Page 36 of Doctor I Do

Alex

Work ended up taking longer than planned, but that’s what happens when you’re on call. You never know what you’re walking into. Pulling into my driveway, I see her parked car and wonder what she did today. Did she leave my house at all, or did she stay in and relax?

The kiss we shared last night was more passionate than I would have ever expected. Our spark intensified as our mouths joined together. I never wanted it to end. I’d kiss her again, but I can’t have more with her. I don’t ever want to hurt her, and I know I will. I always end up hurting women.

I shake off any more longing thoughts and take a breath. I have food I picked up from the store.

Inside the house, noises clatter upstairs. I lower the food to the counter and dump my keys and phone before heading to find her. I’ve never come home to a woman, so this is something new. And surprisingly, I don’t hate it.

I pause at the guest room door, but I can’t see her. Moving closer, I find her sitting in the walk-in closet, finishing up unpacking her clothes. Her hair is in a messy bun, high up on her head, with tendrils falling down around her face. She looks like she’s had a busy day.

“Hey. You went home and grabbed your stuff?”

Her head whips to me, and I get a good look at her flushed face.

“Yeah, it’s a workout,” she puffs out breathlessly. “This is a closet of dreams, though.”

“I wanted my guests to have the same luxury as me.” I step forward, pushing the strand of hair behind her ear. “You want a hand?”

“Alex,” she murmurs, my name falling from her lips in a whisper.

I’m surrounded by her sexy body and those pink pouty lips, and as I stare at her, all I can think about is tasting her again.

She picks up a pile of pants, popping them into a drawer. Her case is now empty. I grab the case and zip it, standing it up for her.

I must stare too long, and with no words being spoken, she clears her throat and drops her gaze to my lips. “What are you doing, Alex?”

I’d like to know too. I’m confused by my reaction to her.

“Seeing if you want a hand,” I repeat, leaning in.

Our faces are now so close that I can almost taste her strawberries and white chocolate scent. She doesn’t pull away, instead her breath hitches from my advance. I look down to where her tongue runs along her bottom lip. It’s a secret challenge. She wants me to kiss her.

“No, I’m done now. But I never got a chance to look around. I left not long after you to head home. I only got here, I don’t know, maybe an hour ago.”

My eyes meet hers again, and a smile pulls on her lips. She’s so effortlessly seductive, and I’m feeling a pull toward her. “Do you want a tour before dinner, then?” I offer, needing to move and clear my head.

I offer her a hand, which she takes. My hand closes gently over hers, and I help her up. “Thanks.”

Her soft, warm hand fits easily in mine. But she trips over the suitcases, causing her to land into my chest. I catch her. One hand settles on her lower back, the other on her shoulder. She gasps. Her hand lands on my heart, and I expect her to pull away, but she doesn’t. Instead, she looks up at me with interest.

My eyes bore into hers. “Are you all right?” I ask.

My words seem to snap her out of her fixed stare. She gently swats my arm and takes a breath. “Don’t think you’re getting another practice kiss right now,” she says, but it lacks conviction. I can read her easily. She wants to kiss me.

She steps back, and a deep chuckle leaves my chest. “Never.”

“Good. Don’t get any ideas now that I live here.” She laughs warmly.

Looking into her green eyes, I can help but know there’s something about Tahlia that’s seeping deep inside of my chest. “Never. Now come on. I’ll give you a proper tour of your new home.”

I love this house. It’s bright, with white walls and timber accents. Splashes of dark brown and leather to keep it manly. It was important that the designer make it suit me.

“Let’s start downstairs. I need to pop some stuff in the fridge. I grabbed a few things, but until I know what you like, I didn’t want to go overboard,” I say, walking downstairs and into the kitchen. She follows behind me.

I open the shopping bag and pull items out.

“Thanks. I can pick up some food, though,” she replies, nibbling on her bottom lip.

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