Page 11 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

He nodded.“You’re welcome.”He should go.He knew it.But he didn’t want to.When she met his gaze again, he had the feeling that she didn’t want him to go, either.

He considered it—it’d be all too easy, but he leaned in quickly and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.

“Goodnight, Shelley.I’ll see you in the morning.”

~ ~ ~

Shelley watched him go and stood there a few moments longer, staring at the door, which he closed behind him.She needed to watch herself.She’d been so tempted to ask him to stay.If she wasn’t mistaken, he’d been considering it himself.

She headed back to the bathroom to put on the pajamas.

Right now—maybe it was the wine, maybe it wasn’t—she was trying to remember why getting involved with Trip—even sleeping with Trip—was a bad idea.

She settled into the huge, carved oak four-poster bed.It was like something out of a movie.Only in a movie, you wouldn’t be able to get the idea of just how comfortable it was.

She sighed and turned onto her shoulder.She knew she’d sleep well tonight, and not just because of the wine.She snuggled down, loving the softness of Trip’s pajamas.Not just the softness, but the smell.

They smelled like him.

She pursed her lips.How did she even know that?She hadn’t been aware until this moment that she’d registered the way the man smelled.

She shook her head with a smile.It was probably just the wine talking.

She should go to sleep.

Chapter Three

It seemed like only moments later when Shelley opened her eyes again.She rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling.This bed was so damn comfortable.She could stay here all day.

Although, judging by the cracks of light she could see around the drapes, she should probably get up.She checked her watch and was surprised to see that it was almost nine.When Trip had said she should sleep in, she’d thought she might manage to make it until around seven-thirty.

She snuggled back down for a moment.Maybe she should ask him if she could buy this bed from him.It was a nice idea, but it wasn’t exactly a practical one.

Her eyes popped open again when she realized that not only wouldn’t it be practical to move this bed up to her little house in town, but she wasn’t even supposed to be staying there much longer.

When she’d rented the house, the owner had been happy to have her there for the winter, but she had to be out by the end of next month.

She understood it.There was a lot more money to be made on short-term rentals over the summer.

She blew out a sigh and sat up, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed.She had to remember that this time in Montana was just a little interlude in her life.She didn’t need to go thinking about anything more permanent.

She smiled to herself.She didn’t need a bed.And as much as she’d like it, she didn’t need a bed with Trip in it, either.

When she emerged from the bathroom a little while later, feeling as refreshed as she could in yesterday’s clothes, she opened the drapes and smiled at the beautiful view.

Trip had told her that his dad had built this house for his mom.They’d chosen this spot because of the views, and she could see why.

She stopped in front of the dresser and peered at herself in the mirror, running her fingers through her hair.She’d do.She’d have to.As soon as she opened the bedroom door, she sniffed.

Bacon.

The smell made her stomach rumble.Although, as she trotted down the grand staircase, she felt bad.She’d told Trip that she’d make breakfast for him—and then she’d gone and slept late.

When she reached the kitchen, she paused in the doorway.Trip had his back to her while he worked at the stove.She ran her tongue over her bottom lip.

He was quite a sight.

He was wearing sweatpants and a navy T-shirt that pulled tight over his muscular frame.Well, he wasn’t exactly one of those big, muscular guys.He had more of an athletic frame.But however she wanted to describe it, he was sexy.

---