“Your logic is flawed,” Nathan countered, crossing his ankles on the lounge chair. “If I use my money to make the woman fall in love with me, she’s the wrong woman.”
“The wager doesn’t mean you can’t use every weapon at your disposal to win your true love.” Gavin’s voice took on an edge when he said the last two words. “By the way, you work fast. I’m impressed.”
Nathan shifted in the chair. “It was a hypothetical question.”
“Sure it was. Who is she?”
“Look up hypothetical in your OED.” Nathan redirected the conversation. He was starting to feel the cold. “Is Archer still on board with this?”
“I haven’t been informed otherwise.”
“Has the writer’s block broken yet?”
“No.” All amusement was absent from Miller’s voice for that one word. “By the way, when you’re ready to go ring shopping, let me know. I’m a friend of the manager at Cartier.”
Nathan snorted and ended the call. He glanced up at the stars and had the whimsical thought that he could pluck one out of the sky to set in an engagement ring.
It seemed like an idea Chloe would appreciate.
CHAPTER 10
Chloe walked into her boss’s bedroom to find Cavill and Trainor—who wore an unbelted navy bathrobe hanging open over his pajamas—facing each other with equally furious expressions.
“Am I contagious?” Trainor asked.
“Probably not.” Cavill sounded as though he could barely speak the words.
“One more day,” Trainor said. “Then I’m going back to the office.”
Chloe considered pointing out that the next day was Saturday but figured Trainor worked weekends too.
“Do you want to have a relapse and end up worse off than before?” Cavill asked. “You need at least two more days of bed rest.”
“Don’t push it, Ben.” Trainor spun on his bare heel to stalk away from his friend and doctor, which brought him face-to-face with Chloe. The anger still sparked in his eyes, but an odd mixture of surprise and gratification joined it. “You came back.”
Standing, he seemed larger and more intimidating than when she’d been close to him in his bed. A flush climbed her cheeks as she remembered just how close they’d been. “I made a commitment.” And it had taken all her grit and guts to honor it.
He cast a sharp glance at Cavill. “We’ll work in my office here.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, responding to the air of command he exuded, even in his pajamas.
His eyebrows rose and a slight smile curled the corners of his mouth. He might be remembering last night too.
“Your father would be proud,” Cavill said, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Ductos exemplo. Lead by example. Semper fi.”
Trainor’s face went dark as he half turned to the doctor. “You’re lucky there’s a lady present, so I’m just going to tell you to piss off.”
Chloe decided it was time to break up the argument. “I’ll make sure he takes frequent breaks,” she said to the doctor.
“I was under the impression you reported to me,” Trainor said, his eyebrows slashing down.
“I want to keep you in good health so you can sign my paycheck,” Chloe said.
Cavill gave a little snort of laughter, and Trainor shook his head. The tension between the two men eased.
“If you collapse, find another doctor to call,” Cavill said. “I wash my hands of you.”
Despite his words, his tone was exasperated rather than angry, and Chloe let out a sigh of relief.
“I may find another doctor anyway,” Trainor said.
“Not when I know where all your skeletons are hidden, not to mention the broken bones in them.” The doctor’s face softened. “Take it slow, Nathan. You may be Tony Stark, but you’re not Iron Man.”
Chloe stifled a smile. “Too bad. I could see myself as Pepper Potts. She has great shoes.”
“She works for Tony, not Iron Man,” Trainor said. “So you can still play her role.” His voice took on a provocative edge, and Chloe remembered that eventually Pepper and Tony ended up in bed together. Of course, she’d been there, done that already.
“As long as I get my own bionic chest battery,” she said.
“That would be a shame,” Trainor murmured, his eyes dropping to her breasts. “But I could find a way to miniaturize it so it doesn’t ruin the symmetry.”
Heat burned in Chloe’s cheeks. Cavill came to her rescue, snapping his doctor’s bag shut. “Unless Chloe sends a distress signal, I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Give me your promise you won’t leave for the office until I’ve seen you.” He locked eyes with his friend.
Trainor’s back went ramrod stiff, and for a moment she thought he would explode again. Instead he pulled the open edges of his robe together and tied the belt in a firm knot. “If you’re not here by seven, I’m leaving without the checkup,” he growled.
Cavill reached up to grip Trainor’s shoulder before he turned to Chloe. “Make sure he hydrates. And I don’t mean with scotch.”
“Got it,” she said.