Page 49 of A Wolf's Wound
I’m on autopilot for the rest of the appointment, dutifully using my otoscope to peek into the puppy’s ears, which are red—I’m leaning more toward mites by the minute—and then writing up my report.My mind is too busy thinking about what Gavin told me last night and wondering what the hell was up with his brother.
Despite my best efforts, I’m starting to like the guy.He’s high-handed, to be sure, and I can’t say I appreciate him ordering me around like I’m some member of his pack.But I’m used to that from my stepdad.Besides, Ryder backed off last night when I told him I’m not going anywhere.
And I can’t say it was awful, exactly, knowing he was looking out for me last night while I slept.Waking up and seeing him on my couch, jaw slack, with Shadow curled around his head like some sort of Siberian hat…
I step out of the exam room and into the main office just as the door jingles open.Ryder steps inside, his eyes meeting mine immediately.My cheeks warm at the sight of him, and I have to look down at my clipboard just to hide my instinctive smile.
I liked waking up with him in my apartment this morning.
I just don’t like everything else that’s going on around him—for us both, really.I can’t help but wonder what things would be like between us if I’d met him before April and without all the deaths in town.
Would things be simple like they were that night he brought me Chinese food?
“Can I talk to you for a moment, Dr.Kelly?”
Melinda, his eternal wingman, nods before I can say a word.“She’s just about to step out for her break.”
“Infor my break,” I say, glancing at the waiting room.It’s not full, at least not as full as it was even a day ago, but it’s not empty enough to go strolling around town.“Come on.”
He follows me to the break room, his hands in his pockets, and when he shuts the door behind him I’m reminded just how small it is in here.I take a step back, but I can still feel the heat of his body.For a moment we just stare at each other, and I swallow.His eyes are electric on mine.
Whatever he’s about to say, he’s about to mean.There’s a gravity to his presence, and fuck if it isn’t pulling me into its orbit.
If he were to kiss me right now, I might let him.
He steps forward, and my chin tilts up.
“You have to leave town.”His arms fold over his chest.“Tonight.”
Moment broken.“Hell, no.”
Ryder stares.Apparently he didn’t prepare a rebuttal.I suppose I’m meant to swoon in the face of his masculine protective instincts and just do whatever he says, no matter how insane.
“I can’t just leave town.”I nod toward the door.“Did you not see the huge line of patients out there?Where are they supposed to go?”
“A town over.”His eyes narrow.“You’re not the only vet around here.There’s three vets twenty minutes out.”
“Fine.Fine, even if they have the time or staff to deal withmypatients, I came here as more than a vet.”I lower my voice.“I came here as a healer.And with everything going on right now, it seems unwise to chase your healer out of town.Don’t you think?”
He growls, and the sound goes straight to my toes.
“Fine.”He nods, but he doesn’t look pleased.“Fine.You wanna stay in town?Stay with me.”
Stay with…
The nerve of this guy.Even as I berate him and his arrogance in my head, a flash of him sleeping on my couch makes something in my chest ache.
And maybe that feeling, more than my general dislike of being ordered around by wolves, scares me more than anything.I’ve already gotten too close to him, too comfortable with him imposing himself in my space.
What happens if I give in?What if, like my mother, I discover that Ilikehaving someone take care of me?
It’s not worth the risk.I’m not going to lose myself in this pack.
“You’re not safe on your own,” he says, but he’s wrong.
I’monlysafe on my own.Staying with Ryder and learning to rely on him is riskier to me than any killer could possibly be.
“We can debate freedom versus safety all day, but I have patients to see.And I think you already know which side of that I land on.”
