Page 5 of Playing Doctor

Heading toward a large flowing hedge for some shade and a chance to catch her breath, Beth took a moment to scan the sea of guests milling around the reception area. Adjusting the camera strap draped over her shoulder, she panned the area for Drew.

A burst of raucous laughter drew her attention to a group of men standing a little off from the crowd. With a grin that split his handsome face from ear to ear, the groom stood within a circle of men, the recipient of a round of good-natured back thumping. Odds were he was getting pointers on how to conduct his wedding night. A grin tugged at Beth’s lips. Maybe she should send the groom to the women from the bride’s chambers for a few ideas as well because if he managed half of the dirty things they’d dreamed up for the doctor, his bride would be one happy woman.

Beth thought back to her own wedding day as she watched the groom swipe his hand over his dark hair and laugh at something one of the men said. Shortly after exchanging their vows, she and Jamie had ducked into the coat closet at the church, of all places, for a quickie. Oh, how smug they’d been, so young and eager for each other, sure they’d managed to sneak away from the wedding party without being seen. And how embarrassed she’d been when they stepped out of the closet to the thundering applause of their groomsmen and bridesmaids.

If only they had been able to hold on to that feeling…

One of the men stepped away from the group and pulled a cell phone from the inside of his tux jacket. He studied the screen, gave it a flick of his thumb, and then stuck it to his ear, his other hand braced on his hip. The infamous Dr. Gabriel North.

She’d seen him earlier when Drew took pre-wedding shots, then again during the wedding ceremony. She’d thought him handsome, standing under the flower-covered arbor beside the best man. His expression had been solemn, his attention on the bride and groom as they exchanged vows.

She had to give the bridal chamber gals credit—he really did have great hair. Pulled back and secured at the crown of his head, the lower half of his golden brown hair was free to brush broad, Armani-clad shoulders. And yep, he did a fine job filling out that tux. She was still admiring the view when Drew came loping up, his smoky-gray eyes gleaming with excitement.

Beth sighed at the familiar tug to her insides. When had her little boy turned into this tall, handsome young man standing before her? She reached up, tenderly touched a cheek rough with stubble that, not long ago, would have been smudged with dirt. He hooked a beefy arm over her shoulders and squeezed.

The tinkle of feminine laughter floated through the hedge. Grinning, Drew reached past her and parted the foliage to reveal the bride and her maids sitting on a pair of white wicker benches beneath a huge tree bursting with fragrant white blooms. Sunlight filtered through the blossoms, catching the sequin-and-pearl trim on the bride’s gown and casting a magical glow to the scene.

Stepping around the hedge, Drew lifted his camera and captured the shot. “I’ve got this,” he called over his shoulder, “Why don’t you take five?”

Shooting him an appreciative thumbs-up, Beth shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Her feet begged for a break, and sitting down out of the sun for a moment sounded heavenly. She glanced around. A tent-covered sitting area beckoned a short distance away. She stepped toward the shade, and then slowed on an intake of breath. Prickles of awareness shimmered up her spine. She looked over her shoulder, straight into the sharp, assessing gaze of Dr. North.

He stood with his legs braced, his black tux jacket open and held back by hands casually tucked in his trouser pockets. The collar of his pearl gray shirt lay open, baring the strong column of his throat, his black bowtie hanging loosely to the side.

Something lazily seductive in the way he looked at her sent her pulse skittering alarmingly. Those dark, compelling eyes took their time, lingering here, pausing there, leaving in their wake the warm sensation of a lover’s caress. Then he smiled. A slow, tell me what you need and I’ll make damn sure you get it smile that punched her pulse a little higher.

The groom called out and motioned Dr. North back into the flock. When he looked away, and stepped back into the circle of Y-chromosomes, Beth had to remind herself to breathe.

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