AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“All part of the job.”
She wanted to abandon the rickety fold-up chair but her lower half was glued to the hard metal seat and she forced a smile that sent a sharp pain shooting through her cheeks.
Dr. Merino’s legs were spread in a display of ultimate comfort. His left arm lay across the desk, while his right elbow dug into the chair’s armrest, forearm dangling over his lap. The sheer size of his person made him tree-like. Frame wide yet lean.
That disturbing, honeyed glow flickered in his eyes.
He’d caught her staring. Kenna’s chin made a quick dive to focus on the tiled floor beneath them.
The sip he took from the now cold Darjeeling tea was much too ginger for a man of imposing malice. “Any plans for this horribly commercial holiday?”
Was he seriously asking if she had Valentine’s Day plans? Kenna couldn’t believe it. He watched her through his long, dark lashes, awaiting her response.
She wagered his idea of a romantic evening started with a date-rape drug and ended with a semi-conscious romp in the hay. Maybe he was a touch classier than that.
She’d rather not find out.
“No plans.” Dr. Merino gave a slow, singular nod, as if he’d been hoping for a different answer. Kenna took the bait. “I have a date on Saturday.”
A wide, closed-mouth smile spread across his face, accentuating sets of refined lines at either corner of his lips that resembled parentheticals.
“That’s a relief. I was starting to worry you were planning to study yourself to death.”
Of course he knew about Kenna’s upcoming date. After all, he’d been plotting its demise since he overheard the arrangement in the library. But Dayton was curious to see if she trusted him enough to volunteer such delicate information and his darling lamb did not disappoint.
Everything was on track for his satiation and her predestined heartbreak.
“Lift your arms, sir,” the seamstress instructed. The woman with the graying bun circled him, wrapping her measuring tape around his chest. She wrote the number on a post-it note and continued the tedious procedure. “Relax. Show me your usual posture so I can get your shoulder measurements.”
Dayton obeyed her direction—anything to speed up the process. He was raring to drive across town and slash Liam Park’s tires. Though it was a childish attack, it was a nonviolent means to cut down the boy’s chances. But he had planned something vile that guaranteed Kenna would never look at Liam again. His insides vibrated with premature excitement.
Alas, his best man duties beckoned.
“You look sharp. You better not make me look bad on my big day,” Nathan joked.
He’d endured the entirety of his fitting, relishing in poking fun at his friend’s displeasure.
“I looklike I’m in mourning. If you ever see me this dressed up, there’s a good chance somebody’s dropped dead.”
He stared ahead at the mirrored wall, taking in his suited appearance. The jacket was itchy and the wedding was in May. Outdoors. The second the ceremony and photos were over, it would have to go.
“How’s the babysitting going?”
At first, he didn’t realize it was in reference to Kenna.
“She sat in on a patient today. It wasn’t too exciting, but I think she got a kick out of it.”
The seamstress sunk to her knees, measuring the inseam of the dress pants. His mind replayed the memory of Kenna’s eyes wandering all over his body that morning. What he loved most of all was the shame plastered on her face after the fact. It gave him a rush, knowing he was capable of stirring such conflicting emotions within her.
With Liam out of the picture, the bewitching Kenna Aisling O’Callaghan would be his to love—if only on a temporary basis.
12
X-RATED
It was a quarter to seven when Dayton turned up at the 12th Annual Student Short Film Festival. Waiting outside for the arrival of the young couple was tempting, but he didn’t allow his eagerness to get the best of him.
He couldn’t afford to make any more mistakes. Kenna was already suspicious. Restraint would be a critical factor in the success of the evening.
