CHAPTER 5: BELLA - MARTIN

Chapter Five: Martin

As Yzee ran off to get her treats from Mia, I shut the door and grabbed the door handle because I needed to hold onto it. I'd had the entire consultation to gather my thoughts. Fortunately, all Yzee needed was antibiotics, so even though my thoughts had been racing with the fact that Bella was THERE, I could still do my job.

I was a doctor, a man of science but the simple truth that she had just stepped into my office when I assumed I'd lost her had to imply something. I drew a deep breath and turned to face her.

"Your daughter is adorable, Ms. De Guzman," I said, putting on my most respectful face, the one I used when I didn't want anyone to know how I felt. I was worried that if I told her how I felt, she'd run away and I'd never see her again. I had to be extremely cautious.

"Cut the crap, Martin." Bella was not in the mood to be polite. I stifled a grin. "Stop acting like we didn't have sex together the night before."

I drew my gaze away from her. She had no idea how hard I'd been trying not to envision her naked in the presence of her daughter. She had no idea how I could still taste her, hear her pleasure in my ears, and feel her flesh under my fingers as I grabbed her and pushed into her again and again. She had no idea how I was keeping myself from trying to throw her down and replaying it all in plain daylight right now.

"Oh, I'm not trying to pretend," I wanted to grab her tangled hair and pull it out of its knot. I wanted to rip her old Rolling Stones t-shirt off and get my lips on those breasts. I really want to unzip her jeans and slip my hand into her pantyhose, making her shriek and wrapping her legs around me. I wanted to eat her.

"I didn't think you'd desire your daughter to know exactly what was going through my head every time I stared at you. I’m a professional.”

Her lips pursed and her cheeks turned a deep red. "You didn't even look at me! Not even once! ”

She actually thought I'd forget last night, that I'd want to forget about her? That was very far from the truth it was indeed hilarious. I really wanted to keep her. I really wanted to kiss her. I desired...her. Something had happened the night before, and when I awoke, she actually disappeared.

"You actually snuck out," I said quietly, trying not to sound accusatory. We had stated that it would only be one night. I didn't want to limit myself to just one night. I was the one who broke the rules. I didn't even mind.

"I had to return home. I have a daughter," her hands twitched before she slid them into the back pocket of her denim pants, which also caused her to arch her back and show me the curve of her magnificent tits. I had to choke down my growing desire. I had to keep in mind the reality of what is happening. I was the physician. The patient was her daughter. This was my workspace. I was a trained professional.

"Isn't that why you wouldn't go out and meet men?" Of course it was I said to myself . She was a single mother who went out last night dolled up as if she lived a different kind of life. But this was her real world. Daughter. scuffed sneakers There was no makeup on her remarkably beautiful face. Those soft lips and warm brown eyes. I could spend my days with her just taking in everything she has to offer. Her days, on the other hand, were jam-packed. She was a single parent.

"Isn't that why you don't do this?" ”

She started to roll her eyes and snorted. "You can see how disastrous it turned out."

It felt like a punch in the stomach. Last night meant something to me, but it's possible it didn't for her. Maybe it's just what she said that it was, a one-night thing, which made going to bring her daughter to a doctor who turned out to be some lovesick guy huffing and puffing after her an extremely awkward scenario the next morning. Maybe I was willful delusional, and the night I assumed was so glorious was actually awful for her.

"Please accept my apologies. I didn't mean it that way. I have no regrets about sleeping with you. It was...it was fantastic." She exhaled a deep, shaky breath, and I witnessed her struggle to find the right words.

"However, it's complicated. I am complicated," she said, motioning to me and the office around us. "And it all just got a whole lot more complicated. You're now my child's pediatrician? Martin, it was intended to be a one-night stand."

Martin, it was intended to be a one-night stand."

It was supposed to be a one-night stand...but I'd never wanted anything like that. She was the only one who insisted on it, and I can see why she did think it had to be that way.

"It doesn't have to be," I had to say, just to be clear. Please give us a chance. I actually never said it aloud. But I wanted to.

"Martin," she said softly, "I'm a mother." My daughter is nine years old. "I'm not the type of girl you go out with."

I couldn't help but chuckle at that point.

I couldn't help but chuckle at that point. “Bella. I work as a pediatrician. I wouldn't even choose this career if I did not enjoy working with children. I'm a billionaire. I could be out, or get my private jet and go abroad to have a vacation, I don't know. Having sex with hollywood stars. Making a fortune through shady business practices. I don't want that life, and I've never wanted it. The fact that you have a daughter has nothing to do with how much I like you and want to spend some time with you."

Her lashes fluttered and her lips parted. I had to be cautious in this situation. I could tell she cared about me and us. I knew it was the right thing to do, but she was nervous. Scared.

"I'm not sure why you think being together would be impossible," I dismissed casually. I was not at all casual.

"You really want us to be possible?"

I, of course, did. I had the impression that we were more than capable. I had the impression that we were actually meant to be. Fear flashed through her eyes like golden flickers. Careful. I lifted my hands and nodded. I'm going to leave it up to her. I didn't even think she is doing this on purpose when she flickered her lashes again. She was on the verge of fleeing, and I had to do everything I could to keep her from fleeing. I could go slowly, but not if she turned and ran away from me. And I wouldn't chase her down if she tried to run away from me. I had no choice but to let it be her decision. All I wanted was for her to pick me.

I took a cautious step towards her, getting a sense of her. The air between us instantly heated up. I smiled as she couldn't take her gaze away from mine. This was a promising sign.

"Perhaps you aren't aware of this because you never do what we did last night, but what actually occurred to us?" That was unique. What did we have? That never occurs. But it happened. We're with you. "I'm hungry for more."

She looked up at me, taken aback. I could feel her desire for me, for more. I took a deep breath in.

“This? " I put a finger under her chin and edged her face up, gently brushing her lips with mine. I felt Butterflies' wings flapped n toahcm smyi. She gasped, and her hands went to my waist, gripping me tight. I drew back, trying to keep millimeters between our lips.

"I need more of this," I said as I took a step back from her, her hands still hanging in the air. She swayed on her feet, and I felt sure she'd pass out. "But you left without leaving your phone number, and I want to honor that."

She was lost for words as she blinked at me. She appeared dumbfounded. Astounded. I wanted to crush her against me and kiss her until she couldn't remember her own name, but I didn't. I really want her to be as enamored with me as I was with her. "I like you even more this morning, Bella, than I did last night. You are absolutely stunning." I couldn't help but smile. She made me really happy.

She managed to reach her messy bun on the top of her head with shaky hand, looking down at her smeared jeans and raggedy sneakers. I would want her to live that life with me because she appeared like she'd been awake all night making love and was running on caffeine and adrenalin rush.

"You're not telling the truth and just shitting me," she exclaimed.

I couldn't stop laughing and just couldn't take my smile off my face. She blinked at me once more.

"No, I am not. Last night, you were all classy and elegant, but it was the you beneath the stunning dress and makeup that I liked. And here you are in your old Rolling stones t-shirt right in front of me." She looked so hot it was difficult to take this early in the morning, particularly since I was at work.

"I stole your pullover," she said, nervously looking up at me. "I really needed something to wear to the house."

I grinned as I cocked my head. I wished I could have seen her in my sweatshirt. "Are you going to return it?" ”

"I don't know," she replied with a smile.

She was looking happy again, and I'd take a "I'm not sure" as an answer.

"I'd really like back, but more importantly, I really want to see you again, but I understand you were not really looking for more than just a one-night stand, so I'll leave that up to you."

I grabbed a business card from my desk and scribbled my phone number on the back. As she decided to take it from me, our fingers touched, and it was all I could do not to snatch her hand and pull her into a kiss. I fought back. Her gaze roved over my chest, shoulders, and arms, and I had the impression she wanted me to do the same. But I didn't do it. When her gaze returned to mine, her cheeks were flushed once more.

"Uh," she muttered as she tried to duck her head. I bit my lower lip and kept my gaze fixed on the side of her face, but I made no attempt.

"That's my phone number. If you want, you can call me. If you don't want to, I'm glad I got the opportunity to tell and say goodbye."

She nodded without saying anything, and I led her out of my office. She started gathering her daughter and her swag of numerous stickers and a red lollipop.

"Bye, Dr. Lawson," Yzee said as he waved goodbye.

"Bye, Yzee, nice to meet you," He said as they opened the door to start leaving. "Goodbye, Yzee's mother."

Bella turned her head to look at me from beneath her long dark lashes, her eyes brimming with fire. I smiled as she walked away and continued to stare long after she was gone.

"We haven't worked together for long, yet, Dr. Lawson, but I have really good intuition on these things."

I didn't even glance at my receptionist. I was still staring at the door Bella had passed through.

"Intuition on what, Mia?" ”

"Come on, people. It's something I've always had. You're going to get married to her."

I was astounded as I glanced over at her. Her almond-shaped black eyes stood out against her rich brown skin. She wasn't kidding.

"I'm a doctor and a man of science," I told her, despite the fact that my heart was racing at her words and something inside of me knew she was correct. "I don't believe in intuitions, gifts, or anything like that."

"Mmmhmm," she smirked, as if she didn't believe me for an instant. She reattached her colorful scarf to her hair. "But you really like her, don't you?"

I sighed and returned my gaze to the abandoned doorway. “Yeah. I really like her."

"Don't be concerned, doc. Everything will be fine. She likes you as well."

I didn't say anything, but as a doctor, I was hoping her instincts were correct.