Page 45 of Slap Shot Daddies

"C’mon, mate. Let’s get you sorted," I say, leading the way.

Kenzie follows me toward the exam room, and as soon as the door swings shut with a soft click behind us, she lets out a breath she’s been holding and murmurs, "Thank you."

I just grin, leaning down to ruffle the dog’s ears once more, feeling the warmth of his gratitude through his gentle nuzzle. "Anytime, love."

Kenzie lets out a weary sigh as I assist her in hoisting the hefty golden retriever onto the examination table.

The pup pants contentedly, blissfully unaware of his owner's earlier theatrics. His shiny coat gleams under the fluorescent lights. He exudes an air of innocence.

"All right, big guy," Kenzie murmurs softly, her skilled hand affectionately scratching behind his velvety ears before she prepares a mild sedative. "We're just going to have a little look, make sure everything's okay."

I steady the dog, feeling the warmth and softness of his fur beneath my fingers, as Kenzie deftly administers the injection.His tail wags in a slow, lazy rhythm, and gradually, his muscles relax into a state of calm.

Kenzie retrieves the clippers, and I help keep the dog steady as she delicately shaves the area she needs to examine.

Kenzie guides the scanner over his abdomen, her brows knit in concentration. I watch the screen beside her, though the shifting shapes and shadows are largely enigmatic to me.

"Everything looks clear," she murmurs, relief evident in her voice.

A blood draw follows, Kenzie’s movements swift and practiced, and before long, the dog is rousing from his sedated state, groggy but otherwise unscathed.

We escort him back to his waiting owner, where Kenzie quickly and professionally explains the situation. "He's fine. But if you notice any of these symptoms, take him to an emergency vet." She hands over a card, her demeanor calm and reassuring.

The woman remains a bit irritable, but she does manage a thank you before departing in a huff.

I can't help but smirk. "You deal with that kind of madness every day, aye?"

Kenzie just sighs, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "More often than you’d think."

Back in the tech room, Kenzie collapses into a chair like a marionette whose strings have suddenly been severed.

Her limbs splay out in exhaustion, and she lets out a long, drawn-out groan. "I’m so tired," she complains, tipping her head back dramatically, her eyes closing as if to shut out the world. "Everything takes twice as long with this stupid hand."

Her voice carries a note of frustration, echoing subtly off the walls lined with blinking monitors and tangled cables.

I step up behind her, placing my hands gently on her shoulders, feeling the knots of tension that have formed there. I begin to knead them with deliberate care.

A grin spreads across my face as I watch her rigid frame relax beneath my touch.

"Y’know,lass, you should let us help out more often," I murmur, my fingers trailing lightly down the length of her arms, tracing the soft fabric of her sleeves.

The room is filled with the subtle hum of electronics, a comforting background to our quiet conversation.

Kenzie makes a dismissive noise, a half-hearted protest, but she doesn’t pull away. Her resolve is as thin as the air we're breathing.

"C’mon," I press, leaning in closer to plant a soft kiss just below her ear, feeling the slight hitch in her breath, a stutter that betrays her composure. "Admit it: you liked having us around last night."

Her cheeks turn a delicate shade of pink, a visible flush that warms her pale skin, though she tries to dismiss it with a scoff. "That was one night, Reggie," she retorts, though her voice lacks conviction.

I chuckle, a low sound that vibrates gently against her skin as I drag my lips slowly down her neck, savoring the warmth and the scent that clings to her. It’s something soft and floral, like a bouquet kissed with sweet honey.

With a grin, I press a final lingering kiss to her shoulder before I pull back. "You don’t have to do everything alone, love. We want to help," I say softly, hoping the sincerity in my voice reaches her.

Kenzie shakes her head, a gesture of stubbornness that I’ve come to know so well, but I notice the way her fingers twitch slightly, as if they're yearning to reach for me but are unsure of how to bridge the distance.

Aye, I think to myself, observing the inner struggle that dances across her features. This woman might be as stubborn as a mule, but I am determined to win her over.

As she sighs and stretches, my gaze is snagged by something peeking out from beneath a haphazard pile of file folders on her cluttered desk.

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