Page 132 of Petite Fleur

I mean, I know it's hot, but I stopped sweating like an hour ago.

My body probably got used to the sun and the heat since I've been out here so long.

I nod, wishing he would help this dog so I could take a nap. I'm so tired. "Okay, we're going inside. You might have had a heat stroke." He says firmly to me.

He goes to push the dog's head off my lap, but I whine. "Puppy." I say sadly.

"I know, fleur. It's very pretty, but you could die if I don't cool you down." He states firmly.

I huff and swat his hand away. "It hurt its paw." I protest.

Chapter 52

Leon Aldon

I didn't expect to come home and find my girl in the yard; I definitely didn't expect she'd almost be unconscious.

I'm fucking terrified and pissed off.

Her skin is red, all the way red, and hot to the touch. She's not sweating at all, her eyes look glossed over, she's not focusing on anything, and she's barely awake.

I'm so fucking grateful my last patient canceled their session so I could head home early. Who knows if my girl would even still be alive if I'd been home an hour or two later.

But of course, while I’m terrified for my beautiful girl, she’s more concerned with this fucking dog.

I mean, it's a cute dog, a golden retriever, I think. It growls when I get close to Maeve like it's protecting her. "Down, girl." I say firmly to the dog. "Get in the damn house." I say with a huff, pointing to the front door.

I'm surprised this dog listens, but it climbs off Maeve's lap and goes to stand in front of the front door. At least that gives me the chance to scoop my girl up into my arms. "That's it, fleur. Wrap your arms around me." I say calmly to her.

I can't let her know I'm freaking the fuck out, but I'm freaking the fuck out.

She could have died!

For a fucking dog!

She’s going to pay for this later when I know that she’s okay. I didn’t realize that “don’t get yourself killed” needed to be one of my rules. Apparently, I was wrong.

The dog follows me into the bedroom as I carry Maeve inside and lay her on the bed. "Ma fleur, I have to get your body temperature down before your organs are damaged. You're not going to like it, but I'll help you." I explain to her.

"The puppy." She whines and attempts to point to the dog, who bumps its nose on her hand.

I huff, staring down at the dog. "You first. It's fine." I say to her.

She grumbles something incoherent, but I'm not having her repeat herself. I'm not listening anyway; she's my priority. Not this fucking dog.

I rush downstairs, grabbing a muscle relaxer for her. If she starts to shiver, it will make cooling her down even harder. I just have to watch her closely. If I have to, I'll take her to the hospital, but I need her near me, and I need to help her immediately.

When I get back upstairs, this damn dog is in her face, nudging her with its nose. I can tell she's trying to keep Maeve conscious. Works for me. It gives me a few extra minutes.

I fill the tub with the coldest water that will come out of the spout, dumping all the ice we have in the house into the tub. It isn't enough, but it will have to do. I also throw in a few vacuum-sealed packages of frozen vegan meat and every popsicle we have in the house. I just need this water cold enough to cool Maeve down before she fucking dies.

Yeah, she’s not getting away with this. I think my heart is ready to burst out of my chest the longer I look at the condition she’s in.

She’s lying across the bed, barely awake, and the dog is nudging and yapping at her every time she stops petting it.

“Come on, fleur.” I say as I push past the dog and grab my girl.

The dog growls at me when she whines, but I don’t care.

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