Alpha Billionaire Series
Doctor Daddy Chapter 9

MARK

I adjusted my tie in the mirror. I needed to remember to speak with Brooke about our situation-whether we were going to date or if this was going to be a friends with benefits situation, whichever-she needed to be clearly aware that we needed to keep this on the downlow.

I ran my fingers through my hair. I didn't want it to look too slicked back, that showed off the graying hair at my temples. I knew they were supposed to be dignified, they just reminded me that time was not on my side. I wasn't anywhere near being old. Old was an attitude. Age was a number. I ran through all the age-based platitudes I could think of that I would need if Peyton ever found out about us.

Her father would have my balls if he knew we were having s*x. And that was going to be a very big part of whatever this was between us. Keeping it secret would also keep everything smooth at work. My practice wouldn't suffer, but she would. No matter what happened, or how long we were together, I did not want Brooke to suffer.

My car cut through traffic like a hot knife through butter. There was no such thing as light traffic, even on a Saturday night, but that didn't slow me down. I wasn't about to be late. I wanted to be there, waiting when Brooke made her entrance. I thoroughly enjoyed watching that woman move. She had a wiggle in the way she moved that made me feel underage. She was a sight worth devouring.

As I parked the car in the garage down the street from the restaurant, I chastised myself for not offering to meet her in a more parking-friendly area and then drive to the restaurant together. She could have come to my place, and we would have left from there. Hell, we could have had s*x first, taking care of all the sexual tension beforehand. My gentleman skills were suffering when it came to her.

With Brooke I didn't give a fuck about social graces. I just wanted to be in her, raw and primal. That closet at the gala had been perfect on so many levels. I craved more of that. I craved her.

Tonight, after this pretense of a date I planned on taking her home and making her scream. I knew she would pull everything from me, leaving me withered and beat, and begging for me.

When I got to the restaurant, Brooke was already there. She sat regally, like a goddess waiting to be worshiped. Her hair was down, falling in soft rolling waves around her face. She had on too much makeup for my tastes, but she was exquisite. Her lips shined, begging for my attention, tempting me with their softness. Her dress was red, and she showed off just enough skin to make my cock throb, demanding to see more.

The smile she gave me when our eyes met was breath-taking.

I leaned down and kissed her cheek when I got to the table. I couldn't take my eyes from her breasts. They were perfect, and so artfully framed for appreciation. "Mark," she said, pulling my attention up to her face.

"You look ravishing." My voice had gotten low and husky. Damn it, I needed to focus.

"I think there is something we need to agree on before we continue," I blurted out. I wanted to get this over with.

Her eyes looked big and innocent. "What's that?"

"No one at the hospital knows about this. About us."

"I'm not about to tell my parents if that's what you're worried about."

"Your parents are one thing. The Chief Surgeon is another issue altogether. That fact that your father is the same person, that makes this tricky."

Tricky was an understatement.

"The hospital frowns on doctors getting involved with staff. It creates an unbalanced power dynamic."

She nodded. "I get it, no fraternization within the ranks. And definitely don't let my father know. I can keep a secret. Can you? This is a nice place. Have you eaten here before?" I nodded. "A time or two."

"What's good here? I'm starving." She looked straight into my eyes and licked her lower lip. She was playing the temptress, and it was fully working.

"You said you're hungry. Shall we split an appetizer or a cab home?" I asked. I would not be upset if we missed dinner for activities much more appetizing.

"Appetizers sound good." She studied the menu. "What do you like?"

"I like," I paused. I looked up and she was so delectable that it was work to keep my mind on food. "The oysters are good here."

She shook her head and scrunched up her face. "No oysters for me."

"Well, I haven't had anything I didn't like here. I'm sure anything you get will be good."

Brooke tentatively tried the appetizers. She smiled and hummed as she ate. She stopped her little act for most of dinner. She didn't need to try so hard. I was already hooked.

Our conversation went everywhere. We talked about travel, movies, and books. She told me about the most obscure things, and I tried to match her esoteric knowledge with my own. We shared bites from each other's dinners, and when the waitress asked if we were interested in dessert, we said yes.

I put down my fork when I finished a slice of red velvet cake. I wanted something more substantial to finish my evening. I wanted Brooke.

"I've had a nice evening with you, Brooke. Would you care to join me for a nightcap back at my place?" I cleared his throat a few times. She knew what I meant. There was no reason to be crass.

"Why, Doctor Mark, are you propositioning me?"

There was something about the way she said 'Doctor Mark' that made my c**k throb. She'd been calling me that for years. Why was it now so f*****g sexy?

With a gasp, she placed a hand over her cleavage blocking my view. "What kind of a woman do you think I am?"

No one would ever accuse Brooke of being able to fake her way out of any situation. Her acting was horrible. She was playing with me. I started to laugh and played right along.

"I think you are the kind of woman who goes after exactly what she wants." I let my gaze linger on her lips.

"Well, I am. But I am also not the kind of woman you can take advantage of on the first date." She batted her lashes at me.

I had to clear my throat again. She was toying with me, and she was winning. "Are you serious? And what would you call what happened at the gala?"

"That was not a date." She sat upright with perfect posture. That made her breasts really stick out. My eyes went straight to them. She had to know what she was doing, putting her assets out on display that way. "Definitely not a date."

I thought about it for a moment. I put my napkin on the table and stood. We were done for tonight. I held my hand out to help her up.

"Then I should escort you back to your car."

"You aren't going to ask me out for a second date?"

"I'm considering it. Any incentives to sweeten the pot?" I ran a finger over her shoulder, teasing the exposed skin. I wanted to get my hands on her. If not now, then when?

"I was thinking we could do something a little more private. Stay in, watch a movie on television. You know, that kind of thing."

"Sounds like a quiet sort of evening."

She pouted. "Oh, no. I wasn't thinking of being quiet at all. I guess if your place has thin walls or something, I could scream into a pillow or something."

I gulped. She hadn't said what I thought I heard. Or had she?

"Brooke," my voice was hoarse and raspy. She was torturing me. This had to be payback for trying to ignore her. "How soon before I can see you again?" I was too old to be feeling this desperate.

"I guess you'll have to ask me out later. Won't you?" She picked up her coat, tossed it over her shoulder and sashayed out of the restaurant. I couldn't look away. Her ass swayed back and forth in a way that had me wanting to chase after her. She didn't look back.