MasterofSilk Read Online Free Page B

longing conspiring to drag her through a muck
of harsh emotion.
    “That should be all I need from you today.” She turned to
add the information to his chart. “Your blood sugar levels are well within
normal range, your cholesterol is practically nonexistent and your heart is as
strong as that of a horse.”
    “An Arabian stallion,” he corrected with a smile. “A breed
that is beyond compare.” He winked.
    Although she chuckled she ducked her head and turned her
damaged cheek away as he regarded her with an intensity that made her heart
flutter. Most days she was immune to the stares and the whispers, especially
from those who did not know her. She had learned to live with the scars years
ago. But today, next to Zayne’s cultured elegance, remembering how he had
called her beautiful when her face was covered, she felt awkward and ugly.
    Keeping her face averted, she wrote down the necessary
instructions before handing him several small slips of paper. “Here are your
prescriptions. They should last you several months but if you have any
questions or concerns in the meantime, don’t hesitate to call.”
    “Thank you, Dr. Seda.” His fingers brushed hers as he took
the prescriptions and a familiar awareness rippled along her arm. “It was most
accommodating of you to see me with such little notice.”
    “No problem at all.” She was still unable to look him fully
in the face “I admit I was curious to meet you. The medical community here is
buzzing with word of your new women’s center. We can’t wait to see it when it
opens.”
    She stared at his hand as he shoved the prescriptions into
his jacket pocket, admiring the grace with which he moved, aching to feel his
fingers once again upon her skin, parting her flesh, spearing into her—
    “The work is coming along nicely,” he was saying as she
blinked the need away. “We should be finished by the fall.”
    “I understand it will be dedicated to your late wife,” she
heard herself say as he turned to leave, frustrated she had brought up
something so personal when he gave her a sharp look over his shoulder. “I
cannot think of a better legacy,” she added lamely.
    “Laylia was a tireless proponent of women’s rights around
the globe. While I am currently unable to build such a place in our home
country I am honored to be given the opportunity here.”
    Now that intrigued her much more than it should. Was he a
spy? Or possibly a political refugee granted asylum in the US? He became more
mysterious and alluring by the second. “I understand Ryan Marquis had some
influence in your decision to come to Charleston. Have you known each other
long?”
    “Many years.”
    “And do you plan to stay here permanently?”
    His eyes shuttered, giving him a feral look. “My people are
nomads, Doctor, but with the right motivation I could be persuaded to settle
down. Do you intend to offer your services?”
    Did he think she was flirting? Embarrassment flooded her
cheeks as she became aware of how far she had overstepped her professional
boundaries. “At any rate, welcome and I hope you enjoy your stay in the city.”
    She held out her hand for him to shake and was stunned into
silence when he closed his fingers around hers and brought her knuckles almost
to his lips, the gesture falling just short enough of intimate to leave her
mind whirling in several different directions.
    “Thank you again, Doctor.” He kept her hand in his. “When do
you need to see me next?”
    Tonight.
    Tomorrow.
    The day after that.
    “Six months. You can make an appointment at the desk.”
    “Excellent.” He still did not let go of her hand, his eyes as
sharp as those of a falcon as they studied her from top to bottom. “We are
having a benefit for the center at the Gaston Plantation in just a couple of
weeks. I do hope you plan to attend. I will send you another invitation.”
    “Another?” Had she really heard the innuendo in his voice?
    His face betrayed nothing, although his