Ugly Ducklings Finish First Read Online Free

Pruitt.
    Resting his cheek against her hair, Wiley breathed in her scent of roses and smiled. Who would have thought he’d enjoy holding Payton, former tutor and thorn in his side? But it went even further than mere enjoyment. From the moment he spied her across the gymnasium, with those whoa-nelly legs and a body graced with subtle curves, he’d forgotten all about his problems. From that moment, getting her into his arms had become his only mission in life.
    Now, with that exquisite body pressed against his, he couldn’t help but wonder what other missions he could accomplish.
    “I can feel you smiling.”
    Payton’s familiar dry tone pushed his smile into an all-out grin, and he shifted to look into her dark eyes. “I was thinking this evening wouldn’t have been complete if you hadn’t shown up.”
    The dubious lift of her brow told him she wasn’t buying it. “I almost didn’t come, actually. Would you believe I threw away that stupid invitation seven times?”
    He whistled, impressed. “That has to be some kind of record.”
    “If there hadn’t been a convention in San Antonio all this week, I wouldn’t have come.”
    “Convention?”
    “Medical convention.” She let her gaze drift around the crowded gym. Discomfited without knowing why, Wiley squeezed her hand to bring her attention back to him. “I’m scheduled to give a lecture on the importance of outfitting every trauma center, emergency room and clinic with child-sized instruments as standard equipment.”
    “So you made it.” He’d never doubted it for a moment. “You’re a doctor now.”
    “Specializing in family care and pediatrics.” Payton nodded, her expression so serious he caught a glimpse of the solemn girl she’d once been. “That was always the plan.”
    “I remember.” Strangely enough, he was remembering a lot about her. About them. He’d resented the hell out of Payton—or, more accurately, he’d resented he’d needed her help. But as they’d gotten to know each other, they had forged a rapport he’d never found with anyone else. There had never been any pressure to put on a dog-and-pony show for Payton, or dazzle her with the Coyote charm. With her intellect she would have seen right through it anyway, so he’d never bothered. Of course, that meant there were times when she’d seen him at his worst, but even that was okay. She’d accepted him anyway.
    How would Payton react now, if she saw him at his best?
    Wiley’s mouth curled again, this time without humor. What he was thinking—what the feel of her warm, willowy body swaying like an erotic fantasy against his was making him think—was out of the question. Way out. Dr. Payton Pruitt, child prodigy and certified genius, wasn’t the kind of person who could take playing around in stride. Unlike so many of the women he’d known, Payton had always been the epitome of serious , and he respected that. Too bad for him that made her untouchable.
    If only she didn’t feel so damn good against him.
    To distract himself from the heaviness coiling behind his zipper, Wiley tried to focus on a little harmless conversation. “What happened to you after college? The last I heard, it took you three years to go through premed at Baylor.”
    She nodded. “After that, I went to Houston to study medicine. That’s where I live now,” she added with a shrug that lifted her breasts against his chest. Electricity jolted through him so hard and hot he almost lost the ability to understand the language she was speaking. “On my twenty-fifth birthday I was accepted into a private medical group with a promise of partnership within two years. Quite a present, wouldn’t you say?”
    “Outstanding.” Lord, she was a stunner. Had her dark eyes always been so bedroom-hot seductive? “Do you still wear glasses?”
    “Glasses? Yes, for reading and other close work.”
    “Good.”
    Her laugh held bewilderment. “Good?”
    “It reminds me of the old Payton I knew.” Wiley