Page 4 of Doctor's Surprise Bride

“A blond guy—I think his name was Marcus?—buzzed me in. He said you asked him to let me in because you were running late. I’m sorry, did you not …”

I pinch the bridge of my nose between my fingers before letting out a sigh. That asshole. Is this what he meant by my birthday gift? The lube and the socks were in poor taste but this is fucking insane, even for him.

“I’m sorry, there seems to be a misunderstanding—”

I don’t even finish my thought before the young woman is rushing away. I move to stop her, but before I can get around my kitchen island, she bumps into my couch and trips on the wrinkle that makes in the rug. Everything happens so fast but it feels like I’m watching it in slow motion. She throws out her hands to catch herself, but it’s too late.

She hits the floor with a thunk, and then an “ow” before suddenly, everything goes silent.

Chapter Three

Daisy

Kill me.

Somebody,pleasekill me now.

Maybe if I pretend to be dead, he’ll scoop me up, shove me into the elevator, and send me down without a word.

Lose the glasses,Rayne had said.You look hot without them, she’d assured me.

Hot, as well asblind, that is. I can’t see hardly anything without them. I shouldn’t have listened to her. If I’d been wearing them, then I wouldn’t have missed the couch while trying to make my escape.

When I’d first arrived at the location I’d been texted, I’d wondered if it was a mistake. Still, it’s no surprise that Ashton lives in an upscale apartment building. It’s in a newer, flashier part of town, whereas I come from a working-class neighborhood with small houses and aging buildings that threaten to fall apart any second. It seemed like a place he’d really live, so I was beginning to doubt that I was being catfished.

And then he talked. That’s how I knew it was him. He was a bit blurry without my glasses but his voice … It’s everything I’d imagined it’d be. And his gaze was intense, even if he was fuzzy. I couldn’t really meet it then, and I certainly don’t want to meet it now. Even though I’m splayed out on his floor, playing dead, I can still feel his eyes on me.

Iwouldbe the person to trip and fall in front of the hottest man in Port View, if not the whole state.

“Let me help you up,” he says in a deep voice that sends a shiver down my spine.

“I like it down here,” I whisper. He laughs.

Kill me now.

If there was ever a time for the second coming of Christ, please let it be now. I would be forever grateful if he earth could open up and swallow me. I’ll take whatever natural phenomenon would save me from this situation.

“That was a nasty fall,” he says. “I need to check to see if you’re hurt.”

My knee does ache where I landed on it, but it’s not life-threatening. I have every intention to stay where I fell and become one with the floor when I feel warm hands on my arms, moving me so that I can stand. Against my better judgment, I let him help me to the couch. Nervously, I start digging through my purse for my glasses.

I almost instantly regret putting them on. Ashton Ford looks a thousand times better in person than he does in the photos. His hair is brown, a few shades lighter than mine, with a few strands of gray here and there that make him a silver fox but … it’s his eyes that weaken my knees. They’re dark gray, stormy and filled with concern as he crouches in front of me. I gasp when swipes the hair back from my face, tucking it behind my ears before studying me.

“Did you bump your head?”

I gulp when his eyes meet mine. I shake my head and look away. My mouth dries up instantly when he places a gently hand on my knee. I watch as he inspects for bruises.

“It’s okay, I can leave now,” I say as I try to stand, but the massive hand on my knee grips me firmly to stop me. When he looks up to meet my eyes again, all my thoughts scramble. All I feel is the warmth of his hand on my skin.

“How are you feeling?”

“Me?” I whisper.

Of course, he’s asking you, idiot.

I break the stare and shake my head to snap my thoughts into place before responding. “I’m okay. I’ll be on my way now.”

“Are yousureyou’re feeling alright?” he insists.

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