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“Are you blackmailing me?” My eyes were big with disbelief.
The laughter that escaped him was rich and rare. I’d heard him chuckle, but the boisterous laugh curled my toes and was infectious enough, I had to fight giving him a sappy smile of my own.
“Let’s call it friendly persuasion,” he finally replied. I shot him a look that said I wasn’t amused. Looking him in the eye was a mistake with the minimal space between us, because I was mesmerized by his pale blue eyes. The strong lines of his jaw, the bold slash of his brows. Everything about him called to me.
Blinking rapidly, I broke the spell and cleared my throat. Then I stood to put some distance between us.
“I’ll pick you up at six,” he said, and I gasped.
“But I didn’t say yes!” I exclaimed.
He gave me that sultry smile again and headed to the door. Pausing with his hand on the knob, he turned to me. “You didn’t have to. You have my number in my file. Text me your address.”
The room was vacated by the frustrating man and his beautiful beast as I sat reeling. Hiding out in the exam room until I knew they were gone, I pretended to be cleaning.
“That’s my job,” Veronica said from the doorway. I glanced her way to see her cheerful grin.
“I know. But I don’t have another client, and it’s almost closing time.” We closed early on Saturday.
The bell on the door chimed, and Dr. Moran came in. He’d been on a farm call this morning for an unexpected and difficult equine delivery. He was the only large animal vet in this practice.
“Kira,” he boomed in his deep voice. “Thank you so much for holding down the fort for me today.”
“It was nothing, considering how light the load was today.” We discussed the various animals that had come in, including Zaka. Mrs. Turnbow came in for her dog, and he briefly chatted with her. Once she’d left, I finished filling him in on the day’s few patients. The whole time, I nervously debated asking him about my situation.
“Is everything okay?” he asked, able to read me well. After ensuring Veronica and the receptionist were out of earshot, I fidgeted and then looked him in the eye.
“Um, what is the policy here for personal interactions with our customers?” It was suddenly difficult to swallow, and I desperately wanted a drink. My gaze dropped to my shoes.
His knowing chuckle had my head whipping up to look at him. Kindly, he asked, “Let me guess, Voodoo Dupré?”
Shock had me blinking owlishly. “How could you possibly know that?”
“Well, for one, I just finished talking to him in the parking lot. But other than that, I’ve seen the way he looks at you when he’s in with that big beast of his.” He gave me a soft smile, and I cleared my throat nervously.
“There is no policy. We’re a small family-owned clinic. However,” he suddenly got serious, “it can make for a sticky situation later if things don’t work out. And Voodoo is… well, I’ve known him since he moved here as a little boy. He’s a force, to be sure, but he’s always seemed a little broken. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
Dr. Moran had been a great mentor, and I valued his opinion. As well as his concern. The last thing I wanted was for him to worry about me though. What he didn’t know was that I was a lot tougher than he was aware.
“It’s only dinner.” I shrugged like it was no big deal.
“Hmm,” he hummed knowingly before he cupped my shoulder with a callused and wrinkled hand. His wizened eyes searched deep in my own. “Just don’t expect too much from him.”
With that, he left the room to go back to his office where Mrs. Moran waited for him so we could close up and everyone could go home.
As I grabbed my tote and my naughty puppy, I looked at the sticky note I’d jotted his number on. It was only dinner, I repeated to myself for the millionth time.
Except the truth was, I had a sense that he was right.
This had the potential to combust. I could feel it in my bones.
I only hoped I’d survive the blaze.
