Page 86 of Avenging Azalea

I sighed and nodded.

“Yeah, just…I guess the thought of losing Sheba is hitting me hard.”

She gripped my hand in both of hers.

“Sheba is going to be fine. Dr. Taylor will take some blood to be sure, but we think it’s most likely a minor viral infection. We can manage it easily with rest, liquids, and I already have the perfect recipe to support her nutritionally.” She squeezed my hand while I stared into her spring green eyes, trying hard to convey all that was in my heart. “I’m sorry I scared you and pulled you away from work for this. I should’ve just come on my own.”

“No, I’m happy you called. This is exactly where I want to be,” I said.

Happier than I could ever express. Fawn’s call might have only delayed the inevitable, but I never would’ve forgiven myself if I’d slept with Vera before the wedding. There was still a slim hope of getting out of the contract if I didn’t consummate the relationship. If I slept with her, it was all over.

“Fawn, can I get you to hold her while I draw blood,” Taylor asked, breaking our connection. My lip lifted in a snarl as Fawn turned away.

Taylor was quick and efficient at drawing the blood, and Fawn quickly bandaged Sheba’s leg with a green wrap that matched the gems in her collar. As soon as Taylor left the room, Fawn turned to me.

“You sure everything is okay, you seem…off,” she asked, crossing her arms. “Do you have an issue with Dr. Taylor?”

My teeth ground together as I glanced at the door and wasn’t sure how to answer.

“How well do you know him?”

Fawn’s eyebrow arched accusatorily, and under any other circumstance, it would’ve been understandable, but not when it came to her safety and her heart.

“Are you asking me on a professional or a personal level?”

She crossed her arms, leaning her hip against the examination table.

Fuck she was beautiful all the time, but when she was feisty like this, all I could think about was locking the doors. Fighting the jealousy was a losing battle. My heart was pounding in my throat, the rhythmic thump telling me just how high my blood pressure had risen.

“Both, I guess,” I said, copying her pose.

“I’m not sure that my personal life is any of your business.”

Wasn’t that a slap in the face, and the truth

“Are you saying I can no longer be concerned about you?”

Before Fawn could answer, the door opened, and Dr. Taylor entered. He seemed oblivious to the tension in the room.

“Everything is set. The blood will be tested first thing in the morning. I put a rush in at the lab, and I’ll drop it off myself on my way into work, rather than shipping it,” he said, smiling at Fawn.

Fawn returned the gesture, and my hands pushed deeper into my pockets to keep from wrapping them around his throat.

“Sorry I ruined your run into work tomorrow,” she said, and he laughed.

I was the third wheel to what felt like a very private inside joke and blatant display of flirting.

“No, you couldn’t ruin anything,” he said, and I coughed to cover the gag. This guy was un-fucking-believable. Fawn glanced at me but looked away immediately, causing a fiery panic to kindle in my chest.

“It’s getting late. Do you want a lift home? Titus won’t mind,” Fawn said, and I plastered a smile on my face, all too happy to know where this fucker lived.

“Of course, it would be my pleasure,” I said.

“Well, if you don’t mind, that would be great. My legs are a little sore tonight. Three runs in one day is just excessive,” he said, casually showing off. Fuck him.

Walking over to Sheba, I purposely stood on the side with Fawn, putting myself between her and this asshole. Our arms brushed, and the heat from her body calmed the raging beast running loose in my chest, but it wouldn’t last. I’d been caged, and by who no longer mattered, only that I couldn’t get out.

Dr. Taylor opened the door as I picked Sheba up and walked out with her in my arms. Whatever other flirtations he had in mind were cut off when Fawn walked ahead of me rather than behind me. She opened doors while Taylor brought up the rear to lock up. That might have sorted tonight, but what about tomorrow and the next day or the week after that?