Page 709 of Filthy Elites

Adrian folded his arms over his chest. “Yeah? Why? Do you have a problem with me staying here?”

Kelsey stepped back from his anger and bumped into the shelves behind her, making things clatter together. “No. I think it’s a good idea for someone to be here. I’ve just seen the condition of the apartment. It needs a little, uh…”

“It’s not that bad.” Adrian wasn’t worried about old furniture and ugly peeling wallpaper.

Dr. Katherine patted his arm. “It’s a disaster and you know it. We’ll try fixing it up a little until I can begin renovations.”

The receptionist came into the office. “Dr. Hogan, you have a patient waiting.”

Dr. Hogan nodded. “Be right there. Kelsey, can you ask the volunteers to walk all the dogs? They haven’t gotten as much exercise as they need. Thanks.”

Adrian arched a brow at Kelsey when they were finally alone.

“I, uh…”

“Got something on your mind, Buttercup?”

Kelsey stiffened. “You’re really going to stay upstairs?”

“Why’s that so hard to believe?”

“It’s ancient and falling apart. I just can’t picture you staying in a place like that.”

He stalked toward her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Kelsey couldn’t back up any more since she was already against the shelves. “It’s uh, it’s just that someone like you usually stays in a much nicer place.”

“Someone like me? You mean rich?” He stopped only a foot away from her.

She had to look up into his eyes. “Well, yeah.”

He leaned in closer. “You don’t know a thing about me, Buttercup. Maybe you should try learning a little before you make assumptions.”

He turned away and left the room.

* * *

Kelsey knewshe messed up again with Adrian. It seemed when it came to him, she was always wrong. Maybe he was right, and she needed to stop assuming things.

She had watched him closely throughout the evening and couldn’t help but appreciate the way the purple animal rescue golf shirt stretched over his shoulders and pulled across his muscular chest. Kelsey’s eyes were glued to him when he was moving the large bags of dog food from the truck into the supply cabinet. His arms bulged and a slight sheen of sweat only made him more appealing.

She needed a cold shower or to get doused with the hose again to cool off her raging hormones. Adrian Colton was hot as hell. She wiped at her mouth to make sure no drool was there because that boy was completely drool worthy.

Closing was in an hour when most of the work was completed. Dr. Hogan was with her last few patients and the rest of the staff had already left for the night.

Riley jumped up to sit on the counter in their break room. “I want to take home Fizz Pop. He’s so cute.”

Kelsey smiled. The kitten was an adorable tuxedo cat with white paws and a black coat. “He is adorable, and he seems to really like you. Why don’t you adopt him?”

Xander shook his head. “She’d likely forget to feed him, or she’d misplace him, or something crazy like that. The girl can’t be trusted.”

Kelsey had been watching Riley, so she didn’t miss the hurt that crossed her features. Riley had quickly squelched the emotion, but Kelsey knew she had been upset with Xander’s comment. “I’ve watched her here and I think she would make a great pet parent.”

Riley beamed. “Shut it, Xan. You have no room to talk. You’re the one who flushed your fish down the toilet to set it free.”

“I was in third grade!”

They began to bicker back and forth, and Kelsey tuned them out. Adrian came into the room and flopped down in a chair at the table. She couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the smooth way he moved and carried himself with such confidence.

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