Page 13 of Dirty Doctor
I walk back to the bed and try to calm my breathing.
Luke likes red… because of my hair?
It sounds ludicrous, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense.
The tacos, the interview, offering to let me stay with him…
I stand, grabbing his clothes and heading to the shower. Lifting them up to my nose, I inhale his scent, anddammit, it smells fucking good.Hesmells fucking good.
What the hell is wrong with me?
CHAPTERTEN
LANGLEY
I drymyself off and pull on Luke’s clothes, laughing at how the pants need to be rolled five times so they don’t drag on the floor. I look at myself in the mirror—red hair dripping wet, face clean and free from makeup. I like how I look in his clothes—how I feel in his clothes. When did that happen? Surely, it’s because we grew up together. I’m just not in my right mind. This is family love that I’m mistaking for a different kind of love because I’m lonely and fragile. That’s it.
I hear someone knock on the door, so I rush downstairs, pulling the door open. Bella is standing there, looking behind me immediately.
“What the hell, Langley,” she whispers, her voice hushed. “Why didn’t you tell me you have a rich brother? I like Will, but honestly, I’d rather have a sugar daddy.”
Something flares inside me at her words. “Yeah, well, I think he’s dating someone,” I snap quickly.
“Okurr,” she purrs, tsking her tongue as she walks past me, spinning around like a freaking Disney princess. “This house is incredible!” She spots one of the family pictures Luke has up in his foyer—one of us at the Grand Canyon—and grabs it, turning to face me. “Okay, this is adorable. Look how cute you were!”
“Yes, yes, I was a cute kid. Luke is going to be back soon, so let’s—”
She gasps as she grabs another picture—this one of us at his medical school graduation a few years ago.
“Okay, I knew your brother was a doctor, but I didn’t realize he was such a hottie.” She looks down at the picture. “Thisis your brother?” she asks, holding it out for me to see. I hold back my smile when I look down at a scowling Luke in his graduation gown.
“Yes, that’s him. And he’s mystepbrother,” I clarify, emphasizing the wordstepbrotherand taking the framed picture from her. “Thank you for my things,” I add, dismissing her as I set the photo back on the table.
In all honesty, I know she’s going to make a scene if Luke comes home. I love her to death, but she’s dramatic and flamboyant, and I don’t want her to say anything crass to Luke—because I know she will.
Why do I care?
“Okay, fine, I can take a hint.” She smirks at me and cocks her head. “Have you two ever… you know,” she whispers, her eyes pinning me to the spot for an answer.
I frown down at the floor and shake my head. “I don’t think of him like that, Bella.”
Someone clears their throat from behind me, and Bella stiffens as her mouth falls open.
I twist around and plant a smile on my face for Luke. “Bella was just leaving.”
Luke glares at me before his eyes find Bella’s. His expression softens a bit and he gives her a tight smile.
“Ah, the elusive Bella.” He reaches out to shake her hand. “I’m Luke. Herstepbrother. Nice to meet you.”
The way he snaps out the wordstepbrothermakes me wonder how long he’s been eavesdropping, since it sounds exactly like how I said the word to Bella a moment ago.
“Oh, I know who you are,” she says, grinning. “Your house is gorgeous, by the way.” I stare at Bella and our eyes meet. I make a motion with my hand, gesturing her to leave. “All right, she’s kicking me out, so I should go.”
Luke’s face turns to me, but I ignore him. “I got stuff for dinner if you’d like to stay?” he offers, and I have to try to hide my surprised expression.
“Oh, um…” She looks at me, and I just widen my eyes in response. I have no idea what to do in this situation. Although I love Bella and want her to stay, she knows things about me that I would never want Luke to know. It’s like I’d be mixing my two separate worlds together and waiting to see if it takes or if disaster strikes.
“Sure, why not?” She smiles at me like she doesn’t know what to do. “Will isn’t expecting me until seven-thirty, and I never pass up a free meal,” she adds, linking arms with me and tugging us into the living room right off the kitchen. Luke nods and begins to unload the groceries.
