The Root of It

By K. L. Thorne

When Max Harley takes on a maternity cover job as a dental assistant in a swanky new private practice, he doesn't for one moment believe he'll fit in, never mind fall desperately in lust with his new boss.

 

Dr Rowan Thompson is as perfect as they come - tall and handsome, with a great body and an even better personality… There's just one problem - he's married, with a teenage daughter.

 

Believing he doesn't stand a chance, Max tries to put Rowan out of his mind, until a passionate kiss at a workplace party changes everything.

 

As Max gets to know Rowan better, he soon discovers the dentist's home life - including his supposed marriage - isn't as perfect as it seems.

 

Will Max get to the root of the issue, or will keeping their secret be like pulling teeth?

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. L. Thorne
• Release date: Feb 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224165025

Book preview

The Root of It by K. L. Thorne

Website: www.klthorne.com

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© 2024 K. L. Thorne

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

The Root of It

Chapter One

So, big day tomorrow? Oliver didn’t look up from the cup of tea he was messily adding water to. I watched the dark liquid spill over the edge of the cup. "Are you excited?" he said mockingly.

I guess. It’s the first private practice I’ve worked for, I replied with a shrug. I didn’t look up from the magazine in my hands. It was stupid, but I didn’t want to admit just how nervous I was about starting my new job.

Oliver flicked his tea bag into the bin. I’m sure it will all be the same as it was in the last place, Max.

I suppose. It’s shit ’cause I was just getting to know people at the old surgery. I hate being ‘the new guy’, I grumbled.

You worry too much. Oliver sat down next to me on our heavily marked, scruffy sofa. The motion caused another small splash of tea to erupt out of his cup. He didn’t seem to notice and gingerly took a sip.

Yeah? Well, maybe you worry too little, I replied, throwing the magazine I’d been flicking through onto the coffee table. It wobbled on its three legs, the fourth made from a stack of old video tapes. I might just go to bed. There’s nothing on TV anyway. I got to my feet and shuffled through the messy flat towards my room.

Seriously though, good luck for tomorrow, Oliver shouted over the back of the sofa. I’m off out tonight. I doubt I’ll be up before noon, so have a good one.

Cheers, I’ll try. I smiled, shutting my door behind me. Although I could still hear the dull roar of the television through the thin wood, my room was calm and quiet. I threw myself onto the bed and groaned as my body sank into the old, but wonderfully soft, mattress.

Oliver was right, tomorrow was going to be a big day, though I hated to build it up like that. I’d been working as a dental assistant for three years – excluding the training during my university placements. The NHS were redeploying me to a fancy, partially privatised dental practice on the other side of town – Avenhill Surgery. I was going to miss my old workplace, with the creaky floorboards and the smell of damp. Maybe it was right of the council to shut it down from a health and safety point of view, but as far as places of work went? It was the best.

More than the place itself, I would miss the people – Donna especially. She had been one of the most experienced nurses and my mentor. Donna had been my rock when I’d been nervous and covered for me when I’d made mistakes. She wasn’t being redeployed; none of the nurses from that practice were, all being close enough to retirement age to take redundancy. However, being a young, fit, twenty-six-year-old, I hadn’t been as lucky.

This was the first time I would be without Donna, my safety net since I graduated. What if I wasn’t as good as she and the other nurses had always led me to believe? What if they did things differently at Avenhill, or looked down at me for not having worked at a private practice before? My work ethic was a blessing and a curse rolled into one. I wanted to do my absolute best at this new surgery… But what if my best wasn’t enough? Just the thought of it made me anxious. I sighed, at least if I was terrible, I wouldn’t be posted there for long – a year, at most.

My new job at Avenhill Surgery wasn’t a permanent one. I was covering someone’s maternity leave, but temporary was still better than being unemployed. I’d been so unsure of my ability that I’d almost turned the offer down and gone to work in a supermarket or a bank or something, but my heart told me that wasn’t the way forward. I couldn’t throw away all my training and experience, not after I’d worked so hard for it.

I sat up and dragged my t-shirt over my head, feeling the prickle of cool air brushing my skin. I pulled my jeans off and snuggled down beneath my duvet. I focused on dimming the nerves and turned my thoughts to other things – what I was going to have for breakfast, my plans for the weekend, the hot guy from the razor adverts...

✽✽✽

At six AM my alarm was screaming in my ear. I groaned and reached my hand out from beneath my cosy duvet into the cool morning air, just long enough to dismiss it. Once silence had been restored, instead of snuggling back down beneath my sheets like I desperately wanted to, I sat up and stretched. Through the darkness, I could just make out the navy tunic of my uniform, hanging on the wardrobe door as a reminder of what was to come. I ruffled my hair before swinging my legs out of the warm bed.

I grabbed a pair of clean boxers, deodorant, and hair wax before hurrying out through my door, to the bathroom I shared with Oliver.

Once in the shower, under the hot jets of water, I began to relax. Today wouldn’t be so bad – how different could Avenhill be? Sure, it was much newer and bigger than my old surgery, but at the end of the day it was still a dental practice.

The next fifteen minutes passed in a blur. I hopped out of the shower, dried myself off, brushed my teeth and fussed with my appearance in the dirty bathroom mirror. Satisfied that I looked the best that I could, I dashed back down the hall to my room and put my uniform on. I smiled, catching sight of myself in the full-length mirror on the wardrobe door. This was who I was meant to be. I should have been thankful that I managed to get a new job. I had a feeling working in a supermarket just wouldn’t be the same.

I put two slices of bread into the toaster and flicked the switch on the kettle to start the water boiling. Whilst waiting for my breakfast, I double checked I had everything I needed in my bag and laced up my work boots. The sound of toast popping drew my attention back to the kitchen.

I glanced at the clock – six-thirty. There was no time for tea, or even buttering toast. I shoved the bread into my mouth whilst I slipped my coat on, grabbed my keys and headed out. I took care to close the heavy front door quietly behind me, keen not to wake my undoubtedly hung-over flatmate.

It was a cool morning; the first after a blistering hot summer. Autumn was steadily approaching. With my slice of toast still lodged in my mouth, I pulled my wireless headphones from my pocket, pushing them into my ears before setting off towards the bus stop. I flicked through tracks on Spotify, before eventually settling on a playlist entitled ‘Confidence Boost’ – something the pounding in my chest told me I was in dire need of.

Before long, I was stepping off my bus in front of Avenhill Dental Surgery. I crossed the road and swallowed, feeling more nervous with every footfall. I hopped down a set of three steps to the main entrance. I pushed the door, then pulled, surprised when it didn’t budge. I glanced around, suddenly realising there was an intercom. Feeling foolish, I pressed the buzzer and waited.

Hello? A woman’s voice crackled through the speaker.

Uh, hi. I’m Max Harley, the new dental nurse starting today? I ran a hand through my hair.

Of course. Sorry, I forgot that was today.

There was another buzz and a faint click as the seal on the door deactivated. I pushed inside and brushed my feet on the mat before making my way through another door to the reception.

The familiar smell of mouthwash, mint and disinfectant hit me, and on some level, it settled my nerves a little. A rather large woman sat behind the reception desk. She looked at me over the top of the thin framed glasses that were perched on the end of her nose.

Max? Nice to meet you, I’m Trisha. She smiled and leant over the counter to shake my hand.

Nice to meet you too. I smiled back, glancing around the room. The same smattering of posters covered the walls as in my previous surgery – signs of gum disease, adverts for teeth whitening, the advantages of flossing… Except these posters were neat, not moth-eaten and ripped at every edge.

Trisha sat back down, the chair groaning beneath her weight. Right, you’ll have to bear with me, I’m not a receptionist. Becca said she left your paperwork here somewhere... She searched through piles of paper.

As I waited for her to find my forms, I felt my nerves lessening. Trisha was nice and down to earth – not by any stretch of the imagination ‘posh’. Just because it was a private practice, didn’t mean the people inside would be any different. Maybe I had been worrying over nothing after all.

Here we are, Trisha sighed, dragging out a few sheets. I knew they were there somewhere. If you could fill them in for me. It looks like you’ll be working with Dr Rowan Thompson. He’s not in yet to introduce you, but I shouldn’t imagine he’ll be much longer. She looked down at her watch that was clipped to the pocket of her shirt. You’ll like Rowan, he’s a nice man and an excellent dentist.

There was a faint buzzing noise followed by the click of the front door being opened. A middle-aged man, with dark, thinning hair poked his head around the door.

Morning, he bellowed.

Trisha startled. Oh, John! You scared me.

The older man grinned at me, winking. This the fresh meat then? he asked her. I felt the tips of my ears grow hot. I focussed my attention back on my paperwork and tried to ignore how uncomfortable I was to be the centre of attention.

Yeah, this is Max. Max, this is Dr John Evergreen. He’s the orthodontist on site.

You’re taking over for Mandy, right? With Rowan? John asked, reaching out to shake my hand. You’re in good hands. He’s a superb dentist— Speak of the devil. John turned his head to look towards the front door.

Talking about me behind my back again, John? a deep voice asked from the hallway. I heard the noise of a coat being taken off and cleared my throat nervously.

I was just telling your new assistant how horrible you are to work with. John grinned.

You sod! the voice chuckled. It was a nice laugh. I shifted uncomfortably.

Little could have prepared me for the gorgeous man that voice belonged to. I held my breath, as the man stood beside John to look into the room. He had fair, almost sandy, hair. Though he was looking windswept, I could see it was the sort of sensible cut that was common with healthcare professionals. My gaze locked with a pair of soft, pine green eyes. They crinkled at the corners as he smiled at me. He was tall and toned, the hard planes of muscle were highlighted subtly underneath his shirt.

Hi, you must be Max. He leant in to shake my hand. Rowan. Nice to meet you.

After a silence that was far too long to be comfortable, my brain kicked into gear and I stumbled over myself to reach out my own hand, hoping my palms weren’t sweating.

Yeah, hi, I spluttered, hurriedly turning my attention back to filling in the paperwork. Shit, shit, shit – I’d been here five minutes, and my new, exceedingly handsome boss must already think I’m brain-dead. My face flushed.

John bent to pick up his briefcase. Right, I have to be getting on. Some of us have patients first thing. He gave Rowan a pointed look.

Don’t be bitter because my eight o’clock cancelled, Rowan replied, with a smug grin. I heard John chortling as he wandered down a hallway that led to some stairs. I felt the heat of Rowan’s eyes on me again, but I didn’t look up from my forms.

Did you find the place all right?

Yeah, fine, thank you, I replied, focussing on anything but the dentist that was making my heart race.

Good. Trish, do you know if Sarah got back to Becca yesterday about rescheduling that root canal? Rowan was behind the desk now, looking through a filing cabinet.

I’m not sure. I’ll ask her when she gets in, Trisha answered, spinning on her chair to look at him. By the way, Becca is our receptionist, Max.

Okay, I think that’s it. I looked up at Trisha and handed the paperwork back to her. The woman flicked through the sheets, scanning her eyes down each one in turn.

Despite myself, I found myself lost in Rowan’s handsome features. He smiled at me again and I felt sick, averting my gaze immediately.

Is there a reason you’re hanging around in here, Rowan? Trisha asked, without looking up from the sheets in her hands. Her voice took on a motherly tone. Do you have nothing better to do?

Actually, I was waiting to see if you were finished with Max, he replied.

I decided I liked the way my name sounded coming from his mouth a little too much and I resisted the urge to clear my throat again.

I think we’re all set. You can have him. Trisha grinned at me.

Come on, I’ll show you around a bit. Rowan gestured for me to follow him, and I nodded, grabbing my bag.

Oh Max, wait! Here, this is yours as well. Trisha reached into a drawer and pulled out a card with the practice’s logo printed on it.

For the front door? I asked.

Trisha nodded and I turned to hurry after Rowan who had stopped to wait for me at the foot of the stairs and followed behind him in silence, admiring the great view I had of him from a few steps below.

Rowan stopped at a door with a brass plate, engraved with his name. This is my room, obviously. He gestured to the door whilst he dug out a key from his trouser pocket. It’s never locked through the day, apart from lunchtime, but I’ll give you Mandy’s spare key so you can still get in if I’m not here.

I followed him into the room, standing awkwardly by the door whilst Rowan hurried around, turning the lights on. I was taken aback by how new and perfectly organised the room was. It was worlds apart from my old surgery.

Rowan opened a drawer and handed me a set of keys. They had a red plastic tag attached, reading ‘Spare’.

The way some of these machines work is a little complicated. Have you worked with any of the newer systems yet?

Uh, no, I answered humbly, rubbing the back of my neck.

Well, not to worry – once you know what you’re doing it’s easy. He gestured me over to a big red switch on the wall. This one is the general power for everything, but each instrument has also got safety checks and all sorts to run through before we can use them. Mandy used to switch them on when she first came in, so the machines had time to work through all the settings and that. It’s not a big deal today because my eight o’clock is empty, but if they weren’t on by now, I’d probably have to delay my first patient until the machines were ready, if you see what I mean?

I nodded, making a mental note – the big red switch was my first priority.

Do you want to put your things through here? Rowan ushered me through an alcove, lined with filing cabinets, and unlocked yet another door leading to a small office. There wasn’t a paper out of place. This door is always locked. The silver key is for the main door and the brass one is for the office.

I looked down at the bundle of keys in my hand and nodded. Rowan waited for me to take my coat off. I hung it up and slid my bag into an empty cupboard.

I’ll get you a new name badge as well, Rowan said, glancing down at the old, rather battered one currently pinned to my chest. When Becca gets in at eight, she can get you one printed.

I felt a little embarrassed, thankful that my uniform was new, at least. I’d only had this tunic a few weeks before my old surgery closed.

Right, let’s see. What else, Rowan mused. I followed him back through to the surgery room. All the moulds and caps and things are up in this cupboard. Patient files are digital these days, but the physical copies are in those filing cabinets back there.

Despite trying to pay attention, I found myself admiring how his shirt pulled tight against his torso when he stretched an arm up to open a cupboard filled with masks and gloves. I was no stranger to the gym, but Rowan was clearly a devoted attendee. You didn’t get to look that way without some serious hard work. I felt awkward as warmth crept into my face.

All the instruments I use often are out and plugged in, but the unusual ones are kept in that bottom cupboard there. Have you used the computer for putting in dental records before? Rowan asked, pointing to a rather expensive-looking screen that was tucked away in a corner of the room.

Uh, well, the last place I worked had a computer, but that thing puts it to shame, I replied, and Rowan laughed.

It’s pretty simple. Have a seat – I’ll show you quickly.

I sat obediently on the stool he’d wheeled out from under the desk. Without warning, he leant over my shoulders from behind to reach the mouse and keyboard. I froze, feeling hot and cold all at once. My heart hammered in my chest.

This is the login screen. You should have already been put into the system by now, so we’ll have to find out what your username is later. He was so close; I could smell the subtle tones of aftershave and his clean shirt. He smelt great. I prayed silently that the tingling in my lower half wasn’t the beginning of something embarrassing.

I’ll just put mine in for now. Rowan tapped out his username and a password quickly. The screen flickered and a more familiar system appeared. Rowan reached over to point at the menu across the top of the screen, flicking skilfully through the options as he talked me through them. The everyday stuff will be under ‘examinations’, then ‘routine check-up’, then it’ll ask you for patient details. I’ll pop in my eight-thirty patient, just to show you an example.

I watched as Rowan tapped in the required information, knowing I’d probably forget everything he’d just told me. It was hard to concentrate with him so close.

Then it goes straight to this screen. Is that the same one you used before? I think it’s pretty universal, he asked.

Yeah, that’s the one we had, I replied, just about managing coherent speech.

Excellent. Rowan stood up straight again and I felt myself relax slightly. Obviously, all the stuff over by the sink is the cleaning stuff for the tools, um, we’ve got mouthwash, cups and paper towels... Is there anything else I’ve missed?

I turned to look at him, immediately getting drawn into those lovely eyes. No, I think you got it all.

Rowan glanced at the watch on his wrist. Becca should be here by now. I’ll go see if I can get you a new badge sorted. The masks and gloves are in that cupboard there – help yourself. I’ll be back in two minutes. Rowan smiled at me again, before leaving.

Once alone in the room, I rubbed my face. This was not what I needed right now; workplace crushes never worked out well. I grabbed a pair of latex gloves and a face mask. I was tying it around my neck when Rowan came back into the room. He held a file in his hands.

Becca’s getting that sorted for you. My eight-thirty is here early, so if you’re ready to get started, do you want to ask her in? Rowan handed me the file.

I pushed my nerves away quickly. Sure.

I headed out towards the reception, relieved to escape the handsome dentist, even if it was only a brief reprieve. A girl, about my age, looked up from behind the desk. She had dark, chocolate brown curls and a cute, lightly freckled face. She smiled at me.

Max, right? Nice to meet you, I’m Becca.

Hi. I half-waved.

You’re totally different to how I imagined you. Her eyes widened as she realised how that must have sounded. Sorry, that’s a weird thing to say.

I smiled tightly, not sure how to respond. The conversation between Rowan and Trisha came to the forefront of my mind, and I changed the subject. Hey, I heard Dr Thompson asking about a patient called Sarah? Something to do with rescheduling a root canal—

Becca gasped. Balls, I totally forgot! Thank you, I’ll get right on it.

My eyebrows raised at her unprofessional language, but I couldn’t hold back my smirk. I turned my attention to the waiting room, thankful there was only one patient that may have overheard Becca’s outburst.

Rosaline Finley, please? A middle-aged woman got up and grabbed her bag hurriedly, following me out of the door.

Hi, how are you today? I asked her as we made our way towards Rowan’s room.

Oh, I’m fine. Are you taking over from Mandy? Rosaline replied, scouring me with her eyes.

Yeah, she’s on maternity leave. I’m Max, by the way. Nice to meet you. I gave her my best ‘being nice to the patient’ smile and she returned it.

You’re awfully young, she muttered as I held the door open for her to enter the room.

Before I had a chance to defend myself, Rowan spoke. The young ones are always better to work with. They’ve got a fresh set of eyes. Good morning, Rosaline.

Oh, good morning, Dr Thompson. The woman suddenly took on a slight blush. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who was affected by Rowan’s good looks.

Have a seat for me. Rowan patted the dental chair, tying his mask into position. I snapped on the pair of gloves I had taken earlier before sitting in front of the computer.

So, how has that crown been? Rowan asked, reaching up to adjust the height of the lamp above.

It’s been fine, Rosaline answered.

Excellent, open wide for me? Rowan leant in, holding a small, circular mirrored device. It’s looking good, seems to have taken really well. He glanced up at me, silently asking me with his eyes whether I was ready to start. I noted how much more intense they were when the rest of his face was covered by a mask and my gut churned. That was going to make things even more difficult. I nodded subtly.

Rowan began probing around Rosaline’s gum line, looking for any abnormalities or bleeding. He recited the codes for teeth, moving through the four quadrants, and I typed quickly, keeping up with ease. The system was exactly the same as the old one and I felt my confidence beginning to return. Once he’d finished with coding Rosaline’s teeth, Rowan stretched to change the angle on the lamp.

Sorry, I know that’s a bit bright. Just try to put up with it for now. I’ll be quick, he told her, and Rosaline made a strangled noise of agreement around the mirror Rowan still had in her mouth. He swivelled the mirror around to look right to the back. I got up, standing far enough away from the patient so as not to make her uncomfortable, but close enough to be at hand if Rowan needed my assistance.

Okay, all done. Rowan pushed the lamp away and sat back, snapping his gloves off and dropping them into a small bin at his feet. He pulled his mask down. Everything looks just fine. The crown is still in place and everything else is great. That’ll be you done for another six months.

Oh good. Rosaline looked relieved as she sat up, fussing her hair. I quickly sanitised the mirror and Rowan showed the patient out. Whilst he was away, I clicked the button on the screen to save the new records to Rosaline’s file and started a fresh patient entry.

That went well. Rowan smiled, as he came back through the door. Did you manage to keep up okay? No questions?

I shook my head. No, all good.

Great. We’ve got a few minutes before the next one. Can you do me a favour and go on through to Becca and ask her to give Sarah Langley a call about rescheduling her root canal please? he asked, pulling a fresh pair of gloves from the box.

I’ve already sorted it. I reminded her earlier when I went to collect Mrs Finley.

Rowan’s eyebrows raised. I’m impressed. Thanks.

Sure, I replied, quickly turning my back so I wouldn’t have to worry about what expression my face was making.

✽✽✽

Before I had realised the time, Rowan was showing out his last patient of the day. He ran through how to shut things down and I grabbed my things so he could lock his office.

So, how did you find your first day? he asked, leaning back against the countertop.

Great. You weren’t nearly as terrible as everyone made you out to be. I grinned. It felt kind of strange to be joking around with Rowan already, but as I had discovered throughout the day, he was incredibly easy-going. He had one of those airs about him that made people comfortable – patients and colleagues alike.

He smiled. You did really well today. You’re a quick learner. I much prefer working with a younger assistant, some of the older ones think they know more than they do. Mandy is only twenty-one.

That’s young to have a baby, I replied. I’m twenty-six and I couldn’t imagine having that sort of responsibility.

Well, I had my daughter when I was seventeen, so perhaps I’m not one to judge, Rowan chuckled.

You have kids? I asked, ignoring the alarming flare of disappointment in my chest.

Just the one, although she’s not really a kid anymore. Teegan is seventeen now, lord help me.

Yeah, sure. Totally, I replied, feeling strangely uncomfortable. My eyes drifted to Rowan’s hands on the countertop, glad that I hadn’t over-looked a wedding ring. He definitely wasn’t wearing one. I quickly ran the numbers through my head – he was seventeen when he had his daughter, who was now also seventeen, that brought Rowan out at thirty-four, maybe thirty-five.

I shook myself. He was nine years my senior, potentially married, with a kid... And yet I would still clear that desk in the office and fuck him ’til neither of us could walk. Did that make me a bad person?

✽✽✽

Hey Ol, I shouted, letting myself into the flat.

Oh, hey. How’d it go? Oliver asked, not looking away from the racing game he was playing on the Xbox. I kicked off my shoes and dumped my bag down before joining him on the sofa.

Yeah, it was fine, I replied quickly, keen not to get into any details of just how fine my day had been. Luckily, Oliver was too absorbed in his game to care.

That’s cool. He twisted his body suddenly, responding to how the car on the screen skidded around a hairpin bend.

Have you had dinner?

Not yet, but I’m not really that hungry to be honest. I’ve been feeling pretty shit all day.

Did you have fun last night? I asked, getting up to see what food we had in the fridge. I chose a tub with leftover pasta from the night before. Removing the lid, I put it into the microwave and dialled in three minutes on the timer.

Yeah, it was pretty good. Evan got us kicked out, as usual, but we just went back to his place and smoked some weed. Oliver fist pumped the air as his race finished and finally looked away from the screen.

Pot head, I scolded him.

I’d known Oliver practically all my life; since nursery school. Our parents were firm friends and we’d grown up together. As we’d gotten older, Oliver and I had begun to walk different paths. Whilst I focused on my schoolwork, going to university and getting a job, Oliver remained stagnant. He started mixing with the wrong crowds and struggled to hold down any form of permanent work.

I never really understood how someone could find satisfaction in partying day and night, but it wasn’t my place