The Billionaire's Christmas Son - Leslie North Page 0,59
instant, intense attraction before… and because it was literally the last thing he could afford right now.
She was talking with another doctor, obviously sharing a joke, and let out a peal of laughter that sounded like pure sunshine. His feet were going towards her before he consciously realized it.
“Hey, Summer,” he said, as the doctor walked away with a wave. “Good work in there.”
“Thanks,” she said, that brilliant smile warming him like a fireplace. “I mean, we’ve worked together before, but it was nice to see you in action.”
He felt his cheeks heat a little and grimaced.
“You kicked ass in there, too,” he pointed out, and it wasn’t an empty compliment. She’d kept up with him, and he couldn’t say that about all the residents he’d worked with. In the weeks they’d been working together, he noticed that she was a gifted diagnostician, had a great bedside manner with children, and kept her cool even when all hell was breaking loose.
And that damned million-watt smile…
“What are you doing now?” he asked, surprising himself.
“Getting something to eat,” she said. “I think I’ve had a protein bar and half a bowl of ramen in the past twenty-four hours, and I am starving. What about you?”
He really needed to get back to his place for a few hours’ rest before his next round of responsibilities.
“I don’t suppose you’d be interested in getting some dinner?” he asked instead.
She grinned—but moved just a little closer to him, close enough for him to smell the citrus-and-floral notes of what he assumed was her perfume. “It’s four in the morning.”
“Breakfast, then?” he pressed.
Her eyes gleamed. “You’re on.”
He glanced down, giving her a quick perusal. “Not that I mind,” he said, “but… you might want to change out of your scrubs?”
She quickly did a double-take and blushed, even as she laughed. “Oh, jeez! I didn’t… I wasn’t even thinking. Just give me a minute!” She bolted to the changing room, leaving him waiting in the hallway.
This is a bad idea.
On a number of levels, if he were honest with himself.
First, there was the conference call. His father, the King of Mynia, wanted to orchestrate some new policy around health care, and he wanted both Nic’s opinion and his medical expertise. Besides that, at some point Nic would take the throne, and it would be his job to be familiar with the inner workings of the political system. He really, really ought to try to get some sleep so he could be fresh for what promised to be a long and tedious meeting.
Second, there was Summer herself. Asking her to breakfast? What was he trying to accomplish? Sure, she was cute—well, beautiful, really—but he was only going to be in the States for a few more months. When his residency was over, he’d be gone. He’d been friendly with people, but he hadn’t exactly made friends, especially since he was keeping his real identity a secret. Therefore, it wasn’t like he was starting a relationship with her, even a casual one, because there were simply too many hassles involved.
What was he doing?
“Ready!” she said, shaking him out of his thoughts. She wore a sundress and a pair of canvas sneakers, looking every inch the California girl. She’d obviously splashed water on her face, because she looked bright and fresh and downright delectable.
“Let’s go, then,” he said, trying to ignore the fact that he’d just thought of her as delectable.
They wandered to the staff parking lot, heading to his car. She let out a low whistle. “Jaguar. Must be nice,” she said.
He felt his cheeks heat with embarrassment. “It was, um, a gift. From my family.”
She thankfully let it go. “I drive that beat-up Honda Civic over there,” she said, with another one of her joy-filled laughs. “Where do you want to eat?”
He wasn’t sure what possessed him, but the sound of her laughter, the look of her smile, the brightness of her eyes… he reached out, gently stroking a lock of hair out of her face. “You’re amazing,” he said, and meant it.
Her responding smile was like warmed honey, shot through with a hint of wickedness. She nudged him with her shoulder, the press of her side against his sending zings of awareness through him. “You’re not so bad, yourself.”
He turned to face her, keeping in mind how close he was. How close they were. She didn’t step away, instead turning to mirror him, their faces just inches apart.
“We saved a life tonight,” she murmured, hazel eyes bright as