Page 85 of Fragile Sanctuary

Dr. Lutz moved as quickly as possible during the exam. “He’s actually in pretty good shape, all things considered. I wouldn’t mind him putting on a little more weight.”

“More?” I barked.

She smiled as she felt his abdomen. “His short legs are deceiving. I think he’s got some mastiff in him. Needs a few more pounds.”

I shook my head. “Gonna need a full crew to get him back here.”

Dr. Lutz stepped back to retrieve a syringe from the counter. “Keep a hold of him. He might feel a little pinch, but that’s it.”

As she moved in to grab the scruff of Biscuit’s neck, her eyes widened. “Oh, no. He’s pooping.”

And then, I felt it.

25

ANSON

“Stop laughing,”I said through gritted teeth as I climbed out of Rho’s SUV.

She rolled her lips over her teeth, doing her best to hide her amusement. But her eyes said it all. “Come on, he didn’t mean it.”

I just glared at Rho as she moved to open the back door for Biscuit. “That shirt will have to be burned.Lookat what I’m wearing.”

Rho couldn’t hold in her laughter this time, not as the absolute absurdity of my T-shirt came into view. It was bright pink with an airbrushed kitten and rainbow on it. Not to mention the fuckingsparkles.

Her laughter came harder as Biscuit jumped out of the SUV. Tears streamed down her face. “It was like projectile pooping. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“You won’t be laughing when you get his back end next time,” I mumbled.

Rho patted Biscuit on the head. “We’ll get you a diaper next time. Didn’t know you were a nervous pooper.”

A diaper. Jesus.

“Come on,” Rho said. “You can borrow Shep’s running stuff again.”

“I’ve got something in my truck.” I didn’t want to look too closely at the fact that I’d stopped at my place to fill a bag just in case Rho wanted me here.

“Well, you can use my shower while I feed the kittens and make dinner.”

Hershower. Images of Rho joining me in said shower filled my mind.Hell.I needed to rein it in. One taste of her, and she was all I wanted. All I could see.

A million different alarms went off in my head. All the reasons why everything about this was a horrible idea. But I followed her inside anyway.

Heading for the bathroom, I turned on the water as cold as it would go. I’d freeze that need right out of my system. I ripped off the goddamn sparkly kitten shirt, tossing it to the floor. That thing needed to be burned, too.

I shucked the rest of my clothes and stepped under the spray. The curses I let loose would’ve made a sailor blush, but I didn’t move out of the way. I let the ice-cold water hit me over and over again.

I made quick work of cleaning up before stepping out and toweling off. I changed into joggers and a fresh tee, scowling as I picked up the pink atrocity from the floor. I stuffed my belongings back into my duffel and headed toward the sound of humming.

As I reached the edge of the kitchen, the humming shifted to soft singing as Rho echoed the strains of a song I didn’t recognize. It was beautiful, raw, and real, with a hint of imperfection that just made it more captivating.

“You’ve got a voice, Reckless.”

She glanced up, a smile teasing her lips. “If you think I do, you should hear Arden.” She whistled. “She’s incredible.”

I leaned a hip against the kitchen island. “Sounded pretty damn good from where I was standing.”

“Well, thank you. I’ll reward your compliment with this.” She set some sort of bowl on a placemat on the island.

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