One Hot Doctor by Sarah J. Brooks

Chapter 40

Cora

The buzzer goes off, and I take Taylor with me to let Rebecca in. She’s the nanny from the agency, and she’s a godsend. She’s wonderful with Taylor, and she’s made my transition back to work so seamlessly.

She comes bounding in as usual full of energy even though it’s not even nine yet. “Good morning, my precious,” she says to Taylor and kisses her. “Morning, Cora.”

“Morning.” I force cheer into my voice.

It’s been like this every single day. Everything is a chore these days. Having been here before, I know what the trouble is. And it starts with a capital T. On bad days like today, I have to constantly remind myself that this misery will end.

I just don’t know when, but it will.

I hate the emotions that come over me unexpectedly. Sometimes I’m angry, then sadness sweeps over me, and other times I’m numb. I miss him so much. I miss hearing his voice and the sound of his laughter.

I miss seeing him being a great dad to Taylor. I feel sad when I imagine her growing up without her daddy. I know for sure that one day, he’ll learn to love again, and when he does, another woman will be waiting to snap him up.

However angry I am with Thomas, the fact remains that he’s an awesome human being. The woman he’ll love will be very lucky indeed. Then of course, they’ll go on and have a family of their own, and my Taylor will be relegated to second place.

These are the thoughts that keep me awake at night. The future terrifies me. I try and tell myself that I’ll meet a wonderful man who’ll want me for keeps. But in the middle of the night, when it’s quiet, and I’m alone with my thoughts, it seems highly unlikely.

After cleaning up, Rebecca comes and takes Taylor from me. I’m ready for work, and I kiss Taylor and leave for the gym downstairs.

“Morning,” I say to Samantha at the reception. I pause to stare at her. “Something is different about you.”

“Morning,” she calls out cheerfully. “Want a clue?”

“No, I’ve got it. Why did you change your hair? You looked gorgeous with white hair.”

She sighs. “I loved it too, but it turns guys off.”

Do women’s lives revolve around guys? I can’t believe she’s changed her favorite hairstyle to attract guys. I keep my thoughts to myself and wish her a good day instead.

As is my custom, I take a walk around the gym. I take more time in the physiotherapy rooms and speak to Mercy, who is the physiotherapist in charge. I’m glad we went ahead with expanding our services. We have two full-time physiotherapists, and we are booked solid for two months. I pause and watch what used to be my early morning aerobics class for seniors.

I move on to the weight room. It’s almost full, and as I turn away to leave, I spot a familiar figure in the adjoining treadmill room. I move closer. My eyes are not deceiving me. It’s Thomas.

My mouth goes dry, and I enter the room and go and stand in front of him.

“What are you doing here?” It’s rude, but it’s difficult to be polite to the man who rejected you.

“I came to speak to you,” he says as beads of sweat form on his forehead.

God, he’s hot. Even on a treadmill with sweat pouring down his face.

“About us.”

I stare at him incredulously. “There is no us, and the answer is a big, resounding no.”

I whirl around and walk out, fuming with anger. Who the fuck does Thomas think he is? Does he think that I’ve been moping over him all this time and hoping he would come back to us and admit he made a mistake?

Okay yeah, I have, but Thomas would never say that he made a mistake. The reason that he’s here is that he’s horny, and as he always used to say, I’m the best lover he’s ever had.

Well, too bad for him. I don’t care if he’s the best lover I’ve ever had. Life is more than good sex. Okay, extraordinary sex. Love and commitment come first.

Rebecca has told me each time he has come to my place to see Taylor that he hasn’t stayed less than two hours. He’s given Taylor her bath three times and taken her for a walk in the park twice.

When Rebecca gives me these updates, she looks at me like I’m crazy. If we knew each other better, I’m sure she would ask me what I am doing not being with Thomas.

Thomas is a wonderful dad but a lousy partner.

I banish him from my thoughts and go to my office. I log on to our social media and go through reactions from yesterday’s posts. I comment on some and like others.

Thomas keeps intruding into my thoughts, and I keep pushing him away. I’m sure that he’s left now, I think, an hour later. I put my computer on rest mode and head downstairs.

I stop and stare in disbelief. The idiot is still on the treadmill. I wouldn’t be worried if he had been doing it, but I doubt that Thomas has been in a gym for months.

I march up to him. “What are you doing?”

If sweat was dripping down his face, now it’s flowing. He looks exhausted, and I’m surprised one of the trainers hasn’t talked to him. They probably did, but knowing Thomas, he probably convinced them he was okay.

“I promised myself I won’t get off this treadmill until you hear me out.” He can barely talk.

It’s tempting to walk away and leave him to it, but I can’t. I’m worried sick as it is. Plus, I’m more than a bit curious about what he wants to talk about. Surely no one can go to this much trouble just to get laid.

“Get talking.”

He staggers off of the treadmill and leans on the wall for support.

“You’re an idiot and a doctor who should know better about pushing yourself beyond your endurance.”

He takes a few seconds to catch his breath. Then he wipes the sweat from his face with his shirt.

“Cora Scott, I’ve wasted so much time, and I don’t want to waste anymore. I want to be more than Taylor’s dad. I want to be her mom’s everything. I want to be the man who gets to hold you every night. I love you, Cora.”

All air leaves my lungs as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a tiny box. He opens it to reveal a gorgeous ring. “Will you marry me, Cora? Will you give me one final chance to show you that I can be the man that you deserve?”

Tears fill my eyes. I should resist him and protect my heart, but I don’t want to. I’ve hoped to hear those words from Thomas for four years.

“You’re a fool, Thomas, and so am I for loving you. Yes. I say yes.”

Shock and joy crash my heart. As his big strong arms wrap around me, I feel as if I’m going to burst with happiness. He strokes my hair and back as if he can’t get enough of me.

“I love you, Cora,” he says over and over again.

The End.

 

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