Dara Girard - Snowed in with the Doctor

’Tis the season…for love?

Dr. Lora Rice is done flying through life solo. 30 Days to Romance guarantees the Maryland researcher will finally snag the man of her dreams. He’s not Dr. Justin Silver, who is brilliant, full-of-himself and totally wrong for her. So why is her hunky fellow scientist awakening feelings that make Lora long to come in from the cold?

Justin is a man of science. When he finally notices Lora, he no longer sees her as his work-obsessed colleague and competitor for a coveted fellowship, but as an incredibly desirable woman. And when a business trip strands them in a snowbound Minnesota cabin, he’s suddenly a man ruled by desire.

As passion heats up the long winter nights, Justin has to find a way to convince Lora that rivals in business can become the best partners in love….

Kimani Hotties: It’s All About Our Men

He twirled a strand of her hair around his finger. “Weren’t you the one who said scientists are curious?”

“They are.”

He let her hair go, lowering his voice. “So aren’t you curious about me?”

“I have a theory about you.”

“Let’s hear it.”

She shook her head, aroused by his heated gaze. “No, I want to prove it or disprove it first.”

“How?”

“Kiss me.”

His gaze dropped to her body. “Do I get to choose where?”

She lifted his chin and tapped her mouth. “On the mouth,” she said, although his sensuous look made her feel naked.

He feigned disappointment. “Just the mouth?”

“You can choose another spot later.”

“Good.”

When his lips touched hers, she discovered everything she had wanted to. His lips were both sweet and spicy, and they made her forget herself. Soon his kisses made a warm, wet path down her throat. “Have you proven your theory?” he asked, his breath warm against her skin.

“I’m still not sure.”

DARA GIRARD

fell in love with storytelling at an early age. Her romance writing career happened by chance when she discovered the power of a happy ending. She is an award-winning author whose novels are known for their sense of humor, interesting plot twists and witty dialogue. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spring mornings and autumn afternoons, French pastries, dancing to the latest hits and long drives.

Dara loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at contact dara@daragirard.com or P.O Box 10345, Silver Spring, MD 20914.

Snowed in with the Doctor

Dara Girard

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

“Mistletoe and Misunderstanding”—that’s how the original idea for this story came to me. I wanted to write about three things that fascinate me: 1) the holidays, 2) how opposites attract and 3) sickle-cell research. At first, I wasn’t sure I could pull it off, but I liked the challenge.

Fortunately, the right people fell into place: rash, hotheaded Dr. Lora Rice and cool, methodical Dr. Justin Silver. These two biomedical researchers put my story into action, with a passion for their work and each other. The holiday season helped add a touch of magic to their romance in a way that surprised even me.

I hope you enjoy this story about family, healing and, of course, true love.

All the best,

Dara Girard

Contents

Prologue

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

Epilogue

Prologue

October

She couldn’t believe it had finally arrived. Lora Rice ripped open the small brown package, then eagerly pulled out the item inside. She swept her hand over the raised letters on the cover of the book she’d ordered: 30 Days to Romance. Just reading the title gave her shivers of anticipation. Late one night, a week ago, she’d been lazing on the couch in front of the TV with a half-eaten box of chocolate bonbons when a beautiful woman had appeared on the screen.

“Tired of sitting home alone on a Friday night? Do you sometimes wonder if Mr. Right will ever come? If you have, I’ve got the answer for you. Yes, he will. But you have to be ready for him.”

“How?” Lora wondered aloud.

“How, you might ask? With my book 30 Days to Romance you’ll learn the skills necessary to attract the man of your dreams. Whether you’re shy and plain or beautiful but awkward, I’ll give you step-by-step guides and exercises to get you out of your shell and into the life of romance. If I can do it, so can you.”

That night Lora had sat up and listened to the testimonials, then ordered the book. Now it was here. Contrary to what her family thought, she was ready for roses and champagne. She wanted a date who remembered her name and didn’t forget his wallet. She didn’t want to spend another holiday avoiding the office party or family get-togethers. And lately it seemed like her family’s only reason to exist was to set her up on a blind date or discuss what was wrong with her love life.

“You’re nearly thirty-seven,” her mother had said only a few weeks ago.

“I’m thirty-one.”

“Oh, really? You look much older.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“And if I think you’re older, so will men, and they like their women young.”

“Not always.”

“The clock is ticking.”

Lora didn’t care about the clock. It was the pity she hated. She’d been a wallflower all her life. She didn’t need to look in the mirror to know what everyone else saw. A slender woman of medium height with black square glasses and thick black hair always pulled back in a ponytail or bun. She didn’t consider herself a stunning beauty and never turned heads. A man had never winked at her or even whistled. And she’d tried.

Lora remembered years ago that she had gone to her favorite department store and picked out a colorful pink spring dress, which she matched with a paisley lime-green short linen jacket. She had even bought a new pair of two-inch sling-back heels. After pulling her hair into a large braid, she had courageously walked past a construction site nearby, but she hadn’t even gotten a glance.

At birthday parties, anniversaries and the occasional family gathering, she was overlooked and invisible. But she hadn’t cared much while she was in school. All that had mattered to her then were her grades. Her classes got her out of the house and away from her father’s critical stare. She’d flourished in high school, college and graduate school. How she looked or fit in was never a concern; she was in all honors classes, so she could hide behind her accomplishments. In high school she was president of the science club, and in college she excelled in her biology and chemistry classes, to the point that she was selected by two of her professors to work on several exciting grant-funded projects. Graduate school, where she had studied biomedical research, had been grueling, but Lora loved the challenge, and as always, she came out on top, winning several science awards. A white lab coat had been her primary outfit for the past eight years.

Then her best friend died. Suzette had been anything but invisible. She’d been a bright, vivacious Spanish blonde who made Lora’s life feel like a big adventure. They’d gone to concerts together and learned tai chi. But when Suzette died, Lora’s life of adventure seemed to go with her. She’d buried herself in her work as a researcher. One day when she was walking back to her office, she’d seen this sad, haggard woman in a store window, and it had taken her several moments to realize it was her own reflection. This was not the life Suzette would’ve wanted for her. She was the only person who’d really known Lora. Now, with the help of this book the old Lora would fade away and a new one would be born. Lora Rice would no longer be ignored, especially by one man: Warren Rappaport. He was a newly hired scientist in the department, and he was very sexy.