Page 45 of Dr. Sexypants

Hopefully the first of many, but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself.

While she hadn’t seemed bothered by my injuries, I knew how vulnerable I might appear with my prosthetics off.

If I’d learned anything about Kristy, it was that she wasn’t looking for vulnerable.

We walked into the house through the laundry room and entered the kitchen. The room’s layout was identical to mine, right down to the island, except her cabinets looked like they were the original darker wood ones with gleaming white ceramic countertops, whereas my kitchen had been updated by the previous owner with antique white shaker cabinets and Silver Cloud granite countertops.

I heard the jingle of dog tags and the clicking of toenails on the wooden floor before a beagle with a white face ambled around the corner of the island. Kristy dropped down to her knees and proclaimed, “There’s my sweet baby! Were you a good girl while I was gone?” before rubbing the dog’s ears and kissing her snout.

The older pup, however, was more interested in the stranger in her kitchen, and she came over to smell my legs. I leaned down and offered my hand for her to sniff, which she dutifully did. When I was sure it was safe, I dropped to one knee to let her inspect me further.

I must have passed because she swiped her tongue along my cheek. Laughing, I rubbed behind her ears with both hands to keep her from licking me more, like I’d seen Kristy do.

“You have the prettiest brown eyes,” I told her as she stared up adoringly at me.

“Aw, she likes you!”

I gripped the island counter and hoisted myself up, proclaiming, “I am pretty likeable.”

Kristy stood, unaided. “Don’t get too big a head, she likes everyone.”

“Why you gotta burst my bubble like that? Here I was thinking I was special.”

She eyed me for a beat before quipping, “You’ve got potential.”

I knew we weren’t talking about Dora anymore.

“As long as there’s a chance…”

She just changed the subject. “I’ve been up since six this morning; I’m beat. Let’s go to bed.”

~~~~

I carried my duffel over my shoulder and followed her in the direction of the stairs. But instead of going up them, she continued on to where the guest room was. In the same spot my bedroom was at my house.

“There isn’t an en suite, but the bathroom’s right across the hall.”

I looked at the sterile room that was obviously rarely used, then back at her.

“Is there a reason we’re not sleeping in your room? I totally understand if you don’t want me in your bed. But if it’s because you have laundry on the floor or something like that, I don’t mind. The only reason my house was so clean is because my cleaning lady was just there yesterday.”

She laughed. “I mean, there is a pile of laundry in the closet, but I thought you’d be more comfortable on the first floor.”

“I appreciate you thinking of me, but I’m capable of climbing a flight of stairs.”

“I—I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not offended. I’m actually touched that you even considered it. But don’t treat me any differently than you would any other man.”

I wasn’t prepared for her to respond, “Oh. Well, in that case, you can’t spend the night.”

****

Kristy

Justin cocked his head. “What are you saying?”

“I’ve never let someone spend the night. I mean, other than Lainey. So, if you want me to treat you ‘like any other man,’ then you gotta go.”