As a reward for getting 60 "likes" in less than 24 hours on my brand new author Facebook page, I released the very FIRST teaser from my debut novel, When You're Ready!
Note to Viewers: This post includes adult content. ;-)
A knock on the door marks the entrance of yet another person. As I turn my head, I find myself face to face with the real-life version of Dr.McSteamy entering the exam room. Holy hell, I think I just whimpered a little. Tall and built like a swimmer, he’s the sexiest thing I've ever seen in a pair of scrubs. Like the sky right before a summer storm, his eyes border between gray and blue, and I can’t help staring into their thunderous intensity. His hair, dark brown that edges near black, has that "just fucked" look to it. The kind of hair that makes you constantly want to run your hands through it. How do guys do that? Do they spend time creating that look in a mirror, or is it really a product of being fucked? I suddenly wanted to know.
Oh shit, was I drooling? Did he say something?
He’s looking right at me, waiting.
“Are you the mother?", he asks. His eyebrow arched, forming a question. A really hot question.
Seriously, Clare...get your mind out of the gutter. "Uh, yes. I'm Clare Murray. This is my daughter Madilyn, uh, Maddie." I say trying to cover up the fact that I had probably been standing there for an ungodly amount of time, lamely staring at him and forming my own mini puddle of drool, while he tried to get my attention back on my sick daughter.
Yup, best mother ever.
“Nice to meet you Ms. Murray, I’m Dr. Matthews.” Turning to Maddie, he says “And this, must be the Princess.”
Calling Maddie a Princess earns him major brownie points, and I think I even hear a faint giggle. She immediately looks up, her big brown eyes connecting with his as he begins the examination.
Dr. Matthews bends down, leaning over her tiny frame, and runs his hand over Maddie’s head. I know he’s checking for any bumps or abnormalities, but his gesture seems protective and my heart does a little flip flop seeing my daughter in the arms of another man.
He settles himself at the end of the hospital bed and motions for me to take a seat in the chair positioned next to Maddie. It’s a small room, making us all very cozy. I can feel the heat radiating off his body. His really, really hot body. His eyes linger on mine briefly, and I can feel the blush starting to creep up my cheeks. I see a quick smirk flash across his face before he begins speaking.
"Well, your nurse already gave me some of the details on what lead to Maddie’s injury this afternoon. Sounds like you had an eventful day.” he says, giving Maddie a gentle smile. She looks up at him like he’s the king of the world, which surprises me. Maddie’s generally not a fan of men, having never been around many.
“But it looks like a classic concussion. Her skull feels normal, and I don’t see any signs of swelling or bleeding. But I’m going to go ahead and order a CT just to rule out anything major and make sure we've covered all of our bases. But more than likely she’ll be back to her old self in a few days.” he says reassuringly.
I nod absently, those stark white walls starting to feel tighter around me. It’s not the fact that he wants a CT that sends me into an instant panic attack. I understand the precaution. I’m glad Dr. Matthew's taking the time to do so, and appreciate his thoroughness. It was the way in which he said it. The exact phrasing. One sentence, and the memory comes back to haunt me, flooding my mind and taking over my senses.
Ethan sits down next to me on the bed. He looks at me with those dark brown eyes and concerned, loving look on his face. He knows I always worry about everything. "Baby, I don't need any more tests. The doctor says there only migraines." he says. "The CT came back normal which rules out anything major. I don't want to fight with the insurance company to get an MRI. You know they aren't going to pay for it, so why bother?" He pulls me down onto the bed so we are both laying side by side, his hand gripping my waist. "It's going to be fine. So, please. Stop worrying." He grins, leaning in to kiss me slowly, desperately trying to change the subject. He pulls away, looking at me with a devious grin plastered on his face. "Besides, we have more important things to think about right now." he whispers, looking down my body slowly and appreciatively. "Oh, yeah? I can't think of anything." I fake a yawn. "I think I'm going to go to sleep. Night!" I try and keep my face steady, but I can't help the grin that escapes, and before I can cover my mouth to hide it, he attacks and I’m squealing with laughter. He straddles my body, pinning me to the bed with his knees, trapping my wrists above my head in his tight grasp. "Shhh! This is the first night in weeks the baby has been asleep for more than an hour at a time, and you're going to ruin it with your squealing horse laugh!" he says, leaning down to kiss me, chuckling."I do not laugh like a horse!" I pout. The annoyance in my voice is already melting away, as he leans down and kisses my neck, making his way to my shoulder, taking the strap of my nightgown with him. He pulls my body firmly against his and slowly makes his way back to my mouth and finally, he kisses me, and I forgot all about tests and headaches.
If only I had been more persistent, more demanding...taken him to more specialist...
"Are you sure the CT will be enough? Nothing will be overlooked? I ask, as I pull myself out of the memory. The fear is evident in my voice. I know everything is fine, and what happened with Ethan was rare, but the irrational panic is there nonetheless.
Maddie is not Ethan. Maddie is not going to die. I silently chant, slowly beginning to feel myself calm.
I look up at Dr. Matthews, and he’s watching me, with concern and confusion painted all over his face.
Awesome.
Good job Clare.
Now the hot doctor thinks you're crazy.
When You're Ready
By J.L. Berg
Coming August 2013
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