Page 2 of Dr. Damaged Protector

"Lucas, it's a celebration. Have more drinks, come on," Williams urged while trying to control his hiccups.

He was a friend from medical school, and we were celebrating the hospital he had just finished building. I had been helping him get things settled and joined his bar party.

"We've only been here an hour, and you're already drunk," I said as I tried to put some distance between us.

"I'm not drunk," he insisted with a severe look, but a hiccup interrupted the look.

"What am I ever going to do with you?" Sarah, his fiancée, sighed as she hugged him tightly. Turning her gaze to me, she apologized, "Sorry about this, Luke."

"It's fine…I'll go get him water," I offered. I got up and went to the bar.

She thanked me and returned to playfully scolding Williams. Even in a drunk state, he still smiled lovingly at her. I envied that gaze. I had been in one or two relationships myself but never found myself staring at anyone like that. I was worried about a repeat of my parents' marriage.

"Water plea–" I stopped my attempt at ordering when I noticed the lady on the barstool.

Brown hair, beautiful glossy lips, long natural eyelashes that gently batted like a butterfly's wings. The lady ran her fingers through her hair and sighed, exhausted.

Beautiful. Very beautiful.

I looked around and noticed that I wasn't the only one drawn to her beauty. Other men observed her like wolves waiting to descend on the only decent bunny in the woods. Usually, I would stare, compliment in my head, and get on my way; but this time, I felt a little carnivorous.

There was an empty seat next to her, and one of the men approached it. With a glare from her, he turned around.

Interesting.

The strange lady had gotten my attention, and I wouldn't walk away.

"May I have this seat?" I asked.

She turned to look at me, a glass of stout in her hand. It had barely been touched. I expected the glare, and she delivered.

"You know what? Just take it," she sighed and sipped her drink.

"Thank you," I accepted the invite and sat beside her. Signaling the bartender, I requested the same drink she was having: a black velvet.

I eyed my neighbor at the bar. As she put down the drink, she covered it with a napkin.

It struck me as strange; she seemed to have had a nasty experience with drinks in public places or was trained to do that.

I ignored it, choosing to focus on her outfit: a mini gown that hugged her body, showing off a beautiful figure and revealing her thighs. Each part of her was a spectacle.

"It's weird," she said, interrupting my thoughts. "I know you've been staring, but I don't feel threatened."

"I apologize. I hope you aren't uncomfortable?" I asked.

"I don't mind," she smiled, resting her cheek against her palm as she stared at me. "You seem tired, rough day?"

Hmm? What's this?

I felt at peace. I wasn't bothered about anything, but the woman made me aware of the peace.

"You could say that" I sighed. "The hospital was a little rougher than usual. My friend and I had our hands full."

"Friend?" she asked.

"Yeah, over there." I pointed in his direction.

We turned and found Sarah and Williams making out, but not too aggressively that it would bother others.

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