Page 30 of Broken Vows

This motherfucker. He’s outside of my apartment—my home—smiling like he’s doing me a favor.

I hate him.

“How did you know where I live?” I ask, but does it really matter? He’s here and ruining my entire morning.

“Sydney gave me your address.” When I raise my eyebrows, he says, “I told her I’d send a car so you didn’t have to take the subway.”

I cross my arms and refuse to thank him for the gesture.

“We have places to be, so please, hop in.” His lips quirk into the faintest grin. “Unless you’re afraid to be alone with me, of course.”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

“Excellent,” he says, opening the door. “It’d be rather difficult to maintain a professional relationship if otherwise.”

This asshole wants fear. I can see that now. But I refuse to give it to him.

I hold my ground. I’ll get into the car eventually—I’m not an idiot. But I won’t let him think he’s won, even if, for the moment, he has.

“You came all the way to the Bronx from Tribeca to give me a ride?” And now, it’s my turn to grin. I glance at the street cars moving behind him and dig a heel into a sidewalk crack. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were obsessed with me.” I dare him to deny this as he’s waiting outside my fucking home.

He lowers his chin, boring his gaze into mine. “Trust me, if I were obsessed, you’d know it.”

I arch a brow. “Then what would you call showing up outside of my home?”

He eases and a glint of amusement cuts across those demonic eyes. “I’d call it polite.”

“Polite?”

A full dimpled smile spreads across his face. “Helpful, even.”

Ugh, he’s phenomenally irritating. He carries himself with such delusional confidence he could run for office.

“You mentioned in our first meeting that you’re an assistant and not a lead,” he says.

My back stiffens.

“In fact, you were adamant I knew about your lack of experience, and how overwhelmed you’d be managing my account.” He casually dusts a few snowflakes from his sleeve and steps closer. “I just want to help.”

Everything in me flares. How dare he use my words against me? “I don’t need it.”

“And yet, you couldn’t make our first solo meeting.”

“I sent Sydney, my manager, in my place,” I snap.

“Exactly my point. You sent in your boss to handle your responsibility.”

I cross my arms. “If you’re seeing a patient and are called away on an emergency, would you not refer them to another doctor, especially one who has more tenure? Or would you just let them sit in pain until you could take their appointment?”

His flexed jaw and narrowed eyes tell me I hit the exact nerve I was aiming for.

And it’s delicious. This tension between us shouldn’t feel this good. But like a moth to a flame, I can’t help but want to see how far I can push before he finally snaps.

I need to have a serious talk with myself about my body’s infuriating habit of betraying me where Theo is concerned.

“I would never jeopardize a patient’s well-being.”

“And I won’t jeopardize your wedding.” Doesn’t mean I won’t find ways to take you down.