“Yes,” Lizzie didn’t bother taking a second to think about the answer. She clutched Ben closer to her chest as a reminder she needed to hurry up and get as far away from Doug as she could. Since he was standing between her and her car, she needed him to move out of the way, which she had a feeling he wasn’t going to do without some convincing.

  Doug smiled and scoffed. “You must really have a bad impression of me. Look, it’s important that I ask you some questions about this place, and I’m not going to do that here. So, if you don’t want to come to my place, you’re going to have to pick a neutral location somewhere.”

  “I don’t know you, so it’s kind of hard to have an impression at all. You have my phone number, just let me get home and give me a few minutes to relax, then you can call me and ask all the questions you want.” Lizzie was impressed she’d been able to come up with a logical solution to his need for a conversation. Depending how she felt once she got home, there was a chance she’d conveniently forget her phone in her car.

  “How about I follow you home? Like you were so helpful to point out, we really don’t know each other, and I think it’s a good idea for me to watch your facial expressions and body language while we talk.”

  “Doug home,” Ben offered. With Lizzie’s arms around him, it wasn’t easy for him to see his new best friend, but he reached behind him with one of his hands to try to find Doug.

  Doug obliged him by taking his tiny hand in his massive one and walked around Lizzie, so Ben’s arm wasn’t bent funny. His new position put the tall man behind Lizzie, which cleared the way to the car, but as Doug’s free hand settled on her hip, she found something new standing in her way.

  “You sure don’t act like you don’t know me. Do you go around touching every woman you meet?” Lizzie said, although she did nothing to deter him. It’d been too long since someone had paid her that kind of attention, and something about Doug made it feel comfortable, a phenomenon that had never happened before.

  “I can’t say that I do, but then I haven’t met anyone as beautiful as you before.” Doug’s breath was warm on the back of her neck as he spoke. It caused a shiver to travel through her body, which she was sure he felt with his body right next to hers. “What kind of security cameras do you have out here in the parking lot? Can people hear what’s being said?”

  Lizzie wasn’t sure where the question was going, so she bit her lip and looked up at one of the two cameras mounted on a light pole. “There’s two, but I don’t think there’s audio. They’re just there to monitor people coming and going.”

  “Good. How well do you know the guards? Steph says one of them is bugging her and I’m trying to figure out if that’s true or if there’s another reason she’s trying to get moved to a new facility.” Doug let Ben’s hand go and moved back to his spot in front of Lizzie. Ben was about to complain, but Doug quickly rested his hand on his back to keep him calm.

  Lizzie didn’t look forward to what she was sure were going to be tears when she finally got rid of Doug. There was no reason for the instant connection between the two of them, but clearly the boys had bonded.

  “Bugging her how?” Lizzie asked, trying to focus on the conversation and not the troubles in store for her.

  “Hanging out in her room while she’s sleeping. She didn’t go into details about exactly what he did during his visits, but she was pretty clear she thought things were going to become physical.”

  It seemed like he was going to say something else, but Lizzie interrupted him. “Male guards aren’t allowed in female patients’ rooms.”

  Half a smile appeared on what had been a neutral face. “That’s good to hear, but that doesn’t mean everyone follows that rule. She said she tried to tell her doctor about it, but he didn’t believe her, and just changed her medicine.”

  Lizzie had to frown at that. There had been a change to Stephanie’s dosage that week, but there could’ve been a lot of reasons for that. Without being a fly on the wall during her visits with her doctor, Lizzie couldn’t jump to the conclusion Steph was being honest.

  “Do you mind if I get him in his car seat before we continue this conversation?” Lizzie wanted to keep holding Ben, but her arms were as tired as the rest of her and he was getting heavy. She also needed something to do while she racked her brain for any indication Stephanie was in danger.

  “Go right ahead.” Doug reached over and opened the door for her. “Do you have any crossover with the night guards? I don’t know your schedule, but I’m assuming you’re usually days and I figure if the guy’s creeping on Steph, it’s probably at night.”

  That was a good point. There were some staff members who Lizzie hadn’t seen in the months she’d been working. She didn’t know how things worked overnight, but she knew there was usually less people around at night, when most of the patients were asleep. Maybe not less than the shift she’d just finished, but there were generally a few guards and a nurse or two.

  She put a reluctant Ben in his car seat and buckled him in. He reached behind Lizzie for a second as she finished up, then ended up with his arms across his chest and his bottom lip jutting out. Yeah, it was going to be a long night.

  Lizzie left the door open as she straightened up and turned around to face Doug. She couldn’t blame Ben for falling for him, but he was the wrong guy for him to make his role model. They’d moved away from Ben’s father when he was too young to remember him, so he’d never had a male figure to connect with, but he hadn’t tried to attach himself to random guys at the grocery store, so there was clearly something specific about Doug that attracted him.

  As a hot-blooded woman, Lizzie knew exactly what attracted her to the man, but she doubted Ben was a sucker for dimples. She took a deep breath and tried to remember where they were in the conversation.

  “I’m probably the newest employee, so I’d be the last one to know anything odd going on. I’d like to think Dr. Hanson would take that kind of threat seriously, but I don’t sit in on sessions to know what’s going on.”

  “Yeah, I had the feeling that was the case, but I had to ask. You haven’t had any issues with guards, have you?”

  Lizzie thought the question was a little silly. If she’d had a problem, she would’ve said something when he brought the topic up.

  “Nothing that would make me think someone is taking advantage of patients. There’s a guard who asks me out sometimes, but he works days and I don’t get a creepy vibe from him.” Lizzie shouldn’t have shared that, but it popped in her mind and the words rolled off her tongue. “So that’s why you didn’t want Ben to go to work with me? Your friend got you all riled up about one of the guards, and you decided that was enough to screw with my day?”

  If it was true, it wasn’t a good thing, but it didn’t necessarily put Ben in any danger. It worked as an excuse more than anything, and Lizzie had let him get away with it.

  “Yes, but I want to hear about the guard you just mentioned. Does he ask other women out, or just you?” By the way Doug’s eyebrow raised and his head cocked to the side, he made it clear his focus totally shifted to Eric. At least she hadn’t mentioned him by name.

  “I couldn’t tell you. Listen, if Stephanie is right, I feel for her and will help put a stop to things anyway I can, but what’s going on there wouldn’t affect Ben staying here while I work.”

  Doug stepped closer to Lizzie as she spoke, cutting off what was going to segue into her saying goodnight. She didn’t tilt her head up to compensate for the closeness, so she ended up staring at his chest. Having spent hours with three toddlers, she was surprised he wasn’t covered in stains. As close as he got, she could verify that his blue shirt didn’t have a single spot.

  A finger lifted her chin up so she was forced to make eye contact. The sun was at the right position in the sky that it reflected off his brown eyes, making the various flecks of gold within the brown pop.

  “Steph seemed to think there’s some covering up going on, so I don’t know that it’s just a matter of a predator bothering her. Nels will hopefully get everything figured out when he comes tomorrow. He worked the phones for an hour or two and evidently he called the right people, because someone’s coming in to review security and perform interviews with the staff. I’m not supposed to tell you that, but I’m hoping you don’t decide to run back inside and tell people to start shredding the evidence.”

  Lizzie tried to step away, but all that got her was her back running into the top of the frame above the open door. If they were facing a full inspection, it was going to be another long day. She’d never been part of one, but it was going to make everyone tense. It already had her thinking about whether there was anything she’d done that would get her in trouble.

  “You’re right. You shouldn’t have told me about the inspection.” Lizzie really didn’t have much else to say. Her mind turned from slips in policy to the fact that she had to find someone to watch Ben. Even though there wasn’t a rule that he couldn’t be there, if there was an inspector coming in, she didn’t want him there.

  “I didn’t figure you had anything to worry about, but I don’t think Ben should be around whenever it happens. It was hard to tell which way Nelson was going to go with his calls, whether he’d just try to get Steph moved or if he’d get some kind of authorities involved. Or if he’d even believe Steph in the first place.”

  “So you thought there was a chance the inspection would be today?” Lizzie ignored the fact that it seemed Doug was reading her mind.

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. I just had a really strong feeling that Ben shouldn’t be in there and I went with the feeling. I know I backed you into a corner, but my request came from a good place.” He reached down and grabbed her hand so he could put it on his chest. “Tell me about his father. Why were you scared?”

  Lizzie started her reply with a hum, and she about smacked herself for sounding like Maddie. She needed a break from Doug, and his dang cologne, which she could still smell just as strong as it had been earlier in the day. Whatever it was, it clouded her thoughts and reduced her to someone who hummed responses.

  “That’s not something I’m going to get into right now. I need to get Ben home and see if he’ll calm down tonight. I think he’s already made it clear he’s going to be upset you aren’t coming home with us.” Lizzie almost kicked herself for saying the words. The devilish grin that spread across Doug’s face told her she was in trouble.

  “Just say the word and I’ll follow you home.”

  “Not tonight.” Or probably ever, but Lizzie didn’t say that out loud. “So, the inspection does necessitate me finding someone to watch Ben tomorrow. Are you really up for the job two days in a row?”

  It wasn’t going to help with Ben’s attachment, but the only other option Lizzie had was calling in sick. She didn’t have anyone she was close to, and as hard as it was to believe, she hated leaving Ben in someone else’s care. Finding another total stranger to look after him wasn’t something she could work into her schedule. Lizzie thought about looking down to avoid the joy that flashed in Doug’s eyes, but he kind of had her immobilized with his scrutiny.

  “I’ll text you my address, unless you want me to come over to your place tomorrow.”

  Lizzie thought about it for a second and shook her head. If his car was any indication about the amount of money he had, her rundown bungalow was going to be disappointing.

  “I’ll bring everything you need.” Lizzie started making the list of things in her head. It would’ve been easier just to have him come over, but she was sticking with her first instinct.

  “Sounds great. I’ll let you guys get home and get on with your night. I really enjoyed meeting you today and getting to know the little guy.”

  Before she could react, Doug leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. Her heartbeat quickened as the reality of what was going on settled in. She should have pushed him away, but her arms weren’t responding to the commands her brain sent out. At first it seemed like it was just going to be a drive-by, but his hands landed on her hips and pulled her in close as he deepened the kiss. Lizzie knew exactly how a phoenix felt when it went up in flames, because her body was on fire.

  “Get a room.” Maddie’s voice barely made it through to Lizzie, but she heard the message and remembered where she was. “I hope you know I’m going to want all the details tomorrow.”

  Doug chuckled as he slowly removed his tongue from Lizzie’s mouth. He ran his tongue along her lips as he rested his forehead against hers. “I told you we should’ve talked somewhere else.”

  Lizzie opened her eyes, which had drifted shut as passion coursed through her body. All she saw was Doug’s eyes full of amusement, but she could hear the sound of a car start and drive away.

  “Well, maybe you should have mentioned you were going to give my tonsils an exam. I’ll see you tomorrow?” It was a question instead of a statement. Part of her wanted him to change his mind. Nothing good was going to come from them spending more time together.

  “Sorry, about the kiss. I’ve been thinking about how your lips would taste all day, and I had to know. In case you didn’t know, cherries is the main thing I tasted. As far as tomorrow, yes, you’ll see me, but I have one more question before I let you leave.” He didn’t immediately state the question, so Lizzie shifted her knee to bump into his in hopes of getting him talking. “What do you think about my cologne?”

  Lizzie’s immediate reaction was to scoff. It wasn’t the question she expected and she wasn’t sure of the right answer. She stood on her tiptoes so she could whisper her response in his ear.

  “It’s followed me around all day, and I’ve had trouble keeping my clothes on. I wasn’t going to come right out and ask, but are you wearing an aphrodisiac?” Lizzie decided to be honest, which only led to Doug leaning down and giving her another kiss.

  “This is going to sound crazy, but you are without a doubt the woman of my dreams, Elizabeth.” Doug kept the kiss short and winked at her as he stepped away and skipped over to his car. Okay, maybe he didn’t skip, but there seemed to be some extra jump in his jog.

  Lizzie stood there for a few moments, trying to figure out what she was going to do about her newest problem. Or more accurately put, problems. She had to deal with the inspection and Doug and everything that went along with him, including the little boy chanting his name from behind her.

  It was going to be a long night, and for the first time in Lizzie’s life, she was sad she’d never picked up drinking. She needed something to dull the tingling sensation trickling through her body. She wasn’t sure a nice, hot bubble bath would do it, but that was the first thing on her list of things to do after she tucked Ben in for the night.

  Chapter Seven

  Morning couldn’t come soon enough for Doug. Every time he closed his eyes there were emerald orbs staring back at him. The few times he’d fallen asleep, his dreams were always erotic, which meant he started his morning with a nice cold shower.

  He was pouring a bowl of cereal when he heard the squeaky brakes of Lizzie’s car. He’d thought about having them fixed for her, but the probability of her not appreciating the effort overruled his notion. He needed to tread lightly, hoping not to chase her away. So far that idea hadn’t worked out as he’d forced his way into her life.

  Leaving breakfast behind, he made his way to the front door. Lizzie had said she’d be there at eight, but it was only seven-thirty. Doug thought he had time to finish breakfast and get dressed, but instead he had to greet his company with a towel around his waist. He wondered how hard it was going to be to convince her he hadn’t planned that.

  He put on his biggest smile and opened the door. Lizzie was still working her way up the walk when she spotted him and stopped. She had her hands full, with Ben tottling along at her side. His two guests had very different reactions when they saw him. Ben immediately started running in his direction.

  “Doug,” he said, wrapping his arms around one of his legs.

  Ben was dressed in a pair of blue overalls with a red t-shirt, and the fabric from both rubbed against Doug’s bare leg. It was a little scratchy, but Doug didn’t mind.

  “Hi, little buddy. You ready for a fun day?” Doug rubbed Ben’s head as he waited for his mother to move. Lizzie’s jaw hung slightly open, which only widened Doug’s smile. “I’d offer to help carry some of that, but I’m afraid my neighbors wouldn’t appreciate being part of my morning routine.”

  “You’re naked.” It was Lizzie speaking, but Ben repeated naked a few times, just in case Doug hadn’t heard.

  “Technically, I’m in a towel. You said you weren’t going to be here for a while, so I thought I had time to make myself pretty.” Doug backed into the house with Ben and waited for Lizzie to make her way in. She continued to hesitate a little, but eventually she followed him.

  She had a few bags around her shoulders and a potty chair. The bags were bigger than the diaper bag had been the day before.

  “I’m pretty sure a towel doesn’t count as clothing. Can you go put something on while I set my stuff down somewhere?” Lizzie asked as she made it into the foyer.

  Doug and Ben were already in the living room, and Doug was in the process of picking Ben up and putting him on the couch. “You sit here for a second and I’ll be right back.”

  A defiant look crossed the baby’s face, but he didn’t move from his spot. Doug made sure Lizzie got her load settled and made his way down the hallway to his bedroom. If he had to stand with her eyes staring at his torso for much longer, there was going to be something trying to part his towel. Then he wouldn’t be able to deny he was naked.

  “So, I take it you found the place okay,” Doug hollered from his closet. He didn’t have plans of going out, so in a hurry to get back to his guest, he grabbed a pair of gym shorts and a tank top and put them on.

  “Yeah, I looked up directions last night. I was a little worried when I didn’t see your car, but I’m guessing it’s in one of the three spots in your garage.” Lizzie’s voice sounded distracted, and Doug imagined she was taking in her surroundings.