Chapter 1
Her heart beat far too fast. As a nurse practitioner Beatrix “Trixi” Duvall knew that was a bad thing. But she had never encountered such masculinity before. Nothing in her life had prepared her for the perfection of Mark de Vosse.
Dr. Mark de Vosse, that snide voice in her head added.
“How are you, Miss Duvall?” he asked, as he shook her hand. As per any unattainable man, his voice was deep, masculine, and quite enticing. Why, oh why, did she have a weakness for men like this? Like all the others, he won’t ever recognize you’re an eligible female… that knowing voice scoffed.
Katy Greene, her best friend, pointed out nice men all the time, but Trixi continued to ignore her advice and hold out for something she couldn’t define. Until now.
Mark’s eyes were a blue-green much like his younger brother’s. It was obvious the two men shared a gene pool. Mark wasn’t quite as tall as Leo, but he made up for that in width. Not that Leo wasn’t wide as well, because the man had probably played football in high school and college and done very well, but Mark could have been the entire line himself. Her girly side sighed in perpetual wonder.
“I’m fine, and happy to finally meet you.” Trixi struggled to keep her professional smile intact. It was far harder than it should have been.
His dark hair was shorter and darker than Leo’s, whose hair always looked a little windblown. Trixi noticed Leo ran his hands through it a lot. If Mark did the same thing, it would slide right back into place because his was shorter.
His jaw, like Leo’s, was square and his lips were firm but kissable.
She all but groaned this time. Where had that stupid thought come from?
He’s a neurosurgeon. They don’t notice peons, she barked at her girly self who was in an utter tizzy over this man. Of course she was—he was gorgeous, successful, and that was warmth in his eyes.
They smiled at her now. “I feel like I already know you,” he murmured as he released her hand. She hadn’t noticed they held the handshake far longer than usual.
And she totally missed it because of the caustic comments her nastier, but more realistic, side kept uttering.
“Leo talks about you a lot. It’s nice to finally meet you,” she answered. One bonus from her uncomfortable, awkward early-adult years was they had created a gracious polish that now carried her through even the most excruciating social situation.
“You might not think that once you get to know him,” Leo piped up as he clapped Mark on the back. She appreciated the affection and respect between the brothers.
Their sibling closeness somehow reassured her.
A thought occurred to her and she turned to Leo. “Did you nag him into coming here?”
Leo, in typical fashion, tweaked her nose. “Of course.”
Beside them, Mark laughed, and like the rest of him, it was perfect. “He kept telling me how much nicer it is to be home.” Mark glanced around the cafeteria where they were gathered to eat lunch. He had started several weeks ago, but she was filling in so her schedule was erratic, which was why they were only just meeting now.
“I’m right,” Leo stated as he dug into his sandwich.
“I reserve the right to decide that for myself,” Mark countered.
“I’m right.” Leo stole some carrot out of her salad.
“Stop eyeing my chocolate bar,” she warned Leo.
“You could share it, you know,” he cajoled.
She cocked an eyebrow at him. “I did, yesterday.”
“You know, Duvall, you’re a little scary sometimes.”
She choked on her swallow of tea. Mark leaned over and patted her on the back with the perfect amount of pressure. He also eyed her chocolate bar.
“Not both of you,” she muttered and tucked the bar back into her lunch bag. It wasn’t that big but was necessary for the health of those around her.
The two shared a conspirator’s look.
“You could share it with both of us,” Leo further wheedled.
She pointed to the boxes by the cash register. “They sell a nice selection right there.”
“It’s not as much fun that way.” Mark smiled.
“I know. That’s why I stand firm.” She wrinkled her nose at Leo.
He grinned. “You’re so tough, Duvall.”
“Of course I am.” She tweaked his nose this time and then brightened. “Did I tell you Katy is coming?”
“For good or to visit?”
“For good,” Trixi stated happily, and caught the de Vosse brothers exchanging another look. The only thing she could identify was they were amused by her.
It was okay to be amusing, but it would be much nicer to be so sexy she made men stop and stare. Or to ensnare them with a mere look.
Since neither was true she at least consoled herself with the thought that she didn’t qualify for the potted plant category - ignored. Trixi sighed and accepted amusing. Maybe she should wear some of her really high heels to work. Some of the women did. But then she thought about trying to do her job and quickly nixed the idea.
High heels would be a real hindrance.
“When is your friend coming?” Mark asked as he finished his sandwich and dumped his empty chip bag. Nothing but a few measly crumbs tumbled out. He stared at them glumly.
“She should be here as soon as her fellowship ends.”
“Does she have a place to stay?” Leo asked. He was peering into his own empty chip bag. It was sad to see the two men still hungry and come up wanting.
She tugged out the container she brought with her and opened it. Both brothers groaned when the enticing contents wafted toward them. “Oatmeal raisin cookies,” Leo breathed. He helped himself and popped half the cookie into his mouth.
Mark wasn’t far behind him. “With plenty of cinnamon. And other spices.”
“I made them last evening, but I don’t want these in the house.” She peered at them in distaste.
“You baked something you don’t like?” Leo asked as he dug two more treats out of the container.
“I like them,” Mark decided as he selected another one. It was big and he stared at it with satisfaction before he demolished the fragrant cookie.
“Of course I like them. That’s why I made them. I thought I could put them out by the coffee pot.”
“Your dad probably likes these,” Leo pointed out.
“He does, and I put some aside for him. I told him to hide that container so I can’t find it.”
Leo grinned. “That doesn’t work very well, does it?”
Trixi sent him a smoldering look. “With chocolate, no. I can find that with no problem, no matter where he hides it. But these are possible if he’s smart.”
She took one and bit into it. The cookie was soft, and the texture and spices blended perfectly. It melted in the mouth. After she swallowed, she glared at Leo.
“I cannot have these in the house.”
“We’ll take care of that for you,” Leo said as he took the container and snapped the lid back on.
“I’ll hide them,” Mark announced.
“Then how am I supposed to get to them?”
Mark ignored Leo’s growled question. “If you hide them,” he pointed out, “certain individuals have access to your area. If I hide them, they’ll be safe.” He glanced at the treats. “At least from cute little brunettes. From me, not at all.”
His grin was warm and she wanted to sink into it. These blasted cookies weren’t anywhere near the temptation this man posed. He ranked right up there with chocolate.
That was bad. Really bad.
And yet she found herself falling headfirst anyway.