Page 17 of Healing the Heart

He was probably right, but she hadn’t worked there long enough to accrue much time off and would have to muddle through. “I should be getting home.”

“You can’t mean to drive,” he exclaimed, the calm evaporating from his voice and demeanor. “You’re in no shape. As your doctor, I forbid it.”

Instead of taking offense because he didn’t have the right to forbid anything, she smiled weakly. “Val said the same thing—except for the doctor part.”

“That’s because I’d prefer you stay where I can be of help if you need anything,” the maternal sub said with concern.

Fiona’s gaze flicked to the doc’s dark frown. “I’ll rest better at home.”

That was true for all patients and recovery. Because he knew that, and because he really didn’t have a say, not as her doctor and certainly not as her dominant, he conceded, although not graciously. “I think one night with someone available to help if needed isn’t unreasonable, but if you insist on going, that’s your choice.”

“I do.” Staying would be torture. She wanted to go, now.

“Eric and I will take you,” Val declared. “And that’s not up for debate. Give me a minute to tell Eric. He’ll need to arrange for someone to cover the club.”

When she left again, Fiona shook her head. “Did you catch that? She’s going to tell rather than ask him. I’m not so sure she’s submissive.”

“I don’t think they’d be together if she wasn’t. Val is the mother of two with strong maternal instincts. Since her kids left home, she has to direct her caretaking energies elsewhere. The recipients of her attention now include the subs at the club, stray kittens, and lost causes.”

Since she pretty much fell into all three categories, Fiona wasn’t surprised she’d latched onto her.

“That explains a lot.”

“Do you need someone to follow with your car? Or did someone bring you? Tell me who, and I’ll let them know you’ve made other arrangements.”

“There’s no need. My car is in the shop—again. I came by Uber like I usually do.”

He grunted, his disapproval apparent. She’d never had a problem, but then she always followed the precautions, including checking to make sure the driver’s picture and license plate matched what was on the app before getting in. Not that it was any of his business.

Val reappeared in the doorway. “Eric is bringing the car around. We’ll take the garage exit, which is right down the hall. Do you think you’re up to it?”

Fiona nodded and walked over to her, accepting the supportive arm she slipped around her waist. Before they moved down the hall, she turned back, catching Doc unaware, a look of deep concern on his face.

He’d been kind tonight, unlike the rude, fat-shaming man of two nights ago. It was confusing, and more than a little unsettling, but if his mood was this unpredictable, he wasn’t the dom for her. Not that he’d offered.

Sadly, no one else was interested in that role either. Perhaps, after tonight, that was a blessing in disguise.

“Thank you again for what you did tonight, Doc.” He really had gone above and beyond. “I won’t forget it.”

He frowned at her words. If they seemed final, it was because they were. Her time at Decadence LA hadn’t ended with the happily ever after she’d hoped and dreamed of, but with disappointment, pain, and a heartbreaking whimper.

Chapter 5

Like a House of Cards

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