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It's Always Been You
Elle Wright
They just crossed the line…Newly minted Dr. Lovely “Love” Washington plans to devote her medical career to helping women. But her own happy ending eludes her. Then one morning she wakes up in a Vegas hotel under the sheets with the very familiar and extremely charming Dr. Drake Jackson. The longtime best friends didn’t only become overnight lovers. They got married, even if neither remembers tying the knot. And Love is tormented by sizzling memories of the passion-filled night they shared.Matters of the heart have always fascinated Drake. Now the aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon and in-demand playboy must confront his growing feelings for his oldest, most alluring, off-limits friend. Amid a disastrous family reunion and the unwanted attention of Love’s persistent ex-boyfriend, the newlyweds are digging themselves deeper into a deception that has to end. Or does it? Has Drake finally found what’s been right in front of him all along—the true Love of his life?
They just crossed the line...
Newly minted Dr. Lovely “Love” Washington plans to devote her medical career to helping women. But her own happy ending eludes her. Then one morning she wakes up in a Vegas hotel under the sheets with the very familiar and extremely charming Dr. Drake Jackson. The longtime best friends didn’t only become overnight lovers. They got married, even if neither remembers tying the knot. And Love is tormented by sizzling memories of the passion-filled night they shared.
Matters of the heart have always fascinated Drake. Now the aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon and in-demand playboy must confront his growing feelings for his oldest, most alluring, off-limits friend. Amid a disastrous family reunion and the unwanted attention of Love’s persistent ex-boyfriend, the newlyweds are digging themselves deeper into a deception that has to end. Or does it? Has Drake finally found what’s been right in front of him all along—the true Love of his life?
“Drake, what did you just do?”
Drake rubbed his chin, a frown on his face. “Uh, I kissed you.”
“Yeah, you did. Why did you do that?”
“Because you wanted me to.”
His answer was so matter-of-fact that she backed up a step. How the hell did he know that? “You can’t just keep kissing me like that. You did it in Vegas, too. Just kissed me for no reason.”
“You were upset, and I wanted you to feel better.”
“So you kissed me?”
He sighed, rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know. It just felt like the right thing to do at the time.”
“And today?”
“I don’t know,” he repeated.
Love’s curiosity got the best of her and she asked, “And how do you know I wanted you to kiss me?”
He shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I can’t describe it. I can always tell when a woman wants me to kiss her.”
“So you just do it?”
“Of course not.”
“In this case you did.”
“It’s you. I kissed you because you wanted me to.”
Dear Reader (#u5d1f4642-8d46-5821-8a93-79c2180b30bc),
Dr. Lovely Grace Washington burst into my life one morning in 2010 while I sat with my mother in the hospital. The name struck me like a bolt of lightning, and I pictured a beautiful, successful resident doctor who couldn’t stand her name and demanded everyone call her “Love.”
I spent so much time at the hospital that I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the lives of doctors. They devote so much time and energy into their work, and I wanted to give them a little happiness.
If you’ve read an Elle Wright novel, you’ve met Love in one of my previous books. Although she played a small role, I couldn’t help but want to tell her story. Since I love a good friends-to-lovers story, I figured her best friend would be perfect for the headstrong Love.
I’m a graduate of the University of Michigan, and I love bringing readers into Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan. I’m elated that you’ve joined me on this journey!
Love,
Elle
ElleWright.com (http://www.ElleWright.com)
@LWrightAuthor (https://twitter.com/lwrightauthor?lang=en)
It’s Always Been You
Elle Wright
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
There was never a time when ELLE WRIGHT wasn’t about to start a book, already deep in a book or just finishing one. She grew up believing in the importance of reading, and became a lover of all things romance when her mother gave her her first romance novel. She lives in Southeast Michigan.
To my mother, Regina. You are missed.
Acknowledgments (#u5d1f4642-8d46-5821-8a93-79c2180b30bc)
I thank my God for His protection, His provision, His love. I would be nothing without Him.
To Jason; my children, Asante, Kaia, Masai; and the rest of my family—I love you all BIG. There are so many of you, I can’t name everyone. But you know who you are. I learned long ago that you don’t have to be blood to be family. That couldn’t be more true. I appreciate the time, the talks, the hugs, the tears...everything. I thank you all for your unwavering support.
To my agent, Sara—I thank you for believing in me.
To Shannon Criss, Glenda Howard and the Harlequin Kimani Family—I feel so honored to be a part of this extraordinary family. I dreamed of being a Harlequin author one day, and that dream came true.
Speaking of dreams, I still have to pinch myself sometimes. This writing journey has been amazing. I’ve met so many wonderful authors and readers. I feel so blessed. Thank you all for accepting me and encouraging me. You all mean the world to me!
Contents
Cover (#u20f68ca9-618a-5bd9-b335-247699261e5f)
Back Cover Text (#ud210be4a-55ae-5bfa-b728-239450f78a4e)
Introduction (#ucff0f0d9-bdfb-5c4f-a56e-4fe284453b4b)
Dear Reader (#ud0d95215-93a2-552c-8dd9-c4d19f8ff24a)
Title Page (#ua1d155ed-5f81-55cb-9042-0b2429ded1cc)
About the Author (#ue7b6e002-2024-5484-a0c6-375028b24117)
Dedication (#u413f8396-5fac-5492-bb1f-a0711cece9c0)
Acknowledgments (#u87310a33-9890-529f-b4b5-21904645972b)
Chapter 1 (#u14ee6138-7634-58ba-971a-1efe2d92caa3)
Chapter 2 (#ubab9f8e2-1615-55ec-99bd-f897aa091d48)
Chapter 3 (#u40e705bc-5746-5073-b124-a574417dd90c)
Chapter 4 (#u8c795426-be4a-53db-af95-90d5d1a0c085)
Chapter 5 (#u55daaae6-8b8b-5346-a51d-e3015c5b6403)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#u5d1f4642-8d46-5821-8a93-79c2180b30bc)
Dr. Lovely Washington frowned when she felt the sun beaming down on her. Morning already? She patted the mattress, pausing when she felt cool skin under her palm. Drake. She pinched him. He pushed her hand away, grumbling something incoherent.
She smacked him. “Drake, what are you doing in my bed? And please...close the blinds. The light is killing me.”
“Whashuleafmelone,” he mumbled.
“I won’t leave you alone until you get up and shut out the sun,” she said, pinching her forehead. “My head hurts. And aren’t you late or something?”
When he didn’t move, she went to throw the sheet off, then stopped abruptly. Frowning, she patted her bare breasts. Uh-oh. Where is my shirt? Reluctantly, she slipped her hand under the sheet, over her stomach, her belly button, her—
She sat up abruptly. “Oh, my God, I’m naked!” Her mind raced to remember how she’d ended up like that. Last night was a blur. They’d booked a two-bedroom suite at the Bellagio because her family reunion was there. Two rooms, two beds. Yet Drake was in her bed and she was naked. “Oh no.”
Drake had agreed to come because she hated going to these things by herself, and she wasn’t particularly thrilled to face her family alone after her breakup with Derrick. When she needed someone—and she did—Drake was always there. He was her very best friend, since the age of two.
Her night had taken a turn for the worse when she’d received a call from the hospital that she’d lost a patient. Drake had dragged her out onto the Strip to distract her. That was all she remembered.
She held her face in her hands, praying the shooting pain in her head would stop. She remembered something else. Tequila. Lots of it. Peeking through her fingers at Drake, she sucked in a deep breath. She couldn’t tell if he was naked. He was lying on his stomach, his bare back gleaming at her in the sunlight. The sheet was draped low. Gently, she lifted the thin material.
“Drake!” she screeched, digging her nails into his back.
He pushed himself up on his elbows. “Ouch! What?”
“Get up,” she ordered through clenched teeth. “Now.”
He blinked and glanced at her with one eye. “What happened?”
Pulling the sheet with her, she hopped out of the bed. “Look at you,” she said, pointing at his bare ass. “You’re naked! Oh, my God.”
“Oh, shit.” He rolled out of bed onto the floor with a loud thump. Reaching up, he pulled the balled-up comforter with him. He finally stood up with the thick cover wrapped around his waist.
There was no movement—just eyes on eyes, heavy breathing and loud thoughts.
“Why are you naked?” Her heart raced as she watched his gaze drop to the bed.
Drake ran a hand through his wavy hair. “Why are you naked?”
She swallowed past a lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. “I asked you first,” she croaked.
“Obviously, I don’t know.” He rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Why are you nervous?” she hissed. Drake was normally a calm and collected person, but they’d been friends long enough that she could recognize when he was nervous. After all, they’d been best friends for almost their whole lives.
His bloodshot eyes flashed to hers and his forehead creased. “I can’t remember. I just remember walking on the Strip doing shots.”
“What do you mean you can’t remember anything? You’re naked!” she shrieked.
He pressed a hand to his temple. “Love, please, be quiet. You’re making my head hurt worse. I don’t need continuous updates on our lack of clothing.”
She clutched the sheet to her chest. Tears pricked her eyes. “Drake, did we...?”
He held a hand up. “Don’t say it. There has to be a good explanation.”
“But we’re both...” She dashed a tear off her cheek.
“Don’t cry. That’s how we got into this situation in the first place.”
