The Doctor's Baby Secret Read Free Page A

the first moon landing. Space had always been the dream and these guys were his real-life heroes.
    A tune started cranking out from the old-style jukebox in the corner of the room. It was probably older than him and he couldn’t help but smile as the lyrics of ‘You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’’ echoed around the room. There were murmurs beside him as people started to sing along.
    The door swung open, letting in a bright streak of orange sunset. He recognised the silhouette straight away. Curves, curves and more curves.
    She was wearing a dark suit similar to the one she’d had on the other day. A one-button jacket accentuating her waist and breasts and a knee-skimming skirt. Her blonde hair was smooth and sleek today—he thought he preferred it windswept and interesting, as it had been that first day.
    She walked straight over to the bar and nodded at the barman, who seemed to know her drink. He set down a glass in front of her, which she picked up before heading off to one of the booths to sit next to the other instructors.
    Michael bumped his elbow. ‘Which one is she, then?’
    Austin took another swig of beer. ‘That’s Dr Corrine Carter—one of the medical team.’
    Michael frowned. ‘Corrine Carter. That’s quite a sharp name. Sounds edgy.’
    Austin watched as she glided into the leather seats in the booth. ‘I don’t think so,’ he said smoothly. ‘It looks all curves to me.’
    The bartender came back and smiled. ‘Well, I guess it’s you, then.’
    The two heads turned to him. ‘What do you mean?’ asked Michael.
    The bartender nodded at Austin. ‘Every year, one of the astronaut candidates asks one of the instructors to dance. It’s a tradition.’ He smiled at Austin. ‘Looks like it’s going to be you.’
    Austin shook his head. ‘I don’t think so.’
    One of the other candidates—Taryn—leaned on the bar. She nodded. ‘I think I’ve heard of this before.’ Her eyes connected with Austin’s. ‘I think he’s serious.’ She glanced over at Corrine and smiled as she took a swig of her drink. ‘What’s wrong, Bates, you scared?’
    Every other candidate’s head turned. It seemed as if the bartender had their full attention.
    Austin tried not to smile. The girl was good. She already knew how to press all his buttons. He’d have to watch her in future.
    The bartender laughed. He must have seen this all before. And Taryn almost made it sound like a dare. ‘Just be thankful for equal opportunities.’ He winked at Austin. ‘One year it was all male candidates and all male instructors.’
    The candidates around burst out laughing as Austin pushed the bar stool back and stood up. He put his bottle of beer back on the bar. He glanced over at Corrine. She was in mid conversation with her colleagues, her blonde hair sitting perfectly on her shoulders. She’d slipped off her jacket and was wearing a pale blue short-sleeved fitted shirt. He could see her defined, tanned arms and her long fingers playing in the condensation on the side of her glass. That simple act sent little pulses to places it shouldn’t.
    He raised his eyebrows, straightened his uniform and gave a cheeky smile to his colleagues. ‘I’m never one to step away from a challenge,’ he said confidently.
    His colleagues whoop-whooped around him. It was bravado. But only he knew that. He was pretty sure what was going to happen next.
    Michael grinned. ‘Watch out, Bates. That’s a slippery slope you’re on.’
    Austin blinked and took a final drink of his beer. ‘I know,’ he said, smiling as he walked over to the booth.
    * * *
    She’d seen him as soon as she’d entered the bar. It was amazing how supersonic your vision could become when you focused on not looking at someone. Really focused on not looking at