Page 18 of Lucky Dr & the Rockstar Next Door

Too bad when I woke up the next morning, his side of the bed was ice cold.

9MAC

“Mac, you son of a bitch!” My drummer, Rox, laughed heartily into the phone. His voice and laughter were so familiar that I found myself longing for the road. “How are things in Podunk—um, where the fuck are you again?”

A smile tilted my lips at the corners. “I’m in Holiday Grove, asshole. It’s hardly Podunk—just a small town. Similar to Hope Valley, I’d imagine.” That’s right, the bad boy of rock fell in love with a sexy librarian and moved to a small town. The tabloids ate it up and still do when they manage to catch a glimpse of the odd couple.

“Yeah, yeah. We’re all a bunch of old men. I’m a dad and planning a wedding; what’s your excuse?”

“My brother is here, probably soon to follow in your footsteps with the wife and kid, no doubt.” I shook my head and looked around Kayla’s kitchen, pulling eggs and milk from the fridge and a large mixing bowl from one of the cabinets. “How are the twins?”

“Good. They go to bed early and get up even earlier, which is why I didn’t give you any shit for calling me at the ass crack of morning.”

“You have a way with words, you know that, Rox?”

He grinned. “Yeah, I’m a real poet. So what’s up? Stuck on a song hook or somethin’?”

“Nah, actually I’ve got a few songs that I need to perfect. I’m calling because”—I blew out a breath and shut my eyes, bracing myself for the shit he would give me when I made my request—“I need your omelet recipe.”

He laughed. “Nostalgic for the old days when we traveled by bus and I made omelets for the band?”

“Always,” I lied easily. I did miss those days, but that wasn’t the whole truth.

Rox looked like a dumb blonde, but he wasn’t. “You never cook for yourself.”

“It’s not just for me,” I admitted reluctantly.

“A woman? Holy shit, Mac Lancaster, the man who never even cooks for himself is cooking for a woman!” He laughed loud and long, the bastard. “Wow, she must be some babe. Model? Princess? Ambassador to Amazonia?”

I bit back a smile and rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see me. “She’s a doctor, actually. Emergency medicine.”

Rox laughed again. “Only you could find a nerdy adrenaline junkie.”

“Her name is Kayla, and she’s as hot as she is smart—and completely out of my league.” I knew it even if she didn’t.

“Damn, man, I never thought I’d see the day.” He paused to quiet one of the twins. “Mama is sleepin’,” he whispered. “I’ll send you the recipe. Let me know how it goes.”

“I will, and thanks.”

“Good luck,” he offered before ending the call.

“You’re here.” Kayla’s voice was quiet and filled with surprise.

I turned to see her in a skimpy red cotton gown, sexy yet practical—just like the woman herself. My gaze raked over herfull breasts and hard nipples, down her nipped-in waist and long, shapely legs. “You thought I left?”

She shrugged and looked away. “The bed was cold, and, well, I wasn’t sure.”

I knew what she was saying, and I understood. I had a reputation for a reason; I didn’t do serious, and I was usually gone before the sun came up, even if the fun took place in my hotel suite. “I’m making breakfast. You looked so peaceful and sexy sleeping; I didn’t want to wake you.”

She smiled at the compliment, cheeks flushed, and walked into the kitchen. “You don’t have to make me breakfast.”

I stopped, wondering if maybe I’d misread the signs. “You want me to leave?”

“No,” she sighed, making her way to the coffee pot. “I’m just saying that you’re not obligated to make me breakfast.” Her eyes slid shut, and she moaned as the first sip of coffee hit her tongue. “The coffee, however, is much appreciated.” She raised her mug with a smile.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Doc; keeping your energy up is very much my obligation. It’s a very, very selfish obligation, I assure you.” I wiggled my brows, and she laughed.

“In that case, thank you.” She grabbed plates and silverware, setting the table while I followed Rox’s instructions to the letter. “Where’d the fruit come from?”

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