Page 10 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

The aroma of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee drags me out of my room and into the kitchen. I rub the sleep from my eyes, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts from last night. As soon as I step into the room, the familiar, comforting smell of my dad's cooking becomes stronger, assaulting my senses.

It’s almost like I’ve stepped into a time machine, transporting me back to those Saturday mornings when I’d race down the stairs to find my parents laughing and chatting over breakfast. Then all the joy had shattered into dust.

I grit my teeth, pushing those memories aside. They’re only ghosts now, remnants of a happier time that throb in my head with a dull ache.

“Liam,” Dad greets, looking up from the stove with a warm smile. “You okay, son?”

I stretch, forcing a lazy smile. “Yeah, just a bit of a restless night.”

Dad frowns, concern etched into his features. “Are you sure you’re comfortable in that room? I can change the beddings or?—”

I cut him off with a wave of my hand, grabbing a large bowl from the counter and placing it on the table. I snatch a carrot, munching on it absentmindedly. “I’m fine, Dad. Just getting used to the new room, that’s all.”

In reality, it’s a lie. The real reason I couldn’t sleep is Emma Cole. Her fiery auburn hair and those piercing green eyes haunted me all night. I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

My body heats up, reliving the sensation of her soft body against mine. I’m going to be in so much fucking trouble with Emma Cole. She is a force of nature, a whirlwind of fiery hair and even fiercer resolve that melts my brain and hardens my dick.

Jesus Christ. Just the thought of the woman has my groin stirring again. After our two-night stand, I’d suffered for weeks, teaching myself not to think about her. I abandoned the apartment I took her to and actually had to stop hooking up altogether because every moment of every sex I had immediately after her reminded me of her. ‘

And just like that, she’s here in the town I’ll be spending the next month in. And this would be worse than the first time we met. This isn’t New York where I can run away from her. She’ll be in my face constantly here, and that only means one thing…trouble.

A part of me is intrigued. Enamored by the way she wrung the proof that I remembered her out of me. The other part is scared. Emma Cole may look the part, but she’s no gentle, forgiving princess. She hates me, and she proved that yesterday.

The rest of the dinner after our situation in the cellar had been unbearable. She threw verbal jabs at me all night until I finally called a retreat before Damon caught on to the undercurrent of tension.

She’s not the type to avoid confrontation, and yesterday was a challenge.

The biggest mistake I made was thinking she’d be timid and deny knowing me or pretend it never happened. She’s proving to be more formidable than I expected.

“Liam,” Dad’s voice pulls me back to the present. “What are you musing about?”

“Nothing special,” I mumble quickly, but his skeptical look tells me he doesn’t buy it. “Let’s eat before breakfast gets cold.”

I set the table, arranging plates and utensils while Dad finishes up at the stove. He’s still eyeing me like he’s trying to read my mind. I know he worries, especially since I haven’t been home in so long.

As we sit down, he pours coffee into our mugs. “So, how’s it feel to be back in Harmony Creek?”

I take a sip, the bitter liquid jolting me awake. “It’s...different. Same old town, but it feels different.”

He nods, understanding. “It’s been a while. The town’s changed a bit, but not much. Still the same place where everyone knows everyone’s business.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, I’ve noticed that.”

Dad’s gaze turns thoughtful. “And how’s Damon? Must be nice to catch up with him.”

“Yeah, it is,” I nod, my mind drifting back to yesterday. “He’s doing well, busy with the garage and the wedding plans.”

Dad smiles, pride in his eyes. “Good man, Damon. Always knew he’d make something of himself. And what about you? How’s life in New York?”

“Busy.” I shrug, keeping it vague. “Work’s demanding, but it’s rewarding.”

The clink of Dad's fork against his plate fills the comfortable silence of breakfast. He clears his throat, a hesitant look in his eyes.

“So, Liam, is there anyone special in your life right now?”

I choke on a mouthful of scrambled eggs, hacking out a cough as I reach for my glass of water. “No, Dad,” I manage between coughs, wiping my eyes. “There's no one.”

He studies me for a long moment, a knowing glint in his eyes. “Maybe that's a good thing,” he mumbles with a sigh. “Half my patients these days seem to have single daughters or nieces, and they all seem to think I have some sort of magic matchmaking power.”

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