“The magazine.” He chuckled a little nervously. “It’s from 2016.”
“I swear they just appear magically. But I did find a good recipe for pot roast in one once.” I held the door open and waved him to the chair across from my desk. “Have a seat.”
He perched on the edge of the chair as I walked around to mine. “You really think you can help me? I’ve been to a lot of specialists, and they say this is as good as it gets.”
“The other night at the club when I massaged it and got you to do some exercises, did you notice any improvement?”
“I got a better night’s sleep and woke up less stiff,” he said. “It was nice.”
“I’m glad to hear that. If that one mini treatment helped like that, imagine what a whole regimen could do for you. I have one laid out if you’d like to see it.” Lifting my tablet, I swiped the screen and brought up the file. “Here.”
He scanned it, swiping up, lips moving slightly. Finally, he looked up and set the tablet down. “That’s a lot. Do you really think it would help?”
“I do, but there’s a catch.”
“Which is?”
“Striker, I like you and I’d like to go out with you, but if I am your physical therapist, we can’t date.”
“I see.” He tapped the desk with one finger. “So, I have to choose between dating you and the way you think you can help me heal? That doesn’t sound fair.”
“By that I hope you mean you actually would like to go out with me?” I pulled the tablet over to me closed the screen.
“Yes, but I also would love to quit hurting. Honestly, I don’t think anyone would want to have a relationship with me like this. I tend to be grouchy.”
“What would you think of one of the other therapists in the office taking over your care. They would follow the plan I have laid out unless you and he together decide to change it. Then we can go out and have a nice dinner somewhere.”
“Can they make me feel as good as you did the other night?”
“Not sure if the connection my wolf sees helped with that, but everyone here is skilled and will be able to make you feel pretty great.
“I’ll try. I wish it could be you, though.”
So did I.
Chapter Twelve
Striker
I had asked Wulf three times if he was sure. Spending time together at the club was one thing and having appointments for physical therapy was another.
But asking me on a proper date? We were diving into relationship water and damn it all I wanted it. All of it.
He was sure. And he was about to pick me up.
Eli was late for training but insisted on meeting this mystery alpha. He opened the door and crossed his arms over his chest. The smile on his face was priceless. “Be careful with Striker. He’s my best friend.”
I snorted from behind Eli. “You have to stop.”
Wulf chuckled. “Yes, sir. I will do my best.”
“And if you hurt him, I have a shovel and I know people that would help us and places no one would ever find you.”
All of us cracked up. Eli was a mess. Honestly, I’d never seen this side of him but was grateful for a protective friend. Something had clicked the other night since we talked in the gym and we were closer than ever.
Wulf was changing everything in my life.
“I swear I’ll take care of him. Can we go now?”
