PROLOGUE
Taking a chance
On the day I collided with the beautiful and enchanting doctor, my life was in chaos. At the moment of engagement, all involved felt the rush of adrenaline. It was life or death decision-making; not one minute could be wasted.
Sabina, the love of my best friend’s life, had been shot by her brother, and we didn’t know if she would survive. The avenging angel had stepped before a bullet to protect the one person who should have been protecting her. Crazed out of his mind and seeking revenge, Bourne would make it his life’s mission to spill the blood of Lucas Santoro. The act of revenge was imminent, but first, we needed to save Sabina.
Our team didn’t waste any time as we drove to the nearest medical facility nestled deep in the countryside of a small Italian town. It was smaller than we expected, but we quickly discovered that it had all the capabilities of a top-notch hospital. The doctors wasted no time taking over the intense situation wecreated. A team of armed guards and a raging Bourne Atwater led the charge to save his woman. The beautiful doctor captured my attention the minute she walked into the room. She owned it.
Enamored from the start, and once I heard her speak, the authority in her tone made me fucking hard. My cock wept when I watched her strut over to Bourne in her kill-me shoes that skyrocketed her height. He was enraged, but I don’t think she cared. Her objective was to save Sabina’s life, and she told Bourne to back the fuck up and let her do it.
I was in love.
The look on his face was surprising, even watching it all unfold in front of me. No one ever talked to Bourne in the way the doctor did. Truth be told? It fucking excited me and catapulted me to a level I’d never felt before. His expression was almost comical, but I tugged him by the arm before he could say anything further and gave the doctor room to work.
Once we got word that our extraction team secured Lucas and began the Santoro estate's clean-up process, we could focus on Sabina. I wasn’t a spiritual man, nor Bourne, but we prayed today. He couldn’t lose her now after he’s just found her. He would move heaven and earth to make her smile. It can’t end like this. I was supposed to be praying here, and my mind went to a dark place because, in our line of work, we have all lost people we love, making us feel helpless. It’s an emotion none of us can afford to have in our lives, not if we wanted to do this job.
Bourne was pacing the empty waiting room and swung around when he heard the electronic doors swish open. The two doctors stepped out wearing scrubs, and I swear my best friend held his breath until told she would make it. Sabina was fortunate that the bullet didn’t hit her vital organs. Once Bourne heard that she would recover, he demanded to see her immediately. The male doctor, Kyle, escorted him back while I remained with thewoman. I couldn’t continue to call her that, so I finally found my balls and formally introduced myself.
“Thank you for saving her; I don’t know what we would have done had she not survived.”
“It’s my job, and you’re welcome,” she started to walk away, and I called her back. She turned around as if waiting for me to ask a question, probably thinking it was about Sabina, but no, this was personal.
“Hi, I’m Edric, Edric George, and your name?”
“I’m Doctor Chantal,”
“No first name?”
“I have one, but why do you want to know it?” I knew there was something about this woman I liked. She was full of sass, and I wanted to see more of it, just privately with me suspended over her.
“It’s the customary thing to say when meeting someone, so what’s your first name?” she bounced from one foot to another, probably contemplating whether to tell me or not, then blurted it out.
“It’s Ellen, Ellen Chantal, and this is my clinic, Mr. George, which means I’m in charge here. Your Kevlar vests and weaponry do not intimidate me or your friend. The only thing that concerns me is the safety of my patients in my clinic because they need me, including the lovely woman my partner just finished stitching up. Unfortunately, this is not the first time I’ve witnessed men armed to the teeth, and I’m sure it won’t be my last. Nevertheless, I don’t want any trouble while you’re here. I hope the violence you brought to my front door is contained.” She said with her chin tilted up in my direction and then turned to walk away.
Holy fuck! She’s my dream woman. The possibilities are raging in my mind about how to make this beautiful creature mine, but first, I must stop her from walking away.
“Hey,” I called out.
“Yes?”damn that voice, and did she sway her hips when she answered me? Calm down, Edric, before you show your hand too fast, and she’s got you by the balls.
“I give you my word the clinic and staff are safe. Thank you for everything you did to save Sabina. She means everything to my friend.”
“So, I gathered, and you’re welcome again; now, Mr. George, I must go.”
“You have time for a cup of coffee?” I spat out.
“Sorry, I’m busy,” she answered.
“A drink later tonight?” I tried to keep the desperation from my tone, but I knew I was reaching here because this woman would be a challenge.
“Your friend will be here for a few days, and I practically live here, so no to a drink, but I will have coffee with you tomorrow morning, say seven?”After she said the time, I saw a glint in her eyes just waiting for me to contest the time, but I wasn’t falling for it and came back with a counter.
“I usually do coffee at five, but for you, I guess I can wait an additional two hours.”
“Perfect, five is better, see you then,” She didn’t waste a second bothering to hear if I would agree to the earlier time because I think she knew I was showing up no matter what time she threw out to me. What are the chances of meeting the perfect woman when you aren’t looking for her? Slim to fucking none, but here’s the thing about perfection? Reality always has a way of creeping in and fucking up the fantasy.
Our coffee date was better than I anticipated, and one led to several more encounters that pleased me. Ellen and Sabina have bonded throughout her stay here and have become friends. Once I heard of her release, I decided to be bold and invite Ellen to be my date for Bourne and Sabina’s wedding. I wasn’t alone inmy feelings, and there was no denying our obvious attraction for one another. Ellen hesitated at first, fearing the more time we spent together would complicate our already complicated relationship, but I’d rather take a chance than not at all. She’s worried because she lives in Italy and my life and work are in London.