As expected, Lucy is waiting at the door, tail twitching in silent judgement as I enter the clinic.
“Lucy, Greer; Greer, Lucy.”
“Well, hello!” Greer chirps, putting her curvy backside on display as she bends to pet the stark-black cat.
The tight yellow shirt rides up just enough to show a sliver of soft skin at her waist, and her jeans hug her round ass like they were painted on. My hands itch to grab those hips and pull her back against me.
I shake my head, casting treasonous images from my brain, and bark out, “She’s a bit touchy before morning meal.”
Lucy growls, her hair standing on end. Greer backs away.
I grab a cupful of kibble.
Greer looks around the clinic. “Do you have any staff?”
“Just Lucy, the resident mouser. She was a stray. Hated other cats. Doesn’t like people all that much. She’s happy enough, just so long as there are no missed meals.”
“If you need any help around the clinic?—”
“I didn’t ask for any.”
“I know, but if you do?—”
“I’ll put out a want ad.”
Frustration lines her face, but it had to be said. The very last thing I need is her strutting around the office, distracting me with those curvy hips and?—
“Maybe I can apply at the diner.”
“Yeah, you should go do that,” I snap, knowing full well they’re not in need of help. “Just make sure you’re back at the clinic at four.”
Regret washes over me as I watch her leave, her hips swaying with every step, leaving me hard and aching in my jeans like some teenager who can’t control himself.
Which means I need to get her the hell out of my house, my clinic, and my life.
With fifteen minutes before my first scheduled appointment, I call Rus, hoping he sees things my way. He answers on the second ring.
“Hello?”
“Hey, ah…Greer is settled and doing well.”
He sighs. “I can’t tell you how thankful I am for your help. I’ve been worried sick since she went missing.”
“Yeah, about that. Did your parents really try to marry her off?”
“Are you surprised? They’ve never been good parents, but over the last few years, they’ve become monsters.”
“And you didn’t bother to do a damn thing about it?”
“I didn’t know how bad it had gotten until she fled, but trust me, there will be a reckoning—I’ll make sure of it.”
“She’s talking about getting a job. I told her to focus on getting her GED, but she’s about as thick-headed as you are.”
“I won’t argue with that.” His voice is quiet. Solemn. “Even after all these years, I knew I could trust you.”
My stomach drops. I wish I had the grace to properly apologize, but nothing I could say would be sufficient.
“You know, when Greer went missing, it got me thinking of you…” Rus says, voice low. “The way you disappeared, and how confused I was.”
