Doctor's Secret: A Secret Baby Romance Read online

  “A woman like me?” she questioned, glancing at me curiously.

  “A beautiful woman like you, to be precise.”

  Her face flushed a charming pink, and she dropped her eyes. I loved it – Annie was the perfect blend of sweet and strong. I couldn’t wait for the evening and the chance to get to know her better.

  “Thank you. But no – no flower-drowning in my life. My last boyfriend…he wasn’t big on displays of affection like that. He thought they were corny.”

  Her last boyfriend. Meaning my brother, Andrew. But she didn’t need to know about that particular connection. I didn’t want to scare her away. I knew all about him, how he felt about romance. One of the many reasons I never felt like he deserved Annie.

  “Well, they are a little corny, but—”

  “But that’s part of the fun of it!” she said excitedly, taking the words right out of my mouth.

  “That’s right. People are so cynical these days, acting like old-fashioned romance is a tired concept. But romance is something that makes life worth living. You cut that out because you think you’re above it and you miss out on something really, really special.”

  She said nothing, instead regarding me with an expression that conveyed she was moved by my words and agreed with them. After a second, she waved her hand and said, “But sorry for bringing up my ex – I know that’s kind of a first date faux pas.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “I’m a little out of practice with this, in case you can’t tell.”

  “Then I’ll be happy to bring you up to speed.”

  She smiled at me before turning her attention to the road, watching me take the turn to the highway. “Oh, so this is a field trip kind of date?”

  “It is. I’ve got reservations at the perfect place. You’re going to love it.”

  Annie grinned. “Do I at least get to know what city we’re going to?”

  “Denver, of course.” Her smile faded. “Not a fan of the big city?”

  “No, not that. It’s just that I moved away from there to start over. Got some…bad memories I’m leaving behind.”

  “I get that. But in my experience, the best way to get rid of bad memories is to make new ones.”

  Her smile returned. “I like the sound of that.”

  The drive wasn’t long – only forty minutes. During that time, we chatted about out backgrounds. I made sure to keep the conversation centered on her, however. The less she knew about my family, the better. For obvious reasons.

  About the time she finished, the towers of downtown Denver rose in the distance.

  “God,” she said, her eyes fixed forward. “I can’t believe I’m back here.”

  “It’ll be fun,” I said, reaching over and putting my hand on hers. “Trust me.”

  I realized that sort of contact was possibly a little forward, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t resist Annie, and it took nearly all the restraint I had not to pull over and do more than hold her hand.

  “I do,” she said, smiling brightly. “Something tells me you’re the kind of guy who knows how to have a good time.”

  “I like to think so. Though work these days doesn’t leave much time for fun.”

  “I can imagine,” she sympathized. “Running one of the biggest private-care facilities in the state must take up most of your days.”

  I raised an eyebrow and glanced at her with a sly grin. “Someone’s done their research.”

  “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. After we met, I had to know a little more about this oh-so-mysterious, charming man I’d be going out with. But don’t worry – I didn’t go full background check on you, only read that Forbes article.”

  And it was a good thing she didn’t go full background check. The last thing I wanted was her to find out about my relation to Andrew before I was ready to reveal it. Thankfully, the article had been more about my current projects than any sort of biographical thing about my personal life.

  Andrew…something about him stuck in my mind, like there was something I’d forgotten, something I was supposed to do. I put it out of my mind as we drove into downtown, the city alive with evening activity.

  “Ah, the Forbes article. A little bit of a puff piece, but I was pleased with it for the most part. And the publicity didn’t hurt.”

  “You should be pleased with it. They seem to think you’re the next big thing in the medical field.”

  “That’s the plan. But I try not to buy into what the press has to say on those matters. Easy way to get a big head.”

  “I’ve actually got a little experience with the medical field. Not professionally, but, you know…” she shrugged. “Experience.”

  “Is that right?”

  Before we could continue, however, I reached the tower where the restaurant was located. It was tall and gleaming, shooting up into the evening sky.

  “How about this?” I said. “We get seated, and you tell me all about it.”

  “Oh, I don’t want to bore you.”

  I gave her a warm smile. “Trust me, Annie – there’s not a thing you could say that would bore me.”

  She smiled back but seemed a little flushed by the compliment.

  A valet approached the car and I handed over the keys as we climbed out. As I approached her side, I took her arm, bringing her gorgeous body close to mine. The men at the front opened the doors, and we stepped into the vast, ornate lobby, a fountain in the middle firing jets of water in glittering arcs, men and women in expensive clothes zipping here and there purposefully.

  “Hell of place,” she commented, looking around.

  “Wait until you see the restaurant.”

  She smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  We stepped into one of the elevators, going up, up. It was only the two of us, and all I could think about was what it’d be like to press the stop button so I could pounce on her right then and there. I imagined pulling that skin-tight dress up around those luscious thighs, lifting her off her feet, and plunging into her deeply as she moaned in pleasure.

  And just like that, my cock was hard again. I shifted where I stood, hoping she didn’t notice.

  The doors soon opened, and Annie’s eyes widened once again. “Wow.”

  I took her arm again and led her into the restaurant. The Rochester was all glitz and glamour, like an old-school sort of establishment with white linen tables and servers dressed all in black. A gorgeous, U-shaped bar dominated the center, and the floor-to-ceiling windows afforded a killer view of the city and the mountains beyond.

  “Good evening, Dr. Pitt,” the hostess said as we approached. “Your table’s right this way.”

  Annie said nothing, simply taking in the scene as the hostess led us through the restaurant. The place was a who’s who of the Denver elite, businessmen and women, athletes, and a few local politicians.

  “Enjoy,” the hostess said with a smile as she seated us at our table, a spot on the elevated area along the windows.

  “This is really something else,” she said, peering out of the window. “For me these days, a night out is Shake Shack and a glass of wine.”

  “Then I’m happy to treat you to something a little different – no burgers on this menu.”

  The server approached and presented a bottle of red I’d ordered beforehand.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of having the chef prepare us a special menu for the evening.”

  She raised an eyebrow playfully. “Big into the whole ordering for the lady thing?”

  “More that I trust the chef to know what’s good. And trust me – he’s never wrong.”

  Once I’d tasted the wine and the server had gone, I raised the glass.

  “What are we toasting to?” she asked, doing the same.

  “How about to new beginnings.”

  “I like that.”

  We tapped rims and sipped.

  “God, this amazing,” she gushed, regarding the glass in her hand like she couldn�
��t believe what she was holding. “Sure beats the hell out of the nine-dollars-a-bottle stuff I’m used to.”

  “Glad you enjoy,” I said with a grin. “But I have to admit I’m still very curious about your history in the medical field.”

  Her face blossomed with color as if she were embarrassed. “Oh, it’s nothing. Especially for someone like you, who’s actually a doctor.”

  I leaned forward, beyond eager to hear more. “Try me.”

  She gulped some wine, as if bracing herself for what she had to say. “It started when I was a kid. I had a baby sister, and when she was born, I was thrilled. Like, beyond thrilled to have a sister in my life. But she was always sick. She spent a ton of time in the hospital, in and out when she should’ve been having a normal childhood.”

  I nodded, listening attentively without speaking.

  “And then it all came to a head when she was four. She was diagnosed with leukemia.”

  “That’s terrible.”

  She nodded, biting her lip for a moment. “It looked bad at first, but with the help of some really great doctors, she pulled through.”

  “I’m so happy to hear that. And she’s still with us?”

  A smile appeared on her face. “She is. And thankfully after she beat the leukemia her health only got better through the years. She’s married with a kid right now.”

  “Wonderful.”

  “Thanks. But during that time, all those days I spent at her side in the hospital, I realized what a massive toll that process can take on someone. Not just the treatment, which is horrible in and of itself, but staying inside, being bedridden and cut off from the world.”

  “Right,” I agreed. “Kids at that age should be outside making friends and memories, not stuck in a sterile hospital.”

  She smiled again, pleased I agreed with her. “So, I did what I could, bringing her games and movies and all that. And as I grew up, I wanted to do more, to find a way to help kids like my sister, and to help them by doing something I loved. So I picked music.”

  “You’re into music?”

  “I am – been playing the violin since I was a kid.”

  Another new development. I hadn’t heard a word about any of this from Andrew. “That’s incredible. Tell me more.”

  She seemed surprised, as if the idea of someone interested in more than her looks was new. “One of the things kids really miss out on in the hospital is music – especially live music. So I started going in, playing for the kids in the pediatric wing. And they loved it. I’ve always been in awe at how music can have such a profound impact on someone’s mental state.”

  “It’s true. There’s nothing quite like it.”

  She nodded. “I worked with my dad, who’s a little more business-savvy. He helped me put together a charity that would’ve paid for musicians to play for kids like I was able to.”

  “Would’ve?”

  Annie glanced down. “Would’ve. I had to put the kibosh on it when I decided to pick up everything and move to White Pines. Maybe it’ll happen again, but I’ve got so much on my plate right now.”

  Again without thinking, I reached across the table and placed my hand on hers. “I’m sure you can. A woman like you…you can do anything you put your mind to.”

  She smiled, not moving her hand. A pleasant silence hung between us until my phone buzzed in my pocket.

  “Excuse me,” I said, slipping it out. I frowned when I saw who was calling.

  “Something wrong?”

  I scolded myself internally for letting my mood show so obviously. “It slipped my mind that I had plans with my brother tonight.”

  “Oh no!” she exclaimed. “I’m sorry I distracted you from that. Do you want to step out and call him back?”

  “No, it’s fine. We’ll meet up later. Right now, you’ve got my full attention.” I turned off my phone and was ready for the night to really begin.

  Annie

  Who is this guy? I mean, I knew a little about him from the article I’d read – rich doctor, ambitious as hell, handsome as they came. But I hadn’t been ready for the effect he had on me. He was confident and kind and attentive, the exact sort of man I wasn’t sure still existed.

  Was there a catch? Was he going to tell me something like he didn’t believe in monogamy? That I reminded him of his mother? Some other weird deal breaker?

  Nothing like that came. What did was wonderful conversation peppered with some flirting. I couldn’t believe how much I was getting wrapped up in Duncan, how incredible he was. The cynical part of me told me something had to be up, that there had to be some kind of catch. Was he planning on taking me home and showing me his basement S&M dungeon?

  Actually, that might be kind of hot. Like something out of a trashy romance novel, but still pretty hot.

  “How was the crème brule?” he asked, watching me polish off our dessert.

  “Incredible. Simple but perfect.” And the rest of dinner had been the same – the best meal I’d had in God-only-knew how long.

  “Glad to hear.”

  “OK,” I said, glancing down at my purse. “Do you want to split the check here, or can I Venmo you later?”

  He responded with a chuckle.

  “What?”

  “It’s all taken care of. Don’t worry about paying.”

  “Oh, so not big on the independent woman thing?” I asked with a challenging smile to my face.

  “Not at all – I love women who can stand on their own two feet. Consider it my thanks for the pleasure of our company.”

  “Alright,” I said, playfully wagging my finger. “But you’d better let me get the next one.”

  “As long as there is a next one.”

  And just like that, I’d agreed to a second date. I could’ve played it a little cooler with Duncan. But something about him made me want to blow past all the games. After all, how often did a man like him just drop into my life?

  We both took our last sips of wine and rose from the table.

  “Well,” he said, checking his watch. “It’s been a lovely evening, but I’ve got a conference call at an ungodly hour tomorrow morning.”

  “Oh,” I said, disappointed the evening was about to come to an end. “Back to White Pines, then?”

  “I’m afraid so. But we’ll have a sequel to tonight – don’t you worry about that.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  He took my arm again and we were off. But as we made our way through the restaurant, weaving through the tables and around the servers who silently moved out of our way, I saw something at the bar that caused me to hesitate briefly. Someone, to be specific. Someone I most definitely didn’t want to see on a date with someone new.

  Andrew.

  At first, I thought I might’ve been imagining things. It was a crowded place, full of wealthy professionals like him. He was handsome, sure, but in a generic sort of way, with one of those faces people who met him were always certain they’d seen before. But as we drew closer and I craned my neck to see his face among the rest of the people clustered at the bar, I saw the watch on his wrist.

  The watch wasn’t anything fancy – just a standard leather band with a blue face. I’d bought him the watch as a gift after he’d passed the bar, a little professional accessory I thought might come in handy.

  And there it was, staring right back at me, confirming that the man I was looking at, whose face I couldn’t see behind the other customers, was my ex. When he leaned back enough for me to catch a sliver of his profile, the suspicion was confirmed.

  “Shit,” I hissed under my breath.

  “Something wrong?” Duncan asked, glancing over his shoulder.

  I quickly and internally debated telling him. But my nerves were so jangled I could hardly think straight. “It’s my ex,” I said. “He’s here.”

  Duncan arched his eyebrows. “Your ex? Where?”

  “That guy at the bar, the one with the blue watch and the dark hair. Pinstripe suit.”

  He put
his hand on my hip and gently led me out of the path of restaurant traffic. Then he sneakily glanced at the bar. I wasn’t sure what reaction to expect – maybe amusement – but it certainly wasn’t the one I saw. Once he realized who I was referring to, his expression tightened.

  “OK. Let’s get out of here.”

  His hand still on my hip, he led me around the restaurant, taking an indirect path to the exit. He moved quickly, so quickly I had a hard time keeping up. But we soon made it to the exit, relief washing over me.

  Minutes later we were back in the car, on our way home. Neither of us had said a word to one another about the incident, although I did notice he’d acted strangely when he saw Andrew. Maybe he was a little jealous, though he had no reason to be. Obviously.

  I couldn’t stop staring at him out of the corner of my eye. Duncan was handsome – like, stupidly handsome. And his profile, his eyes fixed ahead on the road, was impossible to not ogle. And, on top of that, my eyes kept drifting over his strong hands on the wheel and all the way to his crotch. No way a man like him wasn’t packing. I mean, not that I was shallow about matters like that. But they didn’t hurt.

  We chatted idly on the way back, and I was determined to savor every minute. But as much as I tried to lose myself in conversation, I kept thinking back to the near-miss of seeing Andrew in the bar. I was relieved, sure. But I’d also been shaken. It was a reminder that as much as I’d wanted to escape my past, it was still there.

  “You okay over there?” he asked. “Still thinking about what happened?”

  There was no hiding my feelings from Duncan. He was too sharp for that.

  “Yeah. You know – worlds colliding and all that.”

  “I get it. But that’s life. You date people and they still exist, as much as we’d like to pretend otherwise.” He followed this up with a sly smile.

  He was handling the incident well. But the way he’d acted, hurrying out of the restaurant with me, stuck in my head as strange. My stomach sank just a bit when the now-familiar sight of White Pines appeared in the distance.

  “I have to admit,” I said. “It’s a little surprising that someone like you lives in a town like this.”