The Doctor Takes a Princess / Pregnant with the Prince's Child: The Doctor Takes a Princess / Pregnant with the Prince's Child

He was shocked at the stark guilt he saw on her face. “These things happen. Decisions are made in microseconds. She’s a Texas girl. She acted on instinct.”

She bit her lip. “Maybe I need to learn some of those Texas-girl instincts,” she muttered.

“Your instincts are pretty damn good. You took care of the twins when we were in a jam,” he said.

“That’s different,” she said.

“Not as far as I can see. I won’t lie to you. I can’t make any promises about sending doctors to Chantaine. On the other hand, I’ve thought about having you in my bed way too much. I wish I could say it’s just because you’ve got a killer body and I’ve done without, but the truth is, there’s something else about you that gets me going.”

Her lips parted in startled disbelief. “I—” She broke off and shook her head. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know,” he said.

She met his gaze and he could tell she was undecided. He saw want and hesitation, and he understood it, but he was driven to find a way to get her to meet him halfway.

After a delicious dinner, Ryder drove Bridget to her hotel and insisted on walking her to her room. “You know security is watching me,” she said as they stood outside her door.

“Do you want to step inside your room?”

An illicit thrill raced through her. Her guard would report to Stefan and he would fuss. She would dodge his calls the same way she had after spending the night at Ryder’s house. What a hassle. “For just a moment,” she said and slid her key card into the lock.

Ryder pushed open the door. Seconds later, she felt her back against the door and his mouth on hers.

“Do you know what your red mouth does to me?”

he muttered and plundered her lips. He slid his tongue into her mouth, tasting her, taking her.

Her heart slammed against her ribs. She couldn’t resist the urge to lift her fingers to his hair and scalp.

He groaned in approval and rocked his hips against hers.

Bridget gasped, her breath locking somewhere between her lungs and throat. Somehow, someway, she craved his warmth and strength. His passion and need struck her at her core.

“I want you,” he said. “You want me. Let me stay for a while.”

A terrible wicked temptation rolled through her. If he stayed, he would fill her and take her away from her uncertainty and emptiness. She knew he could take care of her, if only for a little while.

He French-kissed her, sending her around the world at least a couple of times.

“You want me to stay?” he asked, sliding his mouth down over her ear.

She inhaled, grasping for sanity. Closing her eyes, she tried to concentrate. “Yesandno,” she said, running the words together. She dipped her head so that her forehead rested against his chin. “This is a little fast.”

He gave a heavy, unsatisfied sigh. “Yeah, it is. But it’s strong.”

She nodded. “Sorry,” she whispered.

“It’s okay,” he said cradling the back of her head. “It wouldn’t work out anyway.”

“Why is that?” she asked, leaning back to look at him.

“I’m a doctor. You’re a princess,” he said.

“So?” she asked.

“The two don’t mix,” he said. “And never will. Sweet dreams, Your Highness.”

He left and Bridget stared at the door, frowning. Why couldn’t they mix? Not that she wanted them to mix. And the sweet dreams thing really grated on her. That was what Eve had often said. It had seemed so sweet when she’d said it. Not so with Ryder. Bridget snarled. He was gone. Good riddance.

Ryder heard a knocking sound and shook his head as he glanced up during the meeting he was in to discuss the performance of the residents.

Dr. Wayne Hutt, Ryder’s nemesis, knocked on the table again. “Dr. McCall?” he said. “Anyone home?”

“Pardon me,” Ryder said in a crisp voice. “I was studying my notes.”

“Apology accepted,” Hutt said. “Drs. Robinson and Graham are having attendance issues.”

“Dr. Robinson is concerned about the welfare of his family in rural Virginia and Dr. Graham’s wife has just gotten pregnant,” Ryder said. “They just need a little time to refocus. It won’t be a problem.”

“How can you be sure?” Hutt challenged.

Ryder fought his antipathy for his associate. “I’m sure,” he said. “Just as Dr. Gordon Walters would be sure,” he said, pulling rank because everyone knew Dr. Walters trusted Ryder over anyone else.

Hutt gave an odd combination of a frown and grimace.

Dr. James Williams, chief of everything, nodded.

“We’ll give these two interns two weeks to make adjustments. Dr. McCall, you’ll speak to them?”

“Yes, sir.”

Seven minutes later, the meeting ended, thank God. He returned to his office and sent emails to Drs. Robinson and Graham to set up appointments. He answered another fifty emails and stood to make late rounds with his patients.

A knock sounded outside his door and Dr. Hutt walked inside. “Hey, Ryder. Late night. I’m surprised you can do this with the twins.”

Ryder resisted the urge to grind his teeth. “I’ve hired a new nanny and am getting new backup. Thanks for your concern. I need to do late rounds.”

“Just a minute,” Hutt said. “How’s Dr. Walters doing? No one’s talking.”

“He’s working through his recovery. These things take time,” Ryder hedged.

“That’s pretty vague,” Hutt said.

“You know I can’t discuss the confidential status of patients,” he said.

“But Walters isn’t really your patient,” Hutt continued.

“He’s my mentor and friend, the closest thing I’ve had to a father since my own father died when I was a kid. I’m not discussing his condition,” Ryder said.