The Baby Doctor's Desire

Kieran was silent for a long, long time. Just when Jude thought he was going to refuse, he said softly, “I thought we were just doing friendship?”

“We were. But…” She took a deep breath. “It’s not enough for me. Not now.”

“Me, neither,” he admitted. “But you said you didn’t do affairs.”

“There’s a first time for everything.” She bit her lip. “And if I don’t, I think I’m going to spontaneously combust in the middle of the ward.”

“Mmm, and we can’t have that, can we?”

He was looking at her mouth. She shook her head. “Stop it.”

“Why?”

“Because…” Because she knew he was thinking about kissing her.

I was planning my next book when three doctors leaped into my head and hijacked me! Zoe, Judith and Holly trained together, are best friends, and work together at London City General.

Zoe’s the clever one, a real high-flyer who’s never found love, until she meets gorgeous Brad, on secondment to pediatrics from California. Can she heal his broken heart—and can he help her feel less haunted by the secret she hasn’t even told her best friends?

Judith’s the glamorous one who delivers babies by day and sings at hospital fund-raisers by night. She falls in love with Kieran, the new maternity consultant. But after a discovery threatens to tear their love apart, can she teach him to believe in her—and in himself?

Holly’s the “prickly” one with a soft heart—but it’ll take a special man to get close enough to find out! She chose the fast-paced life of the E.R. to help her forget her lost love. But when David walks into her life again, will it be second time lucky?

The best bit about working on a trilogy was that I didn’t have to say goodbye to my characters. They made appearances in each other’s stories! I loved being able to explore a hospital’s community and see how different departments work together, and I hope you enjoy life in the fast lane at London City General as much as I did. Look out for more stories set in London City General—coming soon.

With love,

Kate Hardy

The Baby Doctor’s Desire

Kate Hardy

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For Ali, with love

Cover

Dear Reader

Title Page

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Extract

Copyright

‘TESS, it’s going to be OK. Really it is.’

‘But Charlie’s been sick over your new suit! And…’ Tess broke into sobs.

Kieran held her close and stroked her hair. Why had his nephew had to bring his milk up over him today, of all days? After clearing up, Kieran was already ten minutes late for his shift—and he hadn’t even left the house yet!

How to make a good impression on your first day as consultant. Not.

But his little sister didn’t need to know that. After the junk life had thrown at her this past month, she could do without the extra stress. Besides, big brothers were supposed to be protective, not needing a fuss made of themselves. He forced himself to breathe normally, and hoped Tess couldn’t tell that he was only pretending to be calm. ‘Hey. I’d better make tracks.’

‘But your suit?’

‘It’s OK. I’ve sponged it off. And nobody’s going to notice baby sick under my white coat. If they do…’ He shrugged. ‘I work on a maternity ward, remember. Babies are sick over us all the time.’

‘Really?’ Tess gazed at him from red, swollen eyes.

‘Really.’ He dropped a kiss on her forehead. ‘Go and have a shower. Don’t worry about Charlie, I’ve changed him and I’ve put the light show on in his cot and he’s got his soft book and a teddy, so he’ll be fine for a few minutes. You’ve got your mum and baby group this morning, haven’t you?’

Tess made a face. ‘It’s going to be horrible. All they’ll talk about is babies.’

‘Of course it won’t be horrible. And, yes, they’ll talk about babies at first because that’s what you’ve all got in common. But once you break the ice and get to know each other, it’ll be fine.’ He pulled a face at her. ‘Guess what? All they’ll talk to me about this morning is babies, too.’

‘Yes. I suppose.’ She gave him a wobbly smile, and Kieran felt the tension in his stomach begin to uncoil again. She was going to be OK. He almost—almost—asked her if she’d try to remember to put the washing machine on. But that would start another discussion and he really, really didn’t have time. It’d be quicker to do it himself, after his shift.

‘See you later, kiddo. I’d better go,’ he said.

The moment he was out of sight, he rang the hospital. He was put through to the obstetric director’s secretary and explained he’d been delayed but was on his way in.

And because he’d waited to make the call, he missed the next tube train and had to wait. Funny how his watch was working on a different timescale from the clock at the station: the second hand was racing round his watch, reminding him just how late he was going to be, but the station clock still insisted the next train would be in four minutes.