Heart Surgeon in Portugal Read Online Free PDF

and firmly planted, dripping water over the tiles and spattering her pink cotton dress. He was pushing the fingers of his right hand into the angle of his jaw, left arm raised so he could concentrate on the dial of his waterproof watch.
    She knew just what he was doing: taking his carotid pulse, checking the wave of pressure which indicated the pumping action of his heart, the rate, the strength, the rhythm. He'd be particularly interested in the rate— something athletes did regularly to stress the cardiovascular system, spurring themselves on to greater fitness, pushing the rate higher every day they trained. A purple bruise was already darkening on his shoulder. It looked sore, and serve him right.
    She lifted her gaze to find the surgeon returning her examination with an unsubtle scrutiny that was very hard to meet. Nevertheless Ellie forced her hostile hazel eyes to clash against his.
    ‘I’m Eleanor Robey,’ she said, ‘in case you haven’t worked that out, Mr Harland. I’m Dr Robey’s sister.’
    ‘And I suppose I’ve no choice but to put up with you!’ sneered her employer in tones of pure disgust. He had been expecting someone with some gravitas, competent, with her head screwed on. And what had he got instead? A dizzy airhead, too attractive for her own good ... or his. ‘I'm going to need a chaperone,’ he muttered, frowning at her from under glowering brows, ruefully rubbing the back of his neck. ‘I'm in need of care and protection.’
    Ellie couldn’t believe her ears. ‘I beg your pardon!’
    ‘You're nothing like your brother. Good job too.’
    Ellie’s jaw dropped.
    ‘No,’ Rafe continued, pitilessly itemising Ellie’s faults. ‘Clumsy, careless, inconsiderate. Have you always been so badly co-ordinated?’
    Ellie had taken as much as she was going to stand from this hateful man. Being Sister Lee wasn’t working. There were times when actions could speak louder than words and quickly before she could change her mind she shot an arm out and pushed Mr Big square and hard and right in the six-pack.
    He teetered on the brink of the pool, lost his balance and crashed in backwards sending up a great splash of pool water all over Ellie.
    Her pink dress was soaked but Ellie didn’t care. Delight inflamed her. Just as well she hadn’t bothered to unpack.
    She swing round on her heel intent on making a hasty getaway - but too late! With incredible speed Rafe Harland was out of the pool and holding her fast, chilled fingers digging into the flesh of her arm. Oh shit! gasped Ellie, I’ve done it now! She was spun helplessly around and forced to face her adversary.
    ‘You great bully,’ she shrieked, ‘let me go!’
    ‘Spoiled little brat,’ he hissed in her ear, bending down toward her flinching head.
    But he released her, planting himself decisively in her path, his body gleaming with crystalline drops of moisture.
    Under the brief pink skirt Ellie’s legs were shaking. ‘I’ve been ill. If I have a relapse it will be your fault, doctor. And,’ she added defiantly, ‘if you're expecting an apology you're in for a disappointment!’
    ‘If I wanted an apology, believe me’, came the cool response, ‘I would get one.’
    Ellie winced. Typical high-flying surgeon! Everyone at his beck and call and heaven help anyone foolish enough to incur his mighty wrath.
    ‘Since you chose the deep end for your childish display of temper, there's no real harm done. Go and get my breakfast.’ He turned away with a grin that had Ellie digging her nails into her palms with fury. Adding over his shoulder, ‘You’ve given me quite an appetite.’
    He strolled over to his sunlounger and picked up an orange-striped towel, slung it round his neck and stood there examining her, legs-astride in his wetly clinging black trunks. Ellie might have made a quick exit, but sheer indignation rooted her, mouth agape, to the spot. ‘When you’ve finished,’ he said generously, ‘take a swim and cool off. You