Surprise Twins For The Surgeon

Now he noticed red, string-like straps running over her shoulders. A bikini? Or a bra? Whichever, no better than nothing for warmth. But slightly easier on his overactive libido, which did not have a role to play here. It might’ve been a few months since he’d seen to that need but he would not be scratching it with this woman, despite the heat starting to flow into his blood. Shoving the phone into his back pocket, he told her, ‘You shouldn’t have to wait long. Karolina lives four streets over.’ As long as she’d gone straight home after dropping her mother off.

‘Thanks so much. I appreciate your help. I was beginning to think I’d be spending the night out here and there’s nothing other than cold concrete or tarmac.’ Now that her problem was being fixed her mouth lifted into an ironic smile. ‘It’s been one of those days.’

Don’t smile at me like that. It goes straight to places I don’t want to acknowledge.

That bow-shaped upper lip and full lower one would be magic on his skin. He slapped his hand against his thigh, instantly regretting the action when she jerked backwards. ‘Well, we’ve dealt with this problem. Glad I came along.’ He was off the hook, had helped her out of a bind and could walk on with a clear conscience. Couldn’t he? Kristof sucked in a breath. She wasn’t as young as he’d first thought. Mid-twenties? Older? What did it matter? He wasn’t interested. It was time for that beer and to forget a particularly difficult day dealing with Capeka. But his hormones got in the way and he asked, ‘Why are you cold when the temperature is still warm?’

‘I fell asleep by the pool for a little while and got some sunburn. Now my skin is fluctuating between hot and cold.’

Kristof looked over her shoulder and whistled. ‘That’s going to sting under the shower.’ An image filled his brain of her tall, slim body under the water. He wasn’t seeing red, more cream-coloured skin and lots of curves. Forget an itch. Muscles tightened in places they had no right.

His phone rang. Relief at the interruption was quick but didn’t loosen the tension plaguing him. ‘Mum? Don’t tell me you couldn’t get hold of Karolina?’ His eyes were fixed on the woman in front of him so he didn’t miss the way her body momentarily folded inward.

When she saw him watching she was quick to straighten to full height, bringing the top of her head to align with his chin, while struggling to banish the disappointment sparking in her eyes.

His mother harrumphed. ‘Of course I did. Karolina will be at least half an hour though. It’s something unavoidable.’ In other words don’t ask.

He wouldn’t. ‘Okay. I’ll tell—’ What was her name? They hadn’t got around to introducing themselves. He almost didn’t want to in case that made her real. Huh? How not real was this stunning female? ‘We’ll be waiting.’ There went that beer. He explained the situation to the woman. ‘By the way, I’m Kristof Montfort.’ He held his hand out. ‘I’m a doctor from London over here helping my mother for a week.’ That was added to reassure her he wasn’t an axe murderer, not to show off. He didn’t need to tell her he owed his mother for hurting her for many years. That was his guilt, not to be shared.

She put her slim hand out to shake his and the towel slid to the ground, giving him an eyeful of her body. Definitely lots of enticing curves and her skin was creamy and smooth. Got that right, then. The moisture on his tongue dried. Her breasts more than filled the ridiculously small red-and-white-fabric cups supposedly holding them in place. He couldn’t breathe. Or move. But his eyes roamed. She was a stunner. From top to toes. His eyes cruised down her legs to those toes just to make sure he was right. Of course he was. This woman was hot, beautiful, a magnet for his manhood. He stepped back. Away from temptation. She’d have him locked up in a flash if he acted on the heat ramping through his body, language difficulties or not. Why had he gone and said he was hanging around until Karolina turned up?

Snatching her hand free, she bent to retrieve her only cover, quickly tying it back in place. ‘Alesha Milligan, fool extraordinaire. I can’t believe I left my phone and keys inside.’

‘Pleased to meet you.’

Then she smiled, reminding him of sunny days on the briny in his runabout, and his stomach hit his feet. Her voice was so feminine and warm. ‘Actually I’m lying. Yes, I can believe it. I’d been distracted big time. It’s a surprise I remembered to take a towel outside.’

It would’ve been better for him if she’d remembered to take her clothes out to the poolside. Of course only someone who knew they were going to lock themselves outside would do that. ‘We all stuff up at times.’ As he was now, with his body still reminding him that all parts below his belt were in full working order, despite a recent lack of practice due to long hours working at the private practice in Harley Street hindering a social life. But he had to be grateful for towels. The one wound around that exquisite body was hiding even the curves. Except now he knew what was under there. Knew, and wanted another glimpse, wanted to touch and get to know.

No, he did not.

‘Feel like a beer while you wait?’ At least that would mean a quick break while he went home to get said liquid libation.

Her scrutiny of him seemed haughty. ‘You don’t appear to have any with you and as I don’t intend going to a bar dressed like this I’ll say no. B-but thank you for offering.’ The shivering was back, her skin lifting in goosebumps.

Inviting her back to the house might be kinder than letting her stand out here, but then they wouldn’t know when Karolina turned up. Also, his mother was still at the children’s home so there was no one else at the house. Alesha might not feel comfortable spending time alone with a stranger while dressed in next to nothing. ‘Give me five and I’ll be back with beer and a jersey and some pants to keep you warm. They’ll be too big but better than nothing.’ And just might make that amazing body look as if it were hanging out in a sack.

But you’d still know what was in the sack.

Again surprise appeared in her face. Kristof liked surprising her for some reason. Maybe because green flecks appeared in the brown of her eyes? ‘Th-thanks, I’d appreciate that.’

‘If you’re sure you’re all right, I’ll go now.’ She’d be safe but not comfortable. He’d be fast. She was also a visitor to his second country, and visitors were meant to be treated kindly. Yes, that was what this was all about. Taking care of a visitor. Nothing to do with this hissing and fizzing in his veins. ‘Be right back.’

He’d have that flare of excitement going on in his groin under control by the time he returned. Hopefully hanging out here in the dark only lightened by low-quality street lamps he’d be safe from those deep, alluring pools blinking at him from under long eyelashes. Safe from the array of emotions darting in and out of her less than steady gaze.

CHAPTER TWO (#u14f67799-5401-5654-ab68-8263a6b9faf2)

‘HERE, PUT THESE ON.’ Alesha’s dark-blond, good-looking saviour handed her one of the bags swinging from his large hand.

‘Thanks,’ she muttered. How embarrassing to be stuck out on the street pulling on a complete stranger’s clothes. Lots better than dropping the towel though. His eyes had popped right out of his head, embarrassing her. Had he thought she’d done it on purpose? If so he must think her a bit loose. He wouldn’t know that according to Luke she was the dead opposite. If only she’d been thinking straight when she went outside the apartment without keys after Karolina had specifically told her to keep them with her at all times. But she wouldn’t have got an eyeful of Mr Handsome. Cherry would probably say he was fling material, but she wasn’t going there. It was too soon.

Shoving her arms into the lightweight jersey, Alesha pulled it over her head, down to just above her knees. And she’d thought she was tall. The sleeves needed rolling up, but at least she felt warm and cosy. The fabric smelled of man: good-looking, intriguing man. Yes, well, she wasn’t interested. As for the jeans, they were ridiculous. Even with the lengthy belt on its tightest notch they were going to slide down whenever she moved. ‘Just as well I’m not going anywhere,’ she quipped as she bent down to roll up the hems several turns.

‘Sorry I didn’t bring some shoes.’

His smile touched her deeply, dodging the lump that was Luke’s defection. A genuine, not wanting anything from her smile that went some way to warming the chill gnawing at her. When was the last time a man had smiled at her like that? Had anyone ever? Finding a smile of her own, Alesha glanced down at his enormous feet. ‘I doubt you have a pair of size seven high heels stashed in your wardrobe.’

His laugh was light and added to the warmth his jersey was creating. Soon she’d be roasting. ‘I’ve never been into cross-dressing.’

‘Again, thank you for everything. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t come along.’

‘You’d have got a little colder before Karolina came to do her night round.’ Kristof dug into another bag and retrieved two beers. ‘I promised you one of these.’

Accepting the bottle, Alesha dug deep not to react outwardly to the zip of heat the touch of his fingers on hers created. ‘What do you mean? Night round?’

His eyes had flared at that touch. Was he feeling hot too? ‘Karolina checks on the apartments every morning and night, and a couple of times in between, often cleaning the pool, pulling the rare weed that dares to pop up in the gardens, making sure everyone staying here is happy. She’s very particular about her apartments and wants her guests to get the most out of their time with her.’

The admiration in his voice had Alesha wondering if there was more to his relationship with this woman than he was letting on. ‘The place is immaculate, and she was so welcoming that I feel terrible causing trouble. She told me to put her number in my phone, but it never crossed my mind I’d need to have it with me while I was only a few metres from my room taking a dip.’ Or falling asleep. What was done was done, and there was no point bemoaning the fact she’d stuffed up.

‘Karolina’ll be fine. Bet it’s not the first time it’s happened.’ Kristof broke a short bread stick in half and handed a piece over, then placed a small wedge of cheese on top of his bag along with a knife. ‘Here’s some nourishment. I hope you like it.’

‘I’d like over-boiled cabbage at the moment.’ Her gnawing stomach was doing somersaults. ‘When you said you help your mother out were you referring to your medical skills?’

‘I’m a general surgeon and she runs a shelter and home for children who haven’t got anywhere to go, or anyone to look after them. There’s a small hospital annexe attached for treating those children and others who don’t make it to the main hospital. I come over for a few weeks throughout the year. I’m needed less for my surgical skills and more for general medicine, though we do some simple surgeries.’

‘So it’s back to basics for you when you’re here.’ Interesting. His mother must be important to him. Or was it those children that drew him?

‘It reminds me of how I can help people in dire circumstances.’ He didn’t sound too happy about that. ‘I also cajole colleagues in London to donate some time to help out whenever possible.’ His lips pursed around the rim of his bottle. Unfortunately when he tipped his head back his Adam’s apple became very prominent, and sent her stomach into squeeze-release mode, adding heat to her system, which had to be good considering how cold she’d got standing out here.

Looking away, Alesha gulped at her bottle, focusing on what his problem was, not on him. Didn’t he like working alongside his mother? But if he got involved with organising other medical people to come across to take a turn helping then he must care about what went on in the shelter. ‘You didn’t mention the mental trauma some of those children must suffer. Who takes care of that?’

‘My mother is a psychologist who first trained as a nurse. She also employs counsellors and other medical staff. Her hours are endless because she’s driven to helping every kid that turns up on her doorstep.’ Kristof’s pride was tangible, but there was a chill behind it. As if he didn’t approve, which wasn’t making sense. ‘Sometimes I wish she’d take a break, look out for herself, but it’s never going to happen so I’ve learned to keep quiet.’

‘You assist her at the home. She must be pleased about that, working with her son.’

The pride slipped. ‘Yes, she is.’ This time the words were clipped and there was a definite ‘don’t go there’ warning hanging between them.

Who was she to upset the man who’d had his plans for the evening disrupted because she’d been careless? ‘London’s amazing. I’ve been living and working there for nearly two years and I still haven’t had enough.’ Though she was starting to think the men in London mightn’t be good for her if the way they dumped her was an indication. Another gulp of beer went down her throat. She’d survive. She always did. She was about looking after herself, had never been needy, and wasn’t about to start. She took another gulp. At least the beer was refreshing.

‘Where are you from? I’m picking Australia or New Zealand.’

‘Kiwi through and through.’ And before he thought to ask questions Alesha had no intention of answering, she went with, ‘I came over on my OE after I finished training as a nurse. Living in England and visiting lots of places in Europe is what many of us like to do before settling down.’ Of course, settling down meant finding someone who’d love her regardless.

‘Why are you here on your own, staying at an apartment? Most single people come with a crowd of friends to stay at a cheap hotel, do the sightseeing, hit the bars and nightclubs like there’s no tomorrow.’

‘Now there’s a thought.’ The bottle was empty. Where was Karolina when an open bottle of champagne was cooling in the fridge? Food. She needed to eat, despite having already devoured her share of what Kristof had brought. The bread was soft and delicious, and the cheese to die for. The dairy companies back home didn’t make cheese like this.

‘You really are alone?’ Disbelief echoed between them.