Chapter 3
THREE
Wells
Out of all the things I thought Pearl might say, that wasn’t even on the list. Not even in my wildest fantasies could I have predicted those words leaving her perfect mouth.
Now I’m frozen, staring at my dream girl. When she darts around me, looking like she’s about to burst into tears, I’m thrown off even more. That’s how she gets away from me. By the time my brain catches up to what’s happening, Pearl has already bolted out of the building.
I turn and sprint after her into the parking lot. I’m hot on her trail, catching up to her as she stops beside her car and digs in her purse for her keys.
I skid to a stop as she turns, her wide eyes wet with unshed tears.
I have too much momentum, though, and I slide, throwing my arms out to catch myself on the roof of her car.
My body presses against her curves, and my brain short-circuits as her softness melts against my hardness.
My cock hardens instantly, and I grin before I can stop myself.
Fuck, I need to get it under control, but I can’t. It’s as if, now that I’ve finally touched her and she’s admitted to thinking about kissing me, my restraint has snapped. I can’t get it back. I don’t want to.
I tip her chin up with my index finger so she’s forced to look at me. “Repeat what you said.”
She licks her bee-stung lips. “Please give the medicine to—”
I growl, cutting her off. “Not that. The other thing.”
Her face flames, and she tries to look away, but I keep her chin anchored with my thumb and finger.
“Pearl?”
Her teeth sink into her lower lip. I tense, my whole body on fire. Christ, I’ll burst if she doesn’t say it soon. Hell, I’ll burst if she does.
Pearl takes a shaky breath. “Kiss me.”
My heart lodges in my throat. I close the distance between us, pressing her against her car as my mouth hovers over hers. Her hot breath fans across my lips. Fuck, I want to remember every part of this moment. Our first kiss. The beginning of our forever.
My lips are about to claim hers when headlights flash over us, and a truck skids to a stop. I step in front of Pearl, blocking her from view. My cock is swollen, trying to escape my jeans, and I quickly adjust myself.
A woman throws open the driver’s side door and hurries over. “I didn’t see him!” she cries, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry!”
“What?” My brain, still firmly on my girl and what we were about to do, tries to keep up.
“You have to save him,” the woman pleads, rushing back to her truck.
Pearl darts out from behind me and hurries over to the woman. I quickly follow, watching as Pearl scoops up a black-and-white puppy with blood-stained fur, cradling him to her chest.
I take over, switching into veterinarian mode as I take the dog from Pearl and stride toward the clinic. Pearl is hot on my heels, rushing to turn on the lights in the operating room at the back of the clinic.
We don’t speak except for my requests for equipment as I assess the puppy for injuries and start an IV. His front leg is broken. Pearl gently shaves it while I grab my scalpel.
My back protests as I bend over the little mutt to operate. We work together in silence for hours. Finally, I set the bone, place the screws, and stitch the little guy up.
I sigh and stretch, easing the ache out of my back.
Pearl strokes his soft fur, murmuring to him. My heart slams against my ribcage. If I weren’t already in love with her, I would’ve fallen for her at this moment. Hard.
I watch as she takes the puppy to recovery, knowing I’ll need to stick around tonight to monitor him.
I try to figure out how to convince Pearl to stay with me as I wash up and change into fresh scrubs.
I toss the dirty ones into the washing machine with some towels and start the cycle. Then I go in search of my sweet girl.
She’s in the back, giving the animals their nightly meds and saying goodnight.
Deciding not to interrupt her peaceful ritual, I go to my office to email the office manager about our newest patient.
I add care instructions to his file and am finishing up when I hear the bell above the front door jingle.
I curse, shooting to my feet and charging down the hallway to the lobby. I arrive just in time to see Pearl pulling out of the lot. I watch her go, my teeth clenched tightly as her taillights disappear.
She thinks she can avoid me.
Good luck with that, sweetheart.
Tomorrow, Pearl will realize she’s mine.
All mine.