Free Smoldering Hunger by Donna Grant Page A

day.”
    Sophie looked at the hand-sewn suit he wore and shook her head. He practically oozed money and old-world class. “A man like you can have any woman he wants.”
    “What do you mean, a man like me?”
    “Handsome, rich, and charming.”
    “But you doona find those redeeming qualities?” he asked, watching her intently, with a half-smile in place.
    Sophie shrugged. “Handsome is always a boon. Money comes and goes easily, so that shouldn’t make a difference.”
    “But it makes life easier.”
    “That’s true,” she conceded. “As for the charm, I’ve learned that men use it to get what they want, but it’s rarely genuine.”
    The fake smile dropped as he looked at her differently, as if he were seeing her for the first time. “You’re no’ wrong, lass. However, men are no’ the only ones to use something to get what they want.”
    “Ah, but I’m not one of those women who use their bodies to get something. I’ve a brain.”
    “Which is why I’m interested.” He held out his hand, “I’m Ulrik Dunn.”
    Sophie hesitated for a moment before she accepted his hand and shook it. “Sophie Martin.”
    “Doctor,” he corrected with a grin.
    She found herself returning his smile. “Just what are you after, Mr. Dunn?”
    “Ulrik, please,” he said as he released her hand. “I’ve learned a lot about you, Dr. Martin. I know that you often help those less fortunate with your house calls.”
    Sophie immediately retrieved her hand and took a step back. “It’s not against any regulations.”
    Ulrik held up his hands and bowed his head. “I was in no way saying it was. I’m merely pointing out that it’s your side work, as it were, that has drawn me.”
    “Why?” Sophie was suddenly leery of him.
    “You think of others. It’s a trait I admire.”
    She held the chart against her chest and wrapped her arms around it. There was something about Ulrik that didn’t quite meet up. His words were right, but his eyes lacked … humanity.
    Darius’s words of caution the night before came back to her. “So you’ve been following me?”
    “Word of your deeds reached me. I checked you out, of course.”
    “Of course,” Sophie replied tightly. She met his gold eyes and said, “Mr. Dunn, I enjoy what I do. My hours are filled here at the hospital and helping others. I don’t have any spare time for whatever it is you want from me. I’d also appreciate if you quit following me.”
    “You’re going to leave without even hearing my proposal?”
    She paused as she was about to walk around him. “I am.”
    “You doona trust me,” he replied with a hint of surprise in his deep voice.
    “As a general rule, I don’t trust anyone.” She wasn’t sure why she told him that, since it wasn’t true anymore. At least not when it came to Darius.
    Whether she wanted to or not, she found she trusted Darius.
    Ulrik put his hands in his pants pockets and gave a slight nod of his head. There was something in his golden gaze. It had been there for a second, so fleeting it was gone before she could realize what it was. But there was no doubt it was a bit of sadness and a heavy dose of anger.
    He’d been hurt deeply.
    Sophie didn’t want to feel a connection to him. Ulrik wasn’t a man to be trusted—ever. He was too controlled, and entirely too handsome. Men like him were a volcano waiting to erupt.
    And when they did, they took out everyone around them.
    Unlike Darius who was more like water. Soft at times, and yet unyielding and dangerous. Why then did she want to trust him?
    She tried to keep walking, but something held her back. Sophie turned her head to Ulrik. He tilted his slightly, a question in his eyes.
    “What is it?” he asked.
    By his confused look, he had no idea of what he’d revealed. Most people wouldn’t have seen it, but Sophie knew all too well how deep the wounds of a betrayal were. Those who had those same wounds could see them in others, no matter how well hidden they might