LITMIR.BIZ

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hers and that abrasive streak she rocks? It’s a layer of self-protection. I think some guy dumped on her pretty badly and she watches her back.”

      “Avery said that?”

      “Not in so many words.” She shrugged. “I just connected the dots from remarks she’s made in passing.”

      “I see.”

      Normally, it wouldn’t occur to him to ask for details, but in Avery’s case the thought crossed his mind. Since inquiring wasn’t appropriate, he didn’t. Still, he wanted to know more about the mysterious controller and not just because knowledge could help get her on board with the outrageously expensive equipment he wanted.

      “Is she free? Can I talk to her for a few minutes?” he asked instead.

      “There’s no one in with her now. Let me check her schedule.” Chloe changed screens on the monitor and looked it over. “No more appointments for today and it’s almost quitting time so there shouldn’t be a problem.”

      Her boss probably wouldn’t agree because she didn’t try to hide the fact that every time she saw him was a problem. Now he was determined to change that.

      “Thanks.”

      “Don’t mention it.” She clicked the computer mouse a couple times and shut down her system. “And it’s time for me to go home.”

      “Plans tonight?”

      “Yes.” Instantly she smiled.

      “Someone special?”

      “The best guy in the whole world.”

      “He’s a lucky guy,” Spencer said.

      “There’s that charm again.” She nodded her head toward the closed door. “You shouldn’t be wasting it on me. You’ll need every ounce of it in there.”

      “I’ve got some to spare.”

      “I just bet you do.” She grabbed her purse, then said, “I’ll let her know you’re here and say goodbye.”

      “How about if I announce myself and let her know you’re gone?”

      “That works. ’Night, Dr. Stone.”

      “Have a good evening.”

      Spencer watched her walk out and, for some vague reason, envied the fact that she wouldn’t be alone tonight. He couldn’t say the same.

      With a sigh, he walked past the desk, knocked once on the door then opened it and poked his head inside. “You didn’t get the message that it’s time to go home?”

      “What are you doing here?” Avery looked first surprised, then annoyed.

      He preferred surprised. “Chloe’s gone for the day. I told her I’d let you know.”

      “Okay.” She looked down at the papers on her desk, then back at him when he didn’t leave. “Was there something else?”

      “We’re leaving tomorrow for Dallas. I thought we should discuss our trip.”

      “Thanks, but it’s not necessary. Between your office manager and Chloe, arrangements have been made and I have all the information.”

      Spencer moved farther into the room and invaded her space when he parked a hip on the corner of her desk. Avery’s big blue eyes narrowed in disapproval and it felt like he’d stepped into a Deepfreeze. Oddly enough, the look made her even more intriguing. Sort of like a kitten bracing for battle with a pit bull.

      Her short blond hair highlighted her killer cheekbones and a mouth that a stronger man than him would have trouble resisting. That thought exposed how he’d been lying to himself. He’d been so sure time and distance would blunt his reaction to the cute-as-a-button controller, but he’d been wrong. On some level he’d believed not seeing her for the past two weeks would mellow her attitude and his fascination, thereby canceling out any feeling. But apparently he’d been wrong about that, too. It was like a force shield went up whenever she saw him and he wanted to bring it down.

      And that’s when he realized what it was about her that sucked him in. It was the challenge of melting the ice cube on her ass. You didn’t grow up the first-born son of Catherine and William Stone and ever consider turning your back on a challenge.

      “So, why do you dislike me?” he asked. No point in beating around the bush.

      “We’ve been through this,” she said, skillfully not answering the question again.

      “And yet, I’m not satisfied.”

      During that last conversation the implication had been that he reminded her of someone. If Chloe was right, he brought to mind the guy who’d dumped her.

      Avery folded her hands on the desk and didn’t look away. “That’s your problem, not mine.”

      “You indicated that our wedding obligation was fulfilled and therefore any reason to play nice was over.”

      “You disagree?”

      “We’ll be spending a lot of time together over the next couple days,” he answered.

      “On business,” she clarified.

      “Even so, the trip will be easier if we can be cordial.”

      “I’m always friendly.” She looked away for just a second. “Mostly.”

      “Here’s the thing, Avery. I know I pushed you hard for this equipment.”

      “Yes. Determination you said. And it paid off. You got your way.”

      The “aha” light went on. “Are you still annoyed that I went over your head to your boss?”

      “Among other things.”

      The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step and he’d worry about “other things” later. “It’s cutting edge technology.”

      “No pun intended.”

      When the corners of her mouth went up his pulse did, too. “Actually that’s part of the appeal. The robot makes a perfect incision every time.”

      “I’m sure you make a perfectly fine incision, Spencer, or your reputation wouldn’t be what it is.”

      “I do my best and I’m damn good.”

      “Modest, too,” she said, smiling.

      “Just stating the facts. But this surgery system brings a level of precision that I can’t duplicate. No human can.”

      “So you want to be perfect.”

      That wasn’t necessary. Not really. He just didn’t want to make a mistake, professionally and personally. In his family nothing short of excellence was tolerated. That’s how he’d been brought up and why he was the best now at what he did.

      “I’d like to know why you’re so dead set against this surgery system. All I want,” he said, “is every advantage available to achieve the best outcome for my patients.”

      She nodded approvingly and earning the victory of her good opinion was sweet. And short. “My problem is that what you want is a capital expenditure.”

      “Robots don’t come cheap.”

      “I’m all too aware of that. But there’s only so much money in the budget. Spending it on what you want means that something else equally as important doesn’t get funded.”

      “Such as?”

      “Ventilators for babies. Don’t you think it’s vital to give children the best possible start in life?”

      “That’s a loaded question.”

      “It’s my job to ask the hard ones. Make the tough choices. And I wish there was an unlimited supply of funds, but

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