Winning The Doctor

She cleared her throat and carefully picked her way over the gravel, being mindful of reinjuring her ankle.

“I’m surprised anybody would know this place is here. It’s near the highway but still pretty secluded. I even drove past it a couple of times.”

He joined her on the cracked sidewalk that led to the motel’s office. “I know. But the sale was listed in a few local papers several weeks ago. Ever since, there have been some issues. A few more broken windows to christen the ones already here.”

“The location will certainly give your patients plenty of privacy, that’s for sure.”

She pointed to the long entranceway. “Those trees lining the private road in here must be sixty feet tall!”

“Yes, I’ve been advised to get rid of them, but I never will. Privacy aside, those trees are home to hundreds of birds.”

“The property is still zoned commercial, I assume?”

He nodded. “Absolutely. I checked with City Hall before I purchased it, and we’re good to go there. Of course, once I decide on the final design, we’ll have to submit it to the commercial zoning board for approval.”

“And there will be construction and other permits to secure as well. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything,” she replied confidently, as if she already had the job.

Anthony glanced down at her ankle again. “If you’re sure you’re okay, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

“I’m fine. I just need to grab something from my truck.”

Liza walked back to her vehicle, ignoring the whisper of pain in her ankle, and retrieved her camera. Taking pictures of the existing property would help her get a sense of scale, although she wished the motel were already torn down. It would have made visualizing another building in its place a lot easier.

“Let’s go,” she said.

Due to his long legs, Anthony edged out a bit ahead of her. He slipped his hands into his front pockets, stretching the fabric of his pants over his tight buttocks.

“As you can see, the property has been vacant for a while,” Anthony explained. “Once you get past the trees, it doesn’t look like much from the front. But I bought this place fairly inexpensively, considering that the value is in the land.”

Liza caught up to him. “From what I’ve heard, there’s been more and more outside interest in building in Bay Point since Mayor Langston instituted his redevelopment plan.”

“Yes, and I was lucky to get the property when I did.”

Liza breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad to hear that if this project doesn’t work out and you decide to go with someone else, the opportunities for commercial architecture and design projects are plentiful. It’s one of the reasons I moved to Bay Point.”

He pinned his gaze on her. “And the other reasons?”

She paused and turned away to fight back the tears that suddenly sprang to her eyes.

There was no way she was getting into the details of how the grief over losing her mom, and then her dad, had made life in Denver almost unbearable.

Liza turned back abruptly and forced a smile. “Sun, surf and a fresh start, what else?”

Plus the chance to work with a very hot man, she thought. An unexpected bonus.

Anthony grinned, seeming to be satisfied with her answer. “Keep that pretty smile on your face because you’re about to see something amazing.”

She followed him under an arch that connected one side of the motel with the other. Looking overhead, she could see the stucco was cracked in many places, weeds poking through like disembodied roots in some dank underground cave.

When they emerged, she gasped aloud.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Ahead of them was a clear view of the Pacific Ocean. Miles and miles of blue, hauntingly still water, framed by the orange glow of the sun rising in a clear sky.

“Amazing,” she said, inhaling quietly but deeply. The salty scent of the air was both delicate and mysterious, like a secret that would never be revealed.

Liza tore her attention away from the ocean and focused on Anthony. She had to fight the urge to pick up her digital camera and snap a photo of him.

With his powerful arms outstretched and the sun glowing behind him, he looked like he could be on the cover of one of those money or entrepreneurial magazines. The guy who’d captured the world and held it in the palm of his hand. A man who’d made it, and made it big.

Liza smiled. And it would be she, not some bureaucratic architectural firm that moved like a sloth and charged a king’s ransom for its services, that would push him to even greater heights.

Without warning, a quick fantasy of him in the same position but completely nude skittered through her mind. The sun glinting off his black hair, his arms outstretched, the lower half of him stirring to life right before her very eyes.

“I’d say the view is priceless,” she murmured.

He motioned her forward, and the fantasy ended. She followed him to the edge of the weed-choked patio.

When she looked down, she almost swooned, not realizing how steep a cliff they were on. All that was between them and certain death was a rickety old wooden fence. The kind with two long pieces of wood and a space in the middle, wide enough for a small car to plow through, like in those old cop shows from the ’70s.

Anthony peered down. “Stairs to the beach will be a requirement of the new design.” He pointed to the right. “There’s a narrow opening over there that may work.”

They both leaned against the wood, her barely grazing it, him with a bit more pressure, and she felt the railing wobble.

“Careful,” she warned, clasping his arm. Her voice was sharp, but only because of the flash of fear that had slid through her body, at the mere thought of something happening to him.

Even though she’d only known him for a very short time, she would be upset that he got hurt in any way, but she wasn’t about to reveal her feelings about him. Not only was it unprofessional, but also too embarrassing if he didn’t feel the same way.

His eyes met hers, but she didn’t let go. “What are you, my guardian angel?”

She pursed her lips and retorted. “If you fall off this cliff, I can’t build you a clinic, now can I?”

He moved away from her, forcing her to release her grip, and seemed surprised at her answer.

She took a few snapshots of the motel. When would this man realize that she was just as career driven as he was?

“I wish this broken-down place was demolished. My wheels are already starting to turn.”

He smiled, and took another step away from the railing. “Agreed. There are a few loose ends to take care of, and I want to have the architect in place before the demolition. In fact, I want that person to select the construction team for the build.”

“That’s not a problem. I’ve already started to make connections and get references from local companies. I think it’s best to hire a builder from the area rather than out of town, because they are more familiar with the regulations.”

She fingered the lens of her camera. “Once the building is razed, we’ll need to have the land graded and surveyed. There are a thousand things to do before we even think about laying the foundation.”

Anthony nodded. “I’ve read up on the LEED rating system. I want my clinic to be LEED-certified, from the ground up.”

Liza tilted her head, hugely impressed and excited. Barring his statement about saving the trees to preserve a natural habitat, she never would have pegged Anthony for an environmentalist.

“That’s great to hear. LEED certification is the gold standard in healthy, resource-efficient building practices. But going green is going to add to your cost and could extend the project timeline,” she warned.

“I don’t care about the cost, but I do want to ensure we are using as many environmentally friendly materials as possible.”

She smiled. “Building green certainly fits with your vision. It will show your patients and employees that you care about their overall health and well-being as well as every aspect of their experience at the clinic.”

“Exactly. My position at Bay Point Community Hospital is secure, and even when the clinic is open, I’ll still be a part of the staff but on a part-time, on-call basis. I don’t want to rush this. I want to do it right.”

Anthony walked over to a small pool. Liza followed and saw that it was empty of water, but littered with trash.

“I can appreciate that sentiment,” she said, stepping away from the edge. “I always suggest that my clients use environmentally friendly materials when available. I’m glad you care about the Earth as much as I do.”

“Another thing we have in common.”

Liza couldn’t help noticing how his eyes quickly traveled over her body.

“And another reason why you should work with me, instead of a huge firm,” she added, with a grin of pleasure.

They toured the grounds for another half hour. His arm brushed against hers every so often, those brief touches warming her in places the sun never could.

As they walked, she listened closely as Anthony gave her a quick lesson on the flowers and shrubs that were native to the region.

“You’re quite the horticulturalist,” she said in a teasing voice.

He shrugged. “I don’t get to garden much with my schedule. So I’m really looking forward to working with the landscaper. I want to keep as much of the existing plants and vegetation as possible.”

Liza took pictures throughout the tour. An hour later, they were back in the parking lot.

“Can I see some of the photos you took?”

Liza nearly gasped aloud. When he wasn’t looking, she’d taken some pictures of him. Just for fun, she said to herself, not for fantasies.

“Um. I’ll email them to you later today, okay?” she blurted, and stuck out her hand. “Thanks again for the tour. Now that I’ve seen the land and that incredible coastal view, it will be easier to design something you like and meets your needs.”

His fingers stroked lightly against her palm as he let go of her right hand, making her want to have him shake the other one.

“You’re welcome. It was fun.”

They both yawned at the same time, then laughed.

A smile stretched across his face. “I gather you’re not a morning person?”

“No,” she admitted. “But I’m adjusting. I keep my windows open at night, and the smell of the salt water in the air helps me wake up better than any alarm clock.”

“As a physician, I’m pretty much on call 24/7, so I have no problem waking up at the crack of dawn, or anytime for that matter.”

Liza couldn’t help giggling a little bit. “I actually had to tip-toe out of the B and B. Otherwise Maisie would have stopped me to chat. I don’t think the woman ever sleeps.”

“Or ever stops talking,” he laughed. “Maisie Barnell, Bay Point’s town matriarch, and the woman who can carry on a conversation longer than—”

“A wave can stay upon the seashore,” she finished, with a fake swoon.

His smile deepened, rounding his cheeks. “Very poetic.”

Liza palmed her camera and grinned. “Maisie has tons of poetry books in her parlor, so I guess I picked up a few lines.”

“She’s a great lady, but she’s forever trying to hook me up with every single woman in town.”

He paused, crinkling his brow. “She means well, but I don’t have the heart to tell her that my taste in women is far more sophisticated than what’s currently available here.”

Liza wasn’t surprised Anthony was sought-after. He was rich and handsome, with the kind of boyish good looks that would appeal to most women. However, she disliked when men thought they were “all that,” even when they were. The only thing that saved him was the hint of playfulness in his tone.

“Oh, is that why you’re still single?” she asked.

“Up until recently, there hasn’t been anyone to consider.”

Her heart clenched at the thought of Anthony’s interest in someone else. She didn’t know his “type,” other than the fact that it definitely wasn’t a small-town girl, and she fought the urge to push him for further details. His personal life was none of her business.

“Don’t tell Maisie that she’s fired. If you do, she’ll redirect her matchmaking skills back to me instead of you,” Liza teased.

“Maisie is easy enough to avoid, if you move out of town that is,” Anthony said drily.

She laughed. “Not a chance. In fact, I’m staying with her while my house is being built.”

Anthony raised a brow, and his grin appeared sympathetic. “You must have the patience of an angel, though I’m glad to hear you’re not simply passing through town.”

“I’m here for the long haul. I found a great piece of land at a great price. I’m going to build one of my own residential designs. The timing is perfect and I can’t wait to break ground.”

The smile disappeared from his face. “If I select you for this project, are you sure you’re going to have enough time to devote to me?”

Liza widened her eyes. “Devote to you?”

He quickly cleared his throat, and looked uncomfortable. “Sorry. I meant to say my project.”

Liza hid a smile and nodded. “I can assure you that I will be completely devoted to the design of the clinic. As far as building my own home, I’m taking my time and Maisie said I’m welcome to stay at the B and B as long as I want.”

Anthony heaved a sigh of relief. “I’m glad to hear that. It’s really important that whomever I choose can be my complete partner.” He gestured back toward the soon-to-be-demolished motel. “In what I’m trying to do here, of course.”

He extended his hand again, and she wondered if he’d forgotten that they’d already said goodbye.

“I’m sorry that I got you out of bed so early once again but I appreciate you accommodating my schedule. The next step will be the actual presentation. I’ll call you soon with the date.”

She kept her eyes on his and boldly trailed her fingers lightly across his smooth palm, before letting go.

As he turned to walk back to his truck, Liza told herself quickly that what she was about to ask was all in the name of continuing to solidify their business relationship and nothing more.

But the truth was, she didn’t want to wait days to see him, or hours to feel her heart race again. Whenever she looked into his eyes and felt his skin brush against hers, he inspired long-dormant fantasies that she wanted to flame. If only in her own mind.

“Wait. I’d like to talk more. Can we have dinner sometime?”

She kept her voice soft, yet businesslike, holding back an edge of flirtation.

“My treat. You look like you might need a break.”

He turned around, and though he stayed where he was, she could feel the electric pull of his body.

“That bad, huh?”

Her face warmed at his lazy grin. “No, not bad at all. That’s not what I meant.”

He rubbed his chin with the back of his hand. “I know what you meant. I have been working like crazy lately, and I could use a night off. I do have some free time on Saturday night. Does that work for you?”

“Perfect,” she responded, hiding her excitement behind a professional tone. “We can sync up on the details later this week.”

If she didn’t care about looking like a fool, she would have thrown her keys up in the air with joy. Liza looked back at the aging motel. “There’s a lot of potential here. Once this place is torn down, the possibilities are endless.”

He dug his keys out of his pocket. “Agreed. The moment I saw the view in the back, I knew this was the perfect place for my clinic.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to come here in the early evening and take some more photos. It will help me as I create the design.”

She pointed at the NO TRESPASSING sign. “I don’t want to be thrown in jail.”

Liza was surprised when he suddenly put his keys on the hood of his truck and walked around to where she stood by hers.

“Sure. You’re welcome anytime. However, even though this is a safe area, I would never want you coming out here alone at night.”

“Why not?” she asked.

He took a few steps toward her, and his eyes shadowed as they roamed over her face. Then he stepped back and leaned a hip against the side of his truck.

“As I said earlier, there’s been some issues with vandals, and I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

Warmth filtered quickly through her body. Though his concern may have been warranted, she could take care of herself.

“I’ll be fine, I assure you.”

He nodded and waved goodbye, got into his truck and started it.

Liza got into her own vehicle and closed the door, a smile of satisfaction on her face. Their second meeting had gone considerably better than the first. By inviting him to dinner, she would further cement her chances at designing his clinic. In her heart, the job was already hers.

She was so excited she could barely put the key into the ignition. She heard the quick blast of a horn, glanced over and saw Anthony motioning to her.

Curiosity mixed with fear as she started the car and lowered the power windows.

“Is anything wrong?” she asked, hoping he hadn’t suddenly changed his mind.

Anthony’s left arm was draped casually over the steering wheel, and she could hear the low hum of old R & B music playing.

“No. I just wanted to let you know that if you ever did land in jail for trespassing, I would bail you out.”

She tilted her head, feeling a little self-conscious. “Oh really, why?”

Even at a distance, his gaze was so strong that the intensity in his eyes felt palpable.

“Just look in the mirror. I would never deny the rest of the world the opportunity to enjoy that killer smile of yours.”

Liza kept her eyes on his, grateful for the distance. It made it easier to hide her attraction to him. He couldn’t possibly have guessed that she liked him. Could he?

Without waiting for her response, Anthony waved again, backed out and left.

She sat in her truck and replayed the undeniable hint of flirtation in his voice. A pleasurable tremor spun through her body as she thought about what the slightest change in his tone could possibly mean.

He was a beautiful man, perfect in every way, on the outside at least.

Her mother, who had always been obsessed with beauty, had taught her, practically drilled into her head, that men wanted perfection and wouldn’t settle for anything else.

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