Blake seemed to evaluate me, probably wondering if I’d had a mini stroke, while Chef Maria’s shoulders shook slightly with poorly concealed amusement.
Desperate to escape my own humiliation, I glanced down at my food and noticed a tiny white plate next to it that contained three mysterious pills.
“That’s a medical-grade, high-absorption multivitamin,” Blake explained. “Along with vitamin D and a probiotic. I’d like you to take them daily.”
I eyed the little white dish. “I prefer my multivitamin. It’s a chewable gummy.”
“A gummy.” He choked. “Do you know how many artificial colors and flavors are in most of those things? The absorption rate is practically zero.”
“It tastes like candy, and I don’t like to swallow.”
The words hung in the air for one mortifying second before a smirk played across his annoyingly perfect jawline. He approached slowly, like a predator who knew exactly how distracting his presence was.
“Learn to swallow,” he murmured.
And then he did the most unexpected thing: he kissed the top of my forehead.
Once again, my brain short-circuited, spiraling with questions. Did he actually just do that? Was he seriously acting like that forehead kiss was no big deal? And my personal favorite traitorous thought: Damn, girl, those lips were warm and firm as hell. Imagine them sucking on your?—
Get a grip you pathetic, easily distracted brain cells. Blake isn’t the first hot guy you’ve seen. Act like the adult you are, not some teenager meeting her celebrity crush backstage.
I squared my shoulders, scowling at the pills.
Was I comfortable with this? He meant well, and he was a doctor who knew all about, well, vitamin stuff, but he was being quite bossy. Maybe even crossing a line.
“The agreement was for me to stay here to avoid potential mold exposure,” I reminded him, pulling my plate of heaven closer. “I didn’t see the page of our agreement that outlines you taking control of my diet.”
I took a bite of pancake and let out an involuntary moan that made Chef Maria snicker.
“You thinkthisis me taking control?” Blake arched an eyebrow, gesturing to my breakfast masterpiece. “If I had my way, you’d be on nothing but lean proteins and organic vegetables.”
I pulled my plate closer and scooted my stool a couple inches away from him.
“So help me, if you even think of taking this away from me after letting me taste it, I’ll stab your doctor hand with my syrup-covered fork.”
He stared at me, perhaps questioning my sanity. Or considering calling my bluff.
Not a bluff,I silently warned with my stare back, shoving another bite of syrup-drenched carbs into my mouth.
He rolled his eyes. “I’m simply asking you to take vitamins that will actually benefit your body. Vitamin deficiencies are linked to countless medical complications.”
When he put it that way …
“Fine,” I conceded. “I’ll try.”
“Try hard,” he growled. “Or I’ll have Maria crush them into your smoothie.”
“I’m not five years old.”
“So, youcanswallow?”
My entire face burst into flames, inciting a ridiculously sexy smirk from him.
“I’m heading to work,” he finally said, mercifully changing the subject. “But I’ll be back for dinner.”
I glanced at the clock, confused. “Thought you worked thirty-hour shifts?”
“Day off.”
