“I know you sleep shirtless, only in your boxer briefs. I know you like to run ten miles before the sun comes up because your eyes are sensitive to light, and you don’t want to run with sunglasses.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” I interrupt, holding up a hand. “How do you know I only sleep in boxer briefs?”
She winks at me without answering. “I know you take your coffee with a touch of cream and no sugar because you prefer hazelnut coffee and feel that’s sweet enough. I know you know every line from the original three Star Wars movies and likely all the newer ones, even if you hate one, two, and three. I know you also have a coveted secret stash of Star Wars figurines but brought only five of your favorites with you when you left for college. I know your heart shifts as quickly as your eye, favoring a new woman every week. I know your greatest love is your family and that you’d give your life for any of them without a second’s hesitation.”
I stare at her. Utterly floored. “Raven Fairchild, how long have you been stalking me?”
“Nearly all my life.”
A laugh bursts from my chest. “And why is that?”
“If you’re looking for someone to pad your ego with compliments and batting eyelashes as they throw themselves at you, you’re talking to the wrong girl.”
“You know, you’re nothing like the girl who stuttered at the sight of me, saying sir and Dr. Landon.”
“That was all before you looked at my boobs.”
I choke out a cough, hacking up my lungs. “Christ, woman. You’re going to kill me.”
“What are you doing here, Luca?” she emphasizes my name. “Looking for a quick, easy lay?”
“If I wanted that, I’d be at the party right now. Instead of here with you. But the fact remains, you know an awful lot about me when I know so little about you.”
“You mean like how you didn’t even recognize me tonight?”
“Caught that, did you?”
She raises an eyebrow.
I shrug contritely. I should have recognized her. Maybe I wouldn’t be sitting out here with her then. As close as I am. Intrigued and unable to force myself to get up and walk away as I should.
“You saved my life once. Do you remember?”
I rack my brain for a moment and then answer, “When you fell in the pool, and I jumped in after you?”
She nods, staring down at her lap, her fingers twirling an errant string on her tiny shorts. “I was running back to the staff house and tripped over something in the yard. I sprained my ankle and fell into the pool at the same time. I was in so much pain I could hardly swim and was struggling to reach the side. You jumped in. Dragged me out.”
“Then I spent the rest of the afternoon watching Disney movies while you were bundled up under a blanket in front of the fire. I think I also made popcorn and ordered pizza.”
A smile lights up her face. “You did.”
“What does that have to do with the stalking?”
Her head falls back, her long hair along with it, and I admire the column of her neck. How graceful she is. She doesn’t look or act eighteen. That’s for damn sure.
“I developed an adolescent crush that day.” She rights herself. “But don’t worry, old man. I gave up that ghost a long time ago.”
My hand hits my chest. “Old man?”
She scrunches her nose. “So old.”
“I’m wounded.”
“I’ve been told.”
Any warmth or amusement I was feeling instantly dies inside me as ice runs through my veins, making my body shudder and my shoulder ache as if to remind me of the real reason I’m on this island. She leans forward, her fingers stroking over my hand, a tender look in her eyes, along with a soft smile. No pity and it’s a relief.
“Walk me home.”
It’s not a question, but I stand all the same, swallowing thickly. I flip my hand around, grasping hers and helping her up. She doesn’t release me as she goes for the massive cello, nor does she allow me to take it from her when I attempt. Instead, she silently holds my hand as we exit the garage, the warm, salty wind hitting us with its briny tang, blowing our hair and clothing about.
And when we reach the front door of the staff quarters at the back of the estate, she gives my hand a squeeze, meets my eyes for a flicker of a second, releases me, and walks inside, shutting the door behind her. No goodnight or see you around.
I chuckle to myself, rubbing my hand over my mouth.
Well, that was unexpected as hell. Kind of fun. A lot dirty—at least my thoughts were. Raven Fairchild. Yes, definitely unexpected. And inappropriate…
I have no idea what that was. All I know is I can’t do it again. Not with her. No matter how much I want to.
Thank you for reading Doctor Heartless! Doctor Playboy, Luca’s and Raven’s story will be coming summer of 2022 and is loaded with plenty more Fritz men and the women who they fall head over heels for. If you haven’t read the previous books in this series, keep going for a sneak at Doctor Scandalous.
I am planning to release the first 20% of the book (the history) exclusively in my newsletter prior to release. It will be available as part of the entire story upon release, but if you’re anxious for a taste of Raven and Luca’s story before then, make sure you sign up HERE!
END OF BOOK NOTE
Hey everyone! Thank you so much for taking the time to read Landon’s and Elle’s story. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it. I know it was a bit different from Doctor Scandalous and Doctor Mistake, but that’s also partially what I loved about it. It’s a big city, billionaire romance that felt more like a small town, single dad romance. It’s sort of all of those things.
When I first started this series, I knew Landon’s was going to be a heartbreaking story. Grief and guilt are funny things. They’re clingy and needy and wreak havoc. A lot of this story I felt was about healing and forgiveness. Not just for ourselves, but for others.
When we allow ourselves to forgive, that’s when the healing can truly begin. It was an emotional story to write. I definitely shed a few tears, especially during Landon’s chat with Stella on the stairs.
Okay, enough of the heavy stuff. I want to thank my gorgeous betas, Danielle, and Patricia as well as my early readers, Joy, and Gina. I have no idea what I’d do without you. You help me give these books the life they deserve.
To my husband and my girls. Thank you for putting up with my mood swings during the writing of this book. You are in every beat of my heart and I love you all endlessly.
And to you, lovely reader. Whether you’re new to me or not, thank you. I could not do any of this without your love and support. Thank you for taking a chance on this family and this world.
Much love!!
XO
Julie Saman
ALSO BY J. SAMAN
Wild Love Series:
Reckless to Love You
Love to Hate Her
Crazy to Love You
Love to Tempt You
Promise to Love You
The Edge Series:
The Edge of Temptation
The Edge of Forever
The Edge of Reason
The Edge of Chaos
Boston’s Billionaire Bachelors: