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41
Nikolai
Two Months LaterThat morning we wake up early. Autumn is in the air and it is still dark outside. Star stretches luxuriously. I pull back the sheets to look at her naked body. I’d punished myself for years but fate sent me Star. Made her so irresistible that it pulled me out ofmy self-imposed hell.In the gloom her pale skin glows. I reach out a hand and caress her smooth hip. She looks precious. Beyond anything I own or could want. I need her to know it. If I die tomorrow, I will only be at peace if she knows it.“I want to show you something,” I say. “What?”“Get dressed in your riding clothes. I want to show you my brother’s grave.”Her face changes. Fear flickers in her eyes. I kept her in a state of insecurity. That flash of fear. That is what I need to destroy.“Are you sure?” she whispers. I smile gently. “Yes. It’s time.”We go downstairs in the silence of the house. A
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The Billionaires 42 - Billionaire Country Doctor
Prologue Randolph Brodie wandered around the people gathered at his brother’s wedding reception. Dirk and Chelsea had said their vows at the small church in Frontier City. Their reception at the ranch was a large barbecue. Children ran around playing while their parents and other guests enjoyed visiting.Dr. Neels strolled over to him. “Let me introduce you to some of the townspeople. If you’re really serious about joining me, then they’ll want to have a look at you.” He grinned. “We’ll start with the most difficult, Mrs. Lacey. She’s a determined, nosy old lady, but you’ll come to love her as I do.”Rand followed Dr. Neels, and he introduced Mrs. Lacey. She was sharp tongued, gave him a once-over, and told Dr. Neels he could do worse.“At least he’s easy on the eyes,” she said. They were both chuckling when they moved on.After meeting too many people to ever remember all their names, Dr. Neels took mercy on him. “I see a pret
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Four Months Later Marian Gaenor shut her office door. She was bone tired and wished she hadn’t promised Bob, the man she’d been dating casually these past three weeks, that she’d go out with him tonight. Maybe she’d call and cancel.She’d grab the subway home and curl up with a good book. But it was her thirty-first birthday. She should celebrate.All the way home she debated canceling or going. Her phone was ringing when she got to her door. Rushing inside, she picked up the receiver just in time.“Hi, girlfriend, have any pizza?”“Chelsea. It’s great to hear your voice. I have wine but no pizza. Wish you were here.”“I am. I’m at the airport. I’ll get the cabbie to stop for pizza and be there shortly. You don’t have other plans, do you? I should have checked, but I wanted to surprise you.”“No. Come on. I can’t wait to see you.” As soon as Marian hung up, she called and cancelled her date. Ah, that felt good
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Rand parked in front of a small cabin. Marian loved the setting. She couldn’t help but have a great vacation. It certainly started out right being met at the airport by Rand, and soon she and Chelsea would have a nice long chat.“This is where Chelsea said you’d be staying. You can see the big house from here. I’ll take your suitcases in, and then I have to go.”Marian jumped out of the truck. “Thanks for the ride.”He put the cases inside the door. “Sorry about the stop, but those types of situations happen when you’re the only doctor around.”“My grandmother used to talk about doctors who made house calls. It’s nice. You get to know the people you take care of in a different way.” She shrugged. “Not so impersonal, as most things are today.”“Exactly. I tried to explain that to my fiancée, but she doesn’t get it.” His expression changed as though he wished he hadn’t become personal. “See you.” He waved, got in his truck, and turned to get back on the road.Marian watched until he was
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“They look a lot alike.”Chelsea nodded as she started cutting the chicken. “They all resemble each other. The sister is dainty and a blonde, and the younger brother has light-brown hair, but you’d still know they were all from the same family. You’ll see tomorrow. And,” Chelsea added, “I’ve heard Anna is actually going to be there. I haven’t met her yet. I’m glad to see you and Rand are getting along great.”“Don’t start putting us together. Remember there’s a third, his fiancée.”“Not for long. See if I’m not right. Here, whip up the potatoes. I’ll put the chicken on the table.”Dinner was delicious, and Marian enjoyed watching the camaraderie between the three others at the table. When Rand excused himself to leave, Marian said she’d go, too. “It’s been a long day. I’ll see you tomorrow.”“Wait, I’ll get my flashlight and walk you to the cabin.” Dirk started out of the kitchen.“I’ll drive her,” Rand said.“Good idea.” Chelsea put her arm around Dirk, who’d come back to her side.R
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Marian got into the back of Dirk’s truck.“I don’t mind riding in the back,” Chelsea said. “You’re our guest. Dirk can point out places of interest.”“You said it wasn’t far. I’ll be fine. I’m not going to split up the lovebirds,” she teased.Chelsea got in the front, and Dirk went around to the driver’s seat. He glanced in the backseat at Marian.“You met most of my family at our wedding, but today you’ll have more time to get to know them all.”“I’m looking forward to it.” She sat back to enjoy the ride. Her throat tightened. She tried not to be envious of her best friend’s life. Chelsea was lucky. She had a hunky husband and was expecting their baby.Chelsea glanced around from the front to see Marian. “It’s quiet back there.” “I’m enjoying the view. I like this open country.”“Great. Maybe you’ll settle here.”“Remember, no matchmaking,” Marian reminded her.“That’s like asking my darling wife to sew her lips shut. She’ll never be able to keep that promise.” Chelsea laughed and sw
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Rand seldom got mad, but fury swept through him. He took a deep breath before answering. “Sit down,” he ordered.“I’ll do as I want.”“Please sit down.” He kept his voice level but firm. Something in his tone must have got through to her. She sat. “First, I have no idea why you slapped me. If you do it again, this conversation is over before it starts. Second, we are hardly engaged. You wanted time and to end it yourself. I’ve given you months. I’m out of patience. Our engagement is ending now, today.”“Hah, because I saw what you really are and called you on it. You’ve been cheating on me this whole time.”“And what do you use as proof? The fact I talked with another woman.” “I saw the way you looked at her.”His harsh laugh had her looking at him, puzzled. “I’ve never even kissed her. I wanted to, but I remembered our agreement. I think you’re throwing these accusations around because of your guilt. I’d bet you’ve been hunting for another husband and cheated on me.”The quick flush
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The lights she’d left on outside the cabin and inside by the front window welcomed them when they arrived.“Thank you for driving me back.” Her hand went to the door handle. “Aren’t you going to invite me inside? I’d love a cup of fresh coffee.”“Rand, tonight you broke your engagement. I don’t intend to be a quick fix for you suddenly feeling lonely and horny. Give yourself some time to regroup.”“I’ve had months. I tried to end it before I moved here. We waited to give her time to get used to the idea. I had dropped a sudden surprise on her when I decided to be a country doctor.” He leaned forward again.Marian stopped him with her hand on his chest. “Still, you need time.”“I’m working and on call the rest of the week. Dr. Neels and his wife are going on a three-day cruise.”“Good. It will keep you busy.” Marian opened the truck door and ran to the cabin. When she slipped inside, she lay against the closed door and listened to him drive off.Her body had shouted “yes, yes, yes” at
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Visiting the Nettles had gone well. The pizza they bought scented the truck with the wonderful fragrance of warm bread and melted cheese. Marian called to reassure Chelsea that Rand was bringing her home and they were having dinner at the cabin.Marian opened the front door, and Rand followed, carrying the pizza. On the table was a chocolate cake, a tall pitcher of iced tea, and an unlit candle. A small note read, “Have Fun.”Rand put the pizza on the counter, and Marian stuck the tea in the fridge.They looked at each other. She wet her lips, and Rand’s eyes darkened.“I suppose we must be civilized and eat first. The pizza is hot. But then I’m not very hungry.” He walked toward her. “What do you think?” he asked as he reached her. “Shall we start with dessert?” His fingers undid her first button. “Perhaps if we took care of this other hunger first, we might be more ready to eat.”Rising on her tiptoes, Marian brushed her lips across his sensual mouth. Her breasts touched his hard ch
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