Trisha made an ‘oohing’ noise and John wolf whistled. Rowan was smirking quietly to himself.
“Pray tell, Becca – why would Max know where your tights are?” John asked, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
“Oh God, no. She didn’t take them off for me if that’s what you’re getting at.” I grimaced, wrinkling my nose.
“Hey!” Becca punched me playfully.
“Nah, it was the other bloke our Becca was interested in, eh?” Trisha teased. “He was a real cutie.”
“Pleasedon’t talk about my flatmate like that,” I groaned, rubbing my face with my palm.
“He is though, isn’t he?” Becca chirped, ignoring me and leaning forwards to discuss Oliver’s good looks with Trisha. I tried my best to block them out, digging my phone from my pocket and scrolling through it, losing myself in social media.
???
Lunchtime over, I returned to the dental room with Rowan. He hadn’t said much since he’d disappeared to take that call. I hoped something bad hadn’t happened. I already felt guilty enough, now knowing I was the reason for a huge argument.
Rowan leant back against the door thoughtfully and I stood at the opposite side of the room, watching him for a moment before turning to busy myself with organising the tools he’d left on a metal tray. I heard a few heavy footsteps before a pair of strong arms wrapped around my chest and I felt the pressure of his body against me. My breath hitched as Rowan squeezed me a little, burying his face in my neck. I floundered, hot and flustered, unsure how to react.
Without a word, Rowan pulled away from me and captured my hand with his own. He silently towed me into his office, closing the door behind us. Before I had a chance to think, I found myself slammed against it under a crushing kiss. I moaned into his mouth. I knew there was something wrong and a small part of me knew I should be concerned that he seemed to be using me as a source of comfort regarding his failing marriage, but in that moment, I could think of nothing but how wonderful he felt.
Rowan cupped my face gently in his hands as the kiss took on a different tone. In stark contrast to the almost painful way he’d shoved me against the door, he softened, and a needy groan escaped him as he slipped his tongue into my mouth, massaging his lips against mine.
Almost as quickly as it had started, the kiss was over. I cleared my throat, panting a little to catch my breath. Rowan still hadn’t said anything; he was just eyeing me curiously.
“What was that for?” I asked eventually, smoothing my tunic down over my chest.
“What are you doing Saturday?” Rowan asked, voice low and almost husky. I blinked, surprised. I noticed how he had side-stepped my question, but I didn’t press him to answer it.
“Why?”
“I thought you might like to go out with me. I think I asked you before Christmas, didn’t I?” he replied.
“On Saturday?” I repeated and Rowan nodded. I was almost tempted to tell him I was busy. If he had been anyone else, I would have. Rowan seemed to have a strange effect on my rational thought process. “Sure, that sounds great.”
It wasn’t long before Charlotte Perry was the only name left on the list for the day. Since the kiss at lunchtime, there had been a charged atmosphere between Rowan and me. I hoped the patients weren’t picking up on it.
I’d never felt this way around someone before. I found myself wondering if it was because I had never been in a situation where I couldn’t be blatant with someone I’d fancied, or if it was more to do with how painfully attractive I found Rowan. It was thrilling, yet I felt hesitant about getting in too deep. My brain kept trying to remind me how horribly this could all end, but I just couldn’t bring myself to care.
“Charlotte is next, right?” Rowan asked, pulling his mask down off his face. He quickly snapped on a fresh pair of gloves.
“Yeah, she’s the last one,” I replied, typing her details into the system. Rowan hadn’t been kidding when he said Charlotte had had a lot of work done. The average patient’s list of past procedures was two pages at the very most. Charlotte had four.
“Once you’re done, can you go pick her up please?” Rowan asked, tugging a new packet of cotton wool stubs open.
“Sure, I’ll go now.” I scooted away from the desk and headed quickly through the door. In the reception room, there was just one patient.
“Charlotte Perry?” I asked, and the woman looked at me before smiling and standing to follow me. She was thin, almost fragile looking. I knew from her records that she was only a few years older than I was, yet she looked much older. I noticed as she approached the unusual hollowness on her right cheek. I turned quickly before she thought I was looking at it.
“I don’t think we’ve met. Are you Mandy’s replacement?” Charlotte asked curiously.
“I’m Max, nice to meet you.” I gave her a warm smile. “I’m just covering her maternity leave.” We reached the door, and I held it open allowing Charlotte to enter before me.
“Hello, Charlotte.” Rowan greeted her, his tone was warm and the smile he gave her was genuine. He was obviously glad to see her again.
“Long time no see, Rowan.” Charlotte smiled back at him, scooting comfortably into the chair.
“Surely that’s a good thing?” he laughed, pulling his mask up and reaching up to adjust the lamp. I pulled a pair of gloves on and put my mask on, taking my position at the computer.
