Page 32

CHAPTER 32

Connor

My hands tremble as I take a corner. Senna sits in the passenger seat, and a mewing Fluffers is safely in his carrier in her footwell. I glance at her legs. Her shorts are denim and teeny, and if I weren’t panicked about crashing into a hedge, I’d let my gaze linger. It’s been a week, and I’ve missed her so much that being this close to her and smelling her floral citrus scent clears my head.

“It took me two months before I drove after my crash. I didn’t want to. The prospect of getting behind a wheel was like willingly consuming a pint of sick.” I blanch at the picture she creates. “But I did it.”

“What made you take the step?”

She gives a mirthless chuckle. “Niki lied and told me you were coming to the house. I needed to get as far away as possible.”

“So you’re saying that, even then, I helped you face your fears.”

Her laugh is genuine. “If that’s how you want to see it.”

Fluffers has quieted down. My knuckles are getting their colour back, and my pulse is less rapid. It has absolutely nothing to do with Senna’s legs, laugh, and general incredibleness—nothing at all.

I clear my throat. “So you didn’t want to visit Mr. Thinks He’s God And Calls You Tiger Vet, then?”

She wriggles her nose at me. “Look at you coming up with new names for him every time. And people say you have no imagination.”

I smile at her and try not to get distracted by her legs. She’s also wearing a team T-shirt that clings to her boobs. Fuck. The crash should have been enough to calm my libido a little.

My gaze flicks back to the road. “That doesn’t answer my question, Coults. What changed your mind about seeing him?”

“Work,” she replies. She stares out the window. I tuck the discussion away for now. “I’m proud of you, Connor, especially as you knew I faked an injury. You didn’t have to drive us.”

Although I suspect her words are partly to avoid a conversation about the vet, I puff out my chest. “Thank you. I’ve always wanted to drive this beast. If crashing and nearly dying is what it took, then fair enough.”

Her voice quiets. “I was petrified when you crashed. I ran through the garage like a woman possessed. I don’t want to lose you again,” she stutters.

I briefly squeeze her hand, which she clenches in her lap.

“You won’t lose me, Senna. I’m not going anywhere.”

“But your resignation?—”

“I’m going to try to stay. I don’t know if I can, but I’ll try.” I shouldn’t make promises I can’t keep. All I’ve done is drive a car to the village pharmacy. “But I might need your help.”

“I’m here for you always.”

Even as fears form a lump in my throat and wolves howl in my head, telling me to change my mind, there’s something intense growing in my chest. It’s hope and something extra I can’t label because only platonic thoughts are safe in relation to my boss.

I park, and she climbs out of the car. Her shorts nearly reveal the bottom of her butt.

And there go the platonic feelings.

By the day’s end, I’m sitting on the sofa under a blanket with Senna and a movie that lights up her face.

She fell asleep an hour ago. She insisted on staying and ensuring Fluffers was okay. Her mouth parts, and her lips draw me closer. I remember the taste of cranberry that lingered in my dreams after our night at the bar. I added mango lip balm to my shopping request to have her scent when panic overwhelmed me.

I’m either a psychopath or lovesick.

Today, we became good friends again, and that’s all we can be. We haven’t discussed what happened that night in the bar, and as far as I’m concerned, it remains a blip. Like I said to her in the car, I’m not going anywhere even though it’ll be torture being around her permanently.

Senna shifts in her sleep, and a waft of orange blossom covers me.

“I want to kiss her forehead and hold her in my arms,” I whisper to Fluffers, who stretches in my lap, reminding me he’s the only one who can have my attention.

I glance at Senna. That’s the final straw for Fluffers. He throws me a death stare, jumps off my lap, and strolls to the bedroom on his healed paw. That’s where I should go, but I don’t want to wake Senna. If I could watch her sleep for the rest of my life, it would be nearly complete. Just one thing would be missing.

She moans in her sleep, and my dick gets harder than a rock. That thing. I want to kiss her, to bring her pleasure she’s never known. I want to obliterate Mr. Dickhead Vet and every other guy lucky enough to touch her. None of them deserve her.

And neither do I.

I’m a failing driver who’s made promises I don’t know how to keep. Doing anything with her would destroy my friendship with Niki forever. And yet, as she snuggles up to me in her sleep, my arm falls around her. Her chest presses against me, and my lips brush her forehead. I thread my fingers through her hair and whisper promises to her. Eventually, my head tips back, and I close my eyes, praying I’ll dream of a life where I can be with my Senna.