Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71352 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71352 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
I haven’t told Matthew that I was actually on a cruise with his sister. No one at this clinic knows where I took off to other than the other veterinarian on staff. Carolyn Gallo is my second in command and a hell of a great secret keeper so I clued her in and she assured me that she’d keep this ship running smoothly while I sailed away on a real ship for a few days.
“It hardened me,” I say, enjoying the pun that I have to keep to myself.
“Are you ever going to tell us where you went?” Matilda asks. “You’re still as tanned as you normally are, so I’m guessing it was a destination that kept you indoors.”
“Or maybe someone kept him out of the sun.” Matt tosses me a sly grin. “That’s it, right?”
Since I was in bed with his younger sister for most of my time away from the clinic, I plead the Fifth in my own way. “No comment.”
“That’s a yes,” Matilda decides that on her own. “Does she live in New York?”
“You know what pleading the Fifth is, Matilda,” I point out. “You did it when I asked why you couldn’t stay late to help me clean the puppy vomit off the exam table and floor last month.”
“Technically, she doesn’t need to tell you why she can’t work past shift cut-off,” Matthew chimes in. “Although I know why she couldn’t stay.”
I don’t take offense at anything he says because my employees stick together and I know when push comes to shove, they’ll stand by me, too.
“I was ovulating,” Matilda blurts out. “I had to get home and climb onto my husband.”
Matt and I laugh in unison.
“I realize that’s way too much information, but we’re a family, right?” she asks, her blue eyes shining bright.
Matt nods. “We are.”
He’s right. We are, and yet I don’t have an ounce of regret for what I did on that cruise with his sister, and I have no guilt over the fact that I haven’t told him.
My relationship with Delia is my business.
His gaze drops to the front pocket of his dark pants when his phone chimes. He drags it out to study the screen.
“My sister is working for your sister-in-law today,” he tells Matilda. “We should run over there on our lunch break and surprise them.”
I want in on that, but my day is packed.
“I can’t.” Tilly shakes her head.
“Let me guess.” He taps his chin with his pointer finger. “You need to work on that baby project you just dropped on Donovan.”
Her gaze finds mine. “I’ll give you plenty of notice when I do get pregnant, and I’ll be back after maternity leave. I can’t give this place up.”
I have no doubt about any of that, so I nod. “I know. I’m happy for you and Sebastian.”
“Me too,” she whispers before she shifts her attention back to Matt. “That’s not the reason I can’t leave at lunch. Athena is dropping by with a bouquet of flowers I ordered for Carolyn. It’s her birthday today, remember?”
“Shit,” I say right before Matt drops the same word.
“We need cake,” he says.
“And candy,” I add. “Carolyn loves chocolate.”
“You two should go get all of that during lunch,” Matilda suggests as she runs a finger over the screen of the tablet in her hands. “You’re both free from eleven thirty for an hour. Matt, you have a patient coming in at twelve forty-five.”
“What?” He asks. “When I checked earlier my schedule was clear from eleven thirty straight through until one thirty today.”
She spins her tablet so the screen is facing him. “That changed. Moxie Acherley is coming in for a check up.”
“Hunt.” The pleading note in his voice is unmistakable. “Do me a solid, and…”
“Not a fucking chance.” I laugh, recalling the last time I was in the exam room with Moxie, a cat who has been on our patient roster for a few years. “I’m not in the mood to be scratched today.”
Unless, Delia is doing the scratching that is. Her fingernails trailing a path down my back as I fucked her is a memory I won’t soon forget.
“Fine,” he acquiesces with a scrape of his shoe against the floor. “We’ll do the cake and candy run before I submit to that pain.”
“I’ll meet you out front at eleven thirty,” I firm up our plans. “I take it we’re heading to Wolf Candy for the chocolate?”
“Where the hell else would we go?” Matthew laughs. “My sister’s best friend owns the place, and Delia is there today, too. You can finally meet her.”
I don’t respond because that ship sailed when we sailed on a ship together a little more than a week ago.
“Do you think you can convince Athena to bring along a dozen yellow roses for Faith?” Matthew smiles at Matilda. “I’ll pay for them, of course, but it would surprise the hell out of my fiancée if I came home with a bouquet of her favorite flowers tonight.”