Teased by Fire

by Molly O'Hare

  Ignoring him, she reached out to pet Ripley. “You’re so pretty.” Ripley must have agreed because she barked.

  “Ma’am, I’m not a human doctor, but I think we should pay more attention to your injuries instead of the dogs.”

  “Human doctor?” she mocked ignoring both of the pups, going back to her injuries. “As opposed to what, an alien doctor?”

  “I haven’t worked on any aliens that I know of, but I did neuter a cat named Alien once. Does that count?”

  Holly’s eyes widened. “Oh great, you’ve got a body of a Greek God, and now you’re also a vet. Which means you love animals. Freakin’ wonderful. You’re like the most perfect guy, and here I am on the sidewalk with blood pouring out of me with a chipped tooth.” She pushed Waffles off her lap and stood. “Please excuse me while I find a place to die of embarrassment.”

  A corner of his mouth lifted. “You’re funny.”

  “And you’re hot. So, we’ve now successfully established which groups we belong to.” Annoyed at herself more than anything she angrily started to stomp away from the Greek God.

  “Hey, wait up!”

  She hastily turned around. When she saw Waffles sitting at the foot of the Adonis, her eye started to twitch. Of course, her dog would betray her. “Waffles, come.” She pulled on the leash slightly, but Waffles wouldn’t move. “Lord Waffles, get your butt over here.”

  The man cocked his brow. “Lord Waffles?”

  “Yeah,” she answered. “He thinks, he’s a freakin’ king. Hence the “lord” and I love waffles.”

  The Adonis threw his head back in laughter before he bent and started to pet her dog. To make matters worse, the betraying Corgi rolled over onto his back asking for belly rubs. That’s it. No more treats for you! She glared at him.

  “Who’s a good boy?” the Adonis cooed. “You’ve got a weird name, but to each their own.”

  Holly’s eye began to twitch more vigorously. She started trudging back towards her bastard of a dog and the Greek God when her foot hit an invisible rock causing her to trip. Within a split second, she ended up falling right into the arms of the bane of her existence at the moment.

  “Whoa, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she grumbled as she righted herself. Go ahead and add this to the, “it can only happen to me” list.

  “I feel like you need to walk around with a warning or at least a crash helmet,” he joked.

  “Not the first time I’ve heard that,” she replied. Quickly she bent down and retrieved Waffles. “Well, if you’ll excuse me. Not only do I really need to find a secluded place to die of embarrassment, I also need to call my dentist, or go to the walk-in. Maybe both.” She turned on her heel and started power walking down the sidewalk. As she passed the spot she’d tripped at; she examined the cement. Figures, there’d be absolutely nothing there. If there were a sporting category on tripping over invisible objects she’d win gold twice over.

  “Hey,” she heard from behind her. She kept walking, doing her best to hide her humiliation and ignore the Greek God.

  Unfortunately, that was short lived. “Hey, I want to make sure you really are okay?” he asked when he caught up to her in two point three seconds. Stupid short legs!

  “I’m fine,” she said.

  “Your lip’s still bleeding pretty bad.”

  She glared at him. “Wonderful.”

  “Hey…” He reached for her arm stopping her escape.

  “What?”

  “Let me help you. My practice is only a block from here. I’ve got all the supplies to clean up your lip. I also can get a better look at your tooth.”

  “You’re a vet.” Her eyes started to twitch more.

  “I am pretty sure if I can surgically remove nuts from an animal I can look at your busted lip.” He shrugged.

  She couldn’t help but laugh. He did have a point.

  Sighing she looked at her Adonis. “Thank you for the offer….” She trailed off.

  “Ben. The names Ben Richman.” He held out his hand for her to shake.

  “Thanks for the offer Dr. Richman, but there is a walk-in clinic not far from where I live.”

  “Call me Ben. And, please let me do this. It will help me sleep at night knowing the woman I maimed with a Frisbee is somewhat okay.” She watched as his eyes widened pleading with her. Even Waffles who was still in her arms looked at her and whined. “Oh, for the love of… fine. Lead the way, Ben.”

  “Perfect.” His mouth curved into a smile. “Follow me.” He whistled loudly. Ripley was instantly by his side. Before they started their journey, he quickly bent down and fastened her leash.

  Holly started following the Adonis, Ben.

  She looked at Waffles who was enjoying being carried. “Guess you get an extra trip to the vet.” She burst out laughing when Waffles closed his mouth and glared at her.

  Find out what happens next in Stumbling Into Him.