Unable to stall anymore, I walked into the clinic. The waiting room was empty, but from behind the reception desk, a tall woman with long brown hair and a friendly face, greeted me cheerfully.
“Hello! Can I help you?”
I stepped forward to ask for Daniel just as he came around the corner.
Our eyes met, and he hurried toward me, dropping a file on the counter. “Sprite.” He breathed out my nickname, wrapping an arm around my waist, tugging me close. Without hesitating, he lifted me as if I weighed nothing, cupping my head as he captured my lips with his.
I was on fire in an instant. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I weaved my fingers into his thick hair.
Our glasses mashed together, digging into my skin.
I didn’t care—neither did Daniel.
I whimpered at his possessive grip, almost weeping in relief at the feel of his mouth working mine. He tasted less minty now and more coffee-ish, and if possible, it was even more of a turn-on than earlier. He still tasted like Daniel. He must have liked how I tasted as well, since he groaned deep in the back of his throat, his hold becoming tighter.
A throat clearing behind him was like a gunshot in the room. I jerked
back, my eyes panicked, remembering we weren’t alone.
“Is that the new ‘let’s make the clients more welcome policy’ you were talking about, Daniel? Or can I assume this is Avery?” An amused voice chuckled.
Not letting me go, Daniel turned around. “Avery,” he rasped. “This is my sister, Caitlin.”
“Hi,” I squeaked, my face burning with embarrassment.
She grinned. “I think you owe me huge for this morning, brother.”
“I do.”
“Can I keep one of the ponies?”
“Yes. Take your pick from the stable. Any one you want is yours.”
I gaped up at him. He had ponies?
I liked ponies.
“I’ll give you one. Two if you want, Avery,” he murmured, nuzzling my hair.
Oh. Had I said that out loud?
“Are you gonna put her down?” Caitlin queried, looking as though she were trying not to laugh.
I glanced down. I was wrapped in one strong arm, crushed close to his chest, my feet dangling mid-air. I had one hand buried in his hair and the other gripped his white coat. We had to look ridiculous.
Daniel seemed to disagree. “Nope. When’s my next appointment?”
“Ten minutes. Mrs. Mueller is coming in with Sam. She wants him neutered.”
I had to ask. “Sam’s a dog, right?”
Daniel looked down, his eyes glittering under the lights. “No, Sam’s her husband. We do that on the side for special patients.”
My eyebrows shot up, and both Daniel and Caitlin laughed. Daniel pressed another kiss to my head. "Yes, Sam is her dog.”
“Ten minutes?” he asked Caitlin.
She shrugged one shoulder. “Mrs. Mueller often runs late.”