Dr. Billionaire's Secret Baby (City of Wealth: Dr. Billionaire #1)

1. Chapter one

1

TAYLOR

A re you excited or nervous? Anna, my best friend, asks as she sits across the table from me at the little bakery weve met up at for breakfast.

I sip my coffee and my hands go back to tearing off small pieces of my muffin. A little of both, I guess. I take a bite. No, Im a little excited and very nervous, I finally confess.

She smiles and rolls her eyes. You know you have this. Youre qualified. Youve worked your entire life for this.

I lean back in my chair, crossing my legs. I know. And Im not nervous about doing the job. Im nervous about having to be around William.

She frowns, her light brown brows pulling together. William? The guy youve known your whole life?

I nod. I know it sounds stupid. Its just thatDillion really went out on a line for me. Im scared that Ill mess up somehow and it will cause problems between them.

My older brother, Dillion, is one of the top neurosurgeons in the city at the best hospital within a hundred-mile radius. He has connections. So when I asked him if he knew anyone in family medicine with their own private practice, I knew hed send me to his best friend. However, I did not think this through. I never considered the position I put either of us in.

Of course, William honored my brothers wishes for him to mentor me. The two grew up like brothers. Theyre a good twelve years older than me so by the time I came around, they were practically grown. Will looks at me like Im his little sister, but I do not look at Will like hes my brother. Truth is, Ive been attracted to William since I was twelve years old. Most girls dream of their perfect wedding and in mine, the man I was walking down the aisle toward was William.

Youre human, Taylor. Of course, youre going to mess up. People make mistakes. William knows that and hes not going to hold it against you. The more worried you are about messing up, the more youre going to mess up. Fake it until you make it, right?

My eyes double in size, but I pick up my cup of coffee and take a sip. The warm, sweet liquid helps to soothe my worries, but the caffeine only causes my nerves to double. I pop another bite of my muffin into my mouth, slowly chewing as I give myself a mental pep talk.

Anyway, let me know what you think of family medicine. I might want to try it one of these days.

That gets me out of my head and I jerk my eyes back to hers. Really?

She shrugs, tossing her blonde hair behind her shoulder. I dont know. I mean, were just starting our careers. I think we need to try a little bit of everything. See what we like best.

I thought you were loving the E.R.?

She nods. I am. I mean, its busy and exciting. You never know whats going to come through those doors. And you stay so busy that the time passes quickly. She shrugs. I just dont know how long Im going to be able to keep up with it. I mean the midnight and swing shifts, the overtimeIts a lot. Suddenly, working Monday through Friday from eight to five doesnt sound so bad. She laughs and I join in.

Pay your dues at the hospital and then work your way up. Thats what Dillion did and look at him now. Hes the top neurosurgeon in the state.

She nods. Theres plenty of options. Im still rolling them around in my brain.

I sip my coffee. I never thought Id hear you say you wanted in on family medicine.

She rolls her eyes. Why?

I shrug. Youre just city slicker through and through. I laugh. When I look at our future, I see you dressed as fabulous as always with your killer heels and designer bags. I see you rushing to the hospital and sitting behind your desk in your fancy office. When I look at my future, I see myself walking into a small office in some country town. Im in scrubs and you look like youre ready to walk the runway.

She laughs and shakes her head. And what year are you looking to? I need to know when Im going to get this fancy office because theres no way Im wearing heels in the E.R.

We both laugh, going back to our coffee and muffins. She checks the time on her watch as she sips her latte. Oh, I need to go before Im late. She pushes away from the table and I stand with her as she pulls me in for a hug. Call me later and let me know how your first day goes. Good luck. She grabs her cup from the table and rushes toward the door.

I still have a few minutes to kill, but I want to make a good first impressionwell, its not a real first impression since Ive known William since I was born, but its my first day of work and I want to start this off right.

I clear the table of our breakfast before hooking my purse over my shoulder and taking my coffee with me as I make my way toward my car. I climb behind the wheel and let out a long breath, sending a prayer to the heavens for some luck. It doesnt take me long to make the drive to Grants Family Practice. Its a cute little building on the outskirts of the city. The parking lot is still empty so I sip my coffee as I look over the building.

The building is brick with big windows along the front. Theres an awning hanging over the entrance for cars to drop off patients. The landscaping around the circle drive is amazing. Bushes, flowers, and small trees are planted in the perfect placement. The building is rather impressive being a private practice. This looks like a corporate office while most private practices are much smaller in the grand scheme of things.

William put his lifes work into this place. Its not a secret that we all grew up wealthy, coming from a long line of doctors. He and Dillion went to school together and after they finished med school, they both dedicated their lives to medicine. They both worked their way to the top before starting up Gt. He loves his job and he knows hes good at it.

Its all a little nerve-racking. My brother is the top neurosurgeon in the area and his best friend owns and operates his practiceboth of them business partners in a billion-dollar business. And here I am, just starting out. Theyve made billions of dollars and while Im not hurting for money, Im nowhere near their level of success. Its a lot to live up to and I have no idea how I could ever stand next to them in our familys eyes. Theyll always be the prodigies of their fathers while Ill be just another doctor.

I see the automatic doors open and close again, meaning theyre unlocked and opening the office. I gather my things a little too eager and make my way across the parking lot. Even though its only seven forty-five in the morning, the sun is high in the sky, and the morning air is warm around me. The humidity is high today, with moisture clinging to my skin and making my body feel even more worked up.

The doors open as I approach them and I step inside, blasted by a wave of cool air. I take a deep breath and feel my body begin to relax. Stepping into the lobby, I look around. The floor leading to the front desk is hardwood while the floor beneath the chairs in the waiting room is a dark gray color. The walls are white, gray, and blue with wood accents that match the floor perfectly.

The woman behind the desk looks up at me with a smile. Good morning. Can I help you?

Yes, Im Taylor Collins. I believe Dr. Grant is expecting me?

Her eyes widen and she nods. Of course, Dr. Collins. Weve all been waiting for your arrival. Please, have a seat and Ill let Dr. Grant know youre here.

Thank you. I nod, moving toward the waiting section.

She picks up the phone and speaks quietly into it, alerting the staff of my arrival. I move my eyes around the room, taking everything in. Theres recessed lighting in the white ceiling with a beautiful light fixture in the center. There are large TVs hung on the walls, all of them showing interviews with patients, singing their praise for the staff here. There are typical wall hangings, advertising for certain medications, privacy statements, and a brochure section. Even the magazines on the tables and current and fanned out beautifully. I inspect every inch of the waiting room, blown away by how clean and beautiful everything is. Its easy to see the pride that Will has regarding the place.

A door opens and he comes walking out. I suck in a breath as I sit frozen. How is it possible that hes only gotten better-looking with age? Hes almost forty years old for crying out loud. He doesnt look a day older than thirty.

His dark hair is styled nicely, short on the sides and back while the top remains a little longer. His tanned skin is practically glowing and I have no doubts that he has a better skin care routine than I do. His dark eyes find minetheyre surrounded by long, black lashes that would make any girl jealousand he smiles, stealing the air from my lungs with his sexy grin. With it being so early in the morning, hes not wearing his white coat yet. Instead, he has on black slacks, and his white button-up shirt is tucked in. Hes wearing black shoes and a black belt. The whole outfit choice shows off his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His white dress shirt looks like the sleeves could split at any time with how tight it is around his biceps.

Taylor, its good to see you again, he greets me, holding out his hand to shake.

A surge of nervousness pumps through me and I spring to my feet, rushing to hold out my hand. When I slide my hand into his, I feel a wave of tingles wash through me, causing my fingertips to go numb before the lightning bolt races up my arm.

Its good to see you again. How have you been?

He pulls his hand back and nods, that smile not leaving his lips just yet. Very well. I take it you found the place easily enough?

I nod. Oh, yes. The GPS knew right where to take me.

He chuckles, ripping his eyes away and looking down at the hands thats hes clasped together in front of him. So, Dillion tells me youre wanting to go into family medicine. Is that right?

I force a tight smile and nod. Thats right.

Can I ask why?

My brows lift. Why?

He nods. Why family medicine? Why not follow in your brothers footsteps?

Oh Why do I want to go into family medicine? Suddenly, I cant even remember why Im here. Im sure that has something to do with the god-like man in front of me.