My Favorite Distraction (Distraction #1) (7 page)

“Luke, how are you? What’s going on with Leroy here?” Jason began to look about the dog as the little boy talked. The dog had apparently eaten an action figure that was dipped in syrup. The syrup was supposed to make the action figure immovable, but only made it tastier to the dog. Jason leaned over and talked to the boy while looking at the man.
He then helped the boy and the dog off the table.

“Thanks
, Dr. Riggs!” the little boy yelled, leaving the room.

“Dr. Riggs? With a name like that
, no wonder you never had to work on a personality.” I smiled.

He smiled back
, the kind of smile that gave me butterflies and had me looking to the door for an escape. “You are sassy, you know that?” He walked up to me and put a lock of fallen hair behind my ear. “And sassy is very sexy.”

My blush was almost instant. I shut up after that.

I blended in at his work with my scrubs still on. I followed him from room to room while he fixed all the animals and talked to all the pet owners. He was gentle with the animals, and I could tell he enjoyed his job. I was beginning to crush on this man. He was careful not to touch me as he moved from room to room, but always had an eye on me.

I watched as one female pet owner flirted with him. He was very professional
, and as I watched, he made it clear to her that his focus was on the feline that she kept referring to as a pussy—which made me giggle, and Jason gave me a firm “shut up” stare. I pulled it together, though, and was quite proud of myself. That was until she commented on how she was like her pussy; she liked to put things in her mouth. He looked at me, and I wiggled my eyebrows and nodded toward the lady. I licked my lips to draw attention to them and then mouthed “pussy” really slowly. His eyes widened, and his tongue slid out coating his lips with saliva. He was in a trance. His eyes dropped from mine, to my lips, then neck, all the way down my body giving me chills. When he snapped out of it, he left the room.

A few minutes later
, Jason’s dad walked in. He flashed me a huge smile and started to instruct the pet owner on the proper care for the licking cat. I walked out of the room before he finished, straight into Jason’s office, and sat down in the chair I was in earlier. I was embarrassed. I wasn’t sure why I did it. I was the opposite of an instigator. I was proper and avoided uncomfortable situations. Bo came and sat by my side. I reached out to pet him, giving him praise for being a great dog.  I found Bo to be very calming. I sat and waited until Jason finally entered the office and took his white jacket off.

“I’m not a good veterinarian assistant, sorry.” I looked at him
, but he didn’t look at me. “Are you upset with me?”

Jason
’s eyes found mine immediately and smiled, and then he walked over and kissed my forehead. I smiled and felt the familiar tickle in my stomach. He guided me out of the office with his hand on my lower back. I waved good-bye to his dad, as we passed his office.  He was on the phone, but flashed a huge grin and waved back.  I heard a mumble out of Jason, so I looked up and he was shaking his head at his dad’s conversation, but he held the same huge grin.

We talked on the ride to my apartment about his work
, and he mentioned that he liked visiting ranches and farms the most. He liked the big animals and always had been drawn to horses.

Jason insisted on checking the safety of my apartment while we were parking. I let Bo out on my side, and Jason raised an eyebrow.

“I am not leaving your dog in the
Jeep. I wouldn’t be his favorite anymore.” I gave him a sweet smile. He took my bags, and we went upstairs, pausing at the security gate to use my keys. When we got inside, I offered Jason a drink of water and got Bo one too. I set it on the floor in the kitchen. I could feel Jason’s unsettled nerves, but I wasn’t sure what was bothering him.

“Can I
have a tour of your place?”

I pointed to the door on one side of the apartment
, then the other. “That’s Heather’s room, and that’s mine. In the center is the living space, and the bathroom is straight ahead.” He stood up with purpose and stalked to my bedroom. I watched as he disappeared for a few minutes and then came out. “You said you had locks, three to be exact, on your door and two on your window.” He was rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.

“I did say that, but I could have been a little off.” I
tried to look indifferent to his rising anger. He walked over to me, but was silent.

“Would you like to sit with me on the couch
?” I was going for sweet to dull his anger.

I took his hand and lead him to the soft white sofa. 
We both sat down, and Bo came to lie at my feet. “We could watch something and order food, or I could cook.” I wanted him to stay, but knew he was fighting something inside himself.

“Why don’t you come over to my house? We can get a bite on the way.” I look
ed over at him, and we were silent. I started playing with his hand, his palm to mine. It felt good to touch him. I wanted to be closer.

“I am safe here
, you know? Heather’s been really great about not bringing people over, and she usually stays at his house.” I wanted him to be OK with me staying. I didn’t look up, just continued to play with his hand.

“I think of you as an innocent princess
, and I have this overwhelming need to protect you. I can’t describe it. I just feel better when I am with you. You do things and uh…say things that drive me crazy, but I can control it.”

H
e had a look in his eyes that gave me shivers everywhere. My body was immediately heated, my face blushing and my mouth overly wet.

“What do you mean
‘control it’?” I watched as his lips moved into a smile.

“I mean control the predator in me that wants to devour you.”

As he said it, I felt his stare grow more intense. My skin began to burn. I was suddenly sensitive all over, and my breathing grew short. He watched me and didn’t move, just stayed very still. He was the first to speak again.

“So last night at dinner, Heather mentioned you had some men that wanted to date you.” He stopped talking and looked deep in my eyes
. “Have you, or did you date anyone, after what happened with Jared?”

I immediately looked away
. I knew what he was asking. I was a little uncomfortable.  I wanted him to know, I didn’t date because I didn’t want to, not because I was scared.  I pulled myself together with a deep breath and cleared my thoughts. “I have kissed men, but no, I have not dated anyone. I know you think I am this princess.” I glanced at my hands and then at him. “I’m not. I don’t like attention. I prefer to be alone.”

He looked at my lips while I talked and then reached over and ran his thumb over my bottom lip. I got goose bumps everywhere
. He must have felt it because his eyes became glued to mine again.

The door of the apartment opened
, and Heather walked in. She was surprised to see us on the couch together.

“What are you guys doing in here?” She turned the light
s on. I didn’t even know they were off. She stopped when she saw Bo and stumbled back a little. “What is that doing in here?” Bo stayed still, made no motion to go to her. “Kat, how did that get up here?”

I was a little mad and growing angrier by the second.
Ultimately, this was my fault.  My whole life I allowed people to dictate my friends and my life but not now, not with Jason and Bo. “That is Bo, and he came up with me. I was wearing dark sunglasses and carrying a white cane, so no one said anything.” My voice was condescending.

“Maybe you should leave and take the dog
.” She was talking to Jason, but it felt like she was talking to me.  I got mad for the second time in two days. I was never mad, always controlled. She was trying to control who I hung out with.  Heather knew more than anyone, how much I needed a connection.

  I felt my legs and then heard my voice loudly.
“These are my friends, Heather. Can’t you be nice to them? Do you know how many boys you have brought into my house? I have been cordial to all of them. Even if I detested them, I still managed a smile and an ‘It looks like it’s going to be a nice day today’ over breakfast. I can’t believe you can’t do it for me. I have had, counting Jason, one male friend in our home, and you treat him like this. I can’t believe you can be so selfish. I know you have done a lot for me and put up with a lot, but seriously.”

I made a move
toward her on the way to my bedroom, Bo by my side. Heather jumped out of my way, and I glanced at Bo. His mouth had fallen opened. I think he laughed.

“I will get my things
, and we can go to your house, if that’s still OK?”

Jason stood up smiling like he
had won the lottery. “Let me know if I can help.”

He turned his attention toward Heather,
talking to her. I took my time getting ready, calming myself. I put an aqua-blue dress on that made my eyes change to match the dress. It had spaghetti straps that crisscrossed in the back, which was otherwise open. I pulled my hair down and curled the ends up, pulling up the side and securing them with butterfly clips. The sandals I slipped on matched my dress perfectly. I took a seat at the mirror and played with my makeup and jumped at the knock on the door. Bo stood up and started for the door, ears up.

“Come in,” I yelled.

Jason eased his head through the door, but Bo didn’t move from his position blocking it. Jason shook his head and laughed, pushing Bo to the side. “Outta my way, mutt.” He was smiling. I could see pride in his eyes as he looked at his dog.

“You changed your”
—he waved his hand up and down—“everything.”

I smiled and directed my attention to him. He was quiet
, whispering to himself. He moved closer to touch me, but hesitated and stopped inches from me.

“So are you
, um…ready?”

I pointed to the bag I had packed.

“Is that it?” He sounded disappointed.

“How long did you plan on me staying?”

“Well, do you have a bigger suitcase?”

I pulled the one I had under the bed.

“Great, this is a good start.” He walked into my closet and started grabbing clothes and stuffing my suitcase full. “Where are your pajamas and panties?”

I giggled when he said
“panties,” and pointed. He did more grabbing and stuffing. When he was done, he handed me my original bag and carried the big suitcase.

“I think someone has high hopes for the weekend.” I raised my eyebrow as I looked at him and the suitcase. He only laughed. “Seriously
, I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment.” I was feeling pressure, but couldn’t run from him. He was being so generous.

He turned around before reaching the front door. “You could never disappoint me, ever.” He said it, but I knew I could.

“You are a little over the top right now. It is not s
ettling right.” I was getting nervous. Why was he pushing so hard for a girl he’d just met?

“Sorry
, I will back off, I promise.”

We looked up when Heather came out of her bedroom.

“I guess you’re leaving.” She had a sad face on, complete with the raccoon eyes. I couldn’t leave her like this. She might have been wrong, but she was my best friend.

I turned to Jason
. “You go and put the luggage in my car. I will be right behind you.” I made a motion to look for my keys.

He
nodded his head toward Heather. “I got it. You stay as long as you need to. I will wait downstairs. Bo, you stay here.” He looked at Bo, and I think they had an understanding of some sort. He closed the door, and I turned to Heather.

“This might be good for us,
some time apart?” I asked it more than said it. “We have been attached for a really long time.” I wanted her to understand how much I needed this. “Jason is my right now, Heather. Isn’t that what you would say in college? When you knew it wasn’t going to last, but wanted a male distraction.  That is all he is to me a beautiful distraction.  I can’t sit around here and organize and clean, waiting for you to come home from all of your adventures.  He’s my right now, just to take my mind off of life.”

Heather let a tear fall down her cheek.

“Please don’t worry about me. I feel connected to him somehow. He really has a big heart, and he is kind and patient. For the first time in my life, I am going with my heart and not my over worked brain.  Heather, I am not running.” I took her hand and pulled her in for a hug. “Seriously, would you have waited three months for me to talk to you?”

She pulled away. “I know I have said this a lot lately, but I am sorry. You have always been the less nosy one. You never seem to get into my business
. Even when I ask, you always tell me I need to make my own choices. He seems to like you.” She laughed at the tears falling from her eyes. “I think I am jealous sharing you for the first time.”

“You will always be like a sister to me. I love you.”
I did love Heather, she was my only constant.  She never asked about my past or my family.  The day my grandfather died, Heather was at my side.  When I told her I needed to leave before my family got there, she helped, without thought or question.  I would always be indebted to her for that. 

At that
, she broke down and started to really cry. I went in the bathroom and brought her the box of tissues.

She looked up
. “When you say it like that, it feels so final.”

“I am not sure why you are crying, b
ecause Jason will be sick of me very soon. Don’t start looking for roommates. I am sure I’ll be back on Monday.” I hugged her again and then turned toward the door.

“If he is a smart guy
, you won’t ever come home. Call me, K?” She sat on the sofa and cried.

* * * *

The entire walk to the car felt awkward.  My feet kept stumbling; it was like I suddenly had two left feet. Bo walked in front of me down the concrete stairs which gave me something to concentrate on.  My legs were in a huge hurry, but my brain kept yelling, “hold the phone”.  I kept closing my eyes, the voice in my head getting louder. The outside voices becoming more muffled.  I shook my head as I reached the bottom of the stairs and opened the gate.  When I entered the parking lot Jason approached me wearing a huge boyish grin.  It was very sexy and it took me a minute to know that I was the reason behind it. I dipped my hand in my purse and pulled out my keys, trying hard not to salivate from the look he shot me. He grabbed the bag I was clinging on to and gave Bo a treat.

“I saw that,” I said
, eyeing Bo. “Where’s my treat?”

I was only teasing
, but Jason’s smile grew wider, goofier, and he looked down in a very boyish way. We reached my car, and he threw my bag in and walked me to the driver’s side door. He stood just for a second with his head down, whispering. When I made a move to open the door, he pushed me against the car and looked at me. A rush of heat spread though my body at his swift movement. He had the most intense look on his face. His eyes traveled from my eyes to my mouth I could tell he was contemplating something. His tongue eased out of his mouth, and he almost licked his lips. My heart was going crazy. He leaned into my body, so close I could feel his heartbeat. My breathing increased, it felt like my skin was rising. His every movement against my body was erotic.  His face tilted into mine, and with a single finger he moved hair away from my face. I closed my eyes and lifted my chin, and he kissed me. He was gentle, soft. His hands moved to the back part of my head, underneath my hair. He went slowly, nothing rushed. His tongue reached out, touching my lips, coaxing me to open. I breathed in slightly and felt his tongue slide in slowly. One of his hands cupped my cheek. The feeling was soft, and as he brushed my tongue with his, I moaned. My legs felt weak. I was throbbing in places I didn’t know could throb. I was lost in this man. It was like the whole world had faded and it was just him and me. I reached up and slid my arms around his neck and held him to me. The kiss was tender and sweet, and I had found my first happy place. I pushed my tongue into his mouth, and I heard a growl escape his lips before he pulled away. Best. Treat. Ever.

He
grinned and kissed my forehead. “Thank you for sticking up for me inside. It did things to me I can’t explain.”