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This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, locales, and events are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, and events are purely coincidental.
About the Author
Amazon best-selling author, Tess Summers is a former business woman and teacher who always loved writing but never seemed to have time to sit down and write a short story, let alone a novel. Now battling MS, her life changed dramatically, and she has finally slowed down enough to start writing all the stories she’d been wanting to tell, including the fun and sexy ones!
Married over twenty-six years with three grown children, Tess is a former dog foster mom who ended up failing and adopting them instead. She and her husband (and their six dogs) split their time between the desert of Arizona and the lakes of Michigan, so she’s always in a climate that’s not too hot and not too cold, but just right!
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Prologue
Parker
Dr. Parker Preston needed to get laid—which was easier said than done.
A good-looking man in his forties, earning a healthy six figures in a successful career saving people’s lives—he should have no problem finding a willing partner, right?
Not when the man in question was a workaholic and the only women he had time to meet just so happened to work for him. No matter how horny he was, it wasn’t worth it; he’d worked too hard to become the chief of staff to risk a sexual harassment suit. And considering the kind of sex he preferred, that would almost be a given.
Parker’s only peer was the hospital CEO, Liam McDonnell. Not exactly Parker’s type, since he preferred his partners soft and submissive… and with a nice, wet pussy. All things Liam was lacking.
He couldn’t help but smile as he imagined himself sinking deeply into a woman.
A knock on his open door and a man’s deep voice— “Hey, chief”—brought the brief daydream to a screeching halt. He must have frowned at the intrusion because Steven Ericson, the ER director, added, “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“You’re not interrupting. Have a seat.”
Parker would extend Steven a lot of grace. The young doctor had just brought his sister on board at Boston General. She was a brilliant engineer from San Diego with a patent for cutting-edge prosthetics, and every hospital in the world wanted her. Getting her on his staff had been a major feather in Parker’s cap. He was in Steven’s debt—and Steven knew it. Parker expected him to take full advantage of that. He’d do the same.
“How can I help you?”
“I need the hospital to buy a table for ten for the Animal Rescue Foundation’s charity ball at the end of this month.”
“How much?”
“Fifteen hundred.”
Parker cocked his head. “You could have seen Ginny in Public Relations for an amount that small.”
“Well, I also want you and some of the other bigwigs to attend.”
“Why?”
The blond doctor shrugged. “It’s a great cause, and having VIPs there will help get it covered in the press.”
There was more to it, of that Parker was certain. But he didn’t push, just asked, “I’m assuming you want to be part of the table?”
“Nah, I bought my own. I’ve already filled mine.”
Parker knew it wouldn’t be a problem to fill the table. He’d get his secretary, Helen, to make some calls. People would jump at the chance to sit next to him for a few hours. He’d have to make sure to tell her not to invite anyone too boring.
“I think we can do that. Just let Helen know the details so she can get it on my calendar and handle the logistics of inviting people.”
Steven stood with a smile and extended his hand. “Thanks, boss.”
“Anything for you, Dr. Ericson.”
The younger man’s grin was magazine-worthy. “I know.”
He couldn’t help grin back. The little fucker reminded Parker of himself fifteen years ago. Brilliant, cocky, and ready to conquer the world. And Parker had conquered the world… well, his little corner of the world, anyway. But it had come at a high price. His aching cock was a reminder of that.
Maybe he could schedule an out-of-town conference soon. This itch needed to be scratched and his hand was no longer cutting it.
Chapter One
Xandra
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Her assistant Randy’s voice crackled through her headset. “Xan, the Johnsons just pulled in. Did you decide where you want to put the dogs?”
She sighed and looked around the ballroom, which was starting to fill up with fancy people in designer gowns and tuxedos. The last thing she needed was a dog getting loose and jumping on a guest. Moving the dogs from the transport van to the staging area inside was going to be an all-hands-on-deck effort. Good thing they had a load of volunteers.
“Ask them to park around back and meet them there. Have the volunteers take them in through the stage door.”
Each of the volunteers had signed up to accompany their favorite dog to tonight’s charity event in the hope of helping them get adopted—or someone at least making a nice donation to the foundation on the animal’s behalf.
Xandra was really hoping this was the night Maggie and Gus would find their forever home. The bonded pair of Labradors had been harder to adopt because they had to go together, and they were a little older.
She would have taken the gentle dogs home herself, but she was already over the limit for dogs allowed in her apartment. Management had looked the other way so far, but she knew she was pushing her luck. Adding two more dogs—especially larger dogs like Maggie and Gus—would probably tie their hands.
But she had a good feeling about tonight. Their new owner was going to be in that room.
Taking a deep breath, she surveyed the ballroom one more time to make sure everything was running smoothly. The tables looked great; the silent auction area had a nice flow of people moving through it, and the line at the registration table wasn’t too long.
She did a double-take at the silver fox waiting at the registration table. He exuded confidence; one hand was tucked casually in his tuxedo pants’ pocket, and he was laughing at something a dark-haired man next to him was saying. And with his piercing blue eyes, straight nose, and kissable lips, he was fucking gorgeous. She normally stuck to guys closer to her own age, but for him, she’d make an exception.