Page 57 of Saddles and Snowstorms
He frowned. “You should have rested. Come on back to the exam room.”
I followed him down the hallway, my boots echoingon the tile floor. The clinic smelled of antiseptic and pet shampoo, but underneath that was Rowan’s cologne—woodsy and masculine that always made my pulse quicken.
The exam room was small, intimate. Rowan patted the metal table. “Hop up.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I ain’t one of your four-legged patients.”
“No,” he said with a smile that made my stomach flip. “You’re considerably more stubborn. Now get on the table, Brooks.”
I complied, wincing as I hoisted myself up. Rowan pulled up a rolling stool and sat down in front of me. His fingers were gentle as he pulled off my boot and probed around my ankle, but I still hissed in pain.
“Sorry,” he murmured. “I can tell you did too much today. The swelling is back up a bit.”
“I had chores,” I explained with a shrug. “Can’t just let ‘em pile up.”
His fingers moved along my calf, and I tried not to think about how good they felt, even when they were causing me pain. “Well, you’ve probably set yourself back a few days,” he said, his tone somewhere between scolding and concerned.
“Worth it,” I said, not meaning to speak aloud.
His hands stilled on my ankle, and he looked up at me, those green eyes locking with mine. “What was worth it?”
My mouth went dry. “Getting my chores done.”
“Liar,” he said softly, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. He stood, stepping between my legs as they dangled off the table. “I think you’re talking about spending three days snowed in together.”
I swallowed hard, painfully aware of how close he was standing, of the warmth radiating from his body. “Maybe.”
His hand moved to my neck, fingers tracing the marks he’d left there. “These look good on you,” he murmured.
“Had to wear a high collar all day,” I grumbled, but there was no real annoyance in my voice.
“A high collar?” he scoffed. “Were the cows judging you?”
“Horses actually,” I nodded, grinning up at him. “They’re pretty snooty.”
Rowan laughed, the sound filling the small examroom and making my heart skip a beat. His hands moved to rest on my thighs, warm even through my jeans. He leaned forward, pressing his body against mine.
“I came to apologize,” I said, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “For, uh, retreating this morning. I ain’t good at people or... this.” I gestured vaguely between us.
“This?” Rowan echoed, his voice soft. He stepped closer until I could feel his breath on my face. “You make it sound so mysterious.” He grinned, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. “We like each other. We’re exploring that. Seems pretty normal to me.”
“Maybe for you,” I sighed. “I’m real out of practice.”
“I think you’re doing just fine.” He kissed me again. “Now come into the backroom so I can x-ray your leg.”
I looked up, grinning. “Is that code for somethin’?”
“Yeah,” he nodded. “Code for getting your leg x-rayed to make sure it ain’t broken.” He reached out, taking my hand. “Then you can take me out to dinner.”
My heart stuttered at his words. “Dinner? Where? It’s gettin’ late and there ain’t much open in Sagebrush past eight.”
Rowan’s smile widened as he helped me off the table, his hand lingering on my waist longer than necessary. “Dolly’s is open until ten on Fridays. And I happen to know she’s got a quiet booth in the back.”
Heat climbed up my neck at the thought of being seen with Rowan in town. Not because I was ashamed—hell, after three days of learning every inch of his body, shame was the furthest thing from my mind—but because of the attention it would draw. In Sagebrush, two men having dinner together would be like setting off fireworks in the town square.
“Everyone will talk,” I muttered as he led me to the x-ray room.
Rowan paused, his expression sobering. “Does that bother you? Because we can grab something to-go and head back to my place if you’d rather.”
