Making out with Cash Boyd was never part of the plan. I don’t know why I let him persuade me into doing it. In fact, I’m pretty sure he tricked me.

Groaning, I sink onto my bed and press a pillow against my face.

Let’s be honest.

No one forced me into doing it. It was my own free will. I even enjoyed myself way more than I should have, which is why I was wet.

Very wet.

I can’t believe the prick noticed it. I can’t believe he even licked my juices off his fingers. The mere thought of Cash’s tongue between my legs leaves me breathless with anticipation and want.

We were so close to doing way more than a little bit of tongue acrobatics. It took every ounce of my willpower to tear myself away from his hard body. The only thing that kept me from going all the way was the image of Cash’s father.

What would Trent think if I fucked his son?

How would I feel if I broke my own rules and engaged in bedsheet activities with my client?

Granted, he’s only half my client, given that he’s not paying me. But still.

Even if he’s not the one paying me, would it be enough to revoke my license as a therapist? Maybe not, but our patient-to-therapist relationship would be tarnished, and I would have to move back to Chicago. Return to my tiny apartment. To the rush and the excitement that comes with city life.

There would be another job. Another patient while Cash would disappear from my life.

My throat chokes up.

He’ll disappear anyway, which is exactly what I want.

Right?

The sooner, I’m gone, the better. While I might have enjoyed his touch way more than I should have, his motivations are clouded by his injury. He’s like every other patient in his age group who’s spending a little too much time with his female therapist.

Which is why I can’t let the lines blur, why I can’t let my own desire meddle with my job.

Cash is easily the hottest guy I’ve ever met, but he’s still my patient.

There is an attraction between us. No doubt about that. But I can see that this attraction’s been a little too much on my mind lately, it might just complicate my job to the point of rendering me unable to fulfill my duties.

He’s going to need more help than I can offer him if my mind’s clouded and we can’t keep a professional distance.

Prick or not, Cash’s recovery needs to remain my priority. Besides, I won’t let his father down.

Cash might think he has his life in working order, that just because he can partly walk, he’ll get back to his old self on his own. But he doesn’t realize that sooner or later, without therapy, his injuries will gain the upper hand.

His muscles will weaken, making him prone to more injury. Eventually, making a full recovery will become impossible.

I won’t let that happen.

Having made up my mind, I type a quick text message on my cell phone, ready to take the next step that’s best for him.

---

***

---

The phone flashes with a photo of Ally’s grimacing face almost instantly. I take the video call on the second ring.

“You want me to do what?” Ally’s brown hair is in disarray, her gaze harried as usual, like she already has one foot headed out the door. We’ve been best friends for ages, even went to school together and walked down the same career path. But while I’m the one who’s devoted her entire life to my job, she has never seen it as her passion, which is why I can rely on her not to be too tied down to jump in for me at the last minute.

“I want you to take the next flight to Montana and do this job,” I say matter-of-factly.

Her eyes narrow. “Why? I thought you were excited about it. What changed?”

“Because—” I cringe inwardly. Ally’s the one person I’ve never lied to, mostly because she’s always had my back. She never judges, which is why I know I’m safe revealing the truth. But that doesn’t make speaking it out loud any easier. “We made out.”

“Who did?”

Peering at the closed door, I lower my voice. “I made out with my patient.”

“You did what?” She doesn’t just sound genuinely shocked; she also looks the part. Who could blame her? As a physical therapist that’s the one thing you never, ever do. It’s textbook knowledge.

“I know.” I wince. “It’s just that he’s hot and I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I—” I break off because I know exactly what’s gotten into me.

Six-foot-three of hard muscles, an accent that could whisper dirty things into my ear all night, and smoldering green eyes I want to peer into as I moan his name.

“I can’t help you.” Ally jerks me out of my reverie.

“You can’t?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“I have this new job and—”

“Oh.” I stare at her face, unsure whether I’ve just heard her right.

“In fact, I’m headed out the door this minute. But call me if I can help you with anything else.”

She’s trying to wriggle her way out of it. I just know it from the way her gaze darts around, avoiding my eyes.

“Did I mention how much it pays?” I hurry to add before she hangs up on me.

Her expression doesn’t change. That’s when it dawns on me. Ally’s a city girl through and through. Relocating to Montana, if only for a short period of time, is probably the equivalent of relocating to Northern Alaska to her.

She shakes her head. “No. But like I said I—”

“You’re lying.” She is. I know it. “There’s no important job, is there, Ally? You just don’t want to fly down here.”

She looks so guilty, it’s almost comical.

“Sorry,” she mumbles. “But I’m sure you’ll do just fine. Just don’t get involved with the guy. Got to go. Love you.”

With that, she hangs up.

I stare at the black screen for a minute or two, unable to comprehend what just happened.

“Unbelievable,” I mutter, wondering who else I could call.

Ally was my best bet. I know a few fellow physical therapists, but I don’t trust any of them. If someone finds out that I made out with my patient, my license could be gone forever.

I can’t trust Cash not to spill the beans, either. He might do it out of spite, maybe not with the intention to hurt my career chances, but simply because he might not understand the implications of the situation.

“Unfuckingbelievable,” I repeat.

Looks like I’m stuck with Cash Boyd, whether I want to be here or not.

What the hell was I thinking?