Distracting David

By E.M. Shue

One case changes everything for Rachel. Now she questions medical school and all the sacrifices she's made. On a whim, she takes off for the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia hoping to find herself again. She just wants to get away. To reevaluate her future. To finally take time for herself. To understand her attraction to a very dominant man.

David wanted Rachel from the moment he first saw her, but he pushed her away. She isn't a true submissive. She shouldn't have to deal with his issues. But no more. When she takes off, he'll hunt her down and bring her home kicking and screaming if he has to. She is meant to be his, and even if he doesn't deserve her, he'll keep her.

Take a trip to Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, with award-winning author E.M. Shue and find out if love can survive so much loss and pain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.M. Shue
• Release date: Jun 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798223621836

Book preview

introduction

Alluring Write Productions is excited to introduce to you the Love on the Sunshine Coast collection, with 8 different stories from 8 amazing authors!

Get ready to warm up this summer in beautiful B.C., Canada where the days are hot and the nights are hotter. Join some of your favorite authors as they bring love to the Sunshine Coast.

LEARN MORE about the collection.

About B.C.’s Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is a 180 km stretch of paradise that’s tucked into the southwest corner of mainland British Columbia. The shoreline stretches from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound and is accessible only by ferry, boat, or plane. Come spend some time discovering vibrant communities, reconnecting with nature, and enjoying the laid-back vibe.

LEARN MORE about the Sunshine Coast.

CHAPTER 1

rachel

The pain overwhelms my body. Not physical, but emotional pain. This is the second child we’ve lost in six weeks. I don’t know what I can do. Do I go to the administration and file a complaint? Do I ignore the fact that he’s incompetent and children are dying? I’m just a resident.

A nobody.

But I know the surgeon is taking risks he shouldn’t. He’s gambling with the lives of young children. I just don’t know what I can do, and I’m tired of being the one who has to talk to the parents. The one who has to tell them their precious loved ones are never coming back. This time the mother fell to her knees and sobbed. I know if I had a child, it would be like losing myself. I’d grown fond of this little boy while on my rounds. He shouldn’t be dead right now. Yes, he had a heart condition, but it could have been regulated with medication, not surgery.

It's true that heart conditions in children could kill them, but not like this. Not when a surgeon isn’t qualified or in the right state of mind for this precise of a surgery. Not when his hands tremble because he’s on drugs. This recent death was murder as far as I’m concerned.

I wander through the hospital unaware of which floor I’m on. Not caring about what’s going on around me. I’m numb to everything but the pain. The loss. Why do I do this? It hits me like a ton of bricks. I don’t want to be like my mother anymore. I want a life. I want a family. A husband. Children of my own.

Rachel. I keep moving, ignoring my name being called, afraid it’s someone wanting me to discuss the case more. Rachel, stop. I can’t stop. If I stop, the pain will bleed out through my emotions. Someone grabs my arm, and I slowly turn. I look at the person in front of me, not really seeing them. My eyes glass over as the pain starts to come out.

Rach, are you okay? Hearing Emily use my nickname breaks through the fog of turmoil.

She grips my arm again and pulls me into an empty patient room. She doesn’t say anything but pulls me into her arms. The sob I’ve been holding in rips from my chest. I feel like I’m dying inside. I cry for what feels like forever. Tears roll down my face as my body shakes, and Emily just continues to hold me. The vibrating of my phone causes me to pull back. I retrieve it from my pocket and see his name on the display. I don’t want to answer, but he’s my superior. I could not only be written up but penalized if I ignore him.

Dr. Vacentti: Where are you? We’re starting rounds in 30 minutes. The parents of boy 9 are still in the lobby. Why?

He can’t even call him by his name. Just his age. It’s heartless. I don’t want to be that kind of surgeon, where everyone is a number. A paycheck to fund my fast sports car or vacation home in the Hamptons.

Rach, what’s going on? Emily asks. This outburst is so out of character for me. Normally, I’d bottle up my emotions. Forget I have them. Just like my mother taught me. Treat the patient and move on. If you fall for them, all you become is a bleeding heart.

It’s nothing. I pull away more and wipe under my eyes to fix my mascara and eyeliner.

What just happened wasn’t nothing. I’d been calling your name for a while. I chased you down. Her hands go to her hips, and I take her in. She’s wearing a beautiful, tailored suit coat dress. Her hair is in a long braid over her shoulder. She’s in her signature high heels. Emily’s the image I always wanted to be when I thought of becoming a doctor, but she’s currently in law school.

My mom is the reason I’m studying to be a surgeon. Why I had to get the best