properties throughout the Caribbean.
Several months before his thirty-fifth birthday, his grandfather, Samuel Claridge Cole, died, and the distribution of the Cole patriarch’s wealth afforded him more than five times that amount. He paid for all or any of his purchases with a single signature on the bottom of a check. An aunt managed his portfolio, sending him quarterly statements, which he usuallyglanced at before filing away with several other financial documents.
Tyler had decided to go into research because of remarkable breakthroughs in modern medicine. It had never been his goal to become a surgeon, performing operations to advance his reputation or earning thousands of dollars from each surgical procedure.
Since living and working in Hillsboro, meeting and interacting with Dana Nichols, Tyler knew exactly who he was and what he wanted. And at that moment he wanted Dana. He wanted her with the same passion he’d experienced when he realized he wanted to become a doctor.
“One it is,” she confirmed.
Her consent gave him the opening he needed as he touched his mouth to hers, savoring the soft sweetness of her lips. She moaned softly as he deepened the kiss. Her left hand came up, her fingertips grazing the stubble of an emerging beard on his cheek. Fighting the dynamic virility he exuded, she failed profoundly, losing herself in the passionate kiss.
It had been too long since she’d been kissed, too long since she gloried in the natural masculine scent of a man’s body mingling with his sensual fragrance of aftershave and cologne. Too long since she’d felt the flames of desire feather over her body, igniting a fire in the center of her being. Pulling back, she dropped her hand but not her gaze.
Tyler smiled at her, his expression mirroring supreme masculine satisfaction. “Are you ready for lunch?”
She returned his smile, her body throbbing with banked desire. “Yes.”
Dana was ready to share a meal with Tyler, but more than that, she was ready for him now that he’d revealed how he felt about her. One thing she knew, andthat was that she wasn’t immune to his charm, but at thirty-three she’d come to know herself quite well. She was focused, controlled, and determined. She had proven that when she’d gone undercover at the girls’ group home. There had been a few times when she’d thought her actual identity had been compromised; however, quick thinking and an even quicker tongue had extricated her from what would’ve become a life-threatening situation.
Tyler withdrew two large plastic containers from the shopping bag. Both were filled with a Caesar salad with strips of grilled chicken. Smaller plastic cups with the accompanying dressing followed. He emptied the bag when he placed a large bottle of Perrier on the table along with another container of assorted melon slices.
Dana pushed back her chair, rising to her feet. “I have to get plates, silverware, and glasses.”
Tyler rose with her. “I’ll help you.”
Together they retreated to the kitchen, each lost in their private thoughts and unaware of the invisible thread binding them tightly together.
Seven
Tyler had consumed half of his salad when the cell phone attached to the waistband of his slacks chimed softly. He picked up the tiny instrument, pressed a button, recognizing the number and knowing his lunch date with Dana had just ended.
“Dr. Cole,” he said softly, identifying himself. He listened intently to the professional-sounding voice. One of his patients had gone into labor; the attending doctor was concerned because the baby’s head still had not entered the birth canal. “Make certain she’s comfortable, and let her know I’m on my way.” Ending the call, he stood up. “I’m sorry, Dana, but I have to leave.”
She smiled up at him. “There’s no need to apologize.”
Bending slightly, he wound his fingers through her unbound hair, while brushing his mouth over hers. “I’ll be back later,” he
Several months before his thirty-fifth birthday, his grandfather, Samuel Claridge Cole, died, and the distribution of the Cole patriarch’s wealth afforded him more than five times that amount. He paid for all or any of his purchases with a single signature on the bottom of a check. An aunt managed his portfolio, sending him quarterly statements, which he usuallyglanced at before filing away with several other financial documents.
Tyler had decided to go into research because of remarkable breakthroughs in modern medicine. It had never been his goal to become a surgeon, performing operations to advance his reputation or earning thousands of dollars from each surgical procedure.
Since living and working in Hillsboro, meeting and interacting with Dana Nichols, Tyler knew exactly who he was and what he wanted. And at that moment he wanted Dana. He wanted her with the same passion he’d experienced when he realized he wanted to become a doctor.
“One it is,” she confirmed.
Her consent gave him the opening he needed as he touched his mouth to hers, savoring the soft sweetness of her lips. She moaned softly as he deepened the kiss. Her left hand came up, her fingertips grazing the stubble of an emerging beard on his cheek. Fighting the dynamic virility he exuded, she failed profoundly, losing herself in the passionate kiss.
It had been too long since she’d been kissed, too long since she gloried in the natural masculine scent of a man’s body mingling with his sensual fragrance of aftershave and cologne. Too long since she’d felt the flames of desire feather over her body, igniting a fire in the center of her being. Pulling back, she dropped her hand but not her gaze.
Tyler smiled at her, his expression mirroring supreme masculine satisfaction. “Are you ready for lunch?”
She returned his smile, her body throbbing with banked desire. “Yes.”
Dana was ready to share a meal with Tyler, but more than that, she was ready for him now that he’d revealed how he felt about her. One thing she knew, andthat was that she wasn’t immune to his charm, but at thirty-three she’d come to know herself quite well. She was focused, controlled, and determined. She had proven that when she’d gone undercover at the girls’ group home. There had been a few times when she’d thought her actual identity had been compromised; however, quick thinking and an even quicker tongue had extricated her from what would’ve become a life-threatening situation.
Tyler withdrew two large plastic containers from the shopping bag. Both were filled with a Caesar salad with strips of grilled chicken. Smaller plastic cups with the accompanying dressing followed. He emptied the bag when he placed a large bottle of Perrier on the table along with another container of assorted melon slices.
Dana pushed back her chair, rising to her feet. “I have to get plates, silverware, and glasses.”
Tyler rose with her. “I’ll help you.”
Together they retreated to the kitchen, each lost in their private thoughts and unaware of the invisible thread binding them tightly together.
Seven
Tyler had consumed half of his salad when the cell phone attached to the waistband of his slacks chimed softly. He picked up the tiny instrument, pressed a button, recognizing the number and knowing his lunch date with Dana had just ended.
“Dr. Cole,” he said softly, identifying himself. He listened intently to the professional-sounding voice. One of his patients had gone into labor; the attending doctor was concerned because the baby’s head still had not entered the birth canal. “Make certain she’s comfortable, and let her know I’m on my way.” Ending the call, he stood up. “I’m sorry, Dana, but I have to leave.”
She smiled up at him. “There’s no need to apologize.”
Bending slightly, he wound his fingers through her unbound hair, while brushing his mouth over hers. “I’ll be back later,” he
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