Chapter 2 #2
“Oh. Okay.” I flicked my eyes toward him, noticing his expression was masked. Who was this man? Lowe’s? As if a man so polished would handle any handyman chores himself.
If he was unnerved, he certainly didn’t show it. The ticking of seconds became another reminder of my vulnerable position. I shoved the can back into the fanny pack, grabbing the door handle.
At least he didn’t waste any time pulling around traffic and flying into the parking lot. I opened the door immediately and my swift action was met with another deep, even huskier chuckle. Did he really think any of this was funny?
“I’ll be right back. Do not go anywhere.
” I pointed at him, my arm shaking from the heightened level of anxiety and something far too dark and disturbing for me to admit.
I rushed into the veterinary office, finding it next to impossible to put a clear and concise sentence together.
“I’m Josette Samuels, one of your clients.
My baby, my Indiana Jones was hit by a car.
This guy, he… In the park. I need your help. ”
I was vaguely aware the receptionist was talking to me, perhaps trying to tell me to be calm. She did rush into the back, leaving me all alone in the waiting room.
So very much alone.
I dropped my head into my hands, allowing a single racking sob. Why hadn’t I managed to hold onto Indy’s leash? “God. This is all my fault. I’m so sorry, baby.”
The slight whine was so recognizable I was instantly relieved just to hear the soft sound. Spinning around, the sight of how the mystery man was cradling such a huge mass of fur and muscle highlighted how tall, broad, and extremely muscular he was.
“He started crying the minute you walked away.”
“What if they can’t see him?” I don’t know why I was asking, or more like pleading for answers from him.
He moved closer, even snuggling closer to Indiana. “Oh, trust me. They will take him. They will do everything in their power no matter the expense or what it takes to ensure he’s happy and healthy. Period.”
There was such dominance in his words that I was taken aback. Yet his tone was a reminder of the arrogance I’d noted the moment he’d stepped from his vehicle. I walked closer, stroking Indy’s muzzle while refusing to take my eyes off the stranger, surprised Indy had taken to the man.
“He likes you,” I said almost wistfully.
“What’s not to like?” He flashed a smile that lit up his entire face. “I’m a great guy.”
I wasn’t certain if I wanted to disagree with him or ask him to provide me with examples.
“You can bring him back now.”
Another girl’s concerned tone drew both of our attention.
“I’ve got him,” he said when I reached for Indy. “He’s much too big for you to carry.”
With my mind still in a foggy mess, I didn’t argue with him, trailing behind as the vet tech led us to a room in the back where he gingerly placed Indy on the awaiting steel table.
“Why don’t you and your husband wait out front until we get the results of the x-rays.” She smiled, nodding toward the door.
I stood right where I was, staring down at my baby with tears in my eyes. “We’re not married. We’re just… He’s just… I mean…”
“What she means is that I’m the asshole who hit her pup.”
The girl seemed shocked at his admittance, her face suddenly pinched.
“Come on. You need to give them some room,” he said from behind me, the roughness of his voice fading into something soft and soothing.
Yet I still couldn’t move. Mainly because I didn’t like anyone telling me what to do.
I was my own boss and had been for years.
“Indiana is in good hands.” When he placed his hands on my shoulders, I shuddered visibly.
I hated the chemistry we shared. There was no reason for it, certainly nothing good. Whatever the noise in his trunk hadn’t been made by purchased items sloshing back and forth because of his driving. However, challenging him would only prove dangerous.
For some crazy reason, I allowed him to guide me back to the waiting room. As if I was an invalid, he placed me on the chair.
“I’ll be right back.”
When he walked away, I rubbed tears from my eyes, taking several deep breaths to try to calm down.
Remaining emotional wasn’t going to help the situation.
With my sigh heavy, I noticed he’d pulled out a credit card, giving the receptionist explicit instructions that he was responsible for all charges.
Nice of him, but his lingering presence prevented me from gaining control over my erratic emotions.
Even so, I was able to remind my fractured self that anything over a hundred dollars on my credit card would likely be declined.
That was the way of being a business owner.
When times became rough for the masses, small businesses suffered.
Then again, I wouldn’t need to worry about whether my credit card might be declined if he’d been paying attention to driving instead of whatever he was doing.
Maybe even plotting someone’s murder. Maybe he had a man wrapped in chains in his trunk, prepared to interrogate and torture.
The ugliness of my mind knew no bounds. Maybe because I knew for certain monsters came in all sizes and shapes, social classes and age.
I reminded myself that I shouldn’t be sitting here, instead getting back home and enjoying a night off. Sitting under the stars with a glass of wine, my fur baby at my feet. That’s where I should be instead of worrying if my baby would need surgery—which I couldn’t afford. Or if I’d need to…
No. I couldn’t go down that road mentally. Indy was going to be alright. They were fabulous vets and had taken good care of him since he’d tumbled into my life.
I expected or maybe hoped the man would just leave. He’d done everything I asked and I certainly didn’t need him. I also wasn’t going to listen to any apology. Knowing my personality, I’d simply launch into him again.
Instead, he sat down beside me, remaining quiet.
His presence was unnerving, keeping the wave of uncertainty alive just like his close proximity continued to send prickles throughout my body. He was too close, making it extremely difficult to breathe or think.
“Is there anything I can do?” he asked a few minutes later after the utter silence had already pushed my mind into one too many ugly thoughts.
They’d drifted back and forth from fear and worry to wondering who he was.
And what he was hiding in his trunk.
God, he was incredibly attractive. His hair was just a touch messy as if he’d gone jogging or had just finished a passionate round of wild sex.
Or had just beaten the crap out of a man.
Thick dark scruff covered his cheeks, chin, and square jaw, creating a devilish look about him. He was even taller than I’d realized, his shoulders easily filling a doorway. And those eyes, hooded and so piercing they burned a hole straight through me.
I didn’t say anything because if I did, I’d unleash anger that had only some to do with him and what had occurred.
“No, thank you. You’ve done enough already.
You can leave now.” There was no reason to continue being nasty to the man.
I would never see him again, which was fine by me.
He unnerved me in ways I didn’t dare try to understand.
I was highly annoyed by the way my body continued to react to his subtle glances. Not quite undressing me with his eyes. Something much deeper.
Darker.
“What about a ride home when you’re finished?”
While a part of me was ready to accept his offer, the girl who’d promised herself that safety and privacy were her only real friends managed to capture my mind. “No. I’ll call one of my friends to come get me. I can trust them.”
Trust. I certainly couldn’t trust him.
The defiant edge in my voice wasn’t intentional but a defense mechanism.
That wasn’t necessarily fair even after what had happened.
My anger couldn’t hide or ignore that while his driving skills had been reckless at best, he hadn’t purposely set out to harm an animal.
That much I’d seen with the intense concern in his eyes.
Maybe that’s why I finally allowed myself to smile. The only way I could express my gratitude for him handling the payment and for bringing me here instead of running off as so many people would do.
His eyes narrowed, his expression softening. I was unprepared for the few seconds that ticked by, the connection I’d felt earlier sparking a wave of desire. With my throat clenching, I returned my attention to the door we’d taken Indy through.
His heated gaze lingered.
He jerked to his feet again, taking long strides across the room. I had no idea what he was doing, but I was curious. When he bent over, his suit jacket shifted, the material forming around a shape.
My God. There was a weapon slipped into the waistband at his back. I sucked in my breath just as he turned around, unable to unlatch my eyes from the location where I’d seen the gun. Now my gaze was firmly and unfortunately planted on the thick bulge between his legs.
Shit.
Very slowly, I lifted my gaze. He’d captured my heated look of longing, only I wondered if he understood that while his manhood was stunning in being long, thick, and hard, I couldn’t care less.
What I did care about was the fact he’d made an accurate statement.
He was obviously an extremely dangerous man.