Me: You’re actually skipping our coffee date?
When she doesn’t reply right away,I chalk it up to her being caught up in whatever she’s doing or being locked in her writing cave. It’s unlike her to skip our coffee, but I guess it’s happened another time recently, too. She must actually really like this guy if she’s in Aspen Ridge with him again.
I stir in the bed, throwing the blankets off of me as Rhys pulls me back tighter into his warm chest.
“No, let’s stay in bed all day. The outside world can wait,” he grumbles, just as Mr. Bun-Buns makes little squeaking noises from his enclosure.
“That’s your cue to wake up, Daddy.” Rhys’ eyes turn molten, flames dancing in the irises. It makes my heart rate kick up a notch, my breathing hitching.
“Oh, baby, I like that way, way, too much,” he says as he puts his hand over my lower stomach. This man is truly insane. I bat his hand away, crawling out of bed with a laugh.
“Don’t worry, I’ll feed you, sweet boy,” I coo as I grab some hay and green leafy vegetables for him. He practically purrs his appreciation, and that reminds me that I get to go to work in a bit.
Rhys and I shower together, his gentle hands running over my entire body, washing me from head to toe. It’s the first time we’ve gone to the shelter together, and it’s giving me major butterflies. There are some nerves there, wondering if Blake will randomly show up or if he has anyone following me still. I haven’t left the club compound since I was at Rhys’ mom’s house, and I’d be lying if I said fear wasn’t a steady companion.
We park in the side parking lot next to Bloomfield Animal Haven, and I take a second to center myself, to remind myself that I’m safe, and the likelihood of Blake coming after me or sending someone after Rhys is slim . . . even if the club is convinced it was Blake and the people he’s involved with that started the fire at Hell’s Asylum.
Kendra’s smile greets me first, her dark-chestnut eyes lighting up as I walk into the lobby.
“I’m so happy you’re back! Those other veterinarians were great and all, but you are truly a gem to work for. Never leave again!” she says as she pulls me into a hug.
“I’ll do my best! Everything has been okay?”
“Yep! We’ve had it all covered. Had two adoptions, a cat and little Carl, the Pomeranian mix. Everything else has been moving smoothly.”
“Aww. I’m glad they found homes. I’m going to miss little Carl and his cute little overbite! You’re doing a really great job here,Kendra. Thank you for holding everything down. I know I’ve been gone for a while.”
“Don’t mention it, you were working way too hard anyway. I’m sorry you were so sick.”
I grimace, feeling like shit for having lied to her. “I’m feeling better now. You obviously know Rhys, he’s going to be in this week with me. We’re going to go see Harvey and then get settled. My schedule is on the computer?”
“Sure is! All ready for you.”
“Thank you! I’d be lost without you.”
Rhys puts his hand on my lower back, guiding me through the shelter toward the back, where we keep the pets. Harvey is in his kennel sleeping when we get there, but the moment we arrive, he perks up, sniffing the air. Rhys moves first, dropping down to his knees in front of the chain-link gate.
“Hey, buddy, you miss me?”
The tears flow instantly the second Harvey’s tail starts banging against the floor.
“Rhys . . .” I gasp softly.
“I know, baby, I see it. Can you open it up for me?”
I grab the keys off the wall as Rhys starts humming to the tune of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. I watch him with my heart in my throat, this huge beast of a man in leather, with the softest, most tender heart and soul I’ve ever known, give up his time to help this sweet dog. I love him. I’m going to love him forever.
Another week goes by,and Rhys and I start to fall into a routine. Every morning, we stop by Daily Rise, grab our lattes and baked goods, and then make the drive to Bloomfield. Rhys has developed a relationship with Harvey that melts all my brain cells. Yesterday, he started to play with Rhys, and today, he plans to take him outside and see if he can get him to get some exercise. I don’t know how either one of us is going to survive when he finally gets adopted.
I sip on my hot latte, the sweet taste flowing over my tongue as I sign paperwork and go over some adoption applications. There’s a rapid knock on my door before it opens, Rhys’ handsome face filling the doorway.
“Hi, you,” I greet as if I didn’t just come all over his fingers in my office an hour ago.
“Baby, there’s an issue. I have to go back to Amberwood. There was an accident, and one of our prospects caused it by being an idiot. Chaos is tied up, so I have to go bail the kid out of jail and talk with the police.
“I can’t leave, Rhys. I have a surgery in twenty minutes.”
“Fuck,” he curses, looking so torn. “Alright, put your earbud in one ear, we’re just gonna talk on the phone until my backup prospects get here. That work?”
