Page 79 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast

He grunted.

“How’s your ankle?” I asked, knowing he didn’t like talking about it. I think the whole situation made him feel like an idiot.

“Fine.”

Jaxon couldn’t hide that he favored his bad ankle. He no longer used the crutches, but when we were alone at night, he begrudgingly allowed me to massage it and use the exercises I found online. “It’s only been a little over a week.”

He glared at me. “Do you want to talk about me replacing your tablet?”

I shook my head. The jerk. He knew that was the only way to shut me up. I stuck my tongue out at him in a childish move to retaliate.

He threw his head back and laughed. The rich sound flowed over me like a caress. I loved that sound and the apparent happiness that went with it.

Jaxon tossed one of Patches’ toys to start a game of fetch. Watching him like this, genuinely happy, made my heart squeeze. This was the real him, not the growly grump that he typically showed the world.

I checked my watch. We only had a few minutes of reprieve before I needed to head to the kitchen. “I have to head in soon. I promised to help Angela with dinner.”

He stared at me, his mouth dropping open. “Wait? Why is she cooking?”

“I wanted to cook for you, and she promised to help me.”

I bit my lip. Angela was teaching me how to cook. I hated being uncomfortable and uncoordinated in the kitchen, and while I could memorize a recipe; it didn’t mean I could execute it. I wanted to surprise him with a special dessert tonight after Angela let it slip that Jaxon had a weakness for crème brûlée.

He grinned, reminding me of a little kid getting an unexpected present. “Thank you.”

I wanted to take a picture of him. This genuine smile lit up his face and chased away the shadows I too often saw there.

Jaxon whistled and Patches came running.

“Come on, baby boy. Let’s go back inside.” I leaned over and rubbed at his neck before letting the pup dart ahead of us.

Opening the door to let us all inside, I stopped and kissed Jaxon’s cheek. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

His long fingers tugged me close. “Can you give me a few minutes?”

I checked my watch. “I guess. Everything okay?”

The broad smile he gave me appeared oddly secretive. What was he hiding?