Page 71 of Hold Me Instead
“Perhaps you wouldn’t mind taking a look at Pickles?” Mrs. Bergman urged.
“I default to Dr. Harris here. I trust her diagnosis.” He locked eyes with Charlie, and satisfaction bloomed. Her tension didn’t dissipate, it only magnified with the realization that Mrs. Bergman wasn’t taking her word for it, without the assistance of Daniel’s son.
“Since you’re here—”
“Mrs. Bergman, the reason I came out here at all was because I overheard someone speaking rudely to my father’s coworker, one he not only trained personally but also trusts completely.”
“I realize Dr. Harris is valued here. I just don’t think she’s the right vet for me and Pickles personally.”
How very diplomatic. Though Charlie didn’t disagree, public display aside. She knew better than to handle Mrs. Bergman in the front. She could blame her judgment and slow reactions on her migraine, currently orchestrating a marching band behind her eyes.
“Is that why you’re insulting her in front of a room full of other clients?”
Mrs. Bergman leaned back in shock, eyes wide, mouth moving without forming words. She flirted a glance toward the full room.
Charlie regained her voice and stepped between the woman and Zachary. “Mrs. Bergman, like I said, Pickles looks much better. While you’re here, though, let’s have Jasmine take her on back and check her temperature. Maura will give you my number, and if anything seems suspicious, call right away. Okay?”
Mrs. Bergman finally pulled her gaze away from Zachary and registered Charlie’s words. She settled Pickles into her bag and raised her head high. “Yes. Alright.”
“Jasmine,” Charlie called to her tech, who was standing nearby. “Would you please help Mrs. Bergman?” Charlie hightailed it back to her office.
She shut the door and leaned her head against it. She hated that flicker of a moment where she’d felt small and weak, where she’d questioned herself and her abilities. Mrs. Bergman’s fading trust in her was disheartening. When the business fell to her, there’d be numerous people who didn’t trust Charlie and her abilities, both as a vet and a business owner. She couldn’t rely on the staff to support her all the time—their own trust would wane. And she didn’t want Zachary to have to vouch for her. How embarrassing, a temporary doctor, owner’s son or not, having to step in for her. She’d been here foryears.
Animals were her world. They were straightforward, needed love and care and attention, and they managed to give all that back in return. No grudges, no judgments, no analyzing your choices, no forcing your actions. True love. They were her haven, the facility her safe space. Breaking up with her ex years ago had allowed her to focus all her energy on her studies, to commit extra time to volunteering at shelters and fostering animals. She focused on building her confidence professionally, hoping it could somehow balance her physical insecurity. Dating took a back burner. If she made time for anyone, it was her mother and close friends.
Zachary had defended her, stood by her and what she’d said. He hadn’t changed course or overruled her. He believed in her and was ready to tell Mrs. Bergman off if he had to. He’d actually taken the brunt of the conversation, giving Charlie the chance to make peace with their client. Though he never said it outright, she felt his support in running the day-to-day. It didn’t matter how stubborn he was, or how he insisted onwearing his white coat every day. It didn’t matter how much he wanted to fix everything in sight—he held off.
She thought of his caring touch, her migraine faint with the rush of adrenaline. Her hand flew to her stomach as it flipped. She wanted to go back to that. She wanted to kiss him, damn it. It didn’t matter how terrified she was to pursueanysort of relationship with him, considering her condition and lack of experience. He could actually make her believe in a healthy, mutually intimate relationship. Enough of these interruptions, these conversations about the business that really shouldn’t affect what was going on with them.Right?Right.
Charlie turned and whipped the door open, only to collide with a ruffled Zachary.
He shoved inside, his hands on her biceps as he moved her backward with him. “After the way she spoke to you, you go and offer your num—”
She stood on her toes, arms pinned to her side by his hands, and smashed her lips against his. It was brief, the momentum tipping her back down to her heels. It certainly wasn’t as romantic as imagined—she was pretty sure she’d bitten her own lip.
But she’d done it. She’d kissed him.
Broken the seal.
He stared down at her mouth in shock, his own stunned lips open. Charlie’s breath came out in little pants, hands balled into fists, as her heart tried to leap from her chest and run for the door. Fear was coming in hot. A man like Zachary didn’t want a woman to slam her lips into his like she didn’t know what she was doing. Charlie knew how to kiss, but suddenly, she felt like an awkward teenager. She hadn’t even seduced the man! Hadn’t evenaskedhim! All this while they were working! The “moment” had passed, and here she was, barreling in like they were bothon the same page, as if he knew she was turned on by his support and recalling their “almost kiss” earlier.
“Zachary, I’m sorry, I…” She panicked, struggled to think of what to say, but words collided in her brain until the letters scattered like a game of Pick-Up Sticks.
His fingers flexed on her arms, and his gaze roamed her face. His eyes narrowed briefly, trying to decipher answers in hers. Charlie licked her lips, begging her mind to think of more than the scolding she was chanting ofBrain?Braaain!
Zachary zeroed in on her mouth, and “Charlie” was all he whispered as he pressed his lips to hers.
Chapter 20
Zachary
Hesavoredher.
Charlie Harris was in his arms, his lips were on hers, and fuck it about Mrs. Bergman. With one arm at her waist, the other flailed until he found the door and flipped it shut. He nestled his hand along her jaw, tilted it, his kisses slow. Mint from the lip balm she used every day tingled, his senses heightened until all he smelled was lavender, her warmCharliescent.
Their bodies flush, he curved over her to accommodate their height difference, and with the shift, deepened the kiss. His tongue traced the seam of her soft lips. She parted them on a moan, shoved her hands into his hair as their tongues tangled. It spurred him on, his hands roaming her back, her waist, skimming her ass and sliding up again. Her fingers skated up and down his arms, but when he grabbed her lower lip between his teeth, she stilled and gasped.
They parted, foreheads together as they caught their breath. Their kiss was sloppy, her mouth shiny and wet. Her chin was red from the scratch of his scruff, and he leaned forward to press another gentle kiss, only it escalated into a seductive match.
