“Of course, your phone voice is sexy. This is not a hardship, Mr. Hudson.”
Rhys moves into my space, pulling me up from my chair. I go willingly as he wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him, his other hand sweeping into my hair to angle my head backward. “Mmm. Do you think there’s a chance you’d want to be Mrs. Hudson someday?”
“I’d become Mrs. Hudson tomorrow if you let me.”
The growl that escapes this man’s lips should be illegal. “Baby, if I didn’t have to rush out of here right now, I’d be pulling your ass into that storage closet to make you scream my name.”
God. “That’s just what I needed before going into surgery, thank you.”
“And what’s that, my love?”
I lean in close, whispering my next words. “Wet panties.”
Rhys groans, digging his fingertips into my hip, dropping his head backward.
“Give them to me for the road.”
“No way, you are not getting my panties! Get out!” I laugh.
“Earbud in! I’m calling you in two minutes!”
“Yes, sir! Now leave so I can do a few admin tasks before this spay. I love you!”
“God, woman, I’ll never tire of hearing you say those three words. I love you, too!”
Just as Rhys promised, exactly two minutes later, he’s calling the new phone I got last week. “Hi, handsome.”
“Hi, beautiful.”
“Mmm. I was right, your phone voice is sexy.”
“Yeah? I’ll remember that, maybe we’ll have a little phone sex once I’m on my way back to you. I have no problem talking you through another orgasm.”
“As if the three I’ve already had today aren’t enough?”
“Not until you’re in a puddle, my love.”
Rhys and I talk until it’s time for me to go prep for surgery, the conversation flowing easily, just as it always has.
“I love you. I’ll call you as soon as I’m done.”
“Good. I’ll try to hurry back. I love you, baby.”
Surgery goes smoothly and uneventfully, spaying a stray that had come in months ago pregnant. When I return to my office, the energy is off, charged, and electrifying. Goosebumps scatter across my skin, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach. It’s the same kind of feeling I had toward the end of my relationship with Blake when I was anticipating seeing him. I slip my hand into my scrubs, pulling out one of my earbuds and pressing it into my ear.
Without looking around my office, I walk normally over to my desk, opening up the top drawer with shaky hands. I look into it, at the smooth black gun that Rhys stashed there on our first day back at the shelter. He showed me how to use it, making me promise that I would if I ever needed to.
“Miss me, darling?” That voice sends a shiver down my spine as my eyes fall closed, terror gripping my heart and squeezing.There are moments like this, when standing still and doing nothing could mean letting someone get hurt.
I grab the gun quickly, holding it out in front of me. “Just aimand shoot, baby. That’s it. There’s already one in the chamber, and there’s no thumb safety.”
“What are you going to do with that, Bristol? Shoot me? You’re too scared. Too weak.” Blake’s words don’t even make me flinch this time. He’s nothing to me anymore but a stain on the last few years of my life. He looks much the same, posh and polished, wearing a suit, his hair perfectly coiffed back in a style that I hate. But his eyes tell a different story. They’re dark, soulless, empty. Blake looks pure evil, and not at all like the man I met all those years ago.
“Why the hell do you want me so much if I’m so pathetic, then, Blake. Why? Just let me go!” I scream, my voice shaking just as much as my hands. Fucking fear masking my strength. I hold the gun in front of me, my desk, and the two chairs in front of it, keeping us apart. I use my free hand to unlock my phone, clicking buttons and hoping it connects me to Rhys.
“Never! I love you, Bristol! Don’t you understand? We’re perfect together. You just need to be reminded! You think I’m going to let you leave me for him? He’s a nobody! A criminal!”
“And what are you? You’re worse! Tell me you didn’t know, Blake, tell me you didn’t know what they’re involved in!”
