Edmund POV
I shut the bathroom door behind me, toweling my damp hair as I stepped into the bedroom. My eyes immediately went to the bed, where Vikki was sprawled out, staring at me lazily with that smug little grin of hers.
“Good morning, sunshine,” I greeted, plugging in the dryer and running it through my hair.
She sat up, stretching like a cat. “You’re up early”
I snorted. “I’m not up early, babe, you’re just up late.”
Her lips curled as she bit down lightly, her gaze traveling over me in that way she knew would get under my skin. “Don’t you look sexy,” she purred, then gave a playful growl.
Before I could roll my eyes, she slid out of bed and sauntered toward me, mischief written all over her face. “How about a little rumple in the sheets before we start our day?”
Her hand dipped low, reaching for me, but I caught her wrist just in time. I chuckled and switched off the dryer. “Okay, you bad kitty,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s thirty minutes past ten, in case you didn’t know.”
“So what?” she teased, still smiling until realization struck her.
Her face dropped, horror replacing her grin. “Fuck! I’m late for work!” she squealed before spinning on her heel and darting into the bathroom.
I laughed, shaking my head. “That’s what I thought.”
Her voice carried over the running water. “Why didn’t you wake me?!”
“I tried! You told me to let you be,” I called back.
By the time my hair was dry enough, I tossed the towel aside and headed to the wardrobe. Since I wasn’t going anywhere, there was no point in overdressing. Loose pants and a plain T–shirt would do just fine.
I pulled the shirt over my head, raking some gel through my hair just as I heard her gasp behind me.
“Gel on your hair!?” she demanded, halfway through tugging on her blouse. “Since when? I thought you hated that stuff!”
I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. “Not really.”
She gave me a sharp look while zipping up her pants, her brow arched like she’d caught up with my lie. “Uh, excuse me? Yes, you do. You’ve told me every single time I tried to use it to define your curls.”
She wasn’t wrong. I hated how sticky gel made my hair feel, but today was different. Today was officially the first time Amelia would be coming to my house as my personal doctor. And since she used to love it when I curled my hair back then, I thought maybe doing it now would remind her of the little things we once shared, the little things that made us grow more fond of each other.
I turned to Vikki and gave her a small smile. “I guess I’m just trying new things,” I said before turning back to the mirror.
She fastened the buttons as she spoke. “Well, I better hope you like it then. That way I can be the one doing it for you more
often.”
“Hell no!” I barked out louder than I intended.
1/3
3:55 pm PPM M
Chapter 14
Her head snapped up, eyes wide with surprise. “Calm down. Do you really hate it that much?”
I exhaled sharply, realizing how harsh I sounded. “I’m sorry for yelling, but.. yeah. I really hate it.”
“Okay, okay, I won’t touch your hair,” she muttered, sliding onto the bed to strap on her heels.
I studied my reflection one last time, adjusting my shirt. “You’re dressed already?” I asked.
“Yeah,” she said, tossing her hair back. “You look casual. Not working today?”
“Nope.” I gave myself a satisfied nod in the mirror before turning to her. “I’ve got that weekly check–up today.”
Her brows pinched together. “At the hospital? Dressed like that? What happened to all your designers?”
I chuckled. “I’m not going anywhere. I was assigned a personal doctor. She’ll be coming here twice a week.”
“Oh, good.” She groaned as she grabbed her bag. “I wasn’t happy with that Dr. Amelia tending to you anyway.”
We walked out of the room together, her perfume trailing faintly behind.
“Is that jealousy I sense?” I teased lightly, hoping to ease the tension.
She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, please. I could never be jealous of that low–class quack.”
I stopped mid–step, my jaw tightening. “Well, that ‘quack‘ saved your husband’s life.”
“Yeah, whatever,” she muttered dismissively, her heels clicking against the staircase as she descended.
I lingered there for a moment, watching her saunter down. My chest tightened with something heavier than irritation. How could someone be so shallow–minded? How had I not seen it before?
I sighed, pushing down the irritation her words stirred in me, and continued down the stairs.
“What time will your doctor be here?” Vikki asked, pausing near the front door to slip on her jacket.
“I asked my driver to pick her up,” I said, checking my watch. “So, any moment now.”
“Her!?” She spun around, her brows raised in disbelief. “You never told me your personal doctor was a female.”
Before I could answer, the doorbell rang. The sound sent a ripple of something warm through my chest.
“That should be her,” I said calmly, though my heart was already beating faster. “Be nice,” I warned, giving Vikki a pointed look before stepping forward to open the door.
And there she was.
Amelia stood on my porch, framed by the morning light. Her hair brushed over her shoulders, and her face looked fresh, glowing even without makeup. She clutched a medical bag in her hand, but my eyes lingered a little too long on her lips before I forced myself back to reality.
“Amelia,” I whispered, her name slipping out like a secret I’d been dying to say aloud. A smile pulled at my lips before I could stop it. God, how badly I wished I could pull her into my arms, press my lips against hers, and finally give her the welcome she deserved. But I knew if I dared, she’d run, and worse, my wife would probably murder the only woman who truly held my heart.
“Mr. Montgomery.” Her polite smile was light, professional, though her eyes showed something softer.
2/3
3:55 pm p p MM
Chapter 14
Or maybe I was just seeing things
I stepped aside quickly. “Oh, my manners. Please, come in
She nodded, stepping inside, her scent brushing past me as I shut the door behind us.
Lavender? That’s new.
“This way, please,” I said, guiding her toward the living room.
She followed silently, and when we reached the couch, I gestured for her to sit. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, lowering herself onto the cushion, placing her bag carefully by her side.
“So, is there–”
The sound of heels approaching cut through the air.
“Honey, I can’t seem to find my wristwatch anywhere. I looked-” Vikki’s words trailed off as soon as her eyes landed on Amelia. Her steps froze, her lips parted, and in an instant, her expression twisted into a scowl.
“Oh, hell no.“_
AD
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
