Love's Taming (The Love's Series) (5 page)

Bending down, he wrapped the blanket around his dog, then stood to his full height. Looking around one last time, he quietly left through the back door, slipping out into the night.

T
he next morning,
Annie jumped out of bed at the sound of the alarm without hitting the snooze button. Anxious to get downstairs to check on Sarge, she hurried through her morning routine. Looking in the mirror, she spent an extra minute on her simple makeup and smoothing her hair.
What do I say to Stoney? What do you say to a man that you had sex with on the first night? First night? Hell, it was an only night.
Hanging her head in embarrassment for just a moment, she shook off the feelings and looked back into the mirror.
Girl, for once you did something spontaneous. Get back down there and face him
.

Going with her pep talk, she hurried down the stairs and entered the clinic through the back door. “Stoney?” she called. “How’s our patient this morning?”

The silent clinic was her only greeting. Walking into the recovery area her eyes darted around as she realized it was empty. No Sarge. No Stoney. The room looked just as she left it last night. Everything in its place. It looked as though there had never been any activity. Stunned, she walked over and peered into the laundry bin. There were the blood covered scrubs.
It wasn’t a dream. He was here.
The realization dawned on her.
He couldn’t wait to get out. He didn’t want to see me this morning.

A strange feeling of disappointment filled her. She walked slowly over to the wall where just hours earlier she had been with him. Placing her hand up against the cold surface, she wanted to feel some of the heat that she had felt then. But all that was left from last night was the cold on her fingertips and the memories.
You are such a fool.

Her eyes caught an envelope taped to the door that led to the alley. Walking over and with shaky hands, she opened it. Five one-hundred dollar bills were inside along with a note. Pulling the note out, she read:
Thanks for the help. Sarge seems fine. I hope this covers the cost of the surgery. I needed to leave before the morning. Stay safe. Stoney

Eyes closed, she clutched the money and note in her hand. Sucking in a huge breath, she suddenly turned and walked to the reception area. Putting the money in the bank bag, she headed out the front door.
There is no way I can explain this to Suzanne. First stop, bank. Fine. I can do this. I had my one spontaneous one-night stand. No more. From now on, I play it safe and if I’m destined to be a cat lady, then so be it!

After her trip to the bank, Annie ran to the butcher shop and then to the market down the street. Greeting the storeowners as she went, she tried to lighten her mood. Mr. Tochi at the market was always trying to set her up with his nephew.

“But he’s an accountant and wears a suit to work,” he pleaded. “You’re a doctor. You would make a good match and make pretty babies.”

Smiling indulgently, she answered, “Mr. Tochi, you know I don’t have time to date. I’m up to my elbows in dogs and cats.”

Shaking his head, he looked at her with sad eyes and said, “You listen to this wise old man. Don’t let life pass you by, doctor.”

Annie felt the smile slip from her face.
Yeah, well, sometimes we let life in and it bites us in the butt!

Waving goodbye, she headed home. Her apartment on the second floor could be entered by going through the clinic where a staircase went from the back work area to the living room, or by the old metal stairs attached to the side of the building in the back alley and enter through her kitchen. Deciding to walk through the alley since it was daylight, she headed around the building. Balancing the bags with her purse, she managed to get up the stairs and through the door into her kitchen.

She never saw the eyes watching her. Eyes that couldn’t believe that a single woman would walk through an alley to go upstairs to her apartment. Alone. Without checking her surroundings. Completely oblivious to possible danger.

Stoney stayed in the background, his teeth on edge as he watched her. Wanting to go to her. Wanting to help her. Wanting to take care of her. Wanting to…damn!
I fucked things up! But I gotta make sure there is no blow-back on her.
He found himself wondering what could have happened if he had met her earlier. Before. Before the darkness. Before the secrets. Angry at his thoughts and his situation, he slipped back down the alley careful not to be seen.

*     *     *

Annie spent the
rest of her afternoon in the clinic after cleaning her own apartment. Wandering among the rooms, she made sure that the surgery room was once again sterile.
Certainly didn’t worry about that last night
she thought, as her eyes moved over to the wall where Stoney had pushed her up against it.

To get those thoughts out of her mind, she flipped on the radio in the clinic letting the country music blast through the speakers. Scrubbing the surgical area she made sure to put everything back in its place, not wanting Leon or Suzanne to suspect that anything had happened.

When she was sure that everything was ready for Monday morning clients again she walked up the stairs to her apartment.

“Come on babies,” she called to her cats as she put food in their dishes. Rubbing their heads, she looked up as her cell phone rang. Glancing at the display she saw
Mom
.

“Hey mom, what’s up?” she answered.

“I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

She loved her mother dearly, but knew that she was hoping Annie was going to have news of a great date for the evening. Her parents were proud of her being a vet but kept dropping the ‘when are you going to meet someone and give us grandbabies’ hints.
Hints? More like demands.

“I’m fine, mom. How are you and dad?”

“We’re good. Just haven’t heard from you lately so I thought I would call and see if you had any plans for tonight.”

Sighing, Annie plopped down on her sofa allowing Boo to climb into her lap. “No, mom. No hot date tonight.”

“Well dear, why don’t you drive out to our place? Your dad is playing golf with a very nice young man from my office. We could have him stay for dinner and you could meet him. Who knows? You might hit it off.”

“Mom, stop trying to set me up. And honestly, I have no interest in meeting someone who works in your office.”

“What’s wrong with meeting a financial consultant?” her mom huffed.

Images of a muscular, tattooed man kissing her until her toes curled ran through her mind. Dangerous. Wild. Untamed.

“I don’t know, mom. It just isn’t the right time. Anyway, I’ll probably meet some friends later.”

“All right, dear. But the invitation stands open for any weekend.”

She could hear the disappointment in her mother’s voice as she hung up the phone. Looking down at the large cat in her lap, “Looks like another night of just us.” She wanted to forget Stoney. Be angry with him. But she couldn’t.
Just for once, I wanted something wild and unpredictable.
Grabbing her Kindle, she lay on the couch reading as the evening sun began to lower in the sky.

That night as she slept, black eyes haunted her dreams.

*     *     *

Annie rounded the
corner, jogging back toward her apartment. Determined to get outdoors today, she decided to get back into running.
Jesus, how out of shape am I?
She pounded the pavement, breathing heavily. She had forgotten her iPod and without music her mind was racing with thoughts of Stoney and Friday night.
You’ve never had a one-night stand. What were you thinking? What if he wasn’t trustworthy?
She remembered him asking her if she was sure.
He was trustworthy. I don’t know how I know that, but he was. But it was done and over. He left. He just left.
She shook her head in anger, whether more at him or herself she wasn’t sure. Making it to her building she ran into the alley, slowing down as she approached the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, she came to a stop and began her stretching.

Moving toward the staircase she was startled when Stoney stepped in front of her.

Shrieking in fright, she dropped her keys as she stumbled backward. His arms reached out to grab her, but held on longer than just to steady her. Jerking back, eyes snapping in anger, she pulled from his grasp and bent to pick up her keys.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, confusion warring with anger and a dose of embarrassment.

“I need your help again.”

His eyes darted to the side, under the stairs where Sarge lay wrapped in a blanket.

Forgetting her irritation she darted around Stoney and knelt at the dog. Her sure hand ran over Sarge and she lifted the blanket to look at the incision site. “He seems a little feverish, but the incision site looks good. Let’s move him inside so that I can get a better look at him.”

Stoney leaned closely to her as he gathered the dog up in his arms and followed her inside the back door to the clinic.

She flipped on the lights in the clinic and had him lay Sarge down on the examining table in the back lab area. Quickly, but thoroughly, examining him, she looked up at Stoney’s face, noting the concern etched on his features. Her ire lessened.
He really does love this dog.

Placing her hand on his arm, she pulled his eyes toward hers. “Stoney, he’s going to be fine. His surgical site looks good, but I think he’s in some pain from the surgery. I’ll give him some fluids and pain meds and he really just needs to rest.”

Stoney’s dark eyes captured hers. “I’m sorry I left the other night. I thought it was best to not be here the next morning.”

Determined to keep things professional, she spoke quickly. “It’s fine. It was nothing. No worries.”

He noted her blush, as well as her fast-paced breathing.
She’s not as unaffected as she pretends.
Smiling at this knowledge, he looked back down at his dog. “So, what should I do about him?”

“You need to leave him here overnight. Let him get some rest where I can keep an eye on him. You can come back tomorrow and check on him.”

“Can I stay with him?”

Seeing Annie’s look of doubt, he quickly added, “I promise I won’t leave and I won’t move him. I’ll stay right here and keep an eye on him.”

“It doesn’t matter to me if you leave,” she said defiantly, looking back down at the now sleeping dog as she reached out to gently rub Sarge’s fur. “It’s up to you. But I’m telling you this dog needs to rest.” Raising her gaze back to his dark one, she nodded. “Well…I’ll be upstairs if you need something.”

Standing at the same time, he moved into her space. Refusing to step away or show fear, Annie leaned her head back as he came nearer, holding his eyes. His hand came up and cupped her face as his thumb moved across her flushed cheeks.

“Thanks,” was all he said, but his face had gentled. The harsh lines seemed to smooth out as he continued to stroke her cheek. Leaning down slowly, giving her a chance to back away, he touched his lips to hers. She stayed. He took this as a sign and deepened the kiss, angling his head for better access. Licking her lips, he plunged in as she opened her mouth to him. Wanting to control the situation, but knowing he still had a job to do, Stoney reluctantly pulled back, noting her slight whimper as his lips left hers.

Confusion in her eyes quickly morphed into distress. Turning sharply, she walked on shaky legs to the door leading up to her apartment. Refusing to turn around she closed the door behind her and walked up the stairs, not stopping until she collapsed on her couch.

Jesus. What is wrong with me? I don’t know anything about him, but I would have let him take me again!
Remembering his lips, his strong arms, the hands that stroked Sarge with just as much care as they stroked her face, she felt a tingle of desire pulse through her.
What am I doing?
Hearing no answer, she lay on the couch staring at the ceiling fan. Moving her hands over her stomach and up toward her breasts, she remembered the feel of his hands on her body.
I want that. Again.