This Billionaire's Valentine: This Billionaire, #4

By Rachel Foster

Harry is a young, attractive doctor whose ego is the size of his bank account. Amazing at what he does, he can't seem to keep a nurse around because of how he treats them. Now he's hired a fresh out of nursing school woman named Annie. She's beautiful, kind and doesn't put up with any of his crap. He's desperate to have her, but being with her means he's risking his career. Annie is a young nurse who loves helping people. After losing  her mom earlier in the year, she's desperate to connect with patients and help give them the care they deserve. Now she's falling for Harry. He's everything she swore she wouldn't go after; a strong-willed, egotistical man in the medical field. Will Harry and Annie be able to push past their differences and work together, or will they realize their relationship is nothing more than lust? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: 3rd Publishing
• Release date: Mar 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215681855

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This Billionaire's Valentine

Rachel Foster

Copyright © 2018 by Rachel Foster

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Epilogue

1

H

arry

Chaos–that was my life. And I prospered best in such an environment. As the most celebrated doctor in Cincinnati, Ohio, I had a reputation to uphold. One that was entirely dependent upon the confidence of my patients. Everyone trusted my medical opinion. Often, clients would travel to our hospital just to be seen by me. I was so highly sought after that I put the pope to shame–in the most respectful way possible, of course.

Nurses and patients milled around me in the hallway as I booked it to the next room. I had to follow up on a few surgeries, do a routine scan, and then fit lunch somewhere in there. I expertly went through the motions and barked out orders wherever necessary, making sure my patients had the best care possible. That’s what made me such a brilliant doctor, and that’s what kept people coming back.

Not that I wanted people to come back. The whole point of discharging people from the hospital was to make sure that they never had a reason to return. However, despite my best efforts, some people returned, whether it was for additional surgery or treatment. That was just the nature of working in healthcare. Sometimes, the best course of action didn’t always produce the best results. Treatment was more of an art than a science, even though it involved very precise biological influences.

But with my brain, a lot of the guesswork was taken out of the equation. I had a team of doctors who stood behind me every step of the way, following my lead to help treat each of our patients as though they were one of our own families. The system I had in place was practically perfect and nothing could tear it apart.

When I finally had a moment to myself, I rushed to the break room, shutting the door behind me, and cutting off the sounds echoing through the hospital hallway. I sighed as I slumped against the door.

Tough day?

I snorted at the voice of my best friend, turning to observe him standing next to the coffee machine with a casual stance. That’s how Josh was all the time: calm and casual. He was the epitome of a good doctor–not as good as me, but close–and he put the same care and attention into his friendships as he did his patients.

Pale brown skin peeked out from his baby blue collared shirt, the hem of which was tucked neatly into khaki pants held up by a dark brown woven leather belt. Icy blue eyes observed me like orbed glaciers, his critical gaze chilly despite the air of serenity around him. His sharp features could have landed him as a model if he had wanted that path, but they landed him in favor of every professor he had in medical school instead. Built like a swimmer with a shaved head, Josh didn’t seem to belong in the medical field–but he did. And I was happy to have him working by my side.

I shot him a cocky grin and shrugged, reflecting his casual aura. Hardly. You?

Not tough at all.

I like to hear that.

He smirked and held up his coffee mug, eyes closing to slits with his smile. After taking a quick sip, he set down his mug and went about preparing a fresh mug. That would be mine in just a few short minutes.

I wandered to the fridge and grabbed my cold-cut sandwich, unwrapping it without even closing the fridge door. Josh kicked the door shut behind me and then glared his way back to the coffee machine. Wasteful.

It’s just cold air.

That you’re wasting.

I rolled my eyes. It’s not like we’re paying for it.

The planet pays for it, Harry.

Not our problem.

The carafe clicked as he slipped it back into place. He avoided eye contact as he set the mug firmly next to me at the table, gesturing for me to have a seat. I still need to get you to recycle properly.

Also not my problem.

It’s everyone’s problem, Harry. We’re the caretakers of this world.

I sighed heavily. Yeah, well, I care for the humans of the world. Isn’t that enough?

Josh hummed with amusement. I’ll have to get back to you on that.

You’re ridiculous.

Look who’s talking.

I shook my head. What are you doing this weekend?

Actually, I was going to ask if you wanted to go out.

I laughed. I’m tired of being the third wheel, man.

No third wheel necessary unless we’re going out with Frank and Mir.

Technically, that would be the fourth wheel.

He chuckled. What? Because I’d be paired with you?

I mean, yeah.

He shook his head, his amused smile remaining on his thick lips. I don’t think that’s how it works, bud. Besides, it would just be a guy’s night.

I might be okay with that.

Might? Man, you got to get your head out of those medical books.

I rolled my eyes and sipped my coffee, then took a bite out of my sandwich. As long as I had food in my mouth, I didn’t need to explain to Josh why I thought going out was such a waste of time. Why would I get drunk in a bar when I could get trashed for half the price at home where my medical library was at the ready to entertain me? I studied better with whiskey, anyway, so it all worked out.

I don’t know, I whispered after swallowing my food. I always feel left out.

That’s because you leave yourself out.

I shrugged. Everyone else is taken.

Well, once we get the guys together, you won’t have to worry about being single.

I don’t worry about being single.

He quirked his right brow in my direction as he stood up and glanced at his watch. Sure, of course.

Shut up, Josh.

You can purchase my silence for a whopping $5,000.

I stroked my chin. I have a sizeable savings account.

He crumpled up a napkin and threw it in my direction, laughing his way to the door. I’ll see you later, okay? Text me about this weekend.

Sure.

Silence followed his exit. I stared at the worn wooden table, the scuffed tiles, the appliances all crowded together in the small kitchenette. Such a successful hospital as Cincinnati Central couldn’t afford to give its workers luxuries, could it? Not that I was complaining much about what I earned. I didn’t need to work, but I did it to pass the time.

And I was a damn good doctor.

Paging Dr. Parks to radiology. Paging Dr. Parks to radiology.

I sighed as I stood from the table. Never ending day.

I tossed the rest of my sandwich, chugged my coffee, and left my trash for the cleaning staff to handle later. It was their job. I didn’t feel bad about doing it.

I sanitized my hands as I exited the kitchenette and made a right, heading toward the radiology department for my next appointment. The simple procedure wouldn’t take particularly long, as long as my team of nurses did everything correctly. I approached the nurse’s station just outside the exam room doors, smiled at the woman sitting behind the desk, and plucked a clipboard from the stack of patients who had checked in.

Mr. Johnson. I sighed as I wandered into the exam room. The older gentleman sat on a hospital bed in a gown with his gray hair barely covering the bald spot on his head. I smiled warmly and nodded. The hip giving you trouble again?

Yep, the damn thing doesn’t know when to quit.

Didn’t we replace it recently? I asked as I skimmed through a few pages on his clipboard. I waved away my own question. Ah, that was the left. This is right this time. Let’s see what we have going on.

I did a quick routine examination of his hips and then called the nurse into the room, a woman who was so short that I would have run her over in the hallway if I wasn’t watching where I was going. Her black curls bounced around her face, a few strands of green brightening her round features. Her penny-brown skin shimmered with undertones of gold as she bustled toward the bed and helped Mr. Johnson into a wheelchair.

Alright, dear. Let’s get you checked, huh?

I rolled my eyes. That’s the idea, Martika.

She ignored my retort in favor of wheeling Mr. Johnson to the x-ray room. I followed after the pair, hoping this nurse knew what she was doing. I had encountered a horrible case of bad luck with recently hired nurses, people who didn’t seem to know what they were doing, even while I was in the room observing. It made me worry about what would happen if I wasn’t in the room, so I kept watch, critically watching for mistakes.

My patients deserved to have the best care in the country. It wasn’t fair that they had to deal with nurses who didn’t seem to know which button was which on a machine. As Martika got Mr. Johnson ready, I stood behind the barricade, watching through the window as she worked. She bounced between the table and the barricade where she managed to get some good shots of Mr. Johnson’s hip in question.

After the examination ended, she returned Mr. Johnson to his room and opened the digital files on the computer to check the x-rays. As she started pulling them up, I noticed some of them were blurry.

I pointed to the screen. I can’t see his bones clearly, Martika.

It appears Mr. Johnson moved a bit. That’s why I took extra.

The extras are blurry, too.

She shrugged her shoulders as she maneuvered through a few digital screens. We can always take more.

Do you know how much that costs? Do you want him to have to pay double for his visit?

No, I’m just saying that it’s not a big deal.

I glared at her. It’s a huge deal, Martika. If I have a nurse who can’t take clear pictures of my patients, then I can’t take care of my patients. Do you even know what you’re doing here?

She gaped at me, eyes misting. I’m sorry, Dr. Parks. I just...

You just messed up an appointment. Now you have to start all over again.

I didn’t mean to–

I snorted. Well, you did.

She ran off, leaving me in the x-ray room with half-assed x-ray copies that I couldn’t even use. I rolled my eyes and scrubbed my forehead, a headache making itself evident. I should have had more coffee today.

After a quick cursory glance at the digital copies, I deleted them and left the x-ray room, sidling up to the desk that didn’t have any nurses seated behind it. I groaned. When am I going to get a nurse who actually knows what she’s doing and doesn’t cry all the time?

2

A

nnie

The restaurant buzzed with activity as I sat at a round table set up with a half dozen chairs, each seat taken by a loved one. Kate, my best friend and my only sister, was to my left with her husband, Josh, the two of them stuck in a cyclical conversation about the newest diets on the market. Dad sat to my right with a juicy steak on his plate, his lips turned up in a contented grin as he chewed slowly. My aunt and uncle were across from us with their own conversation flowing between them, bits and pieces floating to my ears and drawing my attention.

...would have been so proud of her, Aunt May whispered.

So proud, Uncle Don agreed. She’s doing so well.

I smiled weakly as I reached for my glass of water. I already devoured my chicken parmesan and the penne pasta that came with it, the remnants of rich red sauce still dotting my plate. I knew what they were talking about, but I didn’t want them to know that I knew. It was about Mom. And it was about the fact that she wasn’t here.

She would be proud, I thought grimly as I observed my father. He seemed unaware of his sister’s conversation–or he was ignoring it like me. When he noticed me staring, he nudged me playfully. I grinned more genuinely. Dad is here to witness it. He looks proud.

Hey, kiddo, he said. You holding up over there?

I’m great, Dad.

He nodded. So, you graduated and passed your boards. What next?

I shrugged. I guess I’ll find out, huh?

You always were the type to go with the flow.

Yeah, I get it from you.

He chuckled. You’re much better at it than I am.

I think you’re good at it, too.

I do my best.

I nodded. Isn’t that what matters most?

I suppose it does.

Kate collected my plate and handed it to the waiter. As the waiter gathered our used dishes, he asked if we wanted dessert. My sister insisted on getting a slice of chocolate cake for everyone at the table. I couldn’t argue–chocolate was my favorite.

When the waiter retreated, I turned to my sister and her husband. I smiled at Josh, his brilliantly bright eyes focusing on me. Not your weekend to work, huh? I teased. Are you going out with us later?

He laughed. I actually planned an evening with the guys. I thought you and Kate would have more fun that way.

You’re right, I agreed playfully. We totally will.

Kate cackled as Josh shook his head. The two of them wore matching grins of amusement as they laughed with me. I sighed as I relaxed into my chair, excited at the prospect of chocolate cake and a few drinks to end my night. Dinner had been amazing and the company I kept was wonderful, too, reminding me how much I was blessed despite how much I felt I had lost.

A pang of guilt ripped through my chest. I excused myself to the bathroom, hoping my sister wouldn’t notice the look of pain on my face that I was desperately attempting to cover up. I washed my hands and splashed cold water on my face to clear up the urge to cry.

Mom has only been gone a couple of years, I reflected. It’s a wonder I made it through nursing school at all.

I glanced at my reflection, hoping that my red-rimmed eyes and crimson nose would be mistaken for happy tears instead of the sorrowful ones that threatened to take over. Mom had gone quickly and quietly. She didn’t stand a chance. But if I had finished school early and gotten into medicine before cancer took over, maybe I could have intervened.

A shudder ran through me. I had to stop thinking about all the things that could have been and focus on what was happening now. The present is a gift, Mom would probably say. You must treasure it before it becomes the past.

I nodded at my reflection, allowing a small smile to form. I turned off the faucet, dried my hands, and checked my makeup before returning to the table. Cake was waiting for me when I got back. I licked my lips and hummed expectantly as I sat in my chair, staring at the delicious slice on the plate in front of me.

Got you some milk, too, Kate whispered.

I smiled at the tall glass near my plate. You’re the best.

Of course, I’m the best.

I laughed. Dad, she’s at it again.

Girls, play nice, he joked in a fatherly voice. We’re in public.

Even more reason to make a scene, Kate argued playfully. That means I have witnesses.

I groaned as I rolled my eyes. It never ends with you, does it?

Nope, I’m a delight. She turned to her husband. Right, sweetie?

Yes, darling, Josh agreed. You’re always a delight.

Oh no. She’s got Josh on her team.

Josh grinned wide, showing off pearly white teeth. I always agree with my wife, even when I think she’s wrong.

Kate choked. Wait, you think I’m wrong sometimes?

Never.

Dad and I laughed as the two of them fell into a playful argument. I loved being around my sister and her husband. Their relationship was perfect, the type of connection that I hoped I would have someday. I wanted what my sister had as much as I wanted to succeed as a nurse, but I knew that nursing would have to come first. That’s why I was still single. I didn’t exactly have much time to dedicate to dating.

Which was fine with me. After Mom died, I hadn’t felt compelled to jump back into a relationship. I needed time to myself to grieve. And now that I had what I wanted, I could focus on creating the life I always wanted for myself.

I just hoped that wherever my mother was, that she felt proud of my accomplishments and that she was at peace.

break-section-side-screen.png

As promised, Josh disappeared after dinner with his friends. Aunt May and Uncle Don called it an early night and went back to their hotel. Dad claimed to be too old to do any significant drinking, so he went back home, leaving Kate and me to gather our girlfriends to take with us to the bar.

I felt alive and unstoppable. Wandering into the bar with a brand new black cocktail dress and matching black heels made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. I was unattached, successful, and ready for anything to happen. Kate kept her arm looped with mine as we approached the bar with Missy and Alverta behind us. The four of us leaned on the counter and waited to be served.

Sleek, modern lines marked the pale blue walls of the bar. Polished black furniture made the place look more like a speak easy than an actual bar with rugged velvet couches marking every available wall space near the dining area. The scent of freshly fried food filled the atmosphere and tickled my senses, causing my stomach to rumble again even though I had plenty to eat at dinner.

So, Alverta said while elbowing me. What’s next?

Missy nodded, her thick, blond curls bouncing around her face. Yeah, where are you going to work?

I hummed as the bartender approached us. I grabbed a beer as my friends ordered martinis. I smiled as we raised our drinks together, the glass clinking as we made a toast. I took a sip of my beer, set it down, and ignored the eyes of a rather tall, dark, and handsome man sitting at the end of the bar. I don’t know, I admitted. I honestly need to apply to places.

Do you have anywhere in mind? Missy asked.

I shrugged. I would love to get in at the hospital, but I’ll go wherever I can get a job.

Alverta laughed. I know that struggle.

It’s not a struggle yet, but I want to handle it before it becomes one.

She nodded in agreement. Good call. That college debt will catch up with you.

I cringed. It’s already looking pretty intimidating.

Missy chuckled and waved away my worries. With what you’ll be making, it’ll be no big deal.

It’s the interest that ends up killing you, Kate commented. Too bad Josh didn’t have a nursing position open at the hospital.

I chortled. "I would prefer to not have to work with my brother-in-law every day."

My sister laughed. Oh, he’s not that bad!

I don’t even want to find out.

I bet there are plenty of positions in town, Alverta stated. Cincinnati is kinda huge.

Yeah, that’s true, I agreed.

Missy beamed and raised her martini glass. Alright, girls. Enough talk about such serious things. We’re here to celebrate our favorite girl acing her boards!

A round of cheers erupted as we all raised our glasses. The bar filled with people, the crowd ebbing and flowing around us as pop music played over the speakers. The joy that warmed my soul rivaled the guilt I had felt at dinner, easily replacing that strange mix of emotions that I knew I could handle later. Right now, I wanted to celebrate my success. And that was easy to do when I was surrounded by so many supportive women.

After a few more drinks, Kate yanked me out to the dance floor where we shimmied rhythmically and shook our hips. Missy and Alverta joined us along with another group of women who were part of a bachelorette party. As the night went on, the world became a bit of a blur, inspiring me to get a bottle of water from the bar. I sat on a stool and nursed my water, keeping my head steady as Kate rubbed my back.

Too much, huh? she teased playfully. Maybe we should get you home.

I smiled gratefully as Missy and Alverta offered to pay for my tab. They insisted it was a gift to which I didn’t argue, not that I could argue much with how much I had to drink. Kate drove me home and tucked me into bed, cocktail dress and all. She pulled off my heels, tossed them aside, and got me a fresh glass of water, instructing me to take a sip every time I woke up.

My last memory of the night was that of my sister tucking my favorite teddy bear under my arm before she kissed my forehead. Just like Mom used to do when we were kids.

3

H

arry

The fun has arrived, I announced as I walked up to the pool table. Josh, Frank, and Mir milled around the round tables lining the wall, exclaiming excitedly when they noticed my approach. I held out my arms for hugs. Good to see you. And you. And you.

Josh grinned brightly as I eyed him suspiciously. When Frank and Mir returned to one of the tables, I elbowed Josh. I thought you said no third wheeling?

Fourth wheeling, technically.

I snorted. No fourth wheeling.

Honestly, Frank and Mir are a lot more fun than anyone else we know.

You have a point there.

He smirked. And they can drink you under the table.

Not if I can help it.

Don’t get too cocky about it.

I chuckled as I walked up to the table and took a seat. Any drinks for me?

You have to buy your own, Mr. Fancy Pants, Mir joked as he pushed his thick glasses up the bridge of his nose. He shrugged and adjusted his navy-blue cardigan while gesturing with a mocha tan hand toward the bar. But the first round is on us, so take your pick.

Aren’t you just a peach?

He has a nice peach, Frank agreed, eyes roving over his boyfriend. That’s true.

Mir blushed and smoothed a few loose black curls from his forehead. Darling, stop. We’re in public.

You two are so in love. It’s kind of gross, I joked as I slid from the stool.

It’s gay, Mir corrected. "And get me a shot of tequila while you’re over