Playboy Doctor by Kimberly Llewellyn Read Free Book Online Page A

place? Flooded?" she asked to be sure.
    "Yep. I'm taking Mrs. Langdon to our daughter's house up on higher ground. She's not in a flood zone like we are. My wife doesn't do well in storms like this and the rising water don't look so good. The road will be washed out any minute. You'll never get through."
    Willow let the news sink in, worried about the older couple. "I understand. I'll find somewhere to stay. But is it a good idea for you to be out in this weather?"
    "Aw, now don't worry about us. My big old Cadillac hasn't let me down yet. I'll call you when it's safe to come back."
    As Willow ended the call, another lightning bolt seared the sky, bathing the night in stark white light. A thunderclap rumbled. Florida offered plenty of sunshine, but it also came with its share of wild weather.
    She tucked away the cell phone and leaned against the wall. This was not good news. Normally, she would have family to fall back on, but not here. The lingering homesickness she thought she'd grown accustomed to welled up within her.
    Willow called Emmy, but only got a recording. Without leaving a message, she hung up and thought hard on what to do next.
    "Willow? Are you okay?" Shayne asked.
    She didn't realize he'd been standing next to her.
    She nodded. "Yeah, I'll be fine. I always am."
    "I couldn't help but overhear your phone conversation."
    "You shouldn't eavesdrop," she retorted.
    "You shouldn't yell into your cell," he countered. "Especially in a hospital."
    He had her there. She didn't know she'd been talking so loudly over the landlord's background noise.
    "This may seem unorthodox," he continued, "but given the storm, I have a guest room you can use at the flat."
    "Oh, I couldn't," she blurted. "I'll find a hotel or just curl up in the corner of the lounge—"
    "It's late. You are only going to sleep and then wake up to come back here in a few hours, no?"
    "Yes. But really, a hotel room, or a chair in the lounge, or even a bus terminal bench will do just fine," she teased. Anything to hide how his offer flustered her.
    "I'll hear none of it. Willow, you are displaced for the night. Your family is a thousand miles away. I know a thing or two about being far from home. Hell, I live out of a suitcase for most of the year."
    Willow heard the understanding in Shayne's voice. But did he really understand the occasional bouts of loneliness? She took a moment to contemplate his offer. A guest room did sound more appealing than scrambling to find a hotel room. It would be for just one night. Besides, with the storm blowing, the roads washed out, and her bungalow flooded, how could things possibly get any worse?
    * * *
    The whipping winds whirled behind Willow as she followed Shayne into the two-story townhome. She shook out her dripping hair and promptly removed her shoes on the tiled entry. "Wow, it's like a typhoon out there."
    With gentle force, Shayne closed the door against the blustery gusts, and then set aside Willow's umbrella. "There's no protection against rain coming at you sideways." As he spoke, he made the rounds, turning on the occasional light.
    "Thanks again for putting me up," Willow said.
    "No trouble at all."
    Willow ventured inside and took in her surroundings; a comfy looking sofa and a pile of throw pillows with a palm tree motif. She admired the collection of large seashells artfully arranged in the enormous glass bowl on the coffee table.
    "This is a great place."
    "Complements of the university hospital. Admittedly, it's quite serene after a long day at work. It has a view of the Gulf of Mexico, too."
    He gave her a quick tour of the downstairs, ending up in the kitchen.
    "Are you hungry?" he asked.
    "No, just beat."
    "Same here. Help yourself to anything to eat or drink, if you change your mind."
    Shayne led her back to the living room. A boyish awkwardness swept over his face as he gestured toward a door. "The guest room is over here... I'll be right back." Shayne disappeared and soon returned with towels