Falling at the Surgeon's Feet
Page 18
A half-smile teased his lips but his eyes were intense, watchful. “Yeah,” he said firmly. “You.”
“But I’m … you’re—”
“I’m what? You’re what?” he asked, when she continued to splutter and stare at him as though he’d suggested she jump from the window.
“Look at me, Gabriel. I’m … and you’re …” She stopped because she was beginning to stutter and hyperventilate like she used to as a child.
“You’re not making sense, Holly. Take a deep breath and try again.”
Holly breathed in and then out a few times till the urge to pass out faded, staring at him silently for a few moments before gesturing to the window.
“Tell me what you see,” she said quietly, her pulse hammering in her throat.
He searched her expression before turning to stare at their reflection in the window. “I see a beautiful woman with a soft heart and a quick mind. A woman who isn’t afraid to face the world, even with her scars.” He turned to stare down into her face. “I see a woman who’s a little clumsy at times but only when she’s flustered. And I kind of like that I’m the only one who makes her nervous.” He drew in a deep breath and turned away. His next words were low and hoarse. “I see a woman who’s too good for a man like me.”
She blinked. “Wha—?”
“I’m the dirty little secret, Holly. Isn’t that what this mess is all about? Caspar Alexander’s unwanted grandson causing a scandal on your mother’s big night?”
“No! How can you say that?”
“It doesn’t matter, because I’ve decided to go back to California.”
“You … you have?”
He sighed. “Yeah. It’s best.”
“For whom?”
He looked startled. “For you, of course. I would never humiliate you or your mother. My staying does that.”
“Don’t be an ass,” Holly snapped, suddenly so furious she wanted to punch Caspar Alexander for what he’d done to Gabriel. And she wanted to punch Gabriel too; for letting the old man control his life. “That’s just your pride talking.”
“What are you talking about? I have no pride left. I accepted the position at West Manhattan because I thought they wanted me … not the Alexander money.”
Frustrated, Holly grabbed his shirt and yanked him close until they were nose to nose. “I’ve seen you work, Gabriel. I’ve heard people talk about what you’ve done. The amazing techniques you’ve pioneered and not with vain, shallow women looking for bigger boobs or thinner thighs. But there …” She gestured wildly to the small bed holding a sleeping child. “Where a little girl disfigured by a dog attack is telling everyone that you’re going to make her beautiful again. Or … or a man looking to rebuild his shattered face and self-esteem.”
She drew in a shuddery breath. “That,” she said fervently, smoothing her hands over the creases she’d made in his shirt front. “That’s why you’re here. Not because of the Alexander money.” She looked into his stunned face. “Don’t you see? We need you here. They need you here.”
After a long pause, Gabriel asked softly, “And you, Holly? What do you need?”
“I …” She felt a shaft of panic go through her when he continued to stare at her, waiting. She sucked in air and took the plunge. “I …” She gulped. “I need you too.”
“Oh, boy,” he said, looking stunned and relieved and terrified all at once. His reaction confused her and she stumbled back a step but he gave a ragged laugh and yanked her close, wrapping his arms around her so she couldn’t escape.
“Say it,” he ordered, the expression in his eyes making her knees weak. Her eyes dropped to his mouth.
“Wha-at?”
“Say it.”
She licked her lips nervously. “You … first.”
His mouth curled up at one corner and his eyes shimmered with tenderness. “God, is it any wonder I love you as much as I do?”
Holly gasped as shock and happiness burst inside her head like a meteor shower. “I … uh, what did you say?”
He laughed and pressed a quick kiss to her mouth. “You heard me. I said—”
“I thought you were in love with my mother,” she said breathlessly.
“No,” he said with a chuckle. “I said I love your mother.” He gazed at her for a long moment, his eyes touching on every inch of her face as though he was committing her face to memory. “It’s you I’m in love with. Only you.”
“Oh,” Holly said, tears filling her eyes at the emotion blazing in his. “You’re sure?”
He chuckled. “How could I not be?” He tucked her closer and bent to kiss her mouth tenderly. “You threw yourself at my feet; gave me a lap dance I’ll never forget and tried to drown yourself to get my attention.” He dropped a smiling kiss on her intricate hairdo when she gave an embarrassed groan and hid her face against his throat. After a few beats he cupped her neck and drew her back so he could look into her eyes.
“Every time you fell at my feet I was the one falling until there was no getting up from what you make me feel.”
ISBN: 978-1-474-00471-8
FALLING AT THE SURGEON’S FEET
© 2015 Lucy Ryder
Published in Great Britain 2015
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited
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