The Physicist (Sexy Scientists Series Book Three)

By Ramona Gray

Alina
I’m a cliché. I’m in love with my brother’s best friend.

But it doesn’t stop me from pining after Nicholas Campbell like a love-struck kitten. Can you blame me though?
He’s deliciously sexy, a brilliant physicist, and the kindest man I know.

Which makes him the perfect person to help me lose my v-card.

Only he’s never looked at me as anything other than my brother’s kid sister. He’s off-limits... or is he?

When he needs a place to stay for a few weeks, I come to the rescue. And it’s the perfect opportunity to show him that I’m all grown up.

Nick
I can’t have Alina. Not only is she my best friend’s sister, but she’s sweet and innocent and I’m... not.

But physics has taught me that opposites attract, and now that we’re roommates, our attraction grows stronger. To her, my past doesn’t matter.

And even though my ability to resist her magnetism weakens each day, there is no happily ever after for us.

Can we find our happiness, or are we on a collision course to heartbreak?

Author’s Note: This is the third in a series of stand-alone, short and dirty (So.Very.Dirty.) novellas. If you’re looking for quick, one-handed (ahem) reads with insta-love and over-the-top alpha heroes in lab coats, then the trope-alicious Sexy Scientists series is for you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ramona Gray
• Release date: Jun 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781774461341

Ramona Gray

Ramona Gray is a Canadian romance author. She lives in Alberta with her awesome husband and her mutant Chihuahua. She is addicted to home improvement shows, good coffee, and reading and writing about the steamier moments in life.Email her at: [e-mail] out her website: www.ramonagray.caSign up for her newsletter: http://eepurl.com/_cL75She also writes contemporary and paranormal romance under her alter-ego "Elizabeth Kelly". Check out Elizabeth's books at www.elizabethkelly.ca

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Alina

Y ou can do this, Alina, Liam said. I know you can.

My shaking hands, upset stomach, and urge to flee straight back to my house suggested I didn’t, but I gave my brother a tight smile and nodded.

Liam opened the front passenger door of his car. I stared at the interior like it was a predator about to drag me into its lair as Liam touched my shoulder. You need to try, Alina. It’s been weeks.

I know, I said. Ignoring the constant drumbeat of fear in my head, I sat down in the car, using my hands to help pull my bad leg in before clenching them in a tight fist in my lap.

A squeak escaped my lips when Liam shut the door, and I jerked as fresh fear washed over me. I started to hyperventilate, and I clutched Liam’s hand when he slid behind the wheel.

Can’t breathe, I said. Liam, can’t breathe.

My throat was closing up, and I could barely hear Liam over the ringing in my ears.

Yes, you can. His voice was kind but firm. Slow your breathing, Alina. You can do this. Remember what your therapist said - the fear doesn’t have to control you. Take slow, deep breaths in.

I closed my eyes, keeping hold of Liam’s hand as I breathed in and out as slowly as I could. The ringing in my ears subsided, and the terrible sensation of choking faded as the constriction in my throat eased.

Better? Liam asked.

Yes.

Good. Can you put your seatbelt on, or do you want me to buckle you in?

I can do it. I released Liam’s hand, ashamed of my sweaty grip, and buckled the seatbelt.

Good. You’re doing great, Alina.

Thanks, I whispered.

I’m starting the car now, Liam said.

I made an approximation of a nod, but another low moan of fear escaped my throat when Liam started the car. I clutched at the seat belt, my heart knocking against my ribcage so hard I wouldn’t be surprised if it cracked a rib.

My bad leg pulsed and ached. The pain that never really went away always got worse when I was upset or afraid.

Deep breaths, Alina, Liam said. We’ll just sit here until you’re ready.

I didn’t know how to tell him I would never be ready. Liam and our older brother, Finn, tried so hard and spent so much time doing what they could to help me get over my trauma. Admitting defeat and telling them it was pointless made me so ashamed I wanted to throw up.

But the guilt I felt over wasting their time, especially now that they were both in relationships, ate at my stomach.

We sat in silence for nearly ten minutes. Liam didn’t turn on the radio or play music on his phone. The car accident that had taken my mother’s life and nearly mine had been accompanied by my mom’s favourite radio station playing. Now, any music or noise from the radio made my panic at being in the car exponentially worse.

I’m ready, I said.

Liam didn’t ask if I was sure. He just put the car into drive and pulled out onto the street. Immediately, my heartbeat went into overdrive, the thudding boom of my pulse echoing in my ears as my chest tightened unbearably and sweat covered my body.

My vision shimmered as I gasped for air before I finally made a strangled cry of defeat and croaked out, Enough, please. Enough.

Liam immediately pulled over, and I fumbled for the seat belt clasp, starting to cry when my shaking hands wouldn’t allow me to depress the button. Liam’s hands pushed mine away, and he freed me from the belt’s tight grip. Still gasping for air, I clawed at the door handle until the door popped open, and I nearly fell out of the car.

I staggered a few feet up the sidewalk before I bent over with my hands on my knees and waited to see if I would vomit or pass out. I’d done both in the past.

My leg throbbed, and I shook so much that it was in danger of collapsing under me. Before I could fall, Liam’s arm circled my waist. I leaned against him, gasping and trying not to cry as sweat slid down my face and into my eyes, making them sting.

You’re okay, Alina. You’re okay. I have you, Liam said. Deep breaths, okay? Take deep breaths.

I sucked air in and out in a steady rhythm, Liam holding me patiently as the breeze dried the sweat on my forehead and brought the soothing scent of honeysuckle. When my vision cleared and my chest no longer felt like it had an elephant sitting on it, I straightened and gave Liam a smile of shame.

I’m sorry, Liam.

Don’t apologize, he said. You did great, Alina.

I barked harsh laughter as, walking slowly, Liam and I headed back toward my house. I made it, what… half a block, this time?

A full block, he said, and I was driving slow. It’s better than the last time.

He made a fair point. Last time, I had freaked out when he put the car in drive. Liam didn’t even get to step on the gas pedal.

We can try again next week, he said.

I shook my head. I can’t, Liam.

Your therapist said it’s better to have shorter periods between attempts, Liam said.

I know, but I… I need Finn here too.

Usually, when I tried what I thought of as my ‘car therapy’, I had Liam and Finn in the car. But Finn was currently on vacation with his new girlfriend, Hattie, in Hawaii.

Liam didn’t say anything, but I knew he thought I was making an excuse. I wasn’t, though. Having Finn drive with Liam in the back seat, leaning forward and holding my hand, did make it more tolerable, if not easier. Once, Finn had even driven around the entire block before my panic attack forced him to pull over.

Of course, that had been last year, and I hadn’t managed to do better than that since then. The shame deepened in me. Finn and Liam had been so excited that day. They were sure it’d been a breakthrough, positive that my years-long inability to drive in a car would soon be a thing of the past. When it had proved wrong, when my fear and panic attacks worsened after that, they did a fantastic job hiding their disappointment.

But I knew it was there, lurking behind their smiles and belief that I would overcome my trauma.

I’m so sorry, Liam, I said as we walked up the sidewalk to the house. I wish I could get better. I wish I didn’t disappoint you and Finn over and over and -

Hey, stop that. Liam pulled me to a gentle stop and frowned at me before kissing my forehead. Alina, we are not disappointed in you, I promise. We’re proud of you and how you never give up, even with how scary this is for you. When Finn returns, we’ll try again, okay?

You and Finn don’t have time for this now, I said. You’re in relationships and -

Both Sophie and Hattie understand, Liam said. They already love you, Alina, and want you to get better as much as Finn and me. Sophie volunteered to come with us today, but I wasn’t sure if you would be comfortable with that.

She’s a wonderful girl, and I like her a lot, I said.

Liam had the same adorable look on his face whenever Sophie was mentioned. She’s amazing, and I love her.

I hugged him briefly before limping my way into the house. I’ll be right back.

Sure. Liam headed into the kitchen as I made my way to the bathroom. My leg throbbed and burned, and after I’d used the bathroom, I shook out a pill from the bottle in the medicine cabinet and swallowed it. I tried not to take the prescription pain relief very often, but I’d whacked my leg on the side of the bed frame last night, leaving it even sorer than it usually was.

I returned to the kitchen, inwardly cursing when I realized what Liam held in his hand.

Alina, why do you have an overdue notice on your utility bill? He brandished the paper at me.

Why are you snooping through my stuff? I asked.

I wasn’t snooping. It was right here on the counter, he said.

Okay, he had me on that one. But forgetting to hide the overdue notice meant I was about to get a huge lecture from my brother, and I was so not in the mood.

Why didn’t you tell us you couldn’t pay your bills? Liam asked.

I’m so not in the mood for this, I said.

Too bad, Liam said. I’m texting Finn and -

Don’t you dare! I glared at him. Butt out of my business, Liam.

If you can’t afford to pay your bills, Finn is perfectly fine with you skipping a few rent payments. You know how much it pisses him off that you even pay rent to him.

I’m not paying rent. I’m paying a mortgage to him so that someday this house will be mine, I said. And I’m not skipping some payments, so stop bringing it up.

You can’t go without electricity, Liam said, his face turning red.

Oh, for heaven sakes, it’s one overdue notice, I said. I’ll pay it next month.

Next month! Liam’s face was almost purple now. Alina, if you’re having money trouble -

I’m not having money trouble, I said. Sales have been a little slow the last couple of months, that’s all. It’ll pick up, it always does, and I’m starting to make some income from teaching embroidery. I’m fine, Liam.

Look, I get if you don’t want Finn to know, he’ll blow a fucking gasket, but I can give you a loan, Liam said. It’s not a problem.

It was a problem in that the loan would be not so much a loan but rather a gift. And as much as I loved my brothers for wanting to help, making my own money and paying my bills was one of the few ways I felt even remotely independent in a life where I spent too much time depending on others. Adding money to the list of what I needed from my brothers was a horrifying prospect for me.

Thank you, but I don’t need a loan, I said.

Liam’s hand clenched around the overdue notice. This would suggest you do.

I didn’t reply, and Liam made a noise of frustration. "I want to help you, Alina. It’s ridiculous that you’re scrimping and going without