Page 155 of Save Your Breath

She screamed my name again and again, along with various threats, as she chased me toward the beach. It was private — because fuck if I’d ever let anyone else see my girl like this — but she covered herself anyway as she chased after me.

We both went into the water when she caught up, her tackling me and wrangling the bikini from my hands as I felt her up under the water like a teenager.

She wanted to hit me.

I wanted to kiss her.

And I couldn’t think of a better life to live.

Bark, Bark

Carter

“Did you take a pill before coming in?” Livia asked me, hanging one hand on her slim hip as the other pointed a very sharp tool in my direction. “Because that shot only numbs your jaw, and Iknowyou gotta be high to say what you just said to me.”

“Come on, Liv. Look—”

“Doctor Young,” she corrected me, one dark brow sliding up into her hairline. “This isn’t a barbecue at Daddy P’s house. You’re in my chair, at my job, and you will respect me and call me by my hard-earned title.”

Fuck.

My cock hardened at her tone, at the way she snapped at me, at how she made me feel small and somehow made me buzz to life at the same time.

“Yes, Doctor,” I breathed.

Livia narrowed her gaze, dropping it to my lap before she rolled her eyes. “Oh, my God, Carter, you don’t seriously have a boner right now?”

“Can you blame me? That was fucking hot.”

My words slurred a little as my jaw began to numb.

Livia pinched the bridge of her nose, that sharp tool still dangling in her other hand. Her dental assistant stood by silently, a mask covering part of her shocked face, though I could see the young girl’s eyes flicking between me and Livia. What Icould see of her skin was flushed red. But I had no shame when it came to Livia Young, and it seemed she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, either.

“Carter, you are in my chair because you were hit in the face, and your two lower central incisors have been blown to bits like a mortar went off in your mouth.”

“I love when you talk dentist to me.”

“And the only lesson I will be giving you,” she continued, waving that tool around like a wand. “Is to get a better mouth guard and learn how to dodge a high-sticking.”

She was so gorgeous I could barely think straight as I listened to her threats, the corner of my mouth lifting helplessly. Deep brown skin, smooth and enticing, dark black hair pulled into a tight, professional bun. She wore little makeup today, and she was still stunning.

But I also knew that woman when she wasn’t wearing a white coat.

I knew her in silky, body-hugging dresses and sky-high heels.

I knew her with red-painted lips and gold metal through every hole on her body.

And I had a sneaking suspicion she owned more than a few leather outfits that had whips to match.

“Come on,” I begged again, swinging my legs over the chair so I could sit up and face her. “Look at me, Li— er, Doctor Young,” I amended when she cocked a brow. “I need help.”

“I won’t argue that.”

“And who better to teach me than the master herself?”

Livia sighed, nodding to her assistant to take a break and leave us alone. I could hear the distant sound of drills and water picks from rooms down the hall as the door opened, the assistant left, and then it was just the two of us.

Liv crossed her arms, leaning a hip against the counter as she finally released the tool she’d been holding fast to. Even in thesharp and harsh light of the fluorescents above us, and even with a strange pair of magnifying goggle things strapped around her neck — she was still a knockout.