The gate guards for the staff parking confirmed it when he’d approached to let them know where to direct Carolline to her new parking spot. There was no chance of her being elsewhere.
He hoped like hell she hadn’t overdone it the day before. He knew she’d gone home a couple hours after arriving; yet, he didn’t know what she’d done after she left the staff parking lot.
The only thing he could do now was get back to work and wait for updates. There had to be a limit to his stalker tendencies. He hoped.
Carolline rolled to a stop at the security gate for the staff parking lot. She was running late. Though she felt better than the day before, she took her time showering and getting ready. The hot water running over her skin and pounding into her muscles had felt a little too good.
It was fine being late, except when it came to parking. She didn’t look forward to the hike from whatever top floor spot she could find to her floor.
“Good morning, Dr. Greene,” the guard greeted her.
She passed her badge over the scanner. “Good morning, Sammie. Is it a full lot today?”
He grinned. “Of course, ma’am.”
“Great,” she mumbled as she waited for the heavy security arm to raise.
“You don’t have to worry though, ma’am. Dr. Andersen said you have a new reserved spot now.”
“Excuse me?”
“Yes, ma’am. If you head over to the hospital staff entrance, there should be a spot right there just for you.”
“I didn’t ask for a spot.”
“Dr. Andersen felt you deserved one. I’m sure it’s his way of thanking you for saving his cubs.”
Carolline frowned. “He didn’t need to, but I don’t think I’ll argue with him about it right now. I’m still feeling the effects of that tussle.” She smiled at Sammie and he smiled back.
The heavy arm of the gate lifted and he waved her through.
Carolline drove through the parking garage slowly, and when she got to where Sammie told her to go, sure enough, there was a spot reserved for her in big bold letters.
A giddy bubble of laughter burst from her lips. While her mind resisted, barely, her body and her tigon, greatly appreciated the gesture from her mate.
A soft growl slipped past her lips. Not from her mate. He was just a man. Just someone who appreciated what she’d done. That was all!
Chapter 18
She kept her promise to herself and brought in tea and snacks. She’d forgotten the day before due to running late, which wouldn’t be a problem anymore. She’d remembered, especially since she set everything out the night before next to her bag, along with the files she’d ended up taking home. She didn’t go small either.
After a little inner debate, Carolline packed up her hot tea maker and kettle, her favorite loose leaf teas, and her second favorite mug. She had the perfect place for it on the long, low cabinet pushed up against the wall behind her. There would be no heading out to grab tea and running into handsome doctors.
It took a little time and a little help from one of the security guards, but she managed to make it to her office floor without incident. The guard waited for her to unlock her door, and even went as far as helping her set everything up. He fetched water and, without instruction from her, got a batch brewing.
She must have looked at him funny because he chuckled, then tipped his head toward her machine. “The wife has one just like it. She can’t start her day without a nice hot cup of tea. I figured you might be the same way. I’ll leave it to you to pick the tea you’d like. My wife starts her morning off with Oolong, then throughout the day works her way to whatever variety of Herbal she thinks she needs before bed.”
“I’m the same way sometimes.” Carolline blushed and thanked the man for his help.
She got in a couple hours work while she waited for her first patient to show. She was deep in concentration when a knock came at her door.
“It’s open,” she called out.
The door swung open, and instead of the couple she was expecting, a teenaged boy stood in her doorway.
“Dr. Carolline Greene?” He asked, his voice cracking slightly at the end. His head was tipped down as he looked at a slip of paper in his hand.
“Yes, that’s me.”
He glanced at her and smiled a bit awkwardly. He turned slightly to the side and, for a moment, Caroline’s heart began to race. She had no idea what he was doing in her doorway or what he was grabbing. She shifted her hand. Her finger hovering over the security button that sent out a signal regardless of whether the receiver was picked up or not.
When the boy turned back to her, he held a bag from the cafeteria and a cup in his other hand. He squinted in concentration and looked at some point over her shoulder.
“Dr. Andersen says he hopes you’re feeling better,” he paused and looked up while his lips moved silently. When whatever it was he was supposed to say came back to him, he grinned at her and said, “and hopes to see you soon. In the meantime, enjoy a tea and scone on him.”
The kid shuffled forward and thrust the items out at her. She took them without a word, too focused on the warm feeling effusing her chest. He looked at her expectantly, and she came out of her stupor.
“Hold on a second.” She grabbed her wallet out of her drawer and fished a couple dollars out for him before handing them over. “Thank you.”
The kid beamed. “Thanks. Have a good day.” He spun and left, leaving her pondering his words.
Devon wanted to see her soon? She ignored the traitorous skip of her heart at the thought.
This was the second day in a row that he’d done something for her. Something he didn’t have to. The parking spot was a luxury she’d never thought to have, but it let her know he’d thought of her. That maybe he heard through the grapevine that she still wasn’t completely healed. It was a heady feeling, and she found she wanted to cling to that bit of happiness. If he kept going the way he was, she may believe they were mates after all.
Chapter 19
The end of the week dragged itself into being like a slow rolling tide. It took forever to get there, but was a beautiful sight when it finally appeared. It had to be one of the worst weeks he’d been through since Sasha died, and he was glad to see the tail end of it. Even then, after Sasha’s death, that period of time went by quicker. There was at least resolution. A finality to it all. They knew what had happened. Who did it. Where she would be buried, and when the service was to be held. There had been nothing left unanswered. Unlike everything in his life at the present moment.
The week had been a nightmare on multiple levels. The constant running between patients who felt they needed – no deserved - to know what happened, and checking on the kids at the on-site daycare, since it was determined that a little time off for them wouldn’t be a bad thing. It all slowly ate at his sanity. He didn’t even want to acknowledge how he’d never found a spare moment to check on Carolline personally. It was a glaring reminder that he was a shitty mate. The one time he’d made it to her floor, his pager went off, and he was needed elsewhere. There hadn’t even been enough time to catch her scent to gauge how she was doing based off it.
That’s when he’d turned to getting regular updates from Frank, and employing a little help to ensure she knew he had been thinking of her. Well, his tiger took over and demanded action of some sort on his part, since it felt Devon was failing on all points.
He’d only realized how glad he had been to do it when she sent a return message thanking him for the tea and scones. His tiger preened and strutted inside, knowing they’d pleased her.
If he hadn’t believed they were mates before, then he did now. Everything pointed to it being true. The constant warmth throbbing in his chest any time he thought of her. It was equal parts terrifying and fascinating, these new feelings. They weren’t part of who he had been before. Lust. Want. Aching need. There was a primal drive to be with Carolline. To lay eyes on her. Talk to her, or just be in the same room as her. Sh
e was a constant in the back of his mind, no matter what he was doing.
Checking on the twins he’d delivered – he could hear her voice in his head as she pointed out the different physical traits in order to tell each one apart.
Scooping up Tabitha and the boys from daycare at the end of the day – he could picture her next to him with a soft smile on her face, holding out her hand for one of them to take. The love shining in the depths of her eyes.
Whipping up a quick, but healthy, meal – he wondered if she was eating properly, and if her injuries had finally all healed. Surely, enough time had passed, even with her hybrid genes.
That wasn’t how it had been with Sasha at all. When he thought of her and their time together, it had been a calm, quiet, bubbling warmth surrounding them. It made him feel good, loved, yet it wasn’t overwhelming or all-consuming. It didn’t take over his every thought. He could go about his day without Sasha crossing his mind until it was time for him to head home. He’d thought the reason had been his ability to compartmentalize his personal life from his professional life. Now, though, he began to understand it was because they weren’t fated to be together. What they had wasn’t the deep, soul-bonding connection of true mates.
His feelings for Sasha were nothing compared to the intensity of his feelings for Carolline. Logically, he knew there was much to discover. More to develop between them. That first blush of need though, it intoxicated. The idea of being with Carolline set his nerves jangling. It had his pulse racing and breath catching. Not once when he’d merely thought of his deceased wife had he ever experienced those feelings. The kicker was he’d yet to find out how it would actually feel when he finally got Carolline within arm’s reach.
It became obvious that not seeing her was not an option. He itched to get close to her and feel her skin beneath the palms of his hands. To hold her close and let their scents mingle until they were one. She marched into the forefront of his mind the second he had down time. Thoughts of what it would be like to have her in his home. To share a bed with her, and feel the warmth of her body pressed up against him again.
There was another aspect of his psyche to contend with as well. The tiger. With each passing day, he scratched harder at the surface. He pushed and pulled and damn near begged to get out. It would hunt her down and promised to bring her home, if only Devon let go of his leash. In his mind, their mate, part of their family unit, wasn’t with them. With every passing minute, Devon found it harder and harder to resist the animal’s urges.
Which was why he was pulling into her driveway at six o’clock at night. He was done resisting and done fighting.
His father had chuckled and nodded his agreement when Devon asked him and his mother to watch the kids for the night. The knowing look in his dad’s eyes, which also held a glimmer of pride, made it that much easier to toss some clothes and essentials in a bag and march out to his SUV.
Devon was going to make a play for his mate. There was no real plan. Maybe dinner, followed by coffee at Claire’s. He didn’t want to push, and yet, he was prepared for a night spent at her place.
He’d heard stories that when mates found each other, they couldn’t stay away from one another afterwards. He hoped it was true. There had been extenuating circumstances in their situation, and the only reason he hadn’t been able to find out if that story was true. He wanted to believe it was.
He would find out now. Dr. Carolline Greene was about to be hit with the full force of a man pining for his mate. He only hoped that when he showed up unannounced, she wouldn’t slam the door in his face.
Chapter 20
The knock at the door was wholly unexpected. Carolline glanced at the microwave to check the time, humming thoughtfully when it read six o’clock. Not too late into the night for a visitor, and definitely early enough for someone to stop by. The problem came when she tried to figure out who would be at her door. Few, if any, people came to mind. Actually, only two did. Ben could be checking up on her again, or it could be the poor man stuck watching the front of her house and needing to use the bathroom. She should just invite the guy in at this point. At least then he’d be comfortable and she’d have someone to talk to.
She sighed and made her way toward the front of the house. This was not how she expected the evening to go. After heading home for the day, Carolline had looked forward to an uninterrupted, quiet weekend. The desire to catch up on what she’d missed at work was strong, but she knew her body. Knew she needed more time. She figured by Monday morning she should be able to pick up her usual routine with a trip to the woods for a short run and a stop at Claire’s for some much-needed tea and human contact.
Her plan was to spend time over the next two days indulging in light yoga to aid in her recovery and resting. Already her body was craving the stretch and pull of her muscles that came with it. As a daily practitioner, she just didn’t feel right without a little morning Child’s pose, followed up with some Cat-Cow and Side Plank. The ease and familiarity of the moves got her going and cleared her mind for the day to come. Something she’d say she badly needed.
Another loud thump of the door pulled her from her thoughts. With teacup in hand, Carolline peered through the peephole. She jerked back and the tea sloshed over her fingers. The pain was barely noticeable with the realization of who she thought she saw on the other side of the door. It couldn’t be him.
She pressed a hand up against the door to steady herself for another look. The impossible was clearly…possible. Devon stood on the porch looking for all the world like an impatient teenage suitor. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his dark pants, and his head was tipped down and canted slightly, like he was listening for movement.
She slid her hand up a fraction and leaned in closer. Almost immediately, he raised his head and stared at the little peephole with an intensity she couldn’t fathom. His eyes narrowed, and she’d bet money, he knew she was standing there looking at him.
“Want to open the door?” He asked on a low breath, the sound reaching her sensitive ears easily. A shiver she didn’t expect, rolled down her spine. That voice whispering in her ear late at night could do magical things to her, she thought.
Stepping back, she did what any woman in her position would do. She smoothed down the nonexistent wrinkles in her white tank top, cleared her throat, and took a deep breath; making sure to put on a professional mask before unlocking the door and grasping the handle. She pushed the latch down and pulled the door open in one easy motion; and, like the time before when he and Ben had shown up at her door, she clung to the handle and blocked the doorway.
“Dr. Andersen, this is unexpected. How can I help you?” As casually as possible, she skimmed down the length of his body. Beneath his jacket was a crisp white button up, setting off the darker tone of his skin perfectly. The top few buttons were undone, giving a glimpse of his smooth chest. In the back of her mind, she allowed herself to wonder how it would feel beneath her hands. Firm and warm. Pulsating with strength. The black jeans he wore clung to his muscled thighs, and his not-quite dress shoes, but still fancy, capped off his look.
There was a fluttering of arousal blooming in her body. A deep, woodsy scent wafted from him, calling to her, tugging at the sense of home she felt when she was in her tigon form and running without a care between the trees. The forest floor beneath her paws connecting the animal and human sides to something greater. It was different from the sandalwood she’d smelled on him before. It was as if he’d gone for a run and had not been able to wash the more primal scent away.
She liked it.
A lot.
His lips curled into a small grin, and a flicker of heat passed through the depths of his eyes. He did his own perusal of her, but where she’d tried not to be obvious, he was openly staring. His gaze lingered on her chest, before skittering down to her bare feet. Her sweats didn’t reveal a lot about her, other than how she appreciated comfort. “I know I’ve told you to call me Devon.”
She snif
fed and turned her nose up at him. “And I’m more comfortable calling you Dr. Andersen. We aren’t friends.”
He shook his head slowly. “We may not be friends, but we are mates.”
“That remains to be seen,” she retorted quickly, ignoring the voice in the back of her head that wholly agreed with his statement. She needed more proof. Or, perhaps, more convincing. She honestly didn’t know. Her mind was torn in which direction she should go, so she stuck with the more stubborn of the two.
He’d ignored her. Kept his distance. Wasn’t beating down her door just to get to her. Nor did he prowl outside her home, or track her down like a lion hunted for his mate. Logically, that would point to not being mates.
Unfortunately, also on the logical side, he had responsibilities. Children. Family. His practice. Those things would keep him busy and away from her, regardless of how much he needed to be with her. His lion wasn’t in the first blush of a single, roaming animal. It had experienced the things that would bind it closer to home.
Likewise, she needed to recover. Her focus was solely on that. When she could function enough without every cell in her body being swamped with pain, she needed to tend to her professional life. The one, and only, thing she had going on in her life.
Devon smirked and shook his head. “May I come in?”
“You mean this isn’t you stopping by for a quick check up, and then you’ll be on your way home to your family?”
“No. Not a quick check. We need to talk. I’d like to talk. Also, to have that conversation without your entire neighborhood watching and wondering.”
Carolline glanced beyond his shoulder. There was a suspicious number of her normally private neighbors milling about their front yards and porches. “Of course. We wouldn’t want more gossip to be spread around than already is.” She stepped back, keeping a tight grip on the door handle with the need to stay grounded and not sway into him as he walked by. She closed the door and motioned toward the living room. “Would you like something to drink?”
Finding More (Tiger Nip Book 3) Page 12
