Page 31 of Watch Me Burn
Shit.
“We’ll be fine here too.” Maren’s voice cuts through the charged silence. “I’m going to give Ricky a little boob action, then we’re going to watch a rom-com.”
I chuckle as I look over at Ricky lying on the sofa, sliding over the cushions, back and forth from one end of the couch to the other.
“You should put him in his cage for the night.”
“Nah, I like his company when he’s not being too handsy. Besides, he’s been pulling at the fur on his lower belly. I think something might be stressing him.”
My veterinarian brain kicks into gear, concern overriding everything else.
“When did he start pulling on his fur? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I noticed it yesterday. I meant to mention it, but the day went crazy when that bighorn sheep came in.”
I walk over and crouch in front of Ricky, where he’s flat on his back, scratching at his belly. My mind is already cataloging possible causes—parasites, infection, or stress.
“What’s the matter with your tummy, Rick?” I push his hand away and start feeling around his abdomen. He takes the opportunity to reach over and squeeze my breast. “Ow. Stop it.” I look up at Maren. “We should do an ultrasound.”
“I set some time aside in the schedule for one Monday morning. Don’t worry, he’ll be fine for tonight. I’ll let him cop a feel or two, and he’ll fall asleep watching the movie.”
Out of the corner of my eye, Ricky’s paw moves toward my chest again, but I stand before he can strike. As I rise, I catch Damien’s amused expression.
He extends a hand. “Ready to go?”
I nod, my stomach flipping at the thought of what the evening holds. “Let me grab my coat.”
Damien helps me into it, his fingers brushing the nape of my neck as I lift my hair.
“You look beautiful, Luna.” The heat of his breath fans across my ear, and goosebumps race over my skin.
“Don’t wait up.” I smile at Maren as we head to the door.
“Oh, I won’t. You kids have fun.”
Damien’s hand finds the small of my back as he guides me out. The air wraps around me, cold and crisp, a sharp contrast to the warmth inside. Snow falls in fat, lazy flakes. Damien parked his sleek black Range Rover in front of the porch steps, which is perfect, so I don’t have to walk in the snow in my heels.
“Here.” He opens the passenger door for me, holding out his hand. “Let me help you.”
I’m capable of getting into a car on my own, but his old-fashioned courtesy is sweet.
He walks around to the driver’s side, sliding into the seat, and the car suddenly feels much smaller. The vanilla and amber woody scent of him wraps around me, making my mouth water.
I’m constantly aroused by this man. Heat spreads through my body at his nearness, pooling low in my abdomen while my heart hammers against my ribs. My skin tingles with awareness just from sharing this small space with him.
“I need to check on Athena real quick before we leave. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. But didn’t you leave her at your house a few minutes ago?”
“No. I was in Denver for most of the day. I flew up to pick you up.”
“Oh, Damien. You didn’t have to do that. I could have driven down.”
“I’ll always pick you up.”
I reach over and touch his hand, calloused and warm on the steering wheel. A slight tremor runs through his fingers, matching the unsteady rhythm of my own pulse.
Snow crunches beneath the tires as we wind along the five-minute stretch of road separating our properties. He turns in the long driveway, and the headlights sweep across snow-laden pines before revealing the Victorian’s towering silhouette. In the dark, it looks haunted, though the lights glowing in several windows make it a little less scary.
