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And now I was worried about RexandTristan.
“Okay. Okay.” I followed her toward the stairs.
Downstairs, Rex was curled up in his bed, his whines persistent and painful to my ears. And yep…it definitely smelled like vomit. I tried to breathe through my mouth so as to avoid the stench.
“Hey, boy,” I cooed and reached out to touch him. “It’s okay,” I said when he snarled at me. “I just want to help.”
His belly looked bigger than normal, though that could’ve just been the way he was lying. But it was his eyes that were the most telling. They spoke of sadness and pain. Exhaustion. Something wasdefinitelywrong.
I turned to Savannah. “Do you know if he’s eaten anything unusual?”
She shook her head. “I don’t. I’m not—” She started to cry, big, fat tears rolling down her cheeks. “I don’t want him to die. I don’t want him to—”
“I know.” I gave her a squeeze, hoping to reassure her. I had to stay calm for her. “I don’t either. We’re going to do everything we can to help him. But we have to stay calm for Rex. As a veterinarian, you’d need to stay calm for your patients, right?”
She hesitated a moment then nodded. “Right.”
“I need to take him to the emergency animal clinic. Do you think you can help me find some old towels?”
She sniffled. “Okay. But I’m going to the clinic too.” She ran off and returned a minute later with some beach towels. Rex’s breathing was uneven, and I was starting to get really concerned.
Stay calm. Stay calm.
“Great. Thank you so much.” I smiled.Stay calm. Be the calm.“Can you get your shoes and coat? I’ll just let your dad know we’re leaving.”
“What about Rex? Who will stay with Rex while we do that?”
I glanced around. Right. Of course. “Um. Do you want to stay with Rex while I grab your jacket?”
She nodded and settled in by the dog, running her hand over his fur. I could hear her speaking softly to him, but I couldn’t make out the exact words she said. It didn’t really matter. Rex was in bad shape, and if I didn’t get him help soon, I feared he would, indeed, die. I could not—would not—let that happen.
I ran up the stairs, intent on Tristan’s room. I knocked gently on the door to his room, accidentally pushing it open in the process.
“Tristan,” I called. When he didn’t stir, I took a few tentative steps inside. “Tristan.” I spoke a little louder this time, feeling as if I were doing something I shouldn’t.
I shouldn’t be in his room.
I shouldn’t be studying the naked muscles of his back in the moonlight.
I shouldn’t be…
He turned so he was on his back, the covers dipping low on his stomach. My mouth went dry at the sight of his toned abs and those lines that dipped into—
For god’s sake, Ellie. Snap out of it!
I shifted back and forth next to his bed. “Tristan,” I said quietly, knowing I needed to get out of here as quickly as possible. Foroh-so many reasons. “I need your help.”
“Mm.” He seemed to rouse a little, his movements sluggish. Finally, he opened his eyes and surveyed me in a slow, sexy perusal. Then he grinned, tucking an arm behind his head. “What kind of help?”
My nipples pebbled in response to his suggestive tone, and I crossed my arms over my chest. Nothelping!
“I, uh—” My eyes darted toward the door. I tried to focus on what needed to be done, but I remained frozen to the spot, my core flaring with heat. My body at war with my head.
When I still didn’t move, he pushed himself to a seated position on the edge of the bed. My eyes darted to his crotch, and I tried to ignore the outline of his cock in his boxers.
He hung his head and sucked in a few deep breaths then paused. I realized his eyes were on my chest. “I was right.”
I didn’t have time for this, but I couldn’t resist asking, “About what?”
