Rescued By Dr Rafe. Annie Claydon

I could really do with your help.’

      ‘I...I want to help.’ Although they’d worked at the same hospital for over a year, Mimi had never worked with Rafe. She knew he was a fine doctor and had often wished she could have that opportunity.

      ‘Right then. So we’re a team?’

      ‘Yes... That would be good.’

      ‘In that case, I get to look out for you. The same way that I hope you’ll look out for me.’

      Mimi swallowed hard. ‘You want me to look out for you?’

      ‘Why not?’ His sudden grin burned into her soul like a red-hot brand. ‘It’s expensive to train new doctors. You’d be doing the economy a favour.’

      Right now, the economy was the last thing on her mind. She tried to drag her attention away from the curve of his lips.

      ‘Okay then—partners. I’ll look after you and you can look after me.’

      He held out his hand and she took it, almost in a dream. One of those bright, happy dreams that had so often been shattered when she woke and found that Rafe wasn’t sleeping next to her.

      ‘Partners it is, then.’

      Suddenly the dream cracked. Mimi had promised herself not to risk falling for another man and fantasising about Rafe, of all people, was plain crazy.

      She let go of his hand, settling back into her seat. Five years ago she’d been foolish enough to believe that she meant something to him, and now... He’d be gone soon and he wouldn’t look back.

      Perhaps that was the advantage of having a heart that had once been broken. It was stronger now, and well defended. Rafe couldn’t just walk back into her life and steal it.

      * * *

      The shining look on her face, the way her lips were parted slightly, had obliterated everything else. Mimi might be as tough as they came, but when she made love she was the softest, sweetest thing.

      Don’t do this. Don’t even think about it.

      He’d made one promise to Charlie, and another to himself. He wasn’t going to break either of them. Rafe switched on the engine, jamming the car into first gear with more force than was strictly necessary, and started to drive.