Page 30 of What the Doctor Ordered
We were quiet for a few moments. Kramer seemed to be gathering his thoughts, and I was currently fighting the urge to turn and sprint back into the ballroom.
“I apologize for my behavior back in Onyx,” Kramer finally said, breaking the silence.
I wasn’t sure what to say since it certainly wasn’t okay that he had gone on a date with me while he had a poor wife likely waiting for him back home. Thankfully, he kept going so I wasn’t forced to come up with a response.
“I partially blame Vale for making it look worse than it was. Yes, my wife and I are still married but we are separated now.”
I tried not to let the skepticism show on my face. I wasn’t entirely sure what it was, but something told me that he wasn’t being truthful. Maybe it was the dark glint in his eyes that became more pronounced as he stepped closer to me.
I took a step back. “Thank you for taking the time to explain that to me,” I said stiffly. “But I think I better get back inside. It’s getting chilly out here.”
I turned to go and gasped when Kramer grabbed my wrist and pulled me back toward him.
“Now just hang on,” he growled in a low, dangerous voice. “I’m not finished yet.”
I bit my lip. “Is there something else you need?” I asked tightly.
Kramer didn’t answer. He just looked me over for a long moment, his eyes glinting as they slid down my body. Repressing an uncomfortable shudder at the look he was giving me, I shrank away when he tightened his hold on my wrist and started to lean in.
I pulled my wrist out of his hand and swatted his arm hard. “Please do not touch me,” I warned in a low voice. “Even if you and your wife are separated, that doesn’t matter. I am engaged to Simon now. There is nothing, and will be nothing, between you and I, Kramer.”
Kramer’s whole body stiffened and his blue eyes narrowed. “That’s another thing that I wanted to talk to you about,” he intoned, once again closing the gap between us.
This time, I stepped back as he stepped toward me, refusing to let him grab me again. “What about it?” I asked shakily, having a bad feeling about it.
I could practically see the wheels behind Kramer’s eyes turning as he studied me again, this time much more openly. “You were just on a date with me a few weeks ago,” he said slowly, as if he was realizing something as he spoke the words. “Are you really expecting me to believe that after meeting Simon that night, you suddenly fell in love and are now engaged?”
I fought to keep eye contact, my breathing quickening. I felt backed up against a wall. “Perhaps it was love at first sight,” I murmured lamely, wishing my voice was much stronger than it sounded.
Kramer just looked even more suspicious. “Is he forcing you into this, Kiley?” he finally asked, his eyes flashing with what lookedlike authentic concern. “I can help you. I won’t let him take advantage of you.”
He started to reach for me again.
“Keep your hands off her!”
CHAPTER 14
Simon
My heart dropped into my stomach when I returned to the ballroom and Kiley was nowhere in sight. I searched frantically, scouring every corner of that large room and even asked a few people if they had seen her. Thankfully, a young couple was able to point me in the direction of the garden, informing me that a young man had walked out there with her. I wasted no time and quickly pushed my way through the crowd to shove the white, ornate double doors open.
The cool night air did little to calm me as my eyes scanned the area. It didn’t take me long to find Kiley. I immediately saw red when I made out who was in front of her, reaching his hand out as if to grab her.
“Keep your hands off of her!”
The words flew from my lips before I even had a chance to form them in my mind. I felt a dark satisfaction rise in me when the two of them jumped apart. Kiley’s eyes widened and filled with relief when they focused on me. That calmed me only slightly asI stalked up to the two and got between them, grabbing Kiley’s shoulder and shoving her behind me.
“Simon,” Kiley gasped.
I didn’t even look at her but did tighten my hand on her shoulder slightly in warning. My eyes were trained on Kramer, who was currently glaring at me heatedly. What the hell happened before I arrived?
I glanced back briefly at Kiley, studying her from head to toe to make sure she wasn’t hurt. Her eyes were wide, but she otherwise looked completely fine. I didn’t like the alarmed look she carried though. I only had one person to blame for it.
“Nice of you to join us, Vale,” Kramer said, tilting his head at us in interest. “I was just keeping Kiley company since you so rudely left her on her own.”
I had to swallow the growl that wanted to surface. “It couldn’t be helped,” I spat. I didn’t owe him an explanation, and he damn well knew it. “That gives you no right to harass my fiancée. I must politely insist that you stay away from her.”
Kramer sneered. “You have no right to insist such a thing,” he retorted, sharply. He gestured to Kiley. “It is her decision who she chooses to associate with.”
