‘We’ll keep an eye on it.’
I nod. ‘Thanks, Doc. Do I get a lollipop now?’
He huffs a laugh. ‘I think we missed dessert ...’
‘Oh?’
He turns and holds my eyes with his as my fingers trace the soft spot between his ear and his cheek.
‘But maybe a kiss would help?’ he murmurs.
A slow wave of desire rolls through my body.
‘Yes, I think it would definitely help with the healing process.’
His mouth curves in approval, and his lovely lips inch towards mine. Mmm, I’ve been looking forward to snogging Dr Rhodes ever since our liaison in my bedroom.
We’re just about to kiss when there’s a sharp knock on the door.
‘Everything all right in there?’ calls Andrew. ‘You’re notamputating her leg, are you?’
Damian jerks back, and the first aid kit goes flying into the bath. He throws me a look of apology, hastily gets to his feet, and unlocks the door.
Andrew pokes his head in and grins when he sees Damian looking flustered, as if he knows he interrupted an intimate moment and is congratulating himself on his good timing. I narrow my eyes and barely stop myself from growling. It was prettybadtiming as far as I’m concerned, even if Damian’s parents’ bathroom isn’t exactly the most romantic of venues for a first kiss.
‘How’s the patient?’ asks Andrew, staring at my plastered shin. I pull down my dress to stop him from gawping.
‘She’ll live,’ I say. ‘Thanks to your brother’s handiwork.’ I lift my leg down from the bath, and Damian’s instantly by my side.
‘Take it easy,’ he urges, putting an arm around my waist and helping me to my feet.
Andrew smirks.
We walk down the hallway behind him to the lounge, and I sense Damian is torn about what to do next.
‘Do you want to come back to mine?’ he whispers in my ear. ‘I could make you a hot chocolate and look after you properly.’
I hesitate, sorely tempted by that offer. Not the hotchocolate so much, but him looking after me—and exploring that almost kiss. Even just snuggling with him would be divine. If Iwasa cat in a former life, Damian would most definitely be my catnip.
But I’m not sure it’s a good idea.
After the dog episode, I need to lie low, possibly distance myself from him and his family. His father was asking a lot of questions.
‘I should probably go home, get a blood transfusion or something.’
I say it as a joke but I’m serious. Ingesting roast beef is fine as it gets broken down and absorbed into my body over a period of days, but it’s not the nourishment I crave.
‘Yeah, all right then.’ He sounds disappointed, and I don’t want to be parted from him just yet either.
I think quickly.
Hester is out, but Sadie and Elliott are at the flat. Hopefully, Sadie is distracted enough by Elliott not to sense anything happening downstairs.
‘What about if you escort me home?’ I say, and Damian presses a kiss to my temple.
‘Perfect.’
***
