Fortune by Annabel Joseph (ebook reader for comics TXT) 📕

“Did you want to sign off on Mr. Bellman’s papers?”

“I don’t believe I need to.”

“Oh.” She feigned confusion, double-checked the papers. Ryan was already turning around, trying to refocus on his work. Kelly was one of a handful of nurses who liked to trump up reasons to interrupt him, to come into his office when he was at the hospital and wave around her fake nails and boobs. Wild, bombshell blondes had attracted him at one point, admittedly.

But not now. Now he only wanted shiny dark curls and light green eyes.

Kelly paused, perhaps considering another tack, but to his relief he heard the door close. He was eager to finish up and get his notes in order for tomorrow. He had a feeling he’d be preoccupied at home tonight.

At home. Home took on a whole new meaning, knowing she would be there now. Home, for him, had always meant quiet. Structure. Solitude. He’d never lived with a woman, never wanted to. He went out to the clubs and bars when he wanted sex, when he wanted to party, and came home later alone. It wasn’t that he didn’t want a lively homelife someday—he just wanted it on his terms. To tell the truth, he’d always harbored vague, distant fantasies of a vibrant home front, a doting wife, wonderful kids, holidays and parties and togetherness. Something like Kat’s family, a loving, intertwined unit that stuck together. Constant activity, companionship and a shoulder to lean on. Blood was thicker than water. He was a doctor. He knew.

He finished checking off his notes and appointments then closed his laptop. He left some paperwork for Kelly to deal with and moved resolutely to the door, noting it was 6:05. He’d been aiming for 6:00 but he would take it. It wasn’t far to Kat’s house. On the way to the car, his phone buzzed. He thought it might be Kat but she was pretty phone-avoidant. He looked down to see his friend Dave’s number instead.

“Dave!”

“You in surgery, man?”

Ryan laughed. “If I was I wouldn’t be answering. We’ve been over this before. How are you? How are Sophie and Hunter?”

“They’re great. The little guy’s growing like a weed. Sophie wants me to make him stop but I don’t know how.”

“Typical subby. Thinks you have the answer to everything.”

“Well, I usually do,” chuckled Dave. “I’ve trained her well. What about you? How are things with your new girl?”

Ryan drew in a deep breath. “I’m going to see her now. Get this. She’s moving in.”

There was a short silence on the other line. “Er… Who are you? And how did you get my friend’s phone? ’Cause the Ryan I know doesn’t live with girls.”

“I know. I think I may live to regret it.”

“Or she may,” snickered Dave. “She must be a glutton for punishment.”

“She’s a glutton for punishment and sex. So I can’t complain. We’ll work the rest out.” He sobered, clearing his throat. “But really. I don’t know. I hope it does work out.”

Dave was silent a moment, picking up on Ryan’s pensive vibe. They had always been that way, childhood friends, able to tell each other’s moods from nothing more than the tone in their voice. “So who is this girl who’s tamed the beast? She’s special, huh?”

“Yeah,” said Ryan. “She’s…different. I can’t explain. When you met Sophie…you told me once that you knew right away. The first day you met her. The first time you talked.”

“Sure. I guess it was that way. At the time it just felt like infatuation. Or madness. But looking back, that’s what it was. We just matched. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

“I get that feeling too with this girl. Problem is, I’m not so sure the feeling is mutual.”

“Well, she’s moving in. That’s a pretty big commitment.”

“She’s moving in for a month.”

“A month? Like…just a month?”

“The jury’s still out on that.”

“Oh, okay. I see. Well, work your magic. Dom her into submission. You’ve always done that in the past.”

“I know. It’s just that now…” His voice trailed off.

“The stakes are higher.”

“Yeah.” Ryan laughed softly. “See. You always know.”

“I have been there, done that, my friend. Either way you’ll come out on the other side, right? So don’t stress. And look, if things work out, I’ll be happy to take your wedding pictures.”

Ryan groaned, turning into Kat’s street. “One step at a time. A month from now I might be calling to tell you she’s driving me nuts.”

“Come on. Think positive. Hey, I’ll be up in your neck of the woods for a photog convention in February. Maybe me and Soph can meet this new little sub of yours. That would be fun, huh?”

Ryan smiled as he parked and turned off the engine. “Down, boy. She’s been practically vanilla up to this point. I don’t know how she’d take to a ménage a couple months in.”

“Vanilla?” Dave scoffed. “If you’ve been with her, she’s halfway to chocolate by now. Rocky Road. Moose Tracks.”

“Okay, okay,” Ryan laughed. “I’ve got to go.”

Ryan tucked the phone back in his pocket. He pulled at his tie while looking in the rearview mirror, attempting to straighten it. He thought he should have changed his clothes before he came over, but then perhaps his office dress would impress Kat’s parents more. One should look their best when showing up to take someone’s daughter home to move in. He rang the bell, thinking for the first time what he might do if her mother forbade it. As if on cue, the door swung open and Elena stood with a dubious look on her face.

“Dr. Ryan.” Elena peered out at him as she stood on the doorstep, her greeting typically loud and blunt.

“Is Kat here?” he asked.

“She is here,” answered Elena, threading her arm under his and pulling him in. “But I think before you go, you come to dinner. We discuss a few things. We talk.”

* * * * *

Kat had to bite her lip not to laugh at