“I’m not sure, but it caused some inflammation. Most likely, the worst is over. I palpated her abdomen, but it wasn’t tender. Her temperature was normal, too. I’ll let Emily know the culture results, but I think she just got into something she shouldn’t have. Just try to keep her out of the waste cans,” Kate replied.
“You can see I’m on crutches. Keeping Coco from doing anything at the moment is a bit tricky.”
Kate laughed and the sound went straight to his groin. He wished he could cross his legs. “Perhaps until you’re healed keep the bins out of her reach.”
Ric’s vision was starting to get fuzzy. The damn pills were kicking in already. “All right. I’ll make sure to tell Emily and Tyler. I guess we’ll have to make sure that our bedroom doors are shut. I appreciate you coming over like this.”
She smiled and Ric’s stomach did a funny little flip. “I don’t mind. I was at the Farmer’s farm. Jack wanted me to be there while he was breeding someone’s mare to Prince Phillip.”
Ric smiled. “He still has him, huh? We always busted Jack’s ass about that name. No Quarter horse stallion should be named Prince Phillip.” His eyes were growing heavier by the second and he shook his head to clear it. “I’m sorry. I don’t usually fall asleep when a beautiful woman is talking to me. It’s the meds.”
She laughed, her cheeks turning pink. “Thank you. Well, I should go and let you get some rest. Do you want me to put Coco in her crate?”
Ric nodded. “That would be great. Thanks.”
Her smile was the last thing he remembered as he lost the battle to stay awake.
*****
When his eyes drifted shut, Kate couldn’t help watching him for a few moments. His slightly unruly hair and relaxed expression were adorable. She took a lap afghan from the back of the couch and covered him with it.
Even in sleep, the man exuded a potent masculinity and Kate fought the urge to kiss him. Her heart suddenly knocked against her ribs and she hurriedly moved away from him before she did something stupid.
Get a grip, Kate admonished herself. When she’d steadied him in the laundry, grabbing his rock-hard bicep shouldn’t have affected her so much, but she hadn’t touched man-flesh like that in almost two years. Not since her fiancé died. She had to admit that Ric was one fine piece of man-candy. With cobalt blue eyes, sandy blond hair, and a sculpted body built for sin, he was temptation personified.
Kate’s insides clenched. She hadn’t been attracted to a man in a long time, but there was no denying the spark she’d shared with Ric. Just because it’s there doesn’t mean you have to act on it.
Although she’d tried not to notice Ric’s scrumptious body as he’d left the kitchen, it proved impossible. His wide shoulders worked under his T-shirt, his muscles bunching and flexing as he moved. Kate had a vivid image of all that sexiness naked and in her bed.
She took a step back. Where the hell had that thought come from?
Kate sucked in a breath and tore her thoughts away from that topic. She was supposed to be tending to a sick puppy, not fantasizing about a man, no matter how hot he was. Focusing on her job, she called Coco to her and put her in her crate in the laundry room.
Back in the kitchen, she found cleaning supplies under the sink and took care of Coco’s messes. Then she checked on Ric, who was sound asleep. Again, she had the crazy impulse to kiss his sensual mouth.
Getting a hold of herself, Kate left the living room, gathered her bag, and left. As she drove down the road, she couldn’t get Ric out of her head. It had been a long time since a man had affected her like that and it scared the hell out of her. The pain of loss, that this year had finally been easy, suddenly returned with a vengeance. She forced herself to think about all the work waiting for her back at the clinic, determined to erase the memory of Mr. Tall, Blond and Hot from her brain.
***** Click here to order Heal Me *****
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Discover More by Bronwen Evans
The Disgraced Lords
A Touch of Passion
A Whisper of Desire
A Taste of Seduction
The Disgraced Lords Box Set
A Night of Forever
A Love to Remember
Wicked Wagers
To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield
To Wager the Marquis of Wolverstone
To Challenge the Earl of Cravenswood
Wicked Wagers Box Set
Invitation To
Invitation to Ruin
Invitation to Scandal
My Lord’s Invitation to Passion
Invitation to Pleasure
Invitation to Sin
Invitation to Love
Imperfect Lords
Addicted to the Duke
Coopers Creek (contemporary)
Love Me
Heal Me
Other Books
The Reluctant Wife (contemporary)
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Evans is a three-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand with her dogs, Brandy and Duke.
Bronwen loves hearing from avid romance readers at [email protected]
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Love Me (Coopers Creek Book 1) Page 19