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was her strategy.
    He drew circles on her lower back with his fingertip, smiling against her temple when she shivered in his arms. “Like I said, I plan to open another clinic, and I’ve already found two great doctors to share the workload. Finding another doctor for my Beverly Hills office is proving to be a challenge.”
    She ran a hand over his taut stomach, suppressing the urge to groan aloud. How he found the time to maintain the physique of an underwear model with his busy schedule was beyond her. “I’d suggest you call my brother, but he’s still doing his residency.”
    He edged back to look at her. “Cosmetic surgery is your brother’s specialty?”
    “Yeah, he’d love to have his own practice one day. In fact, I’m sure he’d love to meet you, get a few pointers on how you did it.”
    “Very interesting,” he said, leaning back against the pillows. “You said he’s in his last year?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Think he might be interested in doing the remainder of his residency under me? I’d be happy to pick up the tab for the rest of his tuition if he’s willing to sign a three-year contract.”
    “Are you serious?” She sat up, trying to gauge his reaction. Her brother would jump at the opportunity, and having that burden off her shoulders would be… “Wait a minute. You’re not just doing this to help me, are you?”
    Ryan laughed. “Honey, your brother would help me out of a jam. Of course, I’m assuming he’s good. If he’s not, I won’t even consider taking him on.”
    “I’ll have you know, he’s in the top five percent of…”
    He pulled her down on his chest, kissing her into submission. “Have him call me tomorrow. We’ll talk, see if we can’t work something out.”
    She smiled, shaking her head. Even after the amazing sex, she was still wound tighter than a top. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to snap at you. I appreciate the offer, and I’m sure he will too.”
    “My pleasure,” he said, kissing her neck. “Like I said, he’d be doing me a favor. Now, can I talk you into doing something for me?”
    She should have guessed this was coming. The men she was involved with rarely did something nice for her without an ulterior motive. “What’s that?”
    “Come to a hospital fundraiser with me tonight?”
     
     
    Ryan couldn’t wait for Alana to become a part of his world. He could imagine her socializing with the doctors’ wives while their husbands all drooled over his woman. Not that his interest in her began and ended with physical attraction. If that were the case, any one of the women he’d dated in the past five years could be wearing his ring right now. With Alana, it was that intangible quality that made her so appealing. If someone asked how he knew she was the one, he couldn’t put it into words and wouldn’t feel the need to justify it; he just knew.
    If he made a list of all the qualities he was looking for in a wife, he would be describing Alana Miller. And he had no intention of letting her go, no matter how many obstacles she tried to throw in his path. “So what do you say? Will you come with me?”
    “I’m surprised you don’t already have a date.”
    He eased back on the pillow so he could look her in the eye. “Would it sound crazy if I told you I planned to take you all along?”
    She laughed. “Yes, given the fact we didn’t even know each other until a few hours ago.”
    “Alana, you may not remember much about that Christmas party, but I do.” He hadn’t intended to bare his soul, but he saw that was the only way to make her understand. “I saw you with Bruce, and I just knew. I’ve been biding my time ever since, just waiting…”  He stopped himself before he said anymore. He didn’t want her to think she was sleeping with a stalker. “I’m sorry, does that sound weird? Am I freaking you out?”
    She smiled. “No, not at all. I’m flattered that you picked me out of a crowd. I’m even more flattered that you thought you