OBSESSED

8

JARROD

"Don't forget to send me that referral tomorrow, Muller," said Dr. Winnebago.

As the head physician over our practice, his voice carried a certain authority to it that left me nodding.

"Of course," I said. "I'll have it to you first thing tomorrow."

We shook hands and said our farewells. Mike—or Dr. Kert, as his patients knew him—clapped a hand on my shoulder. His wide white teeth smirked at me under the bushy handlebar mustache he fondly called The Kertinator.

"Have fun," he said, waggling his brows.

I tried to steel my face to hide the blush diffusing through my cheeks. "Shut the fuck up," I grumbled. The right side of my lips curled up in a shit-eating grin.

"She's a real babe. If things go south for you two . . ." He winked.

"Very funny," I scoffed, shooing him away.

The grin now dripped down my face in a grimace. I tried not to let his harmless comment under my skin. He was only jesting.

Still, the image of any man checking Leah out, especially in my presence, triggered some feral instinct. My blood simmered beneath my flushed skin.

I glared off after the crew until they slipped out of the club.

Once they were gone, I released a sigh and relaxed. I already felt excited again to spend time with Leah.

Tonight was a pleasant surprise all around.

To think, only hours ago I was dreading this social event. I was exhausted from working long hours all week.

I approached the bar and let my eyes rest upon the burst of scarlet red seated on top of a stool. Her tumble of golden waves gleamed under the club lights like a beacon straight to my soul.

The dress cut steeply down her back and flaunted the silkiness of her milky skin. My eyes followed the stretch of her curves down to her sumptuous hips and ass.

Fuck me. A bolt of heat surged to my cock.

This woman sat here and waited for me? I couldn't believe my good fortune.

My mouth naturally lifted in a smile as I placed one hand on her hip, leaning my front into her back.

She jumped. "Eep!" she gasped.

I caught her before she fell off the stool in her fright. Her hands clamped onto my arms, nails biting in. Laughter wracked my body.

"You scared me!" she said, a little chidingly. Then her cheeks pinkened as she realized we were gripping each other for dear life.

Biting her lip, she turned her face aside and flipped her phone over. Her hand lingered on the back of the device as if protectively holding it face-down.

She smiled overly sweetly at me. "Hi."

"Did I interrupt something?" I asked.

"Nope!" she said quickly. "I was just updating my friends on this turn of events. In case you decide to, you know, turn me into a cadaver at some point tonight."