Chasing Ava: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove) Read Online Free PDF Page A

protocol. He was making me…” She paused. “He was making me uncomfortable again.” She swallowed the fear that hovered at the border of her thoughts.  
    “You saved me. A victory for team pediatrics.” She tried to lighten the mood that had transitioned to something sober.
    “We will have to decide on the spoils of victory.” She tried to laugh, but the reality that she needed a savior to get rid of a human parasite sent a shiver down her spine. What would have happened if Logan hadn’t intervened? The shiver morphed into all out trembling, the movements obvious and uncontrollable. Not now. Angling her body away from his direct view, trying to hide the tremors racking her body. Too late.  
    A spark of awareness flashed in his green orbs. “Ava?” He stepped into her field of view, looking her in the eyes. Concern and something more feral marred his handsome face. For some poorly understood reason she gripped him tighter to steady herself.
    “What did he do to you?” His voice was low and menacing. His expression had transitioned from calm to thunderous.  
    “He cornered me. I didn’t do anything to get away.” She couldn’t stop trembling. Keep it together, until you get home.  
    “Don’t say anymore. You are upset and he will answer to me.” He spun in the direction Randall had gone. Realizing his intent to confront Randall. She shook off the bad headspace she’d crashed landed into. How weak was she that someone else had to fight her battles?
    She placed her hand on his forearm. She could feel the muscles in his forearm flex and release. She tightened her grip. “Logan, please. Don’t go after him.”  
    His steps halted. She could feel the tension in his muscles.  
    “I’m okay. He scared me.” Actually she’d been terrified. She pressed and released his forearm in comfort for both their sakes.  
    His gaze suddenly dropped to her hand resting on his arm. Had she done something wrong? He raised his head, their gazes locked. The golden ring circling his verdant eyes glowed with heat reminding her of slow burning coal in an open flame. She kept her hand steady on his muscled forearm though her insides turned to liquid.  
      He covered her now idle fingers with his large hand, curling the fingers protectively around hers. “You used my name.” A look of surprise, then something more primal framed his face.
    “Yes, I did.” She touched her hair with her free hand to quell the surge of nervous flutter in her gut.  
    He moved closer to her. “You always refer to me by title. You don’t use titles for the other doctors, but you do with me.” She touched her hair once more before he secured both her hands in his.  
    “I know.” She slipped up. There was no escaping this one.
    A drop dead, too gorgeous to live smile covered his full mouth. Ava’s heart rate increased by another ten beats. “You’re deliberately formal with me because you feel it too.” It was a statement. His chest appeared to expand by another four inches. This was dangerous territory for Ava. She parted her lips, then spoke the words she should the second she was free of Randall.  
    “I think I should call it a night.” She dropped her head forward, not wanting to see his response to her statement.  
    “I disagree. You came to have a good time. Let me help you with that.” Not looking up, she briefly closed her eyes willing her foolish heart not to consider the option.  
    Curiosity killed the cat, but Ava was certain the downward spiral started with temptation. The gaiety of the evening had been a needed change from her drab routine. It was a wondrous feeling to step outside of her guarded reality and experience the life of a normal twenty-six year old woman. A woman that didn’t suffer with elements of post-traumatic stress disorder.
    “Call me Logan.” His right index finger came to rest under her chin. He slowly lifted her lowered head until their eyes met. “No more Dr. Masters.” He seemed as if