Thank you for the coffee.
I wanted to add something about hearing him play but decided he’d figured it out when he saw the message. Besides, the point wasn’t to embarrass him or inflict guilt about keeping secrets, but to let him know that Isawand appreciated him just as he was. And most importantly, that I cared.Please trust me, Alex.
One of the dogs let out a low, needy whine, reminding me I still hadn’t taken them outside. Determined to keep myself busy, I set to work, taking care of the patients and putting away the latest shipment of medication and supplies. Inventory was usually handled by Melanie or Grace, but it gave my hands and mind something to do.
It wasn’t long before I heard heavy footsteps on the old wooden staircase that wrapped around the storage closet. They paused near the bottom, and I could almost feel Alex on the other side of the wall. My heart raced. Had he seen the note?
Of course, as in tune with him as I was, I knew the moment he was near the door and looked up even before he walked by. “Morning,” I said.
Alex backtracked and looked in the supply closet where I stood, a smile immediately spreading across his face. “Morning, Doc.”
He seemed far happier than the song had sounded, making it a little easier for me to breathe. When he leaned against the doorframe, I took a second to appraise his tight gray shirt and well-worn blue jeans. He was also holding the jacket I’d given him.
“I hope Roxy didn’t wake you,” he said.
“Oh, no. Not at all. She was snuggled up on the bed in the living room when Noel and I came out of the room.”
“Good. She’s been kinda antsy to get over there in the mornings.”
I smiled. “Noel looks for her right away too. I think they’re becoming quite attached to each other.”
“Yeah, they are.”
“I still put Roxy in the kennel before I left, just to be sure she didn’t play too hard today, but they should be okay.”
“Noel’s good to her. She likes to mother her.”
I chuckled. “She’s never been that way before, but yeah, she kind of does.”
Alex’s eyes fell to my lips. “Listen, Vaughn—”
His tone caught me off guard, instantly reminding me of all the times I’d been rejected in my life. I hated how easily my deepest insecurities sprang forth, but after hearing his heart through his music this morning, I just wasn’t sure where he stood anymore. “If you’re going to say we shouldn’t have kissed, I just want to say I disagree. I’m glad we did.”
He tilted his head in confusion. “That’s… not even close to what I was going to say.”
“It wasn’t?”
He stepped in the room. “No. I was going to say I was sorry for not staying for breakfast like I usually do.”
I frowned. “Yeah, I missed seeing you, but you don’t need to apologize.”
He gave a halfhearted smile and seemed unsure how to reply. After a silent pause, Alex stepped further into the closet, putting us within reach. He put a hand on my waist and turned me so we were facing each other. “It definitely wasn’t the kiss,” he said in quiet reassurance. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that.”
His honesty melted away all my worries, and I wrapped an arm around his neck, leaning in until I could feel his breath ghost across my lips. “Me either.”
He closed the distance, kissing me with a lot more need and determination than he had last night. His tongue swept in to dance with mine, and I tasted mint, as if he’d just brushed his teeth before coming downstairs. The soft scrape of his beard against my skin had my blood pumping. My fingers threaded through his hair as he roughly pushed me back against the shelves.
“Yes,” I breathed as Alex moved to my neck, trailing a line of kisses from my chin to my ear. I instinctively rocked my hips against his, wanting more.Finally.
Something clattered in the hall, making us jump apart. After glancing at the door, we turned back to each other, quietly laughing. Alex pressed his body against mine once more, his eyes hooded as he ran a thumb over my lower lip. “To be continued?” he asked.
“Only if it’s sooner rather than later,” I replied.
Alex chuckled and kissed me one more time before stepping away. “Doubt I’ll be able to stop now that I’ve started.”
“No complaints here,” I said, palming myself. I didn’t miss the way his eyes lingered on my groin. “I, um, need a minute. I’ll be out soon.”
Alex winked before leaving the room and closing the door behind himself.
