The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

“Yep.” I pecked his lips and he quickly moved in, capturing my mouth, his intention clear.

“You have really got to stop this, Josh. You are a sick, sick man.” I moaned and tilted my head back, enjoying the feel of him.

“I want you every minute of the day.” His blue eyes bore into mine and I was defenseless against them. I let him do whatever he wanted when he looked at me that way. It was the eyes that got me every time. He had the most beautiful dark blue eyes and long thick black lashes. It was incredible what they could do. His skin was porcelain perfection and I could not help but to touch every inch of his broad chest in appreciation. Josh was beautiful. I was a tall, leggy, longhaired brunette with green eyes and a nice smile. While I had my fair share of compliments, I was never really sure why I had his attention.

“I love you,” he confessed, staring up at me as he slid my t-shirt over my head. “I love you,” he repeated heavily beneath me as he stroked my face. I smiled at him as he came to meet my lips and whispered back, “I love you too, Josh.”

Still, as I said the words, I felt the same thing I had always felt when I said the words back…guilt.

I walked into Mr. Carson’s room and waited for his wife to end her phone conversation. I was making rounds with Dr. Pierce again this morning. Pierce was a grimy old bastard of a veteran who had horrible news for the Carsons. I stood and quietly watched Mrs. Carson fall apart at the diagnosis that her husband’s cancer was back and inoperable. The light in her face went completely dark, and for the first time in years, I felt moisture on my cheeks.

What in the hell? I do not cry! I never cry!

I braved a glance at Dr. Pierce, who was not looking in my direction, as he explained the ins and outs of Mr. Carson’s worsening condition. I quickly wiped the wetness from my face before excusing myself. I could not lose composure in front of patients! And I damn sure could not cry! What the hell was going on? I quickly walked to the nearest bathroom and washed my face. Having overslept again, something I rarely did, I had not had time to make myself up that morning, my exhaustion evident in the tiny bags under my eyes.

My my my, Dallas Whitaker, you look like shit. Okay, doc, what is going on? The flu? I have the flu!

I quickly walked to Dr. Pierce’s side when he left the Carsons’ room. I knew it was the worst possible time to approach him.

“Sir, I believe I am sick.”

“Oh, Dallas, what are your symptoms?”

“Fatigue, nausea, frequent urination, and I’m sleeping longer than normal.”

“Better go get a urine test.”

“Sir?”

“I can’t believe I have to point this out to you, Dallas,” he huffed in indignation as he walked away, his head down, his attention on his charts.

I stood in the middle of the hall and watched him, incredulous. He turned the corner and eyed me carefully in the hall, musing as the realization washed over me. My knees damn near buckled, and I felt sweat pool at the top of my head then creep down my neck as fear swept through me.

Please, God, no!

“Just take the test, Dallas, but before you do, let’s go see the rest of our patients.” At the sound of his voice, I pulled myself together and quickly caught up to him to finish our rounds. He never once engaged me with prognosis questions. It was completely atypical of him, too. Usually, he would use this as an opportunity to really put his punishment skills to work. I still needed a constant chaperone starting as a second year resident, but I had a hand in all departments until I had decided my specialty. I would be starting a general practice in a few years and needed to get my feet wet anywhere and everywhere. I gave him a nod of thanks as we finished our day and quickly ran to my car. I had dinner with Mom and Dad tonight and while normally I would be excited to see them, I was no longer looking forward to it. I buried my head in my hands, terrified at the possibility. No, no, no. This is not how this is supposed to go. Josh was officially dead to me. I hated him and his dirty dick …

Bastard.

I would kill him if he ruined my career before it even started.

I could kiss my practice goodbye if I had to put my life on hold for a baby.

Baby.

Fear choked me, making it impossible not to think of how far I had come. Against all odds, I had survived eight years of school, only to stifle my own career before it had even really begun.

I hadn’t thought about the possibility of a family or anything related to some semblance of a personal life in years. I no longer had any desire to go that route, at all. I closed my eyes, willing my waking nightmare away.

Baby.

More tears slipped from my face as I pushed them away with my fingers, willing my body to stop betraying me. I had worked too hard to get to where I was. I tried in vain to shake off the blanket of dread that began to cover me and buckled my seat belt both literally and figuratively.

Pulling up to my childhood home, I was thankful to see Rose’s SUV. I hurried inside and saw Rose and my parents chatting at the kitchen table. I said a quick hello and ran upstairs to my old room, letting them know I would be right down. I grabbed the test and quickly emptied the two water bottles I had just downed on the ride over onto the stick. I heard the bathroom door handle jiggle then saw Rose before I had a chance to react.

“Rosie, get out!” Shrieking the words repeatedly didn’t do a damn bit of good. True to her nature, my sister walked in and made herself at home against my protest.

“Oh, please. I have seen it all and you—” She stopped, eyes wide as she picked up the test box and studied me.