Can't Hardly Breathe (The Original Heartbreakers #4)

Unwilling to answer any questions, he diverted everyone’s attention to Princess. She was a cute little thing with both back legs wrapped in bandages. Not that she cared for the attention; she growled at every newcomer.

All the while, Daniel remained on alert for Thea. He couldn’t not watch her whenever she appeared; every fiber of his being was attuned to every fiber of hers. Damn, she was gorgeous. She’d piled her dark curls on the crown of her head, and praise be to God above, she’d once again forgone makeup. His favorite freckles were on display.

She wore a pair of purple scrubs, and even with her Barbie doll features—those big eyes and plump lips—she looked about as innocent as a Sunday-school teacher.

He knew the decadent curves hidden underneath her clothes, a carnal secret he shared with no other man in town.

His gaze lingered on her delicate hands. She’d added red polka dots to her nail polish. Hopeful and angry.

Angry at him? Or Holly?

Either way, thoughts of war had no chance to intrude. The memory of Thea standing in his room, exquisitely naked, remained front and center in his mind all day, threatening to fry every brain cell he possessed. Well, fry his brain cells more.

The lack of workable circuits might explain his rush to protect her from a hundred pounds of goth fury, as if she were about to be murdered with an ice pick. But he’d simply reacted. The woman who’d blushed as she propositioned him deserved hugs, not slugs.

He was petting Princess when Thea peeked her head around the corner.

“Um, about our...” She licked her lips, obviously nervous, and glanced behind her to ensure no one stood nearby. “Evening together,” she concluded in a whisper. “Since we don’t want anyone to know about us, you’ll have to meet me at the Scratching Post.”

He swallowed a laugh, knowing she wouldn’t understand his amusement.

Didn’t think he’d make a move in a crowd? Challenge accepted.

“Fine. I planned to take you into the city to pick fabric for the theme room. If you’ll send me links to what you like, I’ll pick it up myself. Then I’ll meet you at the bar. What time?”

“Nine?”

“You want me to decide? Are you ceding control to me already?”

“Already? Try never.” She scowled at him, a little kitten pretending to be a tiger. “Meet me at nine.” A firm statement this go-round.

He experienced a familiar rush of excitement, exactly what he’d lived for since leaving the military. But underneath the excitement? A hint of impatience and a dash of irritation. He wanted this bundle of delicious contradictions now.

“I’ll be there,” he said with a nod. Nothing would keep him away.

The bell above the front door tinkled, and Dr. Vandercamp strode inside the lobby. Princess didn’t growl at him, but she didn’t rush over to greet him, either. That’s my girl.

“I’m headed back to the office,” Vandercamp said, “and thought I’d check on our pup.”

The word our raised Daniel’s hackles.

Thea took a step forward, wringing her hands, the scent of her fogging his head. “Brett? Brett Vandercamp?”

The doctor looked her up and down and brightened. “Dottie. Hi.”

“Her name is Dorothea,” Daniel snapped.

She ignored him. “How are you, Brett? I’d heard you moved back to town to take over your dad’s veterinary hospital.”

“I’m well, and you heard correctly. How about you? What have you been up to?”

She played with a loose tendril of hair, the curl coiling around her finger. Her color was high—because of douche-nozzle Vandercamp?

“I’m even better now that you’re here,” Thea said with a tremulous smile. “You look good.”

“So do you. Very good.”

What. The. Hell. Were they flirting?

“I didn’t realize you two were friends,” Daniel grated.

“I tutored Brett,” Thea said, her gaze remaining on the vet. “Thanks to me, he made an A in history.”

Vandercamp rested an elbow on the counter, leaning toward her as if he had every right to invade her personal space. “I haven’t seen you around, had no idea you’d grown even prettier.”

“Really? You think so?” She blushed the loveliest shade of rose. “I mean, of course I’ve grown prettier. Thank you for noticing.”

When Daniel had complimented her, she’d called him a liar.

Annoyed, he inserted himself between the pair. “Are you here about the dog or trolling for a date?”

“Why not both?” Far from intimidated, Vandercamp picked up and examined Princess. He changed her bandages and said, “What do you say, Dot—Dorothea? Want to go out sometime?”

Her breath caught in her throat, as if she couldn’t believe something so wonderful was happening to her.

Say no. She had better say—

“Yes. I’d like that.”

Daniel gripped the edge of the counter with so much force he feared he would crack the wood. As Thea exchanged numbers with Vandercamp, he focused on his breathing. In, out. In...out.

When the vet left at long last—good riddance!—Daniel glared at the flustered Thea. “You’re dating me.”

His little kitten showed her claws, hissing, “I’m dating you under duress. We are not exclusive, Mr. Room Wrecker. If we were, then and only then could you warn me away from Brett.”

I will not punch a wall. She was the only woman he wanted, and he expected to be the only man she wanted. “What would you like me to wear for our date?” The words shot from him, as sharp as daggers.

Her gaze slid over his white button up and dark slacks. His Sunday best, as his momma used to say. “Wear a T-shirt and jeans. No, sweatpants.” She waved a finger over him. “And make sure both are baggy.”

The motion startled Princess, who snarled at her. To his surprise, Thea stuck out her tongue at the dog. A second later, she covered her mouth with her hand, those shamrock eyes wide. Then she giggled. Soon the giggle bloomed into an all-out laugh. The amusement lit her entire face, making his chest ache.

She’s mine, and I won’t share. But she’s right. If our relationship is to remain a secret, I can’t warn Vandercamp away.

He bit the inside of his cheek until he tasted blood.

A boom of thunder rattled the building, and Princess quieted. She began to tremble. He pressed her against his chest. Sometimes, in the heat of battle, explosions and gunfire raging all around him, he and his buds had to lie down and press together in the shadows, waiting for the opportunity to strike...or for death to strike them. Feeling another’s heartbeat had been their only tether to life.

“Finally! We’re getting some action.” Thea messed with her phone. “There’s a ninety-five percent chance of hail.” She skipped to the door to...record the storm?

“You like hail?”

“Don’t be silly. Only crazy people like hail,” she said—while grinning. “Maybe a freak snowstorm will blow in and a tornado will hit. We could have a snowquakenado blizzard. Do you know how awesome that would be?”