Page 41 of Doctor’s Forbidden Match

I stop just outside the door, taking a moment to collect myself. To shove everything unprofessional down where it can’t interfere with my job. My future.

Then I knock twice and push the door open.

“Dr. Sterling,” Peltz says immediately, relief flooding his features. He’s standing near the door, arms crossed over his chest. “Thank you for coming in.”

But I barely hear him because my eyes are already on Hannah Morgan sitting on the bed, an IV line running into her left arm. She’s wearing what looks like her work clothes again. A black sleeveless dress with a high neckline and a deep V-cut bodice. The fabric cinches at the waist into a short, ruffled skirt. Her blonde hair is styled in loose, soft waves cascading over her shoulders.

There’s a bruise already forming on her knee, but it’s her face that has me haunted.

Her blue eyes are rimmed red, like she’s been crying.

“Dr. Sterling.” She sounds fragile, both relief and fear lingering in her voice.

I force myself to move, close the door, and enter her room properly. Be the professional doctor I’m supposed to be.

I clear my throat. “Miss Morgan. I hear you had a fall.”

Chapter 16

Hannah

Dr. Sterling is wearing army cargo pants and a white t-shirt that stretches across his broad shoulders. But that’s not even the worst part. His arms are completely visible, all corded muscle on full display, and he’s jacked. There’s a thick vein running from his bicep down to his hand, which clenches into a fist as he takes me in.

“Miss Morgan?” His deep voice cuts through my trance.

“Sorry. Ah… yeah.” Heat floods my cheeks.

Now that I’m actually looking at him, I realize he wasn’t working. But where had he been dressed like that? His dark hair is slightly mussed—nothing like his usual polished appearance.

A loud beep pierces the tension. I don’t know where it’s coming from until Mr. Peltz pulls something from his pocket. A pager.

“I need to go. Will you be okay?” Mr. Peltz asks me, his eyes narrowing as he studies my face, making sure I’m being honest with him.

I appreciate his concern. He’s been kind and professional, checking on my recovery, advocating for me. But there’s also relief flooding me at the thought of him leaving. Because now it’ll be just me and Dr. Sterling. In a hospital room, alone.

I force a smile. Dr. Sterling isn’t a problem… well, only one for my hormones. My cheeks burn, and I’m grateful I’m still wearing my set makeup, hoping it’s hiding my flush.

“I’m good. Thanks for looking after me.”

His face softens. “Anytime.” He turns to Dr. Sterling, and something passes between them, an unspoken understanding. “You know where to find me if you need me.”

Dr. Sterling nods once, and we both watch Mr. Peltz leave. The door clicks shut with a finality that makes my pulse jump.

We turn to each other and speak at the same time.

“Where have you been?” I blurt out as he asks, “How did you do this?”

His stern expression annoys me instantly. It reminds me of Dain, and I hate it. It’s bad enough I’m unlucky, or “clumsy,” as my mom would say. Frustration builds in my chest, the threat of tears burning behind my eyes.

I turn toward the window, working on slowing my breathing. In through my nose, out through my mouth. Don’t cry. Don’t you dare cry in front of him.

The room falls silent. He hasn’t moved an inch. All I can hear is my heartbeat thundering in my ears, and all I can feel is the thickness of his presence mixed with his spicy aftershave and the outdoors, which makes this whole situation so much more humiliating.

I’d rather not be seeing him because I’m a damsel in distress. He’s forming a bad impression of me, and it’s not his fault, but it’s still not easy. I want him to see me as confident and capable. Not this disaster of a woman who keeps ending up in the ER.

“I was fishing.” His voice breaks the silence. He’s taken a step toward me. He doesn’t speak loudly, but I catch each word because it’s so quiet in here, just the steady beep of monitors and our breathing.

I bring my gaze back to him as a smile spreads across my face.