The Billionaire Playboy Read Online Free

leaving Virginia but hadn't finished. At the
time uncertainty held her back. She'd hoped some time away from the base and
work would help her make a definitive decision. So far it hadn't happened. While
she was leaning toward staying with the Navy a tiny part of her wanted to move
on with her life.  
    As if her eyes
had a mind of their own, Charlie glanced out the window when she heard her
brother's chainsaw stop once again. “You’re pathetic.” Charlie tossed the
documents down and headed toward the bedroom door. Even if her mom put her to
work peeling onions it would be a more productive way to spend her time than
standing and watching Jake Sherbrooke work. Too bad it wouldn't be as
enjoyable.
    A little later
Charlie was halfway out of the kitchen carrying a platter covered with homemade
biscuits, when Sean burst through the kitchen's side door. Jake followed right
behind him gripping his left arm.
    “Need you over
here now, Charlie. Jake's bleeding.” Sean's usual confident tone contained a
note of concern.
    “I told you. It
isn't that bad.”
    For someone
injured, Jake didn't sound that concerned to Charlie. Putting the platter down
on the counter, she moved toward the kitchen table. “Have a seat and let me
take a look. Sean, get me the first aid kit.”
    Without any
argument both men complied. And just like she would with any other patient,
Charlie moved closer to get a better look at the bloody open wound which ran
from just above his wrist to halfway up his outer forearm. Though the cut was
long it didn't appear too deep.
    “What happened?”
She leaned down for a closer look.
    “An old nail and
some shards of glass got me when we were trying to get into that old shed.”
    “When was your
last tetanus shot?” Charlie reached for one of the clean wet towels Sean placed
on the table along with the first aid kit.
     
    Damn it . If he'd been paying attention to what
he'd been doing rather than thinking about the redhead that was now cleaning
the area around the wound, he wouldn't be sitting here now. He'd still be
outside doing something useful rather than thinking about all the things he'd
like to be doing with the good doctor, who didn't look all too happy at the
moment.
    “Beginning of
the year.” The barest hint of vanilla teased him every time he inhaled and he
knew it wasn't coming from some food in the kitchen. It had to be her shampoo.
    Charlie nodded,
her short ponytail swinging with the movement. “You can go to the ER if you
want but it's not necessary. The cut isn't too deep. I don't think it will even
leave a scar, but we'll have to watch for an infection.”
    There was no way
in hell he was going to the ER for a scratch, especially not when the town's
residents were already facing some serious injuries. “Just clean and wrap it
for me. I'll be fine, Doctor.” It'd been on the tip of his tongue to call her
Charlotte, but he caught himself at the last second. She'd introduced herself
as Captain Charlotte O'Brien. That told him she didn't want to be on a
first-name basis with him, which irked him for some reason although he didn't
know why. Maybe because the rest of her family and the people he'd met today
had been friendly. Sure he'd gotten a few stares from people but for the most
part they'd accepted him into their fold as he worked alongside them. Not true
of the good doctor. Her manner had been reserved and aloof from the moment he
approached her. He tried to come up with reasons for her attitude, but none
came to him.
    “You sure he
doesn't need stitches?” Sean asked. He remained next to the table as Charlotte
worked.
    Sean didn't
strike him as a worrier by nature. Would Sean be this concerned if he was
someone other than Jake Sherbrooke? “I trust the good doctor's judgment. It'll
be fine.”
    Charlie paused
in the wrapping of his arm and looked up at him, surprise evident in her
beautiful hazel eyes. This close he, could see the tiny flecks of green in them
as well as her incredibly