t under any delusions that Noah would fall for her type. Though so far, from what she could tell, he didn’t have any particular type. So why hadn’t he ever asked her out?

Oh, yeah. She worked for him.

So what? This was L.A. Did a code of ethics really matter in a land full of sin and silicone? Either something else held him back or he simply wasn’t attracted to her. Either way, she had her work cut out for her if she wanted to pursue anything beyond a professional relationship with him. Granted, she had her sights set on her career, but she could so carve some time out of her day for scenery like Noah Foster. And she knew he wasn’t a long-term type of guy, so really, what could the harm be in getting to know each other on a personal level?

“Where will we go?” she asked, following him out of his office and down the hall toward the break room.

He threw a killer smile over his shoulder. “You pick. It’s your night, Callie.”

She mulled it over, thinking of where she’d always wanted to go but never could justify going alone or paying such high prices. This milestone really deserved to be done up right.

Then she remembered the one place she’d always wanted to go but never got a chance.

She offered a wide grin. “Oh, I have the perfect place in mind.”

Of all the restaurants Callie could’ve picked in L.A., Noah couldn’t believe she’d chosen this one. A pizza place with games that spit out tickets so you could pick out prizes at the end. On a Friday night this place was crazy with kids running amok, screaming, laughing and waving their generic prizes in the air.

And Callie seemed to be fitting right in.

This was not what he’d envisioned when he’d told her to choose a place. But she’d laughed as she’d smacked the mole heads that kept popping up through holes, and she’d been a major sharpshooter at the “shooting range.” Now she was off to a driving game while he stood fisting a wad of bright yellow tickets.

Bright yellow. If Callie Matthews was a color, she’d be yellow. The woman was always happy, always bubbly and never failed to take him by surprise.

And he hadn’t necessarily lied when he’d told her he was happy for her. Seeing her beaming from ear to ear had stirred something in him. While he still wasn’t thrilled at the possibility of her innocence being shattered, he couldn’t let her celebrate alone.

Her sweet naïveté was getting to him. And she had no idea the power she was holding over him.

His cell vibrated in his pocket and he slid it out, smiling when he saw the number.

“So you are alive,” he said in place of a traditional hello.

“Kiss ass.”

Noah laughed at his best friend and Hollywood heartthrob, Max Ford. “When a whole week goes by and I know you’re not filming, I have to assume you’re either dead or getting some serious action. Glad to know you’re still with us.”

“Oh, I’m alive,” Max assured him. “Where are you? It sounds like you’re at a kid’s birthday party.”

Noah glanced around the open room where kids ran from game to game, parents chasing to keep up with the chaos. His gaze circled back to Callie and he watched her steering intensely at the racing game.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“You’re moonlighting as a clown for kids’ parties, aren’t you?” Max joked. “I’m not sure the ladies will go for the Bozo wig, pal.”

Noah laughed. “Did you call to annoy me or do you have a point?”

“I wanted to know if you were free tomorrow. Haven’t seen you for a while. Thought we could get together.”

Callie jumped from her racing chair and grinned like a kid as the machine spit out another row of bright yellow tickets. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and he found himself standing in the middle of the room with a silly grin on his face. When was the last time he truly grinned because he wanted to and not because he felt forced to please his current company?

“Actually, tomorrow is the photo shoot for the ads for my new office,” Noah told him. “But I should be free in the evening if all goes as planned.”

“I thought you were still looking for a model.”

When Callie turned and caught his eye, he motioned that he was stepping outside. She nodded and moved on to another game.

“Callie is doing it for me,” Noah said, walking toward the door to move farther away from the noise.

“Callie Matthews? Damn, she’s hot. How did you manage that? Has she done modeling before?”

Once outside, Noah took a seat on the bench next to the door. “No, but I’m trying to watch out for her. She’s got stars in her eyes, man. And she just got a pretty good-size role in a new Anthony Price film.”

“Noah, you can’t save everybody,” Max told him with a sigh. “You’ve got to let go of the past.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Had any more offers on the house?” Max asked.

“Just the two.”

“Which you turned down?”

Noah rubbed a hand over his head and glanced through the door to see Callie smiling while tackling another game. “Yes. I turned them down.”

“And you’re still going to see Thelma every day?”

Noah’s chest tightened. “I’m all she has.”

“She’s not even your family, Noah. You have to let go. I understand she’s Malinda’s grandmother, but you’ve been paying her assisted-living bills for a year now. She has Alzheimer’s. She won’t know if you don’t show up. You’ve got to bury the past.”

He sighed. “I’ll bury it when it’s time.”

“Good,” his friend said. “You can start by asking Callie out on a date. She’d be perfect.”

“I’m not asking her out,” Noah replied. At least, he wouldn’t ask her on a real date.

“Great. Then you won’t mind if—”

“Yes, I would mind.” Noah cut him off. “You’ve got enough on your plate without adding Callie to the mix.”

Max’s laughter nearly vibrated Noah’s phone. “You can’t keep dibs on her and not do anything about it. You’re both adults. If you want to go beyond business and get personal, what’s stopping you?”

“She’s the best receptionist I’ve ever had. I’d like to keep her for a while.”

“She’ll probably be leaving when she starts acting, anyway, so why not just go for it now instead of torturing yourself?” Max asked. “You know you’ve thought about it.”

Thought about it, fantasized about it. Had taken the proverbial cold showers to prove it.

Noah came to his feet, glancing inside at Callie, who was looking toward the doors, probably looking for him.

“Listen, I need to go,” Noah said. “I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know what time I’ll be free.”

After sliding the phone into his pocket, he went back inside. Callie’s smile across the crowded room did something funny to his chest…something he’d rather not explore.

“I’m ready to cash in my winnings,” she told him, holding up her tickets. “I’ve got a hundred here and I think I gave you a hundred. Let’s go see what I can get.”

Noah followed her as he pulled her tickets from his pocket. He still couldn’t believe this was her idea of celebrating. She certainly wasn’t like all the other women he knew. Their idea of celebrating would be to head to the most expensive restaurant and try to get into his bed afterward…not that he ever complained about those nights.

But Callie was different—a fact he’d known from the first day of working with her. She was like a breath of fresh air. He never knew what to expect from her, but he knew it would be something great.

After she chose her prizes—a hideous monkey with tiedyed fur and a flower-shaped eraser—he escorted her to the car and drove back to his office. Even though she was fairly silent during the ride, she was beaming from ear to ear.

“You had a good time.”

It wasn’t a question, more like an observation.

“A blast,” she told him. “I’d always wanted to go to a place like that as a kid.”

He threw her a glance as he pulled up beside her car. “Why didn’t you?”

Callie’s smile faltered, and she toyed with the ear on the monkey. “I didn’t have a very pleasant childhood. And that’s the best way I can put it.”

Noah put the car in Park and turned to face her. “I’m sorry, Callie. I didn’t mean to pry. You’ve worked for me for a while now and I don’t know much about your life before you came here.”

She attempted a smile, but her sad gaze met his. “I’d rather focus on my life here than back home.”

Wherever she came from, whatever she experienced must be painful because the L.A. Callie was a bright, bubbly woman who didn’t care to let everyone see how positive she was about life.

“I can’t thank you enough for everything, Noah.” She reached out, placed a hand on his forearm. “You don’t know how much I value our friendship. At least, I like to think we’re friends.”

“We are,” he said, cursing his voice when it cracked like some damn adolescent.

Her dainty, warm hand on his arm really shouldn’t turn him on, but he’d been intrigued by her for a while now.

“Good,” she said, smiling wider. “It’s nice to know I have people I can count on.”

She leaned over and gave him an innocent, simple peck on his cheek, but as she pulled back, her face remained within a breath of his and she locked eyes with him again. He froze and was surprised when she placed a softer kiss on his lips, hesitating as if waiting for approval.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Was that unprofessional?”

“Not as much as this.”

He cupped the side of her face and claimed her lips.

Three

Callie knew on some level this was wrong—that would be the professional level.

But on a personal, feminine level, kissing Noah Foster was so, so perfectly right. There was no way she could not respond to such a blatant advance.

His thumbs trailed along her jawline as he shifted and changed the angle. Mercy, this man could kiss her lips and she felt it all the way down to her toes…not to mention all the important spots in between.

Callie grabbed hold of his biceps as the glorious assault on her mouth continued. This attraction wasn’t new on his side or he wouldn’t be devouring her mouth in such a way that had her limbs trembling and her thighs clenching.

But before she could bask in the fact this was the best kiss she’d ever experienced, Noah pulled back.

“God, Callie,” he all but growled. “I’m—”

“No.” She shook her head, putting a bit of distance between them so she could look in his eyes. “Don’t say you’re sorry.”

His eyes searched hers, that warm gaze dropping to her lips before coming back up. “I wasn’t. I was going to say I don’t know what came over me, but that would be a lie. I’ve wanted to do that for some time.”

The revelation wasn’t surprising, but she was a little taken aback that he admitted it. Which brought to mind the all-important question: Why hadn’t they locked lips before now? Had she known he had such…talents, she would’ve taken charge months ago.

Okay, well, maybe she would’ve held back since he was her boss, but she definitely would’ve fantasized about it more.

“So have I,” she admitted.

The corners of Noah’s sexy, and she could now add tasty, mouth lifted. “But you work for me.”

“So now what?” she asked. God, that sounded lame. “I mean, I don’t have to quit, do I?”

“Do you want to quit?”

Callie quirked a brow. “Don’t answer my question with a question.”

“Just trying to figure my way around this… .”

She grinned. “By this, you mean the fact that I want you?”

He studied her face. “Yes.”

Callie’s hands slipped from his thick arms. “I won’t lie about my feelings, Noah. If that makes you uncomfortable…”

“I’m not uncomfortable,” he told her. “I won’t deny the sexual tension between us.”

The chubby girl who still lived deep inside her couldn’t believe this was happening. The new Callie, the one who took charge of her life and made things happen, knew this was a moment she’d remember forever.

Noah Foster, one of the sexiest men she’d ever met, was admitting he was sexually attracted to her.

“I don’t do relationships, but I can’t deny the chemistry is strong here. I’ve never been in this situation before, and I’m trying to keep this simple.”

Intrigued, and a little surprised that he inadvertently admitted that she had the upper hand here, Callie grinned.

“And what situation is that?” she asked. “Making out in your car with an employee?”

With a sigh, Noah turned in his seat, laughed and shook his head. “You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”

“What’s that?”

Throwing her a glance and a wicked sideways smile, he said, “Oh, now you’re going to answer a question with a question.”

“Touché.”

“How about we go on a date and see where this leads?” he asked. “Since the attraction is mutual, I don’t see why we couldn’t.”

Callie’s belly quivered. She had no doubt that if they went out they’d probably continue where they left off with that kiss. Because a kiss that held those kinds of promises was just a stepping-stone straight to the bedroom. The possibilities thrilled and aroused her, but she also had to be realistic. She didn’t want to cause any awkward moments in the office. Though right now she was feeling anything but awkward.

“Tell you what.” She shifted sideways and smiled. “When I start filming, I’ll go on that date, but not before I quit my job. Deal?”

His eyes roamed over her face, pausing on her lips, then back up to her eyes. “I already told you I can’t do a relationship, anyway, so it doesn’t matter when to me. I’d rather see you outside the office now, but that’s because I’m not a patient man.”

She laughed. “Boy, you really lay on the charm, huh?”

He shrugged. “I won’t lie. I worry about you getting mixed up in this Hollywood scene so fast.” He blew out a sigh, not wanting to scare her. “I know it’s not my place, but…”

“I’ll be fine, Noah,” she assured him. “This is what I’ve always dreamed about. There’s no need to worry.”

He looked out the windshield and off into the distance. “You have no idea,” he murmured.

He’d initially worried about exploring his attraction to Callie because he was her boss, but if he kept her close, maybe then he could also keep her safe. He knew he couldn’t save everyone. He hadn’t been able to save Malinda, but he damn well couldn’t watch another woman get hurt if he could prevent her downfall. If he could only save one woman, he wanted it to be Callie.

Callie gathered her things, including that heinous monkey, and tugged at the door handle. “I better get going. Thanks again for everything.”

Before she exited the car, she leaned in and kissed him. Not a friendly peck, but a soft, open-lipped kiss right near the corner of his mouth.

Oh, yeah, it was going to be a long, long wait for that film to start shooting next month.

Noah paced, checked his watch and paced back the other way. He not only had to get this shoot over with, he needed to run by the assisted-living facility to check on Thelma. He wasn’t happy with the afternoon nurse and he wanted to pop in unannounced. And then he planned to meet up with Max.

“Listen, Noah, I can only give about five more minutes,” the photographer told him. “Then I’m going to have to reschedule. I have another shoot later this afternoon I need to set up for.”

Hands on his hips, Noah stopped and nodded to the photographer. “I’m sorry, man. I’ve tried her cell several times. This isn’t like her to be late or blow off a job. She’s very professional.”

They hadn’t been out late the night before, but had she gone back out? Flashes of Malinda making promises to show somewhere flooded his mind. He’d usually found her at home, strung out and totally out of touch with reality.

He hated to think the worst of Callie, but he’d been lied to and deceived for so long before Malinda’s death that it was just hard to trust anymore. Added to that, he wondered where Callie put all her money. She always packed her lunch and drove a clankity, beat-up old Honda. He hadn’t seen any signs of drug use, but most new users didn’t use all the time, and the signs were slow in coming. Besides, just how well did he know Callie aside from at the office? For all he knew, she partied all weekend.

The image of Malinda just before her death, dark eyes, pale skin and sunken cheeks, still haunted him and he’d hate to see the vibrant Callie Matthews fall into that dark abyss.

Callie had always been a professional, though, and she had never been late for anything. She was a bright spirit and he wanted to believe deep in his heart she was an innocent. Something was wrong.

He pulled his cell from his pocket and tried calling again while the photographer started taking down his equipment. A sinking feeling settled deep in his gut each time her chipper voice mail clicked on.

He’d left enough messages and texts, so he hung up and slid the phone back into his pants pocket.

“I’ll pay you for your time today, Mark,” Noah said. “Can we go ahead and reschedule for next Saturday? Same time?”

Mark nodded. “Sure thing. And don’t worry about paying me today. Things happen.”

Noah helped Mark carry the lighting and some other equipment to his waiting car. By the time all of that was done and Mark had left, almost another hour had passed and still there was no word from Callie.

If he weren’t so worried, he’d leave her be. She was an adult, after all. But there was a niggling feeling in the back of his mind that something wasn’t right. Whether she was hung over or had been in an accident, he didn’t know.

Before he stopped at the assisted-living home, Noah thought he should at least drive by Callie’s place to check on her. She was, after all, alone in L.A. with no family here and no roommate. He just needed to make sure she was okay.

Endless possibilities flooded his mind. As morbid thought after morbid thought raced through his head, his cell rang. Panic filled him instantly, but relief slithered through. Hopefully that was Callie on the other end ready to apologize for being late.

But when he glanced at the caller ID and saw Private Caller, his hope died. He punched the button on his car to put the call on speaker as he drove down the freeway toward her apartment.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Foster?”

Not recognizing the voice, he answered, “Yes.”

“This is Marcia Cooper. I’m a nurse in the E.R. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. We have a Miss Matthews, who was brought in to us. We tried calling one of her neighbors, but we couldn’t get her. Callie suggested we try you next.”

Fear gripped Noah, but if she’d mentioned his name and number she was at least coherent. “Is she all right?”

“I really cannot discuss her condition over the phone,” the nurse told him. “Are you able to come in?”

“I’ll be right there.”

Noah pushed the pedal farther, weaving in and out as best he could with the thick afternoon traffic. The thought of Callie hurting in any way made his stomach clench. He’d only known her to be vivacious, full of life and always smiling.

He understood the nurse was not able to disclose any information due to privacy laws, but knowing Callie was in the E.R. and not knowing her condition scared him more than before he’d gotten the phone call. Did she have a cut that just needed stitches? Had she fallen and hit her head? Had she been attacked?

Damn it. Where had she been when she’d gotten hurt?

A vision of his late fiancée crumpled on their bedroom floor flashed through his mind, but he quickly blocked the image. He couldn’t travel down that path. Right now, Callie needed him.

Noah parked in the doctor’s lot, thanks to his pass. He had privileges at several L.A. hospitals, including Cedars-Sinai, thank God.

He ran into the entrance and quickly made his way to the Emergency Department.

“Noah.”

He turned to see Dr. Rich Bays, an associate he knew quite well, coming toward him.

“You here for a patient?”

“Yeah,” Noah said. “Callie Matthews. Are you treating her?”

Rich nodded. “I am. She’s in room seven.”

“How is she?”

“I’ll fill you in as we go to her room.” Rich motioned for him to walk with him. “She has a deep facial laceration that extends from her temple down to her mandible and a fractured right clavicle. The CT scan should be back anytime and I’ll be in to let her know what it says. From what I’m told of the car accident, she’s very lucky things aren’t worse.”

Deep facial laceration. As a plastic surgeon, he’d seen some severe cases, but he didn’t even want to think how serious Callie’s case was because whatever was wrong, he would fix it.

“Is she being admitted for observation?” Noah asked.

Rich nodded. “For the night. Even if the scan comes back clear, she was unconscious when she was brought in.” Dr. Bays stopped outside the glass sliding door. “And when she goes home, she’ll probably need help.”

Noah nodded. “I’ll make sure she’s cared for.”

No doubt Callie would brush off the help, but he wasn’t letting her go through this alone. Either she’d stay with him or he could stay at her apartment.

Another thought slammed through him. How would this affect the role she’d just landed? Didn’t filming start soon?

God, he hadn’t wanted her to get the part, but he sure as hell hadn’t wanted her injured or scarred. Did she even know the severity of her wound? The broken bone would heal, but the injury to her face…

A deep laceration could take a year to heal, depending on the tissue that was damaged. Possible surgeries filled his mind. No matter how many she needed, he would be the one seeing to all of her medical care.

He needed to assess her injuries before he jumped to any conclusions. She might not be as bad as he was imagining…or she could be worse. That sickening knot in his stomach clenched so tightly he thought he’d be sick.

Noah knew one thing for certain, though. No other plastic surgeon was going to be putting his surgical hands on Callie. He’d do the job and make sure it was done right. Perfection in the O.R. was his life and he’d settle for no less with Callie.

“She’s in here.” Rich nodded toward the closed door. “I’m going to check to see if that scan is back yet. I’ll be back as soon as I learn anything.”

“Thanks, Rich.”

Noah steeled himself for what he’d see on the other side of the door and privacy curtain. He told himself that as a doctor he’d seen it all, but the thought of Callie wrapped and damaged scared him on a level he didn’t think still existed after he’d faced the hell he’d gone through in the past two years.

He wasn’t going to lie, wasn’t even going to try to deny the fear that coursed through him and nearly had a choke hold on him.

Too many times he’d seen Malinda at her worst. But he’d never seen Callie as anything but bright, smiling and joyful.

He knew he needed to be strong for Callie so he took a deep breath, eased open the door and stepped in. When he pulled aside the thick curtain, his knees nearly buckled. Her whole face, save for her eyes and mouth, was wrapped in white gauze, her hair puffed out in a matted mess around it. Her arm was in a sling to protect her broken collarbone. She looked so frail, so lifeless lying there.

He had to mentally distance himself from this or he’d never be strong enough to help her. Damn it, he had to be a friend first, not a doctor, not a boss and certainly not a wannabe lover.

As he eased closer to the bed, her eyes shifted to lock onto his.

“Hell of a way to get out of the photo shoot,” he said, trying to lighten the moment.

“God, Noah,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. So sorry. I was on my way to the shoot and a truck came out of nowhere… . I don’t remember anything between seeing a semi and waking up here.”

She started to weep and Noah’s heart constricted. Other than the happy tears in his office, he’d never seen her cry, had never seen anything from her but smiles and happiness—which was why he’d considered her the color yellow. Cheerful and sweet.

He wondered if she’d seen her face or if Rich had told her how bad the injuries were.

The doctor in Noah wanted to demand to see her chart so he could review it, but she needed to be consoled, needed to know everything would be all right. Because no matter what care she needed, he’d see to it himself. And he didn’t mean hire a nurse. He’d literally see to her every need personally. Even if he had to refer his clients for the next few weeks to a colleague, he would do everything in his power to make her comfortable and secure.

“Callie.” He moved over to the edge of the bed, taking her good hand in his. “There’s absolutely nothing to apologize about. Nothing.”

“I’m sorry to have to bother you, but I didn’t know who else to call when my neighbor wasn’t home,” she told him, trying to turn her head away.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” He squeezed her hand. “What can I do for you?”

She tried to shake her head, wincing at the obvious pain.

“Just try to relax.” He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. “I’m not going anywhere, Callie.”

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him, but her voice cracked as tears filled her eyes again. “I know they’re keeping me tonight, but I’ll have my neighbor take me home when I get released tomorrow. You don’t have to stay.”

“I’ll leave if you really want me to, but when you’re dismissed, I’m taking you home with me.”

She slid her hand from his and tried to roll over, only to gasp when she realized she’d rolled onto her bad side.

“Easy, Callie. Don’t be so stubborn. You’re going to need help, and since I’m a doctor, I think the best place for you is with me.”

She didn’t respond. Silence filled the room and Noah knew she didn’t want his help. Too bad. He wasn’t going to leave her like this.

“Do you want me to try your neighbor again?” he asked. “You can give me the number.”

“No,” Callie said softly. “I don’t need a babysitter. I know I need someone, but…God, Noah, I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to need someone.”

Before he could say anything further, Rich stepped into the room and slid back the curtain.

“CT scan looks good,” he said. “But I’m going to go ahead and get a room ready for you just for overnight observation. You were unconscious when you were brought in and I’d feel more comfortable monitoring you for a bit. You should be able to go home in the morning. Have you thought about who can help you there?”

“I’ll manage,” she told him, still keeping her face turned to the far wall.

“Miss Matthews, I can’t let you go without knowing you’ll be taken care of.”

Noah shot Rich a look and whispered, “I’ll take her.”

Rich merely nodded and left the room.

“I’m not going to stay with you,” Callie said. “I’ll be fine at home.”

“Then I can stay with you,” he told her, trying not to get angry over her stubbornness.

“I know I should have someone to help, but I’ll call my neighbor or you if I absolutely have to. I want to be alone.”

Noah refused to back down. “Well, that’s too bad. I’m going to help you, Callie, whether you want it or not. So you can decide right now if you want to be difficult or if you want to cooperate. The end result will be the same.”

Slowly, she turned to face him. “End result? And what is the end result, Noah? That I’ll never be able to start filming this movie? That my dream was just pulled out from under me? They won’t wait on me to heal, if I ever do heal. I’ll never be the same.”

God, he hadn’t wanted her to do the film, but he’d certainly never wished for anything bad to happen to her. And if he hadn’t insisted she model for him, she wouldn’t be in this damn bed wrapped up and broken.

Sobs tore through the room and Callie pounded the bed with her left fist. “Don’t you see, Noah? The end result is that my life and everything I’ve ever worked for were just taken away.”

Noah took her hand once more and laced his fingers with hers. “I’ll make this right, Callie. No matter what I have to do, I’ll make you whole again.”

Four

And how the hell could he ever come through with a promise like that?

He wasn’t God. He was a surgeon.

Unless scars were covered by skin grafts, they were permanent. The odds were in his favor that he could minimize the appearance, but what were the odds she’d be happy with even a minor scar? True, he’d been able to nearly rid her of the one on her chin with microdermabrasion, but it had been so minimal to begin with.

But he’d be a fool to believe that she’d be able to go after just any part. She was right in admitting her opportunities had just diminished, but he would still do everything he could to make her feel beautiful again, to make her confident enough to pursue that dream.

Right now, though, he had another obligation he needed to tend to.

Noah hated the mixed emotions flooding through him. He hated that he was now torn between his present and his past. He wanted to stay with her, but he had to get to the assisted-living facility.

He left Callie resting, as well as she could, considering, and headed out the door. If he hadn’t needed to see the afternoon nurse Thelma had been complaining about, he wouldn’t have left Callie’s side…no matter what she said.

For all he knew, the afternoon nurse was perfectly fine. After all, Thelma did have Alzheimer’s and still believed her granddaughter and he were engaged to be married. Noah had never told her any different. Why upset the poor woman when she wouldn’t remember it the next time he went to see her?

As he walked up to the front doors of the facility, he pulled his cell from his pocket and dialed Max. Of course the call went to voice mail because the man was rarely available. One of these days he was going to get really burned-out on work.

“Hey, Max,” Noah said after the beep. “I can’t make it tonight. Callie was in a pretty bad accident so I’ll be with her. Text or call when you get a chance.”

He slid the phone back into his pocket and entered the glass double doors. An elderly lady greeted him. It was the same white-haired lady who sat by the door every time he came to visit Thelma. Supposedly, the woman was waiting on her husband to come pick her up, but Noah had been told the lady’s husband had passed away over ten years ago.

Alzheimer’s was a fickle bitch and it sickened Noah that so many people were affected by it. As always, he smiled to the lady and made his way down the narrow carpeted hallway.

Thelma’s room was the last one on the left, and as usual, her door was closed. According to Malinda, she’d never been much of a social butterfly even before the disease. Since Noah never knew Thelma before she got sick, he had only Malinda’s opinion to go on.

Noah tried the knob, not surprised to find it locked. Tapping his knuckles against the wood door, he called out. “It’s Noah, Thelma.”

After a moment, he heard shuffling from inside the room before there was a soft click and the door eased open.

Her short silver hair was matted on one side and in the back—a sure sign she’d been asleep in her recliner again.

“How are you feeling today?” he asked, stepping into the room that inevitably was hotter than Satan’s personal sauna. Why did the elderly need their heat on full throttle in the middle of summer?

“A little tired today,” she told him, moving across the room to her old green chair positioned in front of the TV. “You caught me in the middle of my soaps.”

Noah laughed as he eased behind her to turn the heat down. His shirt was already sticking to his back.

“I won’t stay long,” he promised as he took a seat on the edge of the bed that faced her. “Did you have lunch?”

She stared at him, those blue eyes full of doubt and confusion. “I believe so. Can’t recall what I had. Let’s see…ham sandwich? No, that wasn’t it. Chicken soup. I think.”

Noah nodded like he always did. He knew she wouldn’t recall, but he was buying some time until the nurse was due in.

“Where’s Malinda today?” Thelma asked, her eyes widening and a smile spreading across her face. “I want to hear all about the wedding details.”

This was never an easy topic to broach. Not only because he still felt that emptiness Malinda had left in his life, but because he hated lying to this sweet woman, even if she wouldn’t remember the truth. Even with the disease robbing her memory, Thelma knew there was a void in her life.

“She couldn’t come today,” he said honestly.

“That girl works too hard,” Thelma replied as she pulled the handle on her recliner. “You tell her that her grandmother wants to see her. I have some wedding ideas I want to discuss with her.”

Noah nodded and smiled as always. Though the smiling was costing him. He hated standing there discussing a wedding that would never be, to a woman who was dead, with someone who wouldn’t remember this conversation five minutes later. But Thelma still had hope shining in her eyes and he wasn’t about to take away the one thing she held on to.

“I’ll be right back, Thelma.” He moved to the door and propped it open. “I’m just going to step outside your room to look for someone.”

She didn’t answer, but her soap opera had come back on and she had that tunnel-vision look as she smiled at the characters on TV.

Noah moved into the hall to look for the nurse. Thelma’s pills were supposed to be distributed with her breakfast and lunch and just before bedtime. But a few of her prescriptions hadn’t been refilled on time and Thelma had claimed she didn’t recall seeing the nurse at lunchtime very often. Thelma’s fading mind might be to blame, but he couldn’t take the chance that she wasn’t getting the best care.

When Noah saw the nurse in question come out of a room down the hall, he hurried to catch up with her.

“Excuse me, Lori.”

She turned and smiled. “Yes, Mr. Foster?”

“I was wondering if I could speak to you about Thelma.”

The nurse nodded as her eyes darted down the hall toward Thelma’s room. “Of course. Is something wrong?”

“Has she had her pills today?” he asked.

“She’s had all of the medication she gets on my shift. Why?”

He hated to think this nurse wasn’t doing her job, but he would keep a closer eye on the meds and make sure Thelma was getting her daily doses.

“No reason. Just making sure,” he said with a smile. “She forgets and tells me she hasn’t had any.”

Lori nodded and patted his arm. “It’s the disease. Robs their minds. I assure you she’s being taken care of.”

“Thanks. That’s good to hear.”

She dropped her hand. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to see to another resident.”

As she scurried off, Noah had that gut feeling that always settled deep within him whenever Malinda would lie to him about where she’d been. He wanted to believe Lori, but he wasn’t naive. He would keep his eye on her and make more appearances in the afternoon during lunch breaks. No matter the cost, he couldn’t let his late fiancée’s grandmother down. He was all she had left.

More than likely Lori was clean, but that cynicism ran deep and he had major issues taking someone’s word at face value.

As he went back to spend a few more minutes with Thelma, he checked his watch. He didn’t want to be gone from Callie very long. No matter how stubborn she was going to be during this process, he could be more so.

No matter what it took, he’d see Callie through her recovery, and if he had to lock her inside his house to do it, then so be it.

One woman was not only hurt on his watch, she’d died. He’d damn well never let that happen again. No matter how he had to rearrange his life.

And beyond the guilt lay an attraction that he couldn’t fight. But what scared him the most was that he didn’t know if he even wanted to.

Waves of emotions flooded through Callie as she settled into Noah’s luxury SUV. Her body ached all over from the accident yesterday, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional pain of having her dream of becoming an actress destroyed. She’d never act or model for Noah and she’d never get that money to send home.

She’d never be able to play her role in the Anthony Price movie, which would start filming next month. Her face was all bandaged up, but she’d seen the damage beneath. She knew the ugliness that waited for her on the other side of the white gauze. The role of a royal beauty couldn’t be played by a woman who looked like an Egyptian mummy.

All those thoughts whirled around in her mind, bumping into each other and exacerbating her nausea, brought on by meds.

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