Page 29 of A Very Grumpy Veterinarian
Pearl
Wells shieldsme with his body as he pulls me back into his office.“I’m sorry, Pearl.I’m so sorry.What do you want to do?”
I stare at him, my heart pounding so hard that I’m pretty sure everyone in the clinic can hear it.
The whole lobby was frozen.
Claire pretending not to stare from behind the desk, Kathy suddenly very invested in a clipboard she was holding upside down, and Holly standing like a statue by the printer as if no one would notice her if she didn’t move.
And Wells…God.
He’s looking at me like he’s bracing for the worst.His jaw is tight, his shoulders are tense, and his beautiful green eyes are locked on mine as if he’s terrified I’m about to run.
Again.
I should probably still be panicking.A few minutes ago, I was.The knowing looks from everyone sent me spiraling.I saw it all flash before my eyes: the gossip, the judgment, the whispers that I was sleeping with my boss.Every insecurity I’ve ever had came roaring back.
But then Wells saw it and tried to protect me.Of course he did.Because heseesme.
“I never want you to be uncomfortable,” he says, his voice low and rough.“I never want you to be scared.If you want to keep pretending, we will.”
Pretending.
I look at him now, and something inside me… settles.Because whyamI pretending?Why am I fighting this?This man loves me.Maybe he hasn’t said those exact words yet, but he’s shown me in every possible way.He moved here for me.He gave up Seattle, his job, everything,
because he saw me, messy ponytail, scrubs, probably covered in puppy pee, and decided I was worth changing everything for.
Who does that?
Wells Bennett does.
He would do anything for me, anything to make me happy, anything to keep me safe, and the truth is…
I love him too.
The realization hits me so hard it nearly steals my breath.
I love this grumpy, possessive, ridiculously intense veterinarian.I love the way he watches me like I’m his whole world.I love the way he remembers my favorite queso.I love the way he’d probably fistfight a delivery driver over me.I love the way he makes me feel precious.
I’m done pretending.I’m done hiding.
My pulse races as I step closer to him.
“Pearl?”Wells asks carefully, his voice soft now.“Angel, are you okay?”
I don’t answer.I grab the front of his shirt and pull him out of the office.Rising on my toes, I kiss him right there in the middle of the lobby.
Someone gasps.
Wells makes a deep, startled sound against my lips, like I’ve completely knocked the air from his lungs, before his arms come around me.
One hand cups my jaw.The other slides around my waist and hauls me flush against him, and wow.
Apparently, public kissing Wells is just as addictive as private kissing Wells.
He kisses me like he’s been waiting his whole life for this, like I’m something precious, like I’m his.
My hands clutch his shirt tighter as I melt into him, and when we finally break apart, I’m breathless, terrified.
