Trust Me by Melanie Craft Read Free Book Online Page B

didn’t know that Rich had once been more than her business partner. He wouldn’t care, but she would. It was
     a matter of feminine pride.
    The bell jingled as the front door swung open to admit a woman struggling with an oversize cat carrier and a folded baby stroller.
     A whimpering toddler clung to her skirt. It was a welcome interruption, and Carly hurried forward to help.
    “Thanks, Dr. Martin,” the woman said, as Carly took the heavy carrier. Two resentful cat faces glared at her from inside.
     “Sorry we’re late. The sitter didn’t show up.”
    The toddler staggered forward, fell down with a bump, and began to cry. Carly hauled the carrier past Richard and Max, settled
     cats and client into Exam Room Two, then came out to grab the charts for the two Siamese. She needed a pen, she realized,
     and turned toward Michelle’s desk.
    Richard had gone back to his office, and Max was on the phone again. He had taken off his suit jacket and slung it over the
     empty chair, and Carly could see the powerful lines of his shoulders under his crisp white shirt. His black hair was short,
     cut to a perfect edge against the back of his neck, and she suspected that it was never allowed to get even slightly shaggy
     or uneven. He was perfectly, corporately, groomed every time she had seen him, and she wondered what his idea of relaxation
     was. A suit in a lighter shade of gray, maybe.
    He was leaning against the edge of the desk, his body blocking the drawer where Michelle kept the pens. Carly touched his
     arm to get his attention, startled as her fingers met the hard curve of his biceps and felt the heat of his skin through the
     thin cloth.
    There was a subtle scent of cologne lingering close to him, a smoky fragrance that mingled with the warm, male scent of his
     body. She felt a fluttery sensation in her chest when he turned to look at her, and found herself suddenly shy. She focused
     on his chin, where she could see the faint dark shadow of beard beneath the skin.
    “Excuse me,” she said, pointing to the drawer.
    Max stepped back against Michelle’s filing cabinet, but the phone cord was short. She could feel his eyes on her as she reached
     in to grab a pen. She slid the drawer closed and backed up awkwardly.
    He replaced the receiver, a very slight, thoughtful frown touching his forehead. Carly wondered if she looked as flustered
     as she suddenly felt.
    “Well,” she said. “Thanks again for the ride. Are you going back to the hospital?”
    “Later.”
    “You’ll let me know… if anything happens.”
    It was as much of a question as a request, and when he didn’t answer immediately, Carly felt her stomach tighten.
    “Max,” she said. “Please.”
    He was silent for a moment longer, then, abruptly, he nodded. “I’ll let you know.”
    That afternoon, Carly had her hand on the doorknob of Exam Room One when she heard Richard say her name. She turned, and saw
     him beckoning to her from the open door of his office.
    “What?” she asked, walking toward him. “I have a client waiting.”
    Richard’s eyes were alight with excitement. “That guy this morning, didn’t I say that I recognized him? I knew I’d seen him
     before. It’s been bugging me all day, and I just got it. He was in
Fortune
magazine last month. I’ve still got the issue.”
    “Rich, I really need to—”
    “He cofounded a sales automation software company that Syscom acquired in March. I’ve got the article right here.”
    “Max is a computer guy?” Carly asked, astonished. She would never have guessed that. He seemed smart, but not in an engineering
     sort of way.
    “Yeah, right. When was the last time you saw a computer guy in a suit like that? No, he’s all about sales and marketing. His
     partner was the techie, some guy from MIT, but Giordano bought him out a few years ago. Do you know how much he’s worth?”
    That explained the shoes, Carly thought. And the car. But the revelation that Max was genuinely wealthy