Page 13 of Seduced By a Billionaire

“When ya going trade that relic in on a new one?” Artie asked.

“You know that will never happen. They don’t make them like this anymore. Annabelle’s a classic. I’ll drive her until she has nothing left to give.”

“What year is she?”

“Nineteen seventy-eight.”

He guffawed, “Classic? More like a rattletrap if you ask me.”

“Don’t listen to him Annabelle,” she said to her classic Jeep CJ7. “I’ll have you know Artie; she is a special limited edition! Have you ever heard ofThe Dukes of Hazard?This, my friend, is the same model that Daisy Duke drove.” This was her fun car. She had paid big bucks to have it completely restored after a patient had gifted her with it. It had been sitting abandoned in his barn for years and when he found out she was a classic Jeep enthusiast he was happy it would find life again.

She had a another newer more practical car that she could pile on the mileage, but she drove this one whenever she had the chance. She babied it like it was priceless because to her it was.

After adding extra sunscreen to her face, she hauled her board to the water’s edge and tethered the leash attached to the board to her ankle. She waded in until she was standing knee deep. Kneeling at the center of the board, carefully placing her feet where her knees had been, she slowly stood up, keeping knees bent until she knew she was balanced. Planting the paddle in the water, she alternated strokes from the right side to the left to push away from shore.

Not only was paddle boarding a great workout, it was hard to beat listening to the waves lap against the board while exploring nature. She had seen some incredible things while out on her board. She always came away refreshed and energized. The salty sea air and the sun had the effect of slowing her mind and had become a meditation practice of sorts. She often ran into others either on their boards or in kayaks, but today she seemed to have the bay to herself.

She wore a pair of board shorts over her swimsuit and a floppy waterproof hat for sun protection. She also carried a safety whistle to warn other boaters… just in case. She’d have no chance in a run-in with a boat, much like her patient Mr. Bennett’s Ferrari and the Hemi truck.

Her thoughts continued to drift to Kyle Bennett. He had somehow gotten under her skin and she wasn’t sure just how or why. He exuded a raw power despite his serious injuries. Yes, he was gorgeous, sexy, all of that, but he wasn’t the first one to ever catch her eye. Damn those dark blue eyes, almost navy, sparkling like sapphires even through his pain.

Her professionalism warred with her sexuality. When she touched him, her skin felt seared. Even now, she felt the heat and long-dormant butterflies awakened deep in her belly. She unconsciously licked her lips thinking about his muscular body,perfection.

Over the years she had mastered compartmentalizing her emotions with regard to her patients, but she might be slipping. The tingling in her groin was a reminder that she’d have to be on guard with this one.

Time to change channels, yet it wasn’t quite that easy to switch off the inner excitement she was feeling. Familiar, yet it had been a long time since she had felt this alive. A loggerhead turtle poked his head up to the surface; Ella stopped paddling. The turtle eyed her for a moment before ducking under and disappearing back into the water’s depths. Encounters with North Carolina’s native wildlife never got old and always filled her with joy. The breeze and sun along with the exertion had tired her out and she decided to head back. No dolphins today…maybe next time.

She was looking forward to work tomorrow for a change. Oh yeah, she had the itch for sure.Shit!

The local pizza joint was on speed dial and she decided to call ahead for pickup on her way home. Cooking was the last thing she wanted to do tonight. She’d already decided to start that new mystery she’d picked up from the library earlier today. It had taken two years for her favorite British author to release another book and now it was sitting at home just waiting for her to begin.

“Want a couple of fish for your dinner tonight?” Artie asked. He walked over to his own car which was parked next to hers.

Wrinkling her nose, she said, “No thanks, it’s pizza for me, I can’t deal with cleaning fish, or cooking them for that matter.”

“Don’t say I never offered.”

“I think you already knew my answer. I should have been less predictable and said yes this time.”

“One of these days I’ll teach you how to clean them.”

“Don’t hold your breath.”

“Enjoy your pizza while I dine on flounder tonight.”

“Quit rubbing it in, see ya Artie.”

“Bye Ella.”

Humming under her breath, Ella stowed her board in the back end of the Jeep. Any chance she got she had the soft top off. Driving with the warm breeze blowing and her radio cranked up was the best. It was spring in the Carolinas. Didn’t get any better than this!

As the smell of pizza assaulted her senses, she had to grab a slice and eat it on the way home. She was famished. That of course meant wearing it, as a blob of sauce and cheese landed on her breasts. She took a big biteHot hot hot!It was worth the burnt tongue and soiled shirt. Best pizza in North Carolina she was convinced.

“Kee-kee did you miss me?”

Daisy wrapped around her legs, weaving in and out as Ella tried not to trip or step on her. “I guess you’re telling me you’re hungry?”

“Meow.”

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