Heartthrob (The Bennett Brothers 3)

“Dr. Mathis Bennett, I’ve heard a lot about you.” His voice is cool, his grip tight.

“Can’t say the same,” I reply gruffly.

Claire elbows me lightly for my bluntness. “Honey, Clint is the new intern.”

It clicks into place. The new guy all the women are going nuts over. I take him in, head to toe, trying to understand the hype. He has player written all over him. When my eyes roam up and lock with his, the hair on the back of my neck prickles. His gaze is dark and hard, almost challenging. In a flash, it’s gone, his expression casual.

She elbows me again, the silence hanging in the air. “Yes, I think I’ve heard we had an intern floating around.”

“Hopefully won’t be floating for long. Put in the paperwork for a more permanent placement.”

“You want to be assigned here?” Claire asks.

“That’s the plan.” He rocks back on his heels, crossing his arms and winking at her.

A low growl rumbles from my chest as Claire tenses. My hand automatically slides to her wrist where her pulse accelerates.

“Well, that should be interesting,” she mutters under her breath.

“I’d better go. See you at Maggie’s birthday. Nice to meet you, Dr. Bennett. I look forward to doing rounds soon.” He gives a half-wave and strolls away.

I stare at his back until he’s turned a corner, my anger setting a fire boiling in my blood.

“Stay away from him,” I bite out.

She steps away, faces me, and takes my hand, yanking me behind the nurses’ station into a small filing area.

“Calm your tits, caveman.”

“That motherfucker eyed you like he wanted to fuck you, touched you, and openly flirted with you in front of me. Not a good combination.”

“Mathis, look at me.”

I do as she asks, my anger simmering to the point of explosion. Her blue eyes are dancing with humor, and she tips up to kiss the underside of my jaw. “It’s hot, it’s sexy, and it’s a huge turn on, but you have to control this possessive act. He’s a flirt, he’s a playboy, and he’s harmless.”

“Not sure any of that quells my rage.”

She begins to giggle, shoving her face in my neck and vibrating against me.

“Not sure what’s fucking funny.”

“You are. For years, I couldn’t get a rise out of you. Now, a man winks at me and you’re acting like a lunatic.”

“First of all, he winked and touched you. Second of all, we’re not talking about those years. Covered that ground,

know I was a dick, and have to live with it.”

Her arms circle my middle, and she arches back, her face lit with amusement. “I waited over five years for you. Do you think some player with a killer body and movie star smile is going to turn my head.”

I growl again, this time cupping her ass. “Claire, stop fucking with me.”

“Then stop being ridiculous. His touch was innocent, and I was laughing because one of the kid’s uncles made a pass at him today. I think his masculinity was bruised.”

That does tamper some of the anger, and my lips twitch knowing exactly the uncle she’s referring to.

“You going to behave now? I do have to work with him occasionally, and eventually, you will too.”

“I’ll behave because I know he’ll never get a chance with you, but if he flirts again, I’ll take it to administration.”