Vow of Worth (Vow Series Book 6)

by Emma Renshaw

  I couldn’t say anything until it was confirmed to be Dr. Velasquez. I knew Caroline had taken on some of her clients and even one of her vet techs. I didn’t want to cause panic if there was none to be had, and I had no idea if the family had been informed of the possibility yet. “No,” I answered. “Work emergency.”

  “You can go,” Caroline said gently.

  “I can’t leave him.” Pepper Jack was lying down again. He wasn’t panting anymore and his eyes were closed. He still didn’t look good, but mildly better than when I brought him in.

  “I’ll look after him. I can bring him home with me, and you can pick him up later. He’s mostly going to be sleeping. I wanted to keep him for observation anyway. You’re more needed for work than sitting next to him right now. I promise I’ll care for him.”

  “I know you will,” I said. “It’s why I came here instead of an emergency vet.”

  She flushed but smiled softly. “That means a lot to me, to know you trust me with him.”

  “I’ve trusted you from the beginning. Remember, I had to beg for you to be his doctor and to train him. Only the best for my boy though,” I joked, but it didn’t have the usual muster I was able to summon up. I didn’t want to leave Pepper Jack, but I knew he would be in the best, most capable hands, and the faster this murderer was off the street the better. I didn’t even want to think about what would have happened if this guy had chosen a different vet. My vet. My Caroline.

  “I’ll bring dinner tonight. Thank you, Caroline.” I leaned over Pepper Jack’s sleeping form and kissed her cheek.

  17

  Caroline

  Kiernan had texted throughout the afternoon and evening that it would be a while, but he’d get Pepper Jack and come with dinner as soon as he could. The more time I spent with him, the more confused I was. He didn’t kiss me when he stayed the night, but he seemed attracted to me and seemed to care. I was too afraid to ask and wasn’t sure if I wanted to face outright rejection. It had been hard enough when he didn’t kiss me that night.

  Pepper Jack was recovering nicely, but he was drowsy. He curled up in a ball on the couch as soon as we got home, but the most surprising part was Harmonica sensing his distress. She curled up in a ball on top of Pepper Jack, who peeped through one open eye and let out a long sigh.

  I took pictures on my phone and couldn’t resist glancing at them every few minutes. The adorableness of them cuddled together was almost too much for me to take. Kiernan had told me Pepper Jack didn’t get along very well with other dogs. It was one of the objectives we planned to cover in training classes, but it seemed he had no issue with Harmonica. And my bitchy girl, who pranced around the house like she was the queen of the palace, liked him too.

  This wasn’t our first dinner since Kiernan had stayed over. He checked on me every night, usually bringing dinner with him. We’d fallen into a routine together. I wanted whoever had been stalking me to go away, but I wasn’t ready for Kiernan to disappear from my life.

  I jumped up from the chair when a knock sounded on the front door. I peered out and caught sight of Kiernan standing there. He was in jeans and a dark shirt. The shirt was tight over his arms and chest but looser around his waist and hips. And the jeans fit him perfectly. “Open up, Caroline.” My eyes popped up, catching his gaze and knowing smirk. He’d caught me checking him out.

  I opened the door. Kiernan swept past me carrying two brown paper bags from a local Italian restaurant. The scent of garlic and butter followed him and I groaned. It smelled delicious and I wasn’t even sure what he’d ordered for me—I wasn’t picky and whatever was creating that smell, I knew I’d love.

  “How’s Pepper Jack?” Kiernan asked. “See he’s made a friend.” Kiernan looked over his shoulder and grinned. “I don’t think your girl is as rude as you say she is.”

  I scoffed. “She’s simply putting on an act in front of you. Pepper Jack is doing well. He needs to rest, but he’ll be okay by tomorrow and probably back to destroying your home by the next day.”

  “Never thought I’d be so glad to hear that my home will be destroyed again. It was hard seeing him like that today. I hated it.”

  “I know,” I said quietly. “It’s so hard. Animals are innocent and seeing them hurting is inconceivable.”

  “How do you do it every day?”

  I lifted one shoulder and let it fall, playing with the charm on my necklace. “Healing and helping them makes it worth it.”

  “Did you always want to be a vet?” Kiernan asked while unpacking our dinner. He opened each container. I opened a cabinet, grabbed two plates and two wine glasses, and set them on the table.

  I grabbed a bottle of wine from the small rack on the kitchen island. “Pretty much. I’ve always loved animals and had a pet one time growing up. I was the only one who liked him though, and when my parents got rid of him, I knew there wasn’t another option for me.”

  Kiernan was quiet. I glanced at him as I popped the cork and carried the open bottle to the table. I sat across from Kiernan, who was still standing. He was watching me closely and searching my features. “Why did they get rid of him?”

  “My mom hated having a dog and dog fur being in her house. My sister lost interest in him after the first week, and my dad lives in his own world. My mom didn’t want him around.”

  “How long did you have him?”

  “Not long enough,” I said. “Snickers was my best friend, and I didn’t get to say goodbye to him.”

  Kiernan shook his head, reaching across the table and laying his hand on top of mine. “I hate that you had to deal with shit like that. To be honest, I wouldn’t have guessed that about your family life.”

  “My family is…” I stalled, never sure how to describe them. “My family. They are who they are, and that won’t change. I’ve stopped trying to get them to accept me.”

  “Was it that bad?” he asked, concern in his features.

  “They never abused me or anything, but I guess you could say I’m the odd one out. It wasn’t that bad.” I slipped my hand away from his and served us food. I put a little bit of everything on each of our plates—shrimp linguine, salad, and breadsticks. “Was everything okay when you left?”

  Kiernan sagged back into his seat, scrubbing a hand down his face, and shook his head. “I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but I know you won’t spread it around. The family is being notified right now. Dr. Velasquez was murdered. Her body was found today. Maddox asked me to assist because an encrypted thumb drive was found with the body. I could work faster than the technical team at the station. Besides, they’re so slammed with work, it’s easier for them to outsource some things. That’s what Maddox needed.”

  I gasped and tears filled my eyes. “Oh, no,” I whispered. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t want to believe that someone could do that. I’d wanted her to come home safe and sound, but that didn’t happen. My heart ached for her family. “Was it the ex-boyfriend like the news was speculating?”

  Kiernan tensed and clenched his jaw. “I don’t think so. The thumb drive was…” He trailed off without saying what it was, but I wasn’t sure I even wanted to know. He shook his head and changed course. “No, I don’t think it was him, but he hasn’t been completely ruled out yet.”

  “That’s horrible.” I took a long drink of my wine, shivering.

  He nodded. “It is. Hardest part of the job is coming face to face with the worst of society.”

  “Why didn’t you choose something else after the military? Did you want to work with cops when you left the army?”

  “No.” He took a bite of his breadstick. “They have a lot of red tape, and I don’t like working in those parameters. I’m able to do more sometimes and, honestly, I love helping people. Our clients feel safe with us, and I like helping them.”

  “I feel safe with you. I was glad when Maddox sent me to you.

  “I am too, Caroline. Damn glad I got to run into you and help you. I wish I hadn’t been such a dum
bass kid and could’ve known you in high school too.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “I’m glad we met now. I wouldn’t have been able to string two words together if you’d talked to me back then.”

  Kiernan smiled. “At least it happened sometime, right?”

  18

  Kiernan

  I had no idea what the hell I’d gotten myself into when I walked into the studio Daphne had rented. There were massive lights set up on stands, and a tripod holding a large camera pointed at a black backdrop. Daphne was perched on a stool, tapping a finger against her mouth and grinning at Caroline. Caroline was pacing back and forth. She was dressed in tight jeans, heeled boots, and a billowy, low-cut top. Her chocolate waves were spilling down her back.

  I’d already conned my way into having her here, but I was also going to request a picture with her. I didn’t think Daphne would deny that, but Caroline would most likely be a hard sell.

  “I can’t believe I’m here,” Caroline muttered, continuing to create a hole in the area she was pacing.

  “You’ll have fun. Spending an afternoon watching a hot guy with his shirt off is not a hardship, my friend.”

  I cleared my throat. They’d yet to notice I was here, and if Caroline said anything about me and then found out I’d heard it all, she’d probably flee. I was in jeans and a T-shirt but, at Daphne’s request, I also had a button-up shirt with me. She’d also told me to expect more changes into outfits she would bring me.

  “Hi, Kiernan,” Daphne said and rose from the stool. “We only have the space for a couple of hours, so I’d like to get started if you’re ready.”

  “Sure,” I said. “Just let me know what to do.” I crossed the room to Caroline and bent to kiss her cheek. “Hey. Thanks for being here.”

  “No problem,” she said and smiled tightly, but her cheeks were flaming red.

  “Take off your shirt,” Daphne said. “And stand over in the middle of the backdrop. I need to test the lighting first.” She unscrewed her camera from the tripod and looped the strap around her neck. I took a step back from Caroline, keeping my eyes on her, and stripped off my shirt.

  She swallowed and looked away for a second before running her eyes down my body. I strode to the middle of the backdrop and stood there, unsure what to do.

  “Hey, Caroline,” Daphne said.

  “Yep,” Caroline squeaked and focused on Daphne. Daphne tossed her a bottle and Caroline caught it, looking down at it in confusion.

  “Rub that on his muscles. I need them to shine and pop in the lighting. I’ll tell you when we’re good.”

  “Wh-what?” Caroline choked and took a step back.

  Daphne placed a hand on her hip. “Please, Caroline.”

  Caroline’s neck and cheeks were flushed, but she nodded, straightening her spine, and walked toward me with a fierce determination in her gaze. She bit the corner of her lip and popped open the bottle of baby oil, squirting some in her hands. I took the bottle and placed her oiled-up palms on my chest, and her breath hitched. She slowly looked from her hands to my face, and my gaze fell to her lips.

  My breathing picked up speed, and she’d only just gotten her hands on me. As she started to move them, rubbing the oil along my pecs and down to my abs, my cock swelled in my jeans. In the distance I heard the shutter of a camera, but my only focus was on the delectably curvy woman in front of me. She was breathing hard, and her eyes were chasing her hands as they followed every peak and valley of my body.

  I wanted to explore her in the same way. I was regretting not kissing her the night I stayed at her place, but it hadn’t been the right time. She hadn’t been in the right headspace, and I’d never take advantage of a situation like that.

  A piece of deep brown hair fell into her eyes, and she tried to blow it away. I lifted my free hand and curled it behind her ear, and I traced a finger down the column of her throat. She swallowed hard and met my eyes. “You look beautiful today, Caroline,” I whispered.

  “I think I should be saying that to you. You’re the one being photographed for a freaking book cover.”

  Her small hand dipped low, tracing the v above my jeans, and my dick got even harder. Impossibly hard. My chest vibrated as I growled. My hand cupped her neck, and I brushed my thumb along her skin as she continued to rub the oil along my body.

  “Is that good?” she asked Daphne.

  “Um…not yet,” Daphne said. “Still working the lighting and, you know, aperture and stuff.”

  Caroline glanced over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow.

  “I think he needs some oil on his arms,” Daphne said. “Do that next.”

  I held back my grin. I was pretty sure Caroline’s best friend was torturing her on purpose, and I certainly wasn’t going to complain about being this close to Caroline. Her perfume invaded my nose. It was soft and feminine and suited her.

  Caroline moved to my arms, and my gaze roved over her body. I wished the situation were reversed. Her nipples were peeking through her shirt, and I barely held my groan. She was as affected by this as I was.

  “A little more, please,” Caroline said. I squirted more into her waiting palm. A small drop flew to her chest, right above her cleavage. I swiped it with my index finger, rubbing it into her skin, dipping low enough to brush the swell of the top of her breast. I met Caroline’s gaze. Her pupils were enlarged, her lips were parted, and her breaths were coming faster.

  Images of her beneath me, spread out on my sheets, flashed into my head. All her clothes would be gone, and I could trace every inch of her with my tongue and slowly drive her into exquisite pleasure as I got to watch her fall apart beneath my touch. She was always put together, and I wanted to make her come undone for me. Only for me.

  Christ. This woman was like a drug. Everything around me had faded, and I was only entranced with Caroline. I’d never been hornier or harder. And she wasn’t even mine. I hadn’t even kissed her. But I craved her more than I had any other woman. She didn’t know it, but this woman already had me.

  “That’s good for now,” Daphne said. “But be on standby. I’m sure he’ll need more.”

  Caroline stepped back but kept her eyes on me, raking over my oiled-up form. I’d never had oil on my skin before, and it felt a little ridiculous now that Caroline’s hands weren’t on me. I followed Daphne’s instructions as she walked me through what she wanted me to do and how she wanted me to flex my muscles. My eyes kept drifting away from the camera to Caroline, and she kept her eyes on me too.

  My body was like a live fuse. Electricity zapped along my skin with every eye graze from Caroline.

  “Okay,” Daphne said. “These are so great. I have an outfit change for you. You can change behind that curtain. The outfit is already in there.”

  “Sure thing.” I walked to the little changing room she had set up. I laughed when I saw the kilt hanging. I’d never worn one before and wondered what Caroline’s reaction would be. I strode out a moment later, still shirtless and wearing the kilt.

  Caroline gasped.

  “This one is for you, babe,” Daphne said. “Caroline loves highlander romance novels.”

  Caroline swallowed and fanned her face. I held back my smile and took my place in the center of the backdrop.

  “I think he needs more oil, Caro,” Daphne said.

  “Um, okay,” she squeaked. She was nibbling on the edge of her lip as she sauntered toward me. Her hips swayed with each step, and my hard dick was definitely going to be more difficult to hide in this kilt. She popped open the top and started the process of oiling my muscles all over again. Her small hands swept over me, and I relished every second.

  If Roman knew I was allowing a client to touch me like this, he’d fire me, but it would be worth it. She was worth it. I knew the rules, but I wasn’t sure how much longer I was going to be able to resist her. I wanted to make her mine.

  When she was done, I planted a kiss on the inside of her wrist. “Thanks, sweetness,” I said.

&
nbsp; Caroline nodded and walked away, taking her place on the stool as I worked through more poses for Daphne. “I actually already have an author I’m selling the kilt photos to. She’s writing a highlander novel, and you fit her hero! I showed her a picture of you and she flipped. I can’t wait to show her these. They’re turning out so well. A book with him on it is going to sell so well, right, Caroline?” Daphne chuckled as she glanced at her best friend.

  “I’d buy it,” Caroline muttered under her breath. I barely heard it, but I did. I caught it. I grinned and looked directly into the camera as Daphne caught the moment Caroline’s words hit my ears.

  Caroline coughed, knowing I’d heard her even though she hadn’t intended for me to. I winked at Caroline. I hoped she was ready for me. I had a feeling I’d never want to let her go and that she’d kill me with only one kiss. Caroline tried to hold back her smile, but she couldn’t. And it wasn’t a half smile or a small one, it was the full-on smile that stopped my heart each time I saw it.

  Soon, sweetness, I promised her silently. Soon.

  19

  Caroline

  My fingers jabbed at my phone screen as I marked the review as spam and sent the report to the website hosting reviews for my clinic. Dean wasn’t going to take getting fired and walk away, never to be heard from again, as I had hoped. The first week after I’d let him go, I’d been worried and prepared for retaliation in some form, but it didn’t happen, and as the days passed, I thought it wasn’t going to. I was wrong.

  I was so wrong.

  He’d spammed every site that had reviews for my clinic, creating profile after profile filled with lies and blasting them all over the internet. He’d claimed I hurt animals, lied to clients to make more money, and performed unnecessary surgery. None of it was true. I knew it was him. Each review called me a bitch. He’d called Alicia a bitch that day, and this type of thing seemed like his style. All the reviews had been posted within a few minutes of each other. I just knew it was him.