Page 78 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast
I wanted to say something witty or sexy, but words escaped me. Even if I could talk, there was no way I’d be able to vocalize the inappropriate questions swirling around in my head. I curled my hands into a fist so I didn’t clasp his cheeks, and force him to tell me what he meant. To ask what he was doing? Was he thinking of us as long-term and not just for a few short weeks? Or did the thought of being with me have his heart racing every time I drew near?
“Let’s take this little bugger out now so he won’t interrupt us for a while,” he said, not seeming to have an inkling of what my incessant brain was thinking.
I forced a laugh, hoping to cover up my pause before he caught on. “For a guy who didn’t want a dog, you seem to help quite a bit lately.”
He shrugged. “He’s not so bad, I guess.”
I stepped away before he could pull me in for another mind-numbing kiss. “Want to go for a walk, boy?” I asked over and over in a sing-song voice, leaning down to pat Patches’ head. I loved how excited he got. His yips got louder, and he ran frantic circles around us.
“I’ll grab his toys,” Jaxon offered, going to the basket of dog items across the room.
“Thanks. Let me put my tablet away.” I was caught up in Jaxon’s smile, in this adorably domestic moment, before I realized Patches shot out in front of me.
Oh shit.I stumbled, instinctively throwing my hands out to brace myself, forgetting my tablet until it was too late.
The tablet flew up in the air as I rolled to my side, knowing that I couldn't reach it in time, which was confirmed by the heavy thud when it hit the floor. I scrambled to my feet and picked it up, praying to the tablet gods that it still worked. I groaned when I spied a massive crack running down the screen. When I frantically held down the button to turn it on, my electronic device refused to flicker to life.
“Damn,” I whispered. I didn’t have the money to replace it. There weren’t any funds to fix a stupid mistake like this. If I’d only been paying attention, I could have avoided this all together. This was the one device I used to write my papers, check my emails, and even pay our bills. I had been putting in extra shifts at the bookstore to save for a new one, but I wasn’t there yet.
My sorrow was probably over the top. I could still access my work that was saved in the Cloud, but all my ebooks I’d planned to read were now only accessible through my phone. While doable, a small screen wasn’t my preferred way to read. Now I wished I’d packed a few more of my favorite paperbacks.
Jaxon knelt down next to me. “You okay?”
“I’m not hurt.” I waved the tablet at him. “This, though, unfortunately, is.”
He pulled out his phone. “Let’s order you a new one.”
There was no way I’d let him buy me a tablet. I frantically shook my head and closed my hand over his screen. “No, it’s not your fault I didn’t put the case back on this morning.”
He rubbed his jaw. “I know, but I want to do this for you.”
I knew he could afford to buy me a tablet, and I appreciated the gesture. But we’d only known each other a few weeks, and had been dating—if you’d even call it that—for even less time. Jaxon struggled to trust in people’s intentions, especially women. I didn’t need to give him any reason to doubt my genuine interest in him.
Jaxon stood, careful to push up on his good foot, and held out his hand to me.
“Let’s get this guy outside,” I said with a cheerful smile in my attempt to change the subject and placed my tablet on his desk to deal with later.
I called to Patches, who was sitting by our feet, looking at me with the saddest eyes like he knew he’d done something wrong. “It’s not your fault, little lovie.” I rubbed his favorite spot behind his ears.
When Jaxon threaded his fingers through mine, I practically swooned. It was brief, insignificant moments like these that I cherished. I didn’t know if what we had would end when I left, but for now I’d enjoy every single second we had together.
He squeezed my hand, drawing my attention back to him. “Don’t you need your tablet to work?”
“I don’t want this to be something for you to worry about.” I tugged him forward.
“Lily—” He pulled me back and wrapped an arm around me.
Not able to move, I stared up at him. “Jaxon, please don’t. I’m not asking for you to do anything.”
He frowned. “I offered.”
I cupped his cheeks and rubbed my thumb over his mouth. His eyes grew darker as his lips opened and he lightly bit down on the tip of my thumb. “I know. I can still talk to Dad, get my work done, and read books on my phone.”
“You hate reading on your phone,” he muttered, his gruff voice sent a shiver through me.
It secretly delighted me he remembered an off-hand comment I made the other night.
“I do, but it’ll be fine. Now come on. Let’s enjoy our walk and forget about it.” I wouldn’t forget, though. But he didn’t need to know I’d worry about it until I could find a way to replace it. I was fiercely protective of the time we had and was determined to fill it with lovely memories. Not things like this.
