Page 15 of Auctioned to Dr. Daddy

“I just might be.”

Even though I know that it’s all just in good fun—auction and all—I can’t help the way that my heart skips in my chest at the suggestion. He’s the kind of man that just does things to a woman.

He reaches across the table again, briefly pressing his fingers to the curve of my arm. I shudder, goosebumps visibly rising in the wake of the touch.

We keep talking and flirting and touching, and by the time we’ve finished our meal, I find myself not wanting to leave. So even though it’s gotten late, I wave the waiter over and order us both a lavender soufflé, with fresh cream to pair with it.

“I’ll be honest, I’m just looking for an excuse to keep this night from ending so soon. I thought that you would rather have the soufflé than another glass of wine.”

“Is that so?” Nathan asks.

“Well, by all means! It’s going to be easier to get a good night kiss if we’re ending it with something sweet. And in case it’s not clear, this is me saying that I would certainly like a good night kiss when we leave.”

The blush is back on my face, spreading over my cheeks and down the side of my neck. But I feel a spark of determination, too.

I shift a little bit, knocking one of my feet into the side of Nathan’s.

“Well, you could always just not end the night. I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to come in for a drink, after. You can drop me off.”

“What about your car?” Nathan asks, sounding more amused than concerned about my vehicle.

I shrug. “I can get a cab out here tomorrow and pick it up. I’m off.” A pause. “Unless someone decides that I’m not off.”

It’s said with the same air of humor and dismissal that everyone uses when they talk about the hospital and the fact that shifts don’t ever really end. Not the way that they do elsewhere, at least.

When someone decides that they’re short-staffed, it’s all hands on deck and your day off is gone, gone, gone, whether you like it or not.

But tonight, that’s a risk I’m more than happy to take if it means that we get to spend a little bit more time together.

I’m more than happy to have a good night's kiss.

I’m more than happy for things to go a lot further than that.

And judging by the look on Nathan’s face, so is he.

Neither of us is super keen on letting dessert drag out for long. We’ve got a lot on our minds—namely each other—and I keep finding excuses to look at him, to smile at him, and he’s constantly reaching across the table and touching my hand, my knuckles, the curve of my wrist.

By the time we’re ready to go, there’s sugar on the back of my tongue and excitement is building up in the base of my belly. It’s been years since I’ve felt anything close to this.

I know that things might be moving fast but… It’s just pure luck that Nathan Stone decided to pick me at that auction.

Pure luck that we seem to have so much in common, that our personalities seem to go together so well. And frankly, I plan on seeing just how far this luck is going to take me.

“My place?” I offer again when we stand up. He takes my hand in his from the table, his palm warm against my own, fingers long as they curl around my wrist.

Nathan leans close to me, pretending to use his free hand to wipe a smudge off the corner of my mouth. “Yeah, honey. Your place sounds great.”

And I just can’t help but smile at that. I can still feel the blush heavy on my face, but I don’t regret asking for this, either.

Nathan Stone, driving me back to my place. What a great way for the night to end.

Chapter Seven

Nathan

Itwasagoodride out so far— I’ve been a gentleman for most of the trip, and I’ve kept to myself. But now that the farm is finally here and in view, well, I can’t help myself any longer.

I’m enthralled that the date has gone so well. She’s gorgeous in a way that I can’t resist—and that includes being able to keep my hands to myself. I keep reaching over and stroking a hand over the curve of her thigh, fingers tugging at the hem of her dress skirt.

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