“Deal! And thank you.”
He shut the door. Autumn tried to take in what had just happened. The fall in the bath she understood. It was the laughter. It seemed silly, but she felt lighter. All she had needed to perk up was to fall over in a bath and have some gorgeous stranger come and rescue her naked butt. That aside, it was time to get dressed and go out and see him. There was no point in pretending he had not seen her boobs, her pussy, and her amputation. This could be the start of a good friendship. She had seen him naked as well, even if only in a medical capacity.
Autumn dried off, put on her prosthesis, and got dressed. She then went and found Brett working on the back door. He stopped and turned his cute smile on her. He probably had women falling all over him.
Brett looked down at her leg. “Sorry about the foot thing. I didn’t break it, did I?”
“No, you didn’t. Can I make you a coffee, and you can explain why you are in my house?”
“Love one. I own it.” He smirked. “That’s why I’m here. So, essentially, you’re in my house. I live next door and I’m doing renovations. To make some cash to pay for it, I’m renting this one out. The agent told me you weren’t moving in until tonight so I came to fix the lock. I just checked my phone and he sent me a message saying you were coming sooner but I didn’t see it. I’m sorry.”
There was something refreshing about Brett. There was no pretense, and he had a ‘what you see is what you get’ air about him. What she could see was extremely handsome.
His medical notes stated he was thirty, but he still had a boyish charm about him. She was the same age and felt twenty years older. It wasn’t just the responsibility of the job. It was her. Her spontaneity had gone out the window a long time ago. If she was going to make the most of this year away, she should attempt to get it back.
“I should be mad, but if you weren’t here, I would still be lying in the bottom of the bathtub, and I could have knocked myself out. I only just moved here and don’t know anyone, so it’s nice to know I have someone who can watch my back.”
“Or butt, boobs, and anything else you have on display.” He winked at her.
“Thanks for pointing that out. If I wasn’t so professional, I’d be calling you back to the surgery for a six-week course of painful injections and rectal examinations.”
“You win. I’ll play nice. I hate needles and definitely not the rectal thing. I think you and I have started off on the wrong foot. Sorry.” He burst out laughing as he glanced down at her leg.
“That’s not funny. Has anyone ever said you have a sick sense of humor?” Autumn couldn’t help but laugh.
“All the time. So, what I was trying to say is . . can I make it up to you for invading your privacy? Even if the scene is indelibly printed on my brain—especially the boob bit. Let me take you out to dinner.”
She shouldn’t. Should she? But then, he wasn’t officially her patient, and it was just dinner. “I’d like that very much. Not having to get pots and pans out sounds good by me.”
“So, the incredible kitchen I’ve built will go to waste?” Brett shook his head and pulled a sad face. “I’ve finished here for now. I’ll grab my tools and pick you up at seven.” Then he was gone.
Autumn had only known him since yesterday and yet the place seemed empty without him in it. There was something larger than life about Brett.
No. She was being silly and probably a bit homesick.
As she drove to the surgery, Autumn could not keep the smile off her face. Simon would crack up when he heard what had happened. He would be the only person she would ever tell. She should have sworn Brett to secrecy as well. The bottom line was this guy made her smile, and it had been a long time since anyone had done that.
When she arrived at work, there was a long list of appointments. Her day would go fast and she could lose herself in her job. When all else failed in her life, work always grounded her.
As she drove home, she considered what to wear. She should have checked with Brett where he was taking her. It might be to the local fast-food joint for all she knew. He didn’t come over like a five-star cordon bleu type of guy but she could be wrong. She was smiling again like a silly schoolgirl. It was a thank you dinner, not a date. Just because he had seen her naked did not mean he fancied her.
Did she fancy him? Hell, yes. Who wouldn’t? The guy was hot with big guns. She chuckled to herself.
Autumn turned the car into the driveway and peeked across at the other cottage. Brett stood at the gate and waved to her. He was not alone. A tall leggy blonde stood next to him. She was wearing shorts, and Autumn sighed as she stared at her perfect legs. The girl leaned forward and kissed Brett on the cheek.
Well, that answered Autumn’s question. It was definitely not a date. His date was just leaving. He had probably told her he was taking the boring doctor from next door out for dinner. The two of them had probably laughed over the bath experience.
Get over yourself. Get out of the car, go inside, and get ready.
She could put her professional face on. It was a mask she was used to wearing.
Chapter Four
Brett wanted to impress Autumn, which was weird for him. He usually just hankered after the sex and never had a problem finding someone who was as eager as him. He liked the idea of Autumn being eager but considered the chances of that were rare. Tonight would be something special, and he hoped she would appreciate the evening he had planned. Maybe it would convince her to have a second date. Her body was beautiful, even if he had only seen it for a brief moment. He knew he wanted more.
Brett was more worried about her taking off her fake foot and throwing it at him. He probably deserved it for laughing so much this morning. Of course, he could run and she would never be able to chase him. He could not see that getting him in her good books either.
Brett knocked on her door and hoped she would not be dressed too fancy. Both times he had seen her, she had been wearing flat shoes. Could you wear heels with a fake foot? He wasn’t sure and had no intention of asking. Brett put on his best smile. It was not hard as he was excited to see her.
Autumn answered the door, but there was no smile.
Uh-oh. What had he done now?
She was wearing pants and a pretty red top. It dipped between her breasts, showing cleavage. From their moment in the bathroom, he was aware she had decent-sized boobs, and her butt was not too shabby either. You could not blame a bloke for looking.
He had better raise his eyes back up before she said something.
“Hi there, Autumn. You look lovely.”
“Thank you,” she replied abruptly.
“Well, let’s go. I’ve booked us in at the local carvery, then I have a surprise for you.”
“That’s very kind of you but I don’t like surprises,” Autumn replied as she followed him down the garden path to the white picket fence.
“Trust me, you’ll like this one. It will bring out the kid in you.”
Autumn raised an eyebrow as she stared at him and shook her head.
“It’s no good looking at me like that—I’m not going to tell you where we’re going. Now how was your day?”
“I can’t say. It’s professional.”