The Doctor and I

The Doctor and I



Chapter 1

I was nervous starting a new job. It wasn’t because I didn’t know what I was doing; it was because I’d finally left the only home I’d ever known just to get away from Jesse. After realizing the bastard was cheating on me, and still had the balls to put his hands on me, I finally woke up and realized I was a dumbass. For those few minutes, I allowed myself to wallow in my shame, and then I hardened my heart against men like Jesse—hell, men like anyone. I wouldn’t go down that road again.

So here I was in a new town, with a new job, starting over again. The town was much bigger than my old town, but I hoped that living in a bigger area would help me get lost in the sea of other people. I wanted to settle somewhere and make my life away from Jesse. I’d been lucky finding a new job so quickly. It was fate. I hadn’t met the new boss yet, but his old nurse wished me good luck. It sounded like he was demanding, which was no issue for me. I was a hard worker, and I loved working with patients. It was everyone else that was the problem.

I walked into the office and looked around the small waiting area. The doctor was a family physician and was one of the few that still took all types of insurance. His reputation around town was close to worship. Everyone loved Dr. Adams. He was a godsend. Seriously, I’d never heard so many people talk so highly of one man. I’d also learned that he was born and raised in Salexis, and was the town’s golden boy.

The bell above the door chimed and the cool air washed over me. It wasn’t even eight in the morning and I was sweating. It was hot as hell so the cool air was great.

“Hello?” I called. The office was silent. Shrugging my shoulders, I made my way down the hall until I came across a door with the doctor’s name. Without thinking, I opened the door and then, with wide eyes and a yell, jumped back, slamming the door. My face heated and I covered my eyes. Holy shit. I had just met my boss and saw him in all his naked glory. I’d only looked for a split second, but I would never forget his body. I tried and failed not to lick my lips. He was built, tan, and large—everywhere.

I stalked back the way I came and plopped down in one of the chairs trying to calm my racing heart. It was definitely not the way to meet the man, and I realized it was my fault. Of course, I hadn’t knocked. I don’t know why, but I guess now I understood why the door was shut with an empty office.

I kept my face covered, ignoring the heat, and I knew my cheeks probably matched my hair. I heard footsteps and a voice cleared. He was in front of me and I peeled my fingers away from my eyes and smiled sheepishly. “I’m so sorry.”

“That’s why the door was shut. Haven’t you heard of knocking?”

I heard more embarrassment than anger in his tone. “I know it was stupid, but I didn’t think—”

“No, you didn’t. Now, who the hell are you, and why did you think it was okay to walk into my office unannounced?”

I sat up and glared. I didn’t appreciate being talked to that way. “I’m Peyton Greene, Sir!”

He paled and stepped back. “Oh.”

“Yeah, ‘oh’. I said I was sorry, and be assured that it won’t happen again. So how about we start over like I didn’t just see all of you.” I scanned my eyes down his body and did my best to make him uncomfortable. He talked down to me, and I’m capable of playing dirty. No man would disrespect me again. Especially for something that was an accident.

He nodded and kept his weary eyes on me. “I’m Dr. Kendrick Adams and your new boss,” he held out his hand and I recoiled.

“Sorry, don’t know if you washed them,” I replied with a smirk and chuckled when he glared.

“Of course I did. I’m not disgusting.”

I laughed again. “Sorry, that was the last one. Maybe. I’m Peyton Greene, and I’m your new nurse. I figured I’d show up early to see how things ran around here. Apparently, it’s pretty laid back.”

“I appreciate you com—showing up early. Things get hectic as soon as we open.”

“All right, Boss. Shall we?” I gestured for him to show me around.

I didn’t miss the heat in his eyes and rolled my eyes. I didn’t have time to stroke a man’s ego. I wanted to work, meet the patients, and go home to my new house and unpack. I’d only gotten into town late last night and needed to do a lot of work.

“I take a lot of the lower income families and the elderly. We accept walk-ins and I turn no one away.” The seriousness in his tone startled me. I wasn’t surprised. I’d heard he was one of the best doctors in the country.