Page 7 of Doctor’s Orders

“Then they’ve never tried an older man. Or maybe it was just that man. He had been wholly focused on my pleasure. He not only knew right where my clit was, he also knew exactly how to touch me. And he’d found that elusive g-spot, which frankly I was beginning to believe was completely made up. You know Cosmo sells a lot of magazines every time they put that on the cover.”

“They should probably put those articles in men’s magazines,” Annabelle says.

“No doubt about that. Maybe they should recruit my silver fox to write them.”

He’s not mine. I know he’s not. I won’t see him again, and I hate that wistful feeling that surges through me.

chapter

four

Graham

“Don’t forget that your new nurse starts today,” Carol says.

I take off my reading glasses and stare at the woman who has been approximately sixty-two years old since she started working for me when I opened my practice as a pediatrician.

“I couldn’t forget if I wanted to. You’ve posted it all over the office, sent me a few thousand reminders and somehow managed to have Siri tell me every time I log into a device.” I give her a scowl. “You could pretend that you’re a little sad that you’re deserting me.”

“I could, but you and I both know I’m not a good liar. You’ve been a great boss and you know I love you like a son. But Red and I are still healthy and we want to see the world. So when he offered an extended cruise through the Greek isles and then around Europe, if I’d only retire, I knew it was time.”

I blow out a breath. “I know, and you’re right. Change will be good. How old did you say this new girl is? Is she straight out of nursing school or does she have some experience?”

“You would know all of this if you’d done the interviews instead of passing that off to me.”

“You know, more than I, what I need in a partner.”

Carol snorts. “She’s been the school nurse at an elementary school in Houston for the last five years. She has plenty of experience with kids. And she’s got spunk, so I know she won’t take any of your shit.” She points a finger at me. “I’m gonna walk over and get us some coffee so that when she gets here, you’re fully human.”

“Have you always been this mean?” I ask.

Another snort, then she leaves me alone in my office. Losing Carol sucks because she’s been a wonderful nurse for me these last twenty-five years. But I suppose it’s time for a change.

I roll my neck, trying to ease the tension that’s been sitting heavy since Thursday morning. I couldn’t even focus on my family for Thanksgiving because all I could think about was her. How I’d woken her up twice during the night to take her again. I don’t think I’ve ever been that insatiable.

No matter what I do, I can’t get her out of my mind. Carol is right, coffee will definitely help.

I put my readers back on and pick up my tablet to check today’s schedule. It’s pretty slim right now, but more than likely the phones will start ringing with all the illnesses that sprung up over the holiday weekend. That’s always the way. Your kid doesn’t get fever until the middle of the night or on a day when your doctor’s office is closed.

“Knock, knock,” a woman’s voice says from my office door.

“Come on in and have a seat and let me finish with this note and then…” My words trail off as the familiarity of her voice hits me. I lower my tablet to my desk and then rip my glasses off.

Because sitting right across from me is Liz. The woman I haven’t been able to get off my mind. A burst of primal possessiveness shoots through me, but it’s quickly banked, because what is she doing here?

How did she even find me?

If she’s traced me here, it’s because she knows about my fortune. There’s no other explanation for why she’s here.

Fucking gold diggers. They’ve been chasing my family for years.

“You?” she says, sounding just as surprised as I feel.

“How the fuck did you even find me?” I stand.

She comes to her feet as well.

“Did you snoop through my wallet and check my driver’s license?” I ask.