And maybe vets? This vet in particular.

I took a deep breath and crept closer, wincing at the yowl-screech that sounded from my bathroom. I really hoped my new Christmas cats shower curtain survived this day.

Clint slept on.

I pried open my nightstand drawer and felt around for my bullet vibrator. After some effort, I found it stuffed into the compartment in my fake book, the one I knew my nosy father would never touch due to the risk of a sudden bolt of lightning.

The Holy Bible.

My father had started searching my drawers for drugs when I was younger after one too many “talk to your teens about substance abuse” commercials. He’d considered it a point of pride that he was a “with it” parent although he’d left me alone on countless weekends and holidays where I could’ve blazed up a whole pot farm if I wanted to. I’d never touched the stuff, but even now that I was an adult, he occasionally would poke the sofa cushions to make sure I hadn’t developed a nasty habit he needed to warn me away from.

I tugged out the book and held it to my chest as Clint’s phone went off with a series of tones.

From the bed, Clint groaned, opening one eye. “Answer it for me, would you?”

How could he trust me to take his likely professional call?

Then again, how could he not? I was smart and capable and carried my vibrator in a Bible.

Oh, and I was also a little bit drunk.

“Me?” I asked in a wholly innocent tone.

“Please. I gotta get more sleep.” His voice was pure raw grit.

Hot as hell.

“Code?” I asked, swiping the screen awake.

Shockingly, he told me, and I answered the call as I hurried out of the room.

“Hello?” I whispered.

“Hello, who is this?”

“Who are you?” I tossed back, belatedly checking the screen.

Kitten Around. Oh, okay. I could handle this. Maybe.

“Doesn’t it say on the screen?” the caller asked in an irritated voice. “Kitten Around Rescue Clinic. I’m calling for Dr. Hauser. Is he available?”

“I’m sorry, may I please take a message? He’s supposably detained.”

I coughed.Supposablywasn’t even the right word. And I called myself a knowledgeable editor?

At least I was when I wasn’t drunk off my ass.

“I mean unavoidably.” I hiccupped loudly then giggled to cut the embarrassment. “State your business, please. I must keep this line clear.”

“Well, I’m so very sorry, but there’s been a situation at the clinic due to possible unprofessional behavior, and we need to get to the bottom of the situation. We need to talk to Clint before we get our lawyer involved.”

Uh-oh.Was this about me soliciting pussy? And then offering him my pussy while he was very much off work grounds? Surely that couldn’t be a workplace offense.

“Lawyers are pigs.” My tone was high-pitched but very matter-of-fact. “I’m related to one.”

She cleared her throat. “Who exactly is this? Last I knew, Clint had no personal entanglements.”

“Oh, we aren’t entangled. I don’t even know him.”