Sweeter Than Candy (The Davenports 1)

“I hope so.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders and bring her to my side. “Whatever the outcome, we did everything we could for Rook. All we can do now is wait and let them do their job.”

She nods her head. “Who would leave him like that?”

“He was probably the runt from a litter of strays. Maybe a homeless person tried to give him shelter?”

“Somehow that’s even sadder.”

“Let’s talk about what we’ll do if he survives.”

She sits up. “You want to keep him?”

“Don’t you?” Did I read her wrong?

“Yes, of course.”

“We found him together, that makes for joint custody at least.”

Her lips quirk upward. “Are you asking me to co-parent Rook with you?”

“A child can’t have too much love,” I say quietly. I think of the unborn baby who never got to live. We’d been so full of ourselves and the innocent life had suffered. I never should’ve agreed to try. The stillness of the office is unsettling. I move closer to Clara, fleeing the coldness of my past. We lean our heads together and speak low.

“Well that’s true.” She narrows her gaze. “How will this work?”

“I’ve had a lull in traveling for work, but it could pick up at any moment. I want to know Rook will be taken care of. This trip is on me.”

“No.” She shakes her head. A stern frown curves her full lips downward. “He’s mine, too, right?”

“Going forward we’ll split it all down the line, fifty-fifty.”

She scowls. The money is nothing to me. Yet, I know saying it aloud will set her off.

“Please. Let me do this.” Grabbing her hand, I squeeze gently. I run my hands over the knuckles of her hand, and marvel at the soft skin. Those hands hold babies, and comfort flustered mothers. My admiration grows. She nurtures life. I wonder what they’d feel like moving over me.

I shift in my chair, uncomfortable with the direction my thoughts are taking. I have to get this out of my system before it turns in to something it’s not. One taste, and my curiosity will be sated.

“Clara?” I lean in and pause a hairsbreadth from her lips. Her brown orbs bore into mine.

Footsteps send us back in our seats. My heart knocks against my rib cage. Did I dodge catastrophe or stall the inevitable?

“Rook is one lucky kitten. He’s weak, malnourished, and he has worms. He’ll need be to be dewormed, medicated, and receive all his shots.”

“Whatever it takes, Doc. Money isn’t an option. I want to give the little guy the best chance he has at thriving.”

He nods. “With time, I think he’ll become a happy, healthy kitten. It’ll be a few weeks before we can get him situated, and at a weight I feel comfortable with before you can take him home. But that doesn’t mean you can’t stop by and visit.”

Clara wraps her arms around me in a tight hug. I close my eyes and savor the feel of her warm curves. After so long, it feels good to give back. And be intimate with a sincere woman worth your time. Ignoring the intense attraction isn’t going to be an option for much longer. My mouth goes dry.

“He’s going to be okay, Ash.” I peer down at the woman unknowingly torturing me. Her smile is pure sunshine, and her eyes are brown jewels as they sparkle with joy. Joy. It’s a three letter word I haven’t had much of in recent years. Contentment, fulfillment, and busyness, yes. It’s only as my family begins to settle down that I see the difference. The constant traveling and immersion in work kept me from slowing down and thinking on issues I’d rather forget.

“I told you.” I kiss her temple. “Thank you, Doctor.” She snuggles into my side and a lump forms in my throat. Wrapping my arms around her, I enjoy the sensations she creates inside of me.

“We saved him.” She flashes her pearly whites. I noticed a tiny dimple in her left cheek. Can a woman be adorable at this age?

“If you hadn’t heard him and made me stop, I never would’ve noticed.”

“It was a team effort.”

“I like that.” I smile back, unable to remain unmoved. An invisible noose is tightening around my neck. Getting so caught up in the easy connection we share has me considering the prospect of something new. It startles me. I pull back.