“This is blackmail,” he muttered.
“You're dismissed, Sergeant.”
Nick left her office, tempted to say fuck the bachelor party. Shit, he wasn't the one getting married, but he was their leader. So, he was prepared to take one for his team.
KING
Rebecca King sat across from Dr. Thantos, listening intently as he read off a list of tasks for her to complete.
For a shrink, he wasn't what she’d expected. When Dr. Bettis, her cardiologist, recommended that she speak with a psychologist and handed her Dr. Thantos’ card, Rebecca pictured a wrinkled old fart that couldn't begin to understand what she was going through. But Dr. Thantos was anything but what she’d imagined. He was a middle-aged, distinguished-looking man with a shaved head and a dark goatee that alluded to a hint of “bad-boy.”
Rebecca found herself looking into his blue eyes, wondering if he was married. If so, what kind of husband was he? Was he a passionate man or was he the type to overwork and ignore his wife?
“Miss King, I know I’m a hunk, but you gotta pay attention. Try to contain yourself,” he said in a deep baritone.
Rebecca blinked, surprised by the reprimand. “Huh? What?”
His sly grin hinted that he was joking. Although the doctor was handsome, she wasn't sexually attracted to him in the least. She laughed, appreciating the light-natured ribbing.
“I’ll do my best,” she joked.
“Okay. Done. Here you go,” he said, handing her the sheet of paper he’d been working on. “This is your to-do list.”
Rebecca took the sheet and read it over. “Who would give a dying woman homework?” she muttered.
“Iwould,” Dr. Thantos confirmed. “Especially if that dying woman was an artist who’s never been to Paris, never met her father, and has never been in love. You have a lot of work to do, young lady.”
She smiled at the good doctor. His laid-back manner was refreshing. When most people found out she didn't have long to live, their demeanor changed immediately. The air became heavy, and their mood would turn dismal like a storm cloud obstructing the sun.
Rebecca suffered from congenital heart disease, having been diagnosed when she was an infant. Because of a less than nurturing upbringing, she’d never received the proper care. Now at thirty-five, her condition had deteriorated to the point where she needed a new heart. But because of her rare AB- blood type, a viable donor was next to impossible. So, she had no choice but to resign herself to an inevitable death.
She stuffed the list inside her purse and stood to leave. “Doc, I’ve only got a few months left, a year at the most. You really think I’m gonna be able to accomplish all that?”
“I expect you to die trying,” he said with an easygoing grin.
Rebecca shook her head and smiled. “Real funny, Doc,” she muttered as she left the office.
She entered the waiting room. The doctor’s receptionist and one other person were in the outer office.
“Mr. Cato, you can go in now,” the receptionist announced.
The man stood, stopping Rebecca in her tracks. He was a giant of a man with short, sandy-brown hair and the iciest blue eyes. Dr. Thantos’ vivid blues had nothing on the man standing in front of her. She let her eyes roam his massive shoulders just as she heard, “Excuse me.”
The deep masculinity of his voice did nothing to curb the lust bubbling inside.
“Miss King, if you’ll step over here, I’ll schedule your next appointment,” urged the receptionist.
Whereas the man’s voice warmed her all over, the receptionist’s voice was like a splash of cold water, hitting Rebecca right in the face. She became suddenly aware that while she was standing there like an idiot, ogling the super-fine white dude, she was also blocking the doorway.
She hurried out of his path. “Oh… yeah… Uh... right, I-I need to schedule another appointment,” she stuttered. She turned, surprised to see the man was still watching her. “Sorry,” she muttered.
He smiled, and his smile stopped time. Beautiful white teeth, framed by full sexy lips greeted Rebecca, making her weak in the knees.
“It’s perfectly fine, Miss King,” he said as he entered the office.
“Oh,God,” Rebecca breathed when the office door closed.
“Yes, indeed. God isverygood to that man,” the receptionist agreed.
