Heart Surgeon to Single Dad

Phenomenal, out-of-this-world sex.

Last night and again that morning.

Everything seemed wonderful, but Natalie knew it was only a ruse, that this euphoria wouldn’t last, and that when it came to an end she’d be the one hurt.

Still, it would take a stronger woman than she was to withstand the power in his blue gaze.

As head of the department, Matthew had already familiarized himself with the Harris case and Natalie’s innovative treatment plan. He let her walk him through the simulation step by step, how she’d prepared for the surgery, what precautions she’d taken for anything unexpected, and marveled at this amazing, intelligent, gifted woman he was working with, and that Delaine Harris’s baby’s heart was in good hands.

He’d known. In Miami and since moving to Memphis. But watching her, listening to her explanations, beat him over the head with the fact that he’d never met anyone like her.

“You aren’t listening to me.”

He smiled. “I’ve listened to every word you’ve said.”

“You were a million miles away,” she accused, her gaze narrowed.

“I was listening. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here with you.”

Her forehead creased as she frowned. “So what were you thinking about?”

“Delaine Harris.”

Natalie’s brow arched. “Really?”

He leaned forward, dropped a kiss to the tip of her nose. “No worries. All my thoughts were professional.”

“That’s not what I—Oh, you.” Natalie rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t worried. Not about that.”

“No worries on the surgery, either. The Harris baby is the perfect candidate. In your heart, you know that.”

Her gaze met his. “I just don’t want anything to go wrong. Not ever, but especially not on this first procedure.”

“No matter how much you prepare, or worry, when dealing with human lives something can always go wrong.”

She nodded. “I’d thought Dr. Luiz would be in surgery with me when I did this live for the first time.”

“I’m sure he’d step in if you prefer?”

She shook her head. “No, I want you.”

Magic words that had him grinning.

Natalie rolled her eyes again. “Again, not what I meant.”

“But true,” he teased, knowing his words to be so.

It wasn’t a question. He didn’t need her to tell him.

She’d shown him.

* * *

What was taking Matthew so long? Natalie leaned against the pillow she’d propped against the headboard. He’d disappeared while she’d been in the bathroom.

How did one get ready for bed with the great Matthew Coleman?

She’d done all her usual routine—washed her face, brushed her teeth and hair, flossed, moisturized. She’d even taken a few extra steps of freshening up all over, because she knew what the night was likely to bring.