Heart Raider (Heartthrob Series, Book 1) (25 page)

Marty chuckled. “I know you will. Have I ever doubted you?”

“Nope, and that’s why I love you. Bye, Marty,” Natasha said, hanging up with a smile.

A smiling, middle-aged woman walked in holding a pair of blue scrubs in one hand and a small metal tray with a syringe in the other hand. “I brought these pants for you to put on after I give you the shot. We keep a few extra pairs in the office for the nurses.”

“Thanks. That’s very kind of you. I can’t exactly leave here in a leather jacket and panties,” Natasha said grimacing. “Which arm do you want? Right or left?”

“Neither. Doc ordered it in your gluteus muscle. Bottoms up,” Judy said cheerfully.

“Great.” Natasha rolled her eyes and privately cursed Ian. “Let’s get it over with then.”

“First a tiny jab, then a bit of stinging as the liquid goes in. Relax your muscles so it won’t hurt,” Nurse Judy said. She pulled on plastic gloves and lowered the edge of Natasha’s panties, rubbing alcohol on the spot she’d inject.

Natasha gritted her teeth and silently endured the needle even though it hurt when the liquid went in.

“Okay, we’re finished, dear. If the area gets sore or swollen, put an ice pack or a bag of frozen veggies on it. That should take care of it,” Judy said reassuringly.

With a nod, Natasha turned over and reached for the scrubs.

“I love your hair color. I want to dye mine the same shade of red, but yours looks natural,” Judy said, patting her short curly brown hair.

“It is.” Natasha smiled. “You should go for it. It would look great on you.”

Judy grinned broadly. “Thanks, I think I will. You’re the Broadway actress aren’t you?” she asked as she helped Natasha into the drawstring pants.

“Yes. Do you like musicals?”

Judy’s big brown eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “I
love
musicals. They’re my biggest indulgence. I heard you’re starring in ‘The Bee’s Knees’. When is it—”

A few sharp raps on the door interrupted her question as Ian entered. “All done?”

“Yes. All done, doc.” Judy winked at Natasha and left the room.

“Are you planning any more surprise jabs before you let me go?” Natasha inquired with a sleek lift of one brow.

Ian’s lips twitched. “You needed the shot, so don’t complain. You can leave now, but you’ll have a hard time finding a taxi at this hour. My car service will take you home.”

“Thanks, that’s kind of you,” she said, grateful for his consideration.

“Are you still in pain?”

Natasha gave a half-shrug. “Not too much. I’ll take a painkiller when I get home if it feels worse.”

He handed her two prescriptions and written instructions. “Come back in a week for a recheck. I’m leaving for London tomorrow. Carla will give you an appointment with my partner, Dr. Delacorte.”

Natasha hid her disappointment. He didn’t intend to see her again? Ian was acting so detached, it made her nostalgic for the Ian of before—the young man who’d told her she was his first love, his only love. If he hadn’t been so dead set on making her leave everything behind to join him in Scotland, things would have worked out between them. It was ironic he was still in town.
All that time wasted apart.
He had been too damn proud and stubborn to take her calls afterward, making her withdraw and immerse herself full force in her career to heal the pain of their split.

“Tell me something,” she said, on impulse. “Why are you still living in New York when you were so eager to make Scotland your permanent home?”

A flash of annoyance hardened his features. "I intend to move back as soon as my clinic is ready. It’s taken longer than I’d planned,” he said in a strained voice.

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear it,” she said softly. Natasha recalled his Aunt Maggie, whom she’d stayed in touch with over the years, telling her that Ian’s inheritance was still unresolved. Was it because of that?
Better not go there
. The shuttered look on Ian’s face silenced further questions.

Ian’s eyes narrowed on Natasha. She might sound concerned and have a kind heart, but there was no room in it for him. Her fair cheeks glowed pink and her wide blue eyes were clouded with disappointment, yet he felt no compunction to feed her curiosity. Not now, especially when reclaiming Glenhaven was so close at hand.

The first time he’d set eyes on Natasha was when she’d visited from the States with her parents. She was a dreamy-eyed dazzler, recently graduated from Juilliard and ripe for romance. Ian’s father, Malcolm, and her father, Walter, had known each other since they were students at Oxford, but it was the first time Ian had met Natasha. From that moment on he couldn’t get enough of her. Her warmth and sparkling wit were just what he’d needed during the lowest point of his life when he’d learned many disturbing things about his late father. Drawn into the cocoon of her beautiful heart, Ian had immediately set out to keep her in Scotland as long as he could and make her fall in love with him as rapidly, and completely, as he had with her.

She’d stayed the whole summer and captivated not only Ian, but also his Aunt Maggie and Uncle Ranald, the caretakers of Glenhaven Estate. Tasha had embraced Scotland as if she’d always lived there. He had loved sharing his homeland with her and she’d been as delighted as a kid at Disneyworld. She’d wanted to explore every castle, sample the local food and fine Scottish whiskey and meet his friends and neighbors. By the end of that glorious summer, he wanted to keep her with him forever, but they embarked on a long-distance romance for two long years, taking numerous passion-filled trips back and forth while she performed in America and he finished his doctoral degree in biomedical science. The moment he graduated, he proposed and she accepted, tears of joy flowing down her cheeks.

Sharp desire made him shift his stance as he stared at Tasha, a stunning woman now. More enticing than ever.

“If anyone can solve this, it’s you, Dr. Who,” Natasha said, jolting him back to the present.

Ian stiffened at hearing her nickname for him and the teasing intonation in her voice.

“Don’t you remember I used to call you that?” she said, a soft smile playing at her rosy lips.

“No,” he lied, looking away from her tempting mouth. Of course, he remembered. Tasha had loved the popular British sci fi show since she’d first seen it.

“I think you do.” The tiny dimple at the left corner of her mouth deepened seductively. It was the same dimple that had lured him to kiss her for the first time. Ian's palms grew damp while he scrutinized Natasha's face.
Still the face of an angel—a wayward one.
Her creamy complexion, flushed pink now, was framed by long, burnished copper curls. Luminous, curly-lashed blue eyes tantalized him, and her mouth, lush and pink, held his attention. It was the sweetest mouth he'd ever kissed—and the most deceptive.

I want a chance to make it on Broadway. Theatre is my life. I love you, Ian, but I would be miserable without performing.
She’d said those words when she’d broken off their engagement—after telling him for months that she loved him and couldn’t wait to be his wife! He had offered his love and a wonderful life complete with a castle and servants in Scotland, but she had made an immediate about-face right after her controlling mother had interfered.

Anitra had flown to Glenhaven from New York the previous day to muck things up between them. He recalled their meeting as if it were yesterday. The witch had laughed mockingly in his face as she’d spewed hateful words.
Natasha needs to spread her wings. She's destined to be a Broadway star like me. You didn't really think she'd give up her career to marry you and move to Scotland, did you? To be a country doctor’s wife surrounded by sheep? My daughter adores the theatre, much more than she'll ever love you!

Ian had barely held onto his temper and hadn’t given into the urge to drag Anitra’s bony behind out of his castle for good. Unfortunately, her harsh words were confirmed the next day when Natasha ended their engagement—by phone. He’d never forget the feeling of being gutted by her and he wasn't about to waste another second trying to figure her out. Impatient to end their little visit, Ian took hold of her elbow and helped her down from the table.

“Does your mother know you’re injured?” he asked curtly.

“No, and I plan to keep it that way. I’m not the same girl you knew seven years ago. I’ve made it on my own,
without
Anitra’s help.”

“Still not calling her mum?” he said with a shake of his head.

“Nope. As far as Anitra’s concerned, she’s too young to have a thirty year old daughter,” Natasha said ironically.

Ian snorted. “So that’s how it is. Pity that.”

"I don’t want to talk about Anitra. Can’t we make peace, Ian? Or are you going to continue scowling at me?"

Natasha’s gaze was direct as she waited for his answer. Now that she’d brought it into the open, he couldn't summon the initial bitterness he'd felt at seeing her again. He just felt empty inside. She had once held the deepest part of his heart and soul captive and he’d loved her ardently, but they had no future together.

Ian headed toward the door and said, "Time to go, wee
nyaff
."

"Just a minute." Natasha grabbed his sleeve and faced him with fiery blue eyes as she tossed her flaming curls. "Don’t call me an irritating little person!" She thrust her chin up and smiled slyly. "
Dunderheid
," she retaliated, daring to insult him.

Ian stifled the rumble of caustic laughter rising in his chest. They hadn’t spent more than an hour together and they were already trading insults. Tasha had a way of getting under his skin and provoking him more than anyone else could, yet her quick wit never ceased to entertain him.

Striding out the door, he squashed the powerful urge to turn and grab the maddening redhead and kiss her senseless. And that wasn’t all he felt like doing.

Sophia Knightly – Bio

Bestselling author Sophia Knightly loves to cook up hot romance and delicious humor in her feel-good stories. Whether it's romantic suspense, romantic comedy or chick lit, her books are fun and sexy contemporary romances that feature hot alpha heroes and strong, smart women. Her popular Tropical Heat Series books,
Wild for You
and
Sold on You
, have consistently been on multiple Amazon bestselling lists.

A two-time Maggie award finalist and a P&E Readers' Poll finalist, she believes in love-at-first sight and happy endings, and she always enjoys a good laugh. When not writing or reading, she finds pleasure in walking the beach, exploring museums, going to the theatre, enjoying good food, and watching movies. One of her favorite pastimes remains simply watching people, especially those in love!

[email protected]

http://www.sophiaknightly.com/

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http://sophiaknightly.webs.com/newslettersignup.htm

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WILD FOR YOU Book Trailer:
http://youtu.be/XtVlFBdaHvs

SOLD ON YOU Book Trailer:
http://youtu.be/X20NbJElrvM

GRILL ME, BABY Book Trailer:
http://youtu.be/6Y07iUPt3rg

Look for these books by Sophia Knightly:

HEART MELTER (Heartthrob Series, Book Two)

Kindle:
http://amzn.com/B00GEQ6J40

He was her fiercest protector…and her heart’s captor.

Scottish surgeon, Dr. Ian MacGregor, has no desire to see his ex-fiancée again. But when the dazzling Broadway star lands in his office wounded, the healer in Ian can't turn her away.

Natasha White has no idea why anyone would knife her on a crowded street in Times Square. At first she thinks the cut on her thigh is an accident, but as frightening events unravel, she learns the mob is after an incriminating flash drive they think she has. She's grateful when Ian whisks her away to his castle in the Highlands, far from the mob.

Irresistibly drawn to her, Ian tries to deny the sexy sparks that ignite as he becomes her fierce protector. Their hot chemistry deepens into strong feelings as they dodge impending danger and he fights to keep her safe. Ian will do anything to guard Natasha, but will their love be strong enough to survive the shocking secrets revealed?

WILD FOR YOU
(Tropical Heat Series, Book One)