Page 36 of Her Devious Daddies

He’d balance us in ways I couldn’t imagine. There was nothing to worry about. I swore to repeat the mantra until I believed it.

CHAPTER 11

KARSYN

After the unexpected connection with Logan and surprise relationship with August, I was over the moon. We had plans to get together this week and next, as well as a return trip to Creekside. Today I’d been rushing around the hospital from meeting to appointment and back again, taking time to text August in between. I may have been taking some of my stresses and insecurities out on him, because his last message had been a warning that had my eyes going wide as I realized I may have bratted harder than I’d intended.

Strutting through the hallway of the emergency department, I glanced up and saw two medics leading an empty stretcher up the hallway. My stomach dropped. August raised an eyebrow as he and his partner, Arlene Spencer, spotted me. I shifted my gaze, admiring his muscled body with a newfound appreciation. His powerful forearms had kept me still when we had fun, sexy moments along with the spanking. One lock of his blonde hair crossed his eye, and he pushed it back from his forehead. It should be a sin for him to be looking at me, his eyes hungry with desire.

“Would you bring the cot back to the rig, Spence, and I’ll be right there?” August nodded to Arlene.

“Don’t take all day, summer,” she joked, playing on his first name. “I want to get back in service and be done with my day.”

“I’ll bring you coffee tomorrow from Mama Lattes.”

I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. August would have to drive twenty minutes out of his way to grab coffee before getting to work on time. He must really want to talk to me. The thought sent butterflies flying through my belly.

Arlene narrowed her eyes. “Add a cinnamon bun.”

“Deal,” he agreed.

She rolled her eyes but waved to me. I returned the gesture as she took the cot and pushed it toward the ambulance entrance. We weren’t friends, but small towns like ours did not leave much room for secrets. Gossip traveled fast. Relationship news traveled faster. Though our throuple had just been established a week or so ago everyone in town seemed to know, or maybe it was just my perception.

August wrapped his arm around my lower back, spinning me back in the direction I’d come from.

“Hi.” I kissed his cheek as he led me down another hallway.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he said against my ear.

“I thought you were off today.”

“That makes two of us. I got called in due to staffing issues, as usual. I finally spoke with Dalton. He’s been building a case for a while and it’s time to take action and bring it to the district. If things go according to plan, he will become the Rescue Lieutenant.”

“And what will that do for the squad?” I did not have much experience with the hierarchy and inner workings, but I knew that Dalton Rivers could handle anything thrown his way. At least according to what his girlfriend, Kendall had shared. We’d become even better friends over the past few weeks.

“It will give us a regular schedule. Our current Lieutenant is overwhelmed but she refuses to accept anyone’s help. I think she has some bigger issues going on, but it’s no excuse. I’ve only been here a few years, and she wasn’t like this when I started.”

“You’re right, it’s no excuse. No matter what’s going on.”

“I know. Dalton said the same thing, but tired paramedics and EMTs make costly mistakes. I won’t risk someone’s life because the Lieutenant can’t handle a schedule and coordinate paid time off. She is currently burning out her best medics. We actually had two members quit and leave for other opportunities because of it.”

“So, have they filled the positions?”

“They haven’t even been posted.”

It was good to know that Dalton was doing something about it. Listening to August talk about work distracted me from what was happening. “Where are we going?”

“We’re going to the supply closet for a quick chat. You’ve been poking hard today.”

I wisely shut my mouth as he led me into the medical supply and utility closet nearest the cafeteria—the one that had the least traffic. Instead, I stared and licked my lips. “I didn’t really brat as much as I was sort of… just talking.”

“Would you like me to read back your text messages? I brought you in here because you’re clearly needing some attention, but if you’re craving a punishment instead, I can switch it up.”

“In here?”

“Do you know of a more private location, sweetheart?”

“I don’t,” I lamented. “But I really don’t need any attention. I’m still working out some things between us.”

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