Doctor January Read Online Free PDF Page A

er … brought Beth home.’
    Anna looked down at the sleeping Beth and opened the door wider. ‘Come in. Is she okay?’
    â€˜She’s fine. Just a bit drunk.’
    â€˜A bit?’ said Anna. ‘What did you do to her?’
    â€˜Whisky.’ He moved carefully round the coats, taking care not to bang Beth’s head or feet on the wall. ‘Shall I put her on her bed?’
    â€˜Sure. It’s the second room.’
    Hibs already knew his way around Beth’s flat – he’d been round before. The last time had been her old flatmate’s leaving party. He took Beth into her room and laid her gently on the bed. Kneeling on the floor, he slipped her shoes off, and then sat back on his heels to look at her. She looked so very peaceful.
    He leaned towards her. She smelled of alcohol and, more faintly, of that perfume she wore that reminded him of moss and woodland. Her hair was tousled and falling over her face. He moved it off her cheek with a forefinger. When had he fallen in love with her? He didn’t know. It had happened so slowly, that creeping attraction. Until one day he looked at her and felt his heartbeat in his ears.
    But she was his friend now. And she was still in love with Gordon. Even if she weren’t a friend and colleague, she had no interest in him, whatsoever. He sighed and stood up. Turning, he found Anna in the doorway.
    â€˜She okay?’ She nodded towards Beth, who curled up into a ball with a sigh.
    â€˜She’ll have a hangover in the morning.’ He left the room, shutting the door softly behind him. ‘You might want to put a glass of water by her bed.’
    Anna followed him. ‘Can I get you a coffee or anything?’
    Hibs hesitated. Anna was wearing cotton pyjamas and a little top with spaghetti straps. He could see the piercing in her navel. She’d had plenty of time to go and get a jumper, if she’d wanted to. She folded her arms over her breasts and smiled at him. Interesting.
    â€˜Actually, a glass of water would be great.’ He leaned on the countertop. There was a stack of birthday cards, opened and carelessly discarded. ‘We were celebrating Beth finally admitting that things were over with Gordon.’
    â€˜Oh yeah. Gordon the golden ex.’ Anna handed him the glass and leaned on the counter next to him. ‘I’ve heard a lot about him.’ She was standing very close. Too close, he noted with amusement. ‘So what prompted her to finally accept it?’
    â€˜He didn’t send her a birthday card.’
    Anna made a tutting sound. ‘Tit.’
    Hibs’s eyes automatically flicked to her chest. When his brain caught up with him, he looked back up to see she was smiling.
    â€˜You did that on purpose,’ he said.
    Anna raised an eyebrow. ‘And?’
    Hibs stared at her for a moment, seriously tempted. But that would annoy Beth … and it would be really awkward tomorrow. Besides, his head was starting feel like it was stuffed with lead. He needed to go home, drink a huge amount of water and go to bed, or he wouldn’t be able to function in the morning.
    â€˜I should go,’ he said. His eyes didn’t leave her face. ‘It was nice to see you again, Anna.’
    â€˜Likewise.’ She moved away. ‘I’m sure I’ll see you again, soon.’

Chapter Three
    Beth woke up in a foul mood. Her head was full of thunder and the taste in her mouth was unspeakable. She rolled out of bed. What had she done last night? Someone had thoughtfully left a glass of water by the bed. She took a couple of sips before sinking down on the floor with her head in her hands. There was an insistent keening in her head. Dear god, what was that? It took her a while to realise it was her alarm clock. Groaning, she turned it off. It was definitely morning. Maybe a shower would make her feel more human.
    A shower, clean clothes and clean teeth made her feel a bit