Sophia paced the exam room Friday morning. She’d received another text from Tony last night. Another taunting message, and she wanted to scream and cry and eat all the bread she could find. She’d come to the conclusion last night that she had to get in front of this disaster before it swallowed her whole.
Yes, she’d been unprofessional by sleeping with and secretly dating a client, but she was in love with Finn and didn’t regret a single moment with him, and she refused to let Tony call the shots anymore. She loved working for Dr. Anders. It was her dream job, and she might lose her job, but if the pictures came out before she told Dr. Anders, any hope of a reference or not destroying her reputation would vanish.
She rolled her shoulders back and took a fortifying breath. She could do this. March into Dr. Anders’ office and potentially walk out unemployed. Fuck. She hated Tony. He should not have any control over her after all this time, but this was the first step in breaking free of his hold.
She headed down the hall and knocked on Dr. Anders’ open door. The woman looked up with a smile and ushered Sophia in. Maybe she didn’t have to fess up. Clearly, he hadn’t sent the pictures to her boss yet.
No. She had to do this.
“Hi, Sophia. How’s it going? Mr. Argus giving you grief again.”
“Everything’s fine with my patients today, but if you have a moment, I need to talk to you,” she said, gently shutting the door and standing behind the chairs in front of Dr. Anders’ desk. Sitting down wasn’t an option, even when her boss gestured for her to take a seat.
“What’s up?”
“I’m dating Finn,” she blurted out, and Dr. Anders’ eyes widened.
“You’re what? Our patient, Eric Finnegan?”
“Yes. We didn’t mean for it to happen, and I didn’t pursue him, but it happened, and it’s only right that I come clean.”
“Sophia, this is a serious issue. Not only is this office’s relationship with the Strikers very important, but I cannot have my staff dating a patient. It’s completely unprofessional,” she said, her voice hard, and Sophia knew exactly what was coming.
“I know. And I cannot apologize enough. This is not who I am. I’ve never been anything less than completely professional with the rest of my patients, here and in the offices I previously worked in.”
“While I do believe you, as your references were impeccable, I cannot keep you on staff now that I know,” she said, her face resigned, and Sophia cursed Tony and herself, for getting in this situation to begin with.
“I’m very sorry to have put you in this position, and I’m grateful for my time working with you.” She bit the inside of her cheek. She’d worked so hard to get here and now it was over, but she refused to cry in front of Dr. Anders. She held steady, while emotions tumbled around inside of her.
“I’m going to need you to gather your things and leave the building. Please drop your tablet off before you go. Finn is on your list for today, correct?”
“Yes. He should be here shortly.” Her voice sounded remarkably calm, while she grappled with the fact that she was now unemployed.
“I’ll review your notes and take over his appointment.”
“I understand. Again, thank you for this opportunity, Dr. Anders. I’m sorry that this happened because I loved working here and working with you.”
“Can I ask why you told me? You’ve managed to keep it a secret this long and his sessions with us are almost over.”
“I’d rather not go into it, but I have an ex. He had pictures of us kissing in public that he was going to send you. I wanted to get in front of that before he sent them. It was the only responsible thing to do. Well, if there’s anything responsible in what I’ve done, of course.”
She hadn’t missed Dr. Anders’ eyes narrowing at the mention of Sophia’s ex.
“That says a lot about you, and while I cannot keep you on staff, I am more than willing to give you a reference if you need it. And stand up to that asshole. Karma will get him.”
“I’ve been waiting on her for more years than I’d like to think about,” Sophia said with a harsh laugh. “Thank you again for understanding, and I’m sorry this didn’t work out.”
“Me too,” Dr. Anders’ said, her expression soft. It killed Sophia that she was leaving this job. This perfect fucking job.
How was she going to tell Finn? Her family? That was almost more nerve-wracking than confessing everything to Dr. Anders.
Sophia opened the door and walked right into Finn. He reached out and grabbed her arms, and it took all her strength not to melt into his chest. There would be time for that later.
“Hi Sophia, you ready for our last appointment?” he asked, his smile lost on her sadness.
Fuck Tony.
“Umm, Dr. Anders’ is going to take over,” she said.
“What? Are you feeling okay?” he asked, pulling back and dropping his hands from her arms, only to run his thumb quickly over the back of her hand. A gesture he’d constantly done in the office to find a way to touch her without actually wrapping his arms around her, or so he’d confessed a few weeks ago.
“Yeah,” she said, but her heart wasn’t in it.
“What’s going on?” His eyes bored into hers, and she flinched.
“Eric, if you could step into my office. Sophia, you might as well, too,” Dr. Anders said from her door.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Let’s just talk in her office. I’ll explain,” Sophia said as they entered Dr. Anders’ office, and Sophia shut the door behind them.
“Sophia has informed me of your relationship, and as a result, I’ve had to let her go,” Dr. Anders said after Finn tugged Sophia down to sit in the chairs across from her former boss.
Former boss. That stung.
“What? You can’t fire her. This is my fault. I pursued her. She was completely professional at all of our appointments, and I pursued her,” Finn said, linking one hand with hers and running his thumb across her knuckles.
Her heart raced in her chest at the touch. At being out in the open and him supporting her.
“Finn,” she started.
“No. You are not going to lose your job because of me. Our appointments are almost done, and I have no plans to give you up, so she doesn’t need to worry about you dating other patients,” he said, matter-of-factly, and her heart sped up again, warmth coursing through her belly on its way to her toes.
“As much as I value Sophia as an assistant and appreciate her telling me the truth, I cannot keep her on staff,” Dr. Anders said.
“But she’s excellent at her job. Aside from this, have you had any complaints?”
“No, but I cannot have her working in this office after she started a relationship with a client. I have my business to protect, and its reputation.”
“And I understand that. I’m so sorry about this,” Sophia said.
“No. You aren’t going to lose this job because of me. You love this job, and I love you,” Finn said, and Sophia gasped.
“What did you just say?”
“You love this job,” he started, the corner of his mouth tilted up in a smile.
“No, the other part. You love me?”
“Of course I do. How did you not notice?”
Wow. She had not seen that coming. Well, she hoped that he loved her and she’d wanted him to say it first, but not while she was getting fired.
“Umm,” she started.
“I can give you guys a minute and then Sophia has to leave,” Dr. Anders said, stepping toward the door.
A minute? They were going to need more than a minute. He loved her. He’d said it out loud and she wanted nothing more than to shout it back at him, but Finn spoke up before she got the chance.
“Actually, how about I come in sometime next week for my final appointment. Sophia and I have some things to discuss,” Finn said.
“Sure. We can reschedule for Monday if you’re available,” she said.
Finn nodded. “Perfect.”
“And Sophia, if you find another job and need a reference, please let me know. I am sorry that this didn’t work out, and I applaud your strength in coming forward. I hope that this ex won’t be a problem now.”
“Ex?” Finn said, his voice harsh. “What the hell did Tony do now?”
Confessing her love for Finn right now probably wasn’t the best idea as he glared at her, his hands fisted at his sides.
She wanted to kill Tony herself.
He fought down the rage bubbling to the surface. This was not how his day was supposed to go. And why was her ex still involved?
She’d met him in the parking lot after she’d gathered her personal items from her office, and they headed to his condo. In separate cars. He’d ordered her not to even think about bailing because he was getting answers as to why her ex was somehow involved with her getting fired.
Fuck. It infuriated him that she’d lost her job because of their relationship. They’d been so close to being in the clear. Not that he’d thought there wouldn’t be some repercussions when her boss found out that they were dating, but he’d hoped that since his appointments would be done at that point, that Sophia would still keep her job. Granted, he could admit that was overly optimistic, but he’d been ready to plead her case if necessary.
Her throwing herself under the bus while he was still a patient, and the fact that Tony was somehow to blame, fucking pissed him off.
He stewed while they both parked their cars. He approached her car and opened her door, pulling her to stand.
“Finn, I can explain.”
“Yes, you will. Please tell me he didn’t hurt you.” He looked her over and hated seeing the pain in her eyes.
With his bare hands. He’d kill the fucker with his bare hands. Family history be damned.
“Let’s go inside,” she said, leading him into the building.
In no time they were settled on his couch. Bash had jumped up and snuggled next to Sophia, his body between Finn’s and Sophia’s, as if he was protecting her.
She took in a deep breath. “I’ve been receiving texts from Tony.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“They just started earlier this week, and I was going to handle it. This is my mess.”
“It’s not your mess, Sophia. It involves us, if you had to out our relationship. You should’ve told me what was going on. What did the texts say?”
Her body vibrated with her deep breath and she snuggled closer to Bash. “He started sending pictures.”
“Of what?”
“Of us.”
“What?”
“He had pictures of us kissing at the park, outside this condo. He threatened to show them to my boss.” She paused, shaking her head. “I had to tell her before he did. I had to get in front of it if I was going to salvage my reputation in my field, even if I couldn’t keep my job.”
He was done with the physical distance between them, and he lifted her over Bash and into his lap.
“Finn,” she said, pushing on his chest. “I have to get this out. I have to tell you.”
“And right now, I need to hold you. Why didn’t you tell me what was going on? I could’ve confronted him.”
Her laugh was harsh. “And what would that have done? He probably would’ve sent the pictures immediately. No. I let him have control over me for too long, and I was not going to be under his thumb again. I had to do this on my own. Show him that he doesn’t have a say in my life.”
He squeezed her close. Her strength amazed him, but he hated that she’d thought she had to go through it alone.
“Sophia, you can come to me. We are in this together. We have to be honest with each other if this is going to work, and I want it to work more than anything. And I’m glad you stood up to him. That spineless jackass needs to be put in his place.”
“I know, and I hate that I had to tell Dr. Anders, but there was no other solution. At least she said she’d give me a reference, and I totally understand why she couldn’t keep me on board, but it still sucks,” she said, not looking at him, and he didn’t miss her indrawn breath, like she was resisting the urge to cry.
“I’m sorry for this mess that I got you in.” He felt like the biggest ass for pursuing her while he was still her patient. It was unfair that she lost her job because of his inability to leave her alone.
“I could’ve resisted you,” she said, a hint of a smile in her voice.
“I’m very irresistible.”
She lightly hit his chest. “And modest.”
“I want you to know that I didn’t just blurt out I love you to try to save your job. I’ve wanted to tell you for weeks—hell, probably longer. I love you, Sophia. You’re amazing and wonderful and the way you fill out those work pants…”
She gasped, swatting his chest. “Finn.”
“It’s true. And I’m happy that you can’t cook, or what would I be bringing to this relationship?”
“So, so many things,” she said, leaning in and kissing his jaw.
“And I promise we will find you another job—a great job.” He’d never felt this way about another woman, and she needed to know that.
“Oh Finn, I love you, too, and not just because you’re my favorite hockey player.” She grinned at him, her eyes bright with unshed tears. He hated that he was part of the reason they were there. He could admit that his heart raced at her declaration, both with joy and relief that she felt the same way. He hadn’t realized how much he needed to hear those words from her lips. How much he ached to hear those words. Fuck, he sounded like a damn sap.
“Good to know. I was worried you were really going to get that Baz jersey,” he teased.
She laughed. “I would never. I’m also here for your cooking, especially those pancakes.”
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’ll make you pancakes every morning, if you want.”
“I just might hold you to that. And don’t worry, I’ve been thinking about going back to school and pursuing that doctorate.”
“You’ll ace the hell out of that, and I’ll do whatever I can to help,” he said, peppering her with kisses. “Dr. Sophia. I’m thinking you would look excellent in a doctor’s coat and nothing else.” He hardened at the thought of her in glasses, heels, and a white lab coat. And he’d needed to tease her, to make her smile after the day—hell, the weeks—she’d had dealing with her ex and her job. He was still pissed that she hadn’t told him, but he got it. As much as it frustrated him, he got it.
She gasped. “Dirty, dirty man. I’ll see what I can do. Should I know about any other fantasies?”
“Currently, I just want you cuddled up next to me in bed.”
Her eyes darkened, her breath shallow. “I think that can be arranged.”
His cock pressed against his jeans, and he needed them both naked now, so of course Bash whimpered at the front door.
“Cockblock,” he muttered, and heard Sophia laugh.
“Stay right here. I’m going to take him out and I’ll be right back,” he said, grabbing Bash’s leash and heading for the door. “You have the worst timing,” he said down to his annoyingly happy dog.
After a quick stop at the nearest patch of grass, Finn headed back upstairs, his head down as he stepped into the elevator, ignoring a shouted hello from one of his teammates. He’d apologize later. Fishy would understand.
He was back in his condo in record time and didn’t miss Sophia’s laugh when he gave Bash his favorite afternoon snack, a bully stick.
“A little peen for him and a little peen for me,” she teased, knowing that the treat kept the dog occupied for at least ten minutes—not that he only needed ten minutes. That was just the warm-up.
“Excuse you, there’s nothing little about it,” he boasted, scooping her up in his arms and heading for his bedroom.
“No. Nothing little about it,” she said, grinning up at him. “You know I can’t help making the comparison. It says steer pizzle on the package as the one ingredient. Come on. Who wouldn’t make that joke?” The last word came out on a gasp as he tossed her down on the bed and stood up, whipping his shirt off over his head. She moaned as she sat up and trailed her hand over his abs.
She grabbed his waistband and tugged him close, her fingers quickly popping the button on his jeans and lowering the zipper.
“Oh fuck, Sophia,” he groaned when she reached in and cupped his length, giving him a squeeze.
“No. Not so little,” she whispered, and then released him, pushing his jeans and boxer briefs down to his ankles.
Her breath washed over his hard cock, her tongue darting out to capture his need at the tip, then licked around the head, taking him into her mouth.
He bowed over her, his fingers sinking into her hair, as he held her to his body. She tortured him with her mouth, her hand squeezing his shaft, and it took everything in him not to thrust. Fuck, she was good at this.
His body tensed, his stomach tight as she devoured him. And as much as coming down her throat appealed to him, he needed to be inside her, holding her close as they both came.