Page 11

CHAPTER TEN

Reggie

By the time practice concludes, Kenzie’s already vanished.

Again.

I glide off the ice, pushing my helmet back and dragging a weary hand through my sweat-dampened hair, scanning the stands for even a glimpse of her. But the arena is silent and empty, devoid of any trace of the wee lass .

Not that I can fault her after the events of last night. Still, there’s something unsettling about the way she hastily bolted out earlier.

I don’t like the idea of her pushing herself to exhaustion, particularly with her injured hand. And the thought of her avoiding us gnaws at me too.

After a quick shower and change, I make my way to Ally’s office.

The familiar clatter of keys greets me as she types away at her desk. When she glances up and spots me, a smirk plays across her lips.

“What’s up, red? Looking for someone?” she teases, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

I roll my eyes but don't bother denying it. “Where’s her vet clinic?” I ask, trying to sound casual.

Ally blinks, then a slow grin spreads across her face. “You gonna show up with flowers? Make a big gesture?”

“Nah,” I reply, smirking. “Just gonna make myself useful.”

She studies me for a moment, amusement dancing in her eyes, then shakes her head with a laugh. She scribbles the clinic address on a bright sticky note and hands it over. “That’s actually really sweet,” she comments, her voice softening.

“Don’t screw it up,” she jests as I turn to leave.

I chuckle quietly to myself. Easier said than done, doc.

I step out into the parking lot, bathed in the warm glow of streetlights, feeling an optimistic buzz coursing through me. The evening air is crisp, a gentle breeze brushing against my skin, invigorating my resolve.

Kenzie's got too much on her plate, and I'm well aware she's the kind of woman who stubbornly refuses to ask for help, even when it's clear she needs it.

I pull out my phone, its screen glowing softly in the dim light, and quickly type out a message to the lads .

Heading over to help Kenzie at the clinic. She’s drowning, poor lass.

Braden responds almost immediately, his words practically leaping off the screen.

Damn, look at you being a proper knight in shining armor.

Ambrose chimes in with his usual cheeky tone.

You’re just trying to get in her pants again.

I snort, shaking my head with a wry grin.

Aye, well, maybe I like what’s in her pants. But that’s not the bloody point.

Braden sends back a string of laughing emojis and a quick message.

Looooong game, eh?

I toss my phone onto the passenger seat and start the engine, feeling the rumble of the car vibrate through my bones. As I roll my shoulders and pull out of the lot, the sound of the tires crunching on gravel fills the air.

I like Kenzie. Really like her.

She's clever, that one, with a sharp wit that cuts through conversation like a hot knife through butter. She’s also tough, with a resilience that shines brightly, like a beacon in the night.

She's got that fire in her belly, a fierce determination that makes her the most intriguing person I've encountered in ages.

And if she thinks she can just vanish after a night like that?

Not a chance in hell.

The drive to Kenzie’s clinic is short, yet my mind races like a wild horse the entire way.

How should I approach this? Should I exude a casual air, or perhaps charm her with a bit of charisma? Maybe bringing flowers would have been a good idea after all.

As I pull up to the small clinic, I take in its quaint appearance. It has a certain charm, but it’s clear that keeping it afloat is no easy task.

The sign above the entrance leans slightly to one side, the paint on the trim is peeling away like sunburned skin, and there’s a hairline crack spidering across the waiting room window, hinting at the wear and tear of time and tight budgets.

Kenzie has so much to manage, and I’m determined to help ease her burden. Just as I step inside, the air is pierced by a sharp voice that slices through the otherwise quiet atmosphere.

“I told you already, we’re short-staffed today! I am doing my best, ma’am!” It’s Kenzie, her voice edged with the strain of too many demands and not enough hands.

My gut clenches as I make my way toward the front desk. The moment I lay eyes on her, I can tell she’s teetering on the brink of losing her composure.

A middle-aged woman, bundled in a puffy winter coat, waves her arms animatedly, gripping the leash of a massive golden retriever that tugs impatiently at her side.

“I pay good money for your services,” the woman snaps, her voice as biting as the winter wind. “I expect my dog to be seen immediately.”

Kenzie’s jaw sets in a tight line, her frustration palpable, radiating from her like heat from a furnace. Her injured hand is clenched into a fist at her side, a testament to her pent-up irritation.

Letting out a sigh, I crack my knuckles and step forward, ready to intervene and diffuse the tension.

I step up beside Kenzie, crossing my arms and flashing my most relaxed yet don't-mess-with-me smile. The kind that speaks volumes without saying a word.

"Problem here, love?" I inquire, keeping my tone as light as a gentle breeze.

Kenzie jumps slightly at my sudden presence, but her gaze stays locked on the woman in front of us.

The woman's eyes flick to me, her brows knitting together in a mixture of confusion and suspicion. "Who are you?" she demands, her voice sharp like a freshly honed blade.

"Just a friend," I reply with an easygoing charm, then let my eyes drift down to the dog.

The furry creature is wagging his tail with such enthusiasm that his entire body wiggles like a living slinky. "Aye, there’s a good lad," I add with a chuckle.

The big fluffball immediately flops onto his back, exposing his belly and stretching his paws skyward, clearly seeking some well-deserved belly rubs.

Kenzie blinks, her frustration melting away for a brief moment, amusement softening her tense features.

I crouch down and scratch behind the pup's belly, feeling the softness of his fur beneath my fingers.

"Why don’t we take him back and have a look, hmm?" I suggest, keeping my voice soothing and calm. "Make sure he’s really in need of immediate care."

The woman huffs, annoyance etched into her features, but seeing her dog surrender so willingly, she lets out a sharp sigh, her shoulders dropping in resignation.

"Fine," she grumbles, the word dripping with anger.

Kenzie exhales, relief washing over her like a wave, her tension visibly dissipating. I rise smoothly, taking the leash from the woman's hand with a gentle but firm grasp.

"C’mon, mate. Let’s get you sorted," I say, leading the way.

Kenzie follows me toward the exam room, and as soon as the door swings shut with a soft click behind us, she lets out a breath she’s been holding and murmurs, "Thank you."

I just grin, leaning down to ruffle the dog’s ears once more, feeling the warmth of his gratitude through his gentle nuzzle. "Anytime, love."

Kenzie lets out a weary sigh as I assist her in hoisting the hefty golden retriever onto the examination table.

The pup pants contentedly, blissfully unaware of his owner's earlier theatrics. His shiny coat gleams under the fluorescent lights. He exudes an air of innocence.

"All right, big guy," Kenzie murmurs softly, her skilled hand affectionately scratching behind his velvety ears before she prepares a mild sedative. "We're just going to have a little look, make sure everything's okay."

I steady the dog, feeling the warmth and softness of his fur beneath my fingers, as Kenzie deftly administers the injection. His tail wags in a slow, lazy rhythm, and gradually, his muscles relax into a state of calm.

Kenzie retrieves the clippers, and I help keep the dog steady as she delicately shaves the area she needs to examine.

Kenzie guides the scanner over his abdomen, her brows knit in concentration. I watch the screen beside her, though the shifting shapes and shadows are largely enigmatic to me.

"Everything looks clear," she murmurs, relief evident in her voice.

A blood draw follows, Kenzie’s movements swift and practiced, and before long, the dog is rousing from his sedated state, groggy but otherwise unscathed.

We escort him back to his waiting owner, where Kenzie quickly and professionally explains the situation. "He's fine. But if you notice any of these symptoms, take him to an emergency vet." She hands over a card, her demeanor calm and reassuring.

The woman remains a bit irritable, but she does manage a thank you before departing in a huff.

I can't help but smirk. "You deal with that kind of madness every day, aye?"

Kenzie just sighs, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "More often than you’d think."

Back in the tech room, Kenzie collapses into a chair like a marionette whose strings have suddenly been severed.

Her limbs splay out in exhaustion, and she lets out a long, drawn-out groan. "I’m so tired," she complains, tipping her head back dramatically, her eyes closing as if to shut out the world. "Everything takes twice as long with this stupid hand."

Her voice carries a note of frustration, echoing subtly off the walls lined with blinking monitors and tangled cables.

I step up behind her, placing my hands gently on her shoulders, feeling the knots of tension that have formed there. I begin to knead them with deliberate care.

A grin spreads across my face as I watch her rigid frame relax beneath my touch.

"Y’know, lass , you should let us help out more often," I murmur, my fingers trailing lightly down the length of her arms, tracing the soft fabric of her sleeves.

The room is filled with the subtle hum of electronics, a comforting background to our quiet conversation.

Kenzie makes a dismissive noise, a half-hearted protest, but she doesn’t pull away. Her resolve is as thin as the air we're breathing.

"C’mon," I press, leaning in closer to plant a soft kiss just below her ear, feeling the slight hitch in her breath, a stutter that betrays her composure. "Admit it: you liked having us around last night."

Her cheeks turn a delicate shade of pink, a visible flush that warms her pale skin, though she tries to dismiss it with a scoff. "That was one night, Reggie," she retorts, though her voice lacks conviction.

I chuckle, a low sound that vibrates gently against her skin as I drag my lips slowly down her neck, savoring the warmth and the scent that clings to her. It’s something soft and floral, like a bouquet kissed with sweet honey.

With a grin, I press a final lingering kiss to her shoulder before I pull back. "You don’t have to do everything alone, love. We want to help," I say softly, hoping the sincerity in my voice reaches her.

Kenzie shakes her head, a gesture of stubbornness that I’ve come to know so well, but I notice the way her fingers twitch slightly, as if they're yearning to reach for me but are unsure of how to bridge the distance.

Aye , I think to myself, observing the inner struggle that dances across her features. This woman might be as stubborn as a mule, but I am determined to win her over.

As she sighs and stretches, my gaze is snagged by something peeking out from beneath a haphazard pile of file folders on her cluttered desk.

It's a small, dog-eared paperback, its cover worn and well-loved. Curiosity piqued, I pluck it out before she notices, flipping the cover up with a flick of my wrist. The moment I do, her entire body goes rigid, a statue carved by surprise.

Kenzie emits a strangled gasp, and in a flash, she leaps from my grip, lunging for the book with a desperation that surprises me. “Give that back!” she demands, her voice a mix of panic and embarrassment.

I grin mischievously, like the devil himself playing a prank, and step just out of reach, casually flipping to a random page. The first sentence my eyes skim over causes my eyebrows to shoot up in amused surprise.

“Ooh, Kenzie, love,” I tease, holding the book just high enough so that she has to jump to try and snatch it back. “So this is what gets you going?”

Her face turns a deep shade of scarlet, a vivid blush that spreads across her cheeks.

“Reggie, ” she starts to protest, but I interrupt by reading aloud, “‘His hands traced her body, possessive and demanding, as the three men worshipped her together.’”

Her hand shoots up to slap over my mouth, eyes wide with mortification.

“STOP!” she hisses, her voice a fierce whisper, desperate to maintain some semblance of privacy.

I lower the book just enough to wink at her, my voice a teasing murmur against her palm. “So,” I say, savoring the moment, “you’ve fantasized about this before, eh? And here I thought we were opening your eyes.”

Kenzie looks as if she might combust on the spot, her face a portrait of flustered disbelief, but before she can muster a response, her vet tech suddenly appears in the doorway, breaking the charged atmosphere.

“I’m heading out!” the woman calls, her voice cheerful and oblivious to the tension in the room.

Kenzie jumps back from me, her expression one of guilty surprise, like someone caught red-handed.

“Y-yeah, thanks, Amanda! See you tomorrow!” she stammers, trying to regain her composure.

I smirk, savoring the moment.

Oh, she’s fun to tease.

The moment her tech departs, Kenzie spins back toward me, her finger pointed like an accusation.

“Give me the book, Reggie,” she demands, her voice sharp.

I can't help but grin, casually flipping the pages open again. “Now, now, love, I just want to understand what’s been fueling your creativity.”

She lunges for the book, but instead of letting her snatch it away, I swiftly catch her wrist, pulling her closer until she collides against my chest.

A soft gasp escapes her lips as her body presses into mine.

Before she can voice her protest, I seize the moment, leaning in to capture her lips with mine.

Kenzie freezes for a brief moment before relaxing, her form melding into mine as if we were two halves of a whole. Her lips are soft yet fervent, and I swear I could become intoxicated by the taste of her.

I deepen the kiss, my hand sliding to the nape of her neck, gently tilting her head back to claim even more.

She whimpers, her fingers curling into my shirt, holding on tightly. The sound sends a shiver through me, and I groan, exploring her mouth, savoring every second of the passionate exchange.

I tug at the fabric of her sweater, my nails grazing lightly against the skin beneath. My blood races, my heart thunders in my chest, and I’m nearly tempted to lift her onto the desk, to have her completely.

Then footsteps echo down the hall.

Kenzie abruptly pulls away, her chest rising and falling quickly.

“We can’t, someone might…” she begins, her voice breathless and urgent.

I flash her a lazy, wicked grin. “Aye, but don’t pretend you don’t love it, lass .”

She shoots me a glare, her cheeks still a vivid shade of pink.

I chuckle softly, finally relinquishing the book to her.