Series: Lee Savino
Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
I can’t sully her.
She may be an adult now, but she’s still fragile. Keeping my distance is still best for both of us. She’s always overwhelmed by my presence, and I need to keep my bear under control. The Moon Cure compound only works so well.
She needs us, my bear rumbles.
It’s true. She’s in pain, and she came to me. Sure, she meant to see the nurse, but Fate intervened and made sure she ended up in my arms. Now I can’t forget how good it felt to have her there.
How right.
Except it’s not right. A man like me–with tastes like mine–could so easily steamroll a sweet young woman like Maisy. And it would be a gross abuse of power.
So no. No matter how delicious it was to be the man in charge of Maisy for those few minutes I had her in my exam room–that role can never be mine.
At least not for many more years. Not until she’s a confident, mature woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. If that ever happens. Then, if she chooses me, I’ll unleash the feral part of me that wants to absolutely consume her.
Chapter Two
Maisy
That was the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me in the history of embarrassing. And that’s saying something because situations like these are always happening to me.
It’s more embarrassing than the time the school announced that I’d been voted Homecoming Queen. I’d gasped, stood up from the lunch table, and started to thank everyone who supported me, only to be informed that there’d been a mix-up, and my friend Missy Baptiste was actually Homecoming Queen. Which made more sense, seeing as Missy was actually popular and a beauty queen pageant winner.
It happened again in junior year when the drama club listed “Maisy Baptiste” on the posters for the lead of the school play. By then, I’d learned my lesson and knew better than to celebrate, and sure enough, it was a mix-up. I wasn’t even in the play–just a stagehand, and the only reason I got that part was because Missy was my best friend.
No one ever wants me–they always want Missy. Or they confuse Maisy with Daisy and get me mixed up with my grandmother.
The point is, there have been plenty of opportunities to graduate summa cum laude from the school of Mortifying Ordeals, and I have my degree.
But today I got my Ph.D. Not only did I end up telling my doctor crush–the hottest man in the state–about my awful ovaries, but I fell off the table, and he had to catch me.
Not that I minded getting swept up in his powerful arms.
I draw in a breath. I can still smell his cologne, notes of cedar and sandalwood. He touched me, and I keep reliving his hand stroking my belly.
I know it wasn’t supposed to be erotic, but to me, it was the most sensual thing I’ve ever experienced. He’s so big, he makes me feel petite. And beautiful. It was fun to imagine for a moment–me as the fairy-tale princess getting wooed by the handsome prince.
It’s only a fantasy, but it sure feels good.
It’s the only thing about today that isn’t terrible. I am seriously thinking about faking my own death. Or at least running away from home.
I’m hiding in my bedroom when my grandma knocks on my door. “Maisy?”
“Come in.” I’m lying in bed with all my favorite stuffies. The overhead light is off, but the room is lit by the purple and white fairy lights I bought online.
“Dr. Matthias just came by. Said you left this behind.” She enters with my bag. Right. In my rush to escape, I left it on the patient bed. I’d realized it as soon as I got outside but was way too mortified to go back for it, even though it had my wallet and my phone.
I figured I wouldn’t need them if I faked my own death. I’d just pay for a new identity.
Now I might actually die of embarrassment.
“Did you go to the clinic?” Daisy asks. She has me call her Daisy, not Grandma. Says it keeps her young.
“Yes.”
“Good for you. Are you feeling better?”
I nod. I actually am feeling better, just from discussing my symptoms with a sympathetic listener. I’m also grateful that Daisy was here to answer the door for Dr. Hunk. I can’t face him, but I find myself bracing for Daisy’s barrage of questions.
To my surprise, she lets out a relieved sigh but doesn’t pry further. “Is it okay if I head out for a bit? I’m off to check in with Old Man Duncan. He says he’s noticed a strange man hanging around his house.”
“What?”
“Don’t you worry yourself. He’s probably making it up. He wants to set up a neighborhood watch. I’ll only be a half an hour.” She waves a hand.