Page 16 of Ellie 1

“The condo is overkill, but Mum wants the security for me and a project to get me settled redoing it,” I told him after basic greetings. “I’m not being spoiled. I’m letting her—”

“I know, Hugo,” he replied.

Hugo was my English name, and that meant he was around people that either he didn’t want to know he was talking to his son or… I wasn’t sure, but I took the hint.

“You’re not selfish or demanding. Your mum—we’re both worried about this move. Whatever she thinks is best—let her win this time. Please.”

“I will,” I accepted. “The hospital is great and the head administrator won’t hold the board thing against me. Mum smoothed it over and the board—they’re idiots. They wanted to hold my leash and turn ASH into what my previous hospital was.”

“Corrupt and made the board rich,” he mumbled. “And that would break everything great about ASH. Well, you know best and we’re here for you. I’ve hired a warlock full-time who can open portals so don’t worry.”

“Da, that’s too much,” I whispered, shocked that he was adding someone to the payroll just for that.

Just for me.

“You moving away was the final straw,” he comforted. “I should have done this sooner and not been so cheap.” He mumbled something to someone and came back. “I have to go. Be well, Hugo, and be honest with us so we can help.”

“I will, Da.” I knew he’d discussed hiring a warlock for portals before, but that was anexpensivehire. High six figures a year at least.

Wow. I really was loved. I would have to remember that the next time my lingering resentment of being forgotten too many times by my family flared up.

And Mum really did handle everything. While I was busy getting acclimated at the hospital, she handled buying the condo and getting things started. I would sleep in one of the guest rooms while everything was refinished and painted.

I agreed with most everything she wanted except changing out the tiling and flooring of the entryway and bathrooms. It was honestly fine. It only looked bad against the wood as it was, but that was going to change. And the bathrooms were fine. I preferred plain. They would be great with bright towels and some candles or decor.

Mum listened and accepted that. Breaks at work were full of me approving this and that, including letting their staff pack up my flat in the UK.

But five days after I arrived in Atlanta, I was staying in the guest room of my condo and thrilled with my new life. I was completely detached from my old hospital and just… Yeah, life was good.

It was pretty late after I finished using the gym and sauna and I chuckled that I was spoiled to have food waiting for me in the fridge as I hit the elevator to go up. Mum had made sure their chefs were meal prepping for me. It was great, all of my favorites, and—I was more spoiled than I’d been living in the UK because she was worried about me.

The doors opened and nothing—and I meannothing—shocked me more than seeing Ms. Reed standing there… Especially since she was only in a robe. It wasn’t a lingerie one, but it definitely wasn’t a bathrobe either.

And it wasextremelyflattering with all of her lush curves.

Her thick, long hair was down and—bedhead. She had bedhead, and it was clear she’d been having fun.

Even before the scent of sex and a man filled my nose.

We stood there and just stared at each other in shock. I didn’t snap out of it until the door almost closed again. I stuck my hand in to stop it at the last minute and it popped back open.

“I didn’t know you lived here,” I said as I stepped on. “I just bought a condo here.”

She cleared her throat and snapped out of it when I pressed the button for my floor. “I guess that’s understandable with your family. Dr. James has a unit here because it’s so close but mostly prefers his house. Others too.”

“Makes sense.” I wasn’t sure what else to say and it took all of my willpower not to stare at her.

But then I realized she was staring at me.

Or more my sweaty, naked chest.

Had whoever she’d been with not given her enough attention? Because if that was what she needed, I’d bemorethan happy to give her anything and everything that—

The elevator dinged as it reached my floor, and I snapped out of my lusty thoughts even as I inhaled deeply to get more of her scent. I dipped my head. “Have a good night, Ms. Reed.”

“You too, Dr. Clark,” she whispered.

I stopped in the doorway and looked at her over my shoulder, catching her checking out my back and ass. “Ha-joon is really fine if we’re outside of the office. Apparently, we’re neighbors now too.”

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