The Running Series Box Set: Books 1-3

  The Running Series

  Books 1-3

  Running To You

  Two Sides of a Heartbeat

  My Confession

  About the Author

  Running To You

  Running To You

  ***

  Book 1 The Running Series

  by

  DeLaine Roberts

  Running To You

  Copyright © 2013

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.

  For information, contact DeLaineRoberts.com.

  ISBN-13: 978-1484835333

  ISBN-10: 1484835336

  Acknowledgments

  I am a firm believer that everything in life is a group effort, albeit in various forms. This writing is no different. The support and encouragement of some very special people in my life mean the world to me. If not for them, I’m not certain I would have had the courage to step out on the writing “limb.”

  Beth H. and Jan T., thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to countless hours of ideas, reading my first draft and for your unwavering support and friendship. It was truly beyond measure and I shall never forget, it’s what eternity is made for.

  Mercy, I don’t know what I would’ve done without you! Everything you did, all that you taught me, is beyond belief. You saw something in the rough and gave it everything you had to bring out the best. I am eternally grateful.

  I am so indebted to my cover models for stepping out of their norm to do this for me. They are very special people in my private life. Benton and Kaliegh, you brought my dream to a reality. Thank you to David of David Quisenberry Photography, www.davidquisenberry.com. You captured the moment!

  Last, but not least, my dear husband: you endured my ideas and humored me while I once again tried to find who I was and why I wanted to write. Never once did you put my ideas down. You opened your arms of support and gave me the encouragement to keep going, even when I thought I couldn’t. I am forever grateful. You are my real life fairytale and I love you!

  A piece of my heart and soul have been poured out into A & G’s story. I hope you see it in the words…

  D.L.R.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Three missed calls from Drew already, and it wasn’t even six am. Everything always had to be on his schedule, I swore! I would have loved to put him in the timeout chair for overzealous boss behavior. He had to have that stupid cell phone glued to his head.

  I took a deep breath and tried to remind myself that it was his job to coach me. He was my boss, after all. I appreciated the risk he took when he’d hired me since I didn’t have a background in medical sales, and it was a big gamble to bring me on board with the company. Because I didn’t have any previous experience, Drew and the board were going to be pouncing on me during my first quarter. I didn’t bring anything with me to the table in the form of sales experience, although I did have an MBA with a focus in marketing. A feat I’d completed while working nights as a barista to help with the costs—Drew said that my MBA was a huge plus.

  I remembered our initial conversations about the position before and during the recruitment period, and how Drew often spoke of how much there was to learn, but he said he’d always be there to guide and push me.

  Now that I’d been on the job for a month, I discovered his idea of “pushing me” made him equal parts jackass and saint. He could be a slave driver at times, but I was quickly learning. I could really appreciate the advancing technology for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, especially considering what I’d witnessed.

  Crap. His fourth call came in before I could even finish listening to his voicemails.

  “Hey Drew, you’re at it early this morning,” I said, trying to stay perky. In the back of mind, I thought, “Oh, how I would love to remind him that he suffers from Time Zone Dyslexia.”

  “Alexandra, I really am sorry about the early calls. I’m on my way to catch a flight stateside for the board meeting, but I wanted to remind you the new sales compensation package not only impacts you financially, but will solidify your quota. As the company heads into the third quarter, all you need to do is sign up one more surgeon to meet your numbers. I was thinking about a local target for you and remembered your doctor in Dallas, Dr. Brooks. Are you making any headway with him?”

  For some unknown reason, Drew had really been riding me about this particular surgeon, Dr. Grayson Brooks. No one from my company had been able to get in to see or speak with him about our new product line. Dr. Brooks refused to return any of my calls or emails, like it was so hard to return an email? I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised; our CEO even flew down here and tried to meet with him without any luck.

  “That’s interesting. I’ll be in Dr. Brooks’ office today. Wish me luck!” Of course, I knew I needed more than luck to get past Millie Watson, the devoted office administrator-slash-serious gatekeeper. She had sent me packing every single time, even the times I brought food. That was rare, especially when I brought delicacies from Celebrity Bakery. Each time, I left my business card and literature while shamelessly pleading with her to give the information to the doctor, but I wasn’t convinced she ever did.

  I practically heard Drew’s mental motor running through the phone and thought he was about to give me his latest Sales Force 101 pitch, but he threw me a curve ball instead. “Alex, you don’t need luck today. Just be yourself and no one can say no to you today. It’s your day,” he offered supportively before hanging up.

  As I finished getting dressed, I decided to break out the cream-colored suit I’d bought for the summer, while shopping with Cooper at the thrift store. He’d taught me thrift store shopping was like a treasure hunt for cast-off chic, and not at all like the T-shirts and jeans I used to practically live in. The climate here was much different than what I had known growing up in Chicago, so I’d had to revamp my entire stinking wardrobe. Something I didn’t have the money or patience to do.

  I slipped on my shoes and ran into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee on the way out, hoping to catch Dr. Brooks before Millie could block the way.

  “Damn girl, you’re rocking that new suit,” my roommate, Cooper Roberts, exclaimed proudly. And he should be proud, since he was the one who’d encouraged me to break out of my comfort zone of always wearing brown. If I remembered correctly, he’d actually threatened to cut up my clothes while I slept if I didn’t make some changes.

  Moving from Chicago to Dallas and leaving my little cocoon of comfort was a difficult choice. However, if I wanted the opportunity with Parson Medical Corporation, I’d had to take their only open territory. Cooper took almost two weeks to decide whether he would move with me or not. Since he was in real estate, he’d called on friends and got the scoop on the latest up and coming areas where we should look for an apartment. The majority vote was for the Uptown District of north Dallas proper. Very urban in development style, Uptown was the place to be.

  After making just one trip down, we were immediately impressed with The Manchester’s, the premier townhome rental properties. With the look of a brownstone, it was conveniently located in the heart of Uptown. Thank goodness we were splitting the rent, since there was no way either of us would have had the funds to go it alone. I still had student loans to pay back, and Cooper was picking up extra modeling gigs while going after his real-estate license in Texas.

  “Girl, gimme a high five! You’re rocking the flowing redhead look, instead of the uptight ponytail!”

  “Why, thank you, Style Ninja!” I tried to give it back to him whenever we tra
ded insults, but he already knew he was right about my fashion most of the time.

  “I just call it like I see it, and sometimes—no, make that most of the time—your style choice is drab, girl.” He sounded almost rude. Neither of us functioned well early in the morning, so I was used to his sarcasm at this time of day. “I like that you took my advice and bought those sexy Manolo pumps. You never find those at a thrift store. Whichever piece of meat you’re seeing today is one lucky fella. He won’t be able to say no, whatever you’re selling.”

  “Way to judge, dude. What makes you think the doctor is a man? A woman can’t be a surgeon?” I fired back with mock anger.

  “You didn’t waste that outfit on no woman doctor, honey,” he replied, heading toward the shower with a wave over his shoulder.

  As I walked out the door yelling goodbye to Cooper, I couldn’t help but remember what he’d said: “He won’t be able to say no, whatever you’re selling.” First Drew, then Cooper… Was today going to be my lucky day with Dr. Brooks?

  Yuck. The Dallas morning traffic commute was as horrible as always. These folks were always so impatient, driving fast and furious. It was like participating in a daily race. I was amazed at how a two-inch gap between cars was an invitation to another car to say, Hello, I’m squeezing in! only to have to stomp on the brakes with a loud squeal.

  If I lived here the rest of my life, I don’t think I would ever get used to the traffic. Chicago had its own traffic problems, just not this bad. For the most part, Cooper and I didn’t notice because we rode bikes or took public transportation to get around in Chicago, but that was the old days and seemed like a lifetime ago, not just a few short months.

  A sudden, jarring stop in traffic brought me out of my thoughts and back into reality. While Cooper wouldn’t even stand next to my rickety 1999 Jeep Cherokee, I couldn’t afford to buy a new ride, so the last thing I needed was an accident.

  Approaching the Med Center and Dr. Brooks’ office, I began to think about my game plan to get past his traffic cop, Millie Watson. She obviously did not like reps. I’d watched from the lobby as reps paraded in and right back out of the office. I had noticed there was something about female reps that all looked the same: blonde hair pulled back into ponytails, faces full of Botox with puffy lips, fake tits busting out of their low-cut tops, and dark short skirts. Cooper and I sneeringly called them “the plastics”, and compared to them, I usually stood out like a sore thumb with my red hair, non-existent boobs, pale skin, and long legs wrapped in my usual plain brown pants. I didn’t fit the rep stereotype at all.

  When I entered Dr. Brooks’ office, I noticed the space was empty of patients and reps. Millie was on the phone and smiling at me. That was very unusual; I didn’t think she knew how to smile. I politely took a seat and waited. After a few moments, she slid back the glass, motioning me to come up to the reception counter.

  Trying not to overdo my friendliness, I spoke softly like we were old friends and not like an eager overachiever who needed to get in good with her. “Good morning, Ms. Watson, are you having a great Friday so far?”

  She answered me with another disarming smile. “Yes, my Friday has been wonderful, as a matter of fact. Has anyone ever told you that you have the hair of a supermodel?” she exclaimed, before I could say another word.

  “Um, no…thank you,” I sputtered, still not sure where this was going. After a moment, I gathered my courage and went for it. “Is it possible for me to speak with Dr. Brooks today?” I asked with a soft voice.

  She cut me off, waving her hand toward their private door. “Of course! Come on back this way, and I’ll get you right in. He’s with a patient, but he’ll have a few minutes after that. You can wait for him in our break room.” She spoke quietly, but her eyes twinkled with anticipation, as if she knew something I didn’t.

  Waiting quietly, listening for any peep from Dr. Brooks, I peeked into his office across the hall and noticed it lacked any pictures or documents identifying anything about him. That was odd. Usually, doctors’ office walls vomited their accolades and achievements, along with a few carefully scripted family photos of a gorgeous wife and adorable children on a ski trip.

  When I had first researched Dr. Brooks, I came up empty online, too. The hospital website had no photo, just a list of his credentials and training, noting he had received training through the Army and mentioning he was just starting his private practice. I had tried Googling him and even resorted to social media, but there hadn’t been a single photo, social or professional.

  I was deep in thought about the mystery surgeon when I heard yelling outside the break room.

  “Ms. Watson, I’m already late for surgery! I clearly told you earlier I don’t have time to visit with reps today, especially not some Mr. Morrison from that damn company that my—” He’d rounded the corner with those last words then stumbled when he saw me, unable to finish his sentence. He looked like he was in a trance.

  CHAPTER TWO

  I was so caught off guard by his instant contempt I barely managed to whisper, “It’s Miss Morrison.”

  I recovered quickly as our eyes danced together. “Alexandra Morrison, pleased to meet you, sir,” I said, reaching for his hand and shaking it before his temper had a chance to bubble up again. I felt an unexplainable flutter that started in my hand and parked heavy in my chest.

  He looked familiar; had we met before? Surely, I would remember meeting him, since eye candy like Grayson Brooks was hard to forget.

  He was older than me and much taller. I stood 5’10” without the heels, but he still stood above me. His features were so masculine, Italian maybe, enhanced by his good looks and broad shoulders. I could tell he worked out a lot since shadows accentuated his large biceps; the lines of his chest were evident even through his scrubs. I caught my breath and managed to block the thought of putting my hands in his dark wavy hair.

  Somewhere in the middle of all the chaos, it seemed like we were frozen in time. We were having a conversation with just our eyes and still shaking hands, only he was merely holding my hand with both of his.

  Wow, holding hands with the tall, extremely handsome Dr. Grayson Brooks. He had the most piercing eyes, full lips, a chiseled chin with a deep dimple, and a perfect set of teeth. I knew his deep, olive complexion would set off a bright smile, if he ever managed to get his attitude under control. He still hadn’t spoken, but kept staring at me in an unnerving way.

  “Well, again, I really am sorry for the inconvenience and the unannounced visit, Dr. Brooks. I’m happy to come back when you have more time,” I managed to say in what I hoped was my most professional voice. It was professional courtesy to respect his busy schedule, but subconsciously, I was pleading with him not to send me packing.

  Dr. Brooks cleared his throat as he turned to Ms. Watson. “Millie, will you check with surgery and see if they are running on time or if I might have a few moments to speak with Ms. Morrison, please?”

  Ms. Watson was already on the ball. “I just spoke with the OR desk, and they are running at least thirty to forty minutes behind.”

  Ah-ha! She had already called surgery, which was why she’d given me the look earlier. She knew he had time to talk to me and was trying to help me out, but it still didn’t explain why she was helping me. She excused herself, leaving me alone with this beautiful, mysterious man.

  I was in a total daze, forgetting about Drew and the company and my career while I drank in this delicious, manly creature. Even with heels, I still had to look up to see his sapphire eyes staring down at me. I hated to stare at him, but I could not think about business. My thoughts were too busy with contemplating what it would be like to kiss those lips and feel those big, muscular biceps wrapped around me.

  I snapped out of my decadent trance when Dr. Brooks let go of my hand.

  “Ms. Morrison, what exactly is it that I can do for you?” Although his tone was sharp, I noticed a small gleam in his eyes, and it was just enough to give me hope that I could
fulfill both my wishes and my boss’s.

  “Of course,” I hedged, stalling for time in order to remember why I was even there, “I’m your new rep with PMC. I came by to introduce myself and visit with you regarding our new strategic initiative in breast surgery.” I was going to go through my usual introduction pitch, but Dr. Brooks stopped me dead in my tracks.

  “I’ve looked over the literature you’ve left. Several times I might add, and I’m not currently interested in pursuing any new products at this time. To be honest, I don’t want to have anything to do with PMC.” His tone was so sharp, almost a yell, that it sucked the wind from my lungs. His eyes led me to believe there was something more to be said, but I didn’t give him a chance.

  “Then I’m sorry to have bothered you. I’ll just show myself out and indicate on my report what you just shared. However, I would like to add…” stopping myself from telling him off for his rudeness, “in the future, when you do wish to hear more about new products that can shorten surgery time for you and speed up the recovery time for your patients, please give me a call. I’m glad I finally got to meet you, Dr. Brooks. Please have a nice day.”

  On my way out, I couldn’t resist turning and taking one more glance at Dr. Brooks. It seemed he liked what he saw too because I noticed he was staring at me as well. I made myself look directly at his eyes, sparking a tingle through my blood that was both exciting and chilling at the same time, like a current flowing from him to me. For some idiotic reason that had more to do with my ego than with my recruitment training from PMC, I gave him a quick, sexy wink. “Thank you for your time, sir. I hope I get to see you again soon.”

  I was concerned Millie was going to get an earful from Dr. Brooks when I made my exit, so I stopped by the front office to speak with her. “Ms. Watson, please accept my apologies for having disturbed Dr. Brooks. I do hope he won’t be upset with you. When he’s ready to hear what PMC can offer, I’ll be available to him. Please let him know.”