Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,297

loud metallic clangs as my tools hit the hard floor.

“Oh, my goodness. I’m sorry. Please give me a moment. Charlie, can you prepare another tray? Excuse me.” I rush past the large-framed man who’s near the exit. His scent hits me as I step out.

Stupid, Dylan, stupid.

Damnit! How embarrassing.

I race to my phone and type a quick message to Scarlett.

Dylan: I swear the man you described to me is standing in my office right now. Dressed in black with a LEATHER JACKET hanging off his broad shoulders. Oh, and don’t even get me started on his eyes. Dark. And oh my goodness, I just embarrassed the hell out of myself.

Hitting send, I place a hand over my erratic heart. Not one of my dates has had this kind of effect, and I haven’t even looked at his junk. Pull yourself together, Dylan. So, I take a deep breath and straighten my jacket. “You can do this. You’re a professional.”

Weak-kneed, I make my way back to the procedure room. Clearing my throat upon entry, both sets of eyes land on me, and I want to shrink away again. Even though Charlie has the biggest grin on her face, I keep my focus on her.

Note to self: kill her later.

“So sorry about that. Clumsy me.” I grin and hold my hand out to the fine piece of art that I miraculously conjured up in a conversation not that long ago. If I’d have known describing the perfect guy would bring him to my office, I would have made it happen sooner. “I’m Dylan.”

He takes my hand, and the warmth from his spreads up my arm and fills my entire body. “Nice to meet you.”

Reluctantly, I release his hand and turn back to Charlie who has a new tray ready to go. The smile on her face causes me to narrow my eyes at her. “Thanks, Charlie.”

She leaves the room, closing the door behind her. Now it’s just the two of us. I glance his name on the paperwork, Cole Carter.

“Mr. Carter, let’s get started.” I grab the folder with his paperwork to check everything is signed and correct then continue, “It’s a fairly quick procedure. You’ll be in and out in about twenty to thirty minutes. No heavy lifting for one week. Do you have any questions?” My eyes come up and meet his amused ones.

“Ah…what’s the procedure? Isn’t it just a urine sample for testing?” His superstar smile falters.

My eyebrows furrow as I take another check over the paperwork in front of me.

Vasectomy—check.

“No, it says here, vasectomy.”

Stepping closer, I show him the paperwork.

He holds his arms out at full length, wanting to keep some distance between us. “Whoa, what? You want to snip my junk?”

“Well, that is what you’re here for, right? Did your wife not tell you about it?”

His lips curl up in a crooked grin. “There’s no wife. Obviously, someone’s gotten the best of me.”

Gazing at him questioningly, I tuck the folder under my arm. “What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry, but there’s no way I’m letting you near my manhood.” He gestures to his crotch.

“It’s nothing to be scared of. I’m the best in my field, and I promise you, your manhood is safe in my hands.”

I want to facepalm.

Did I really just say that?

Keep cool, Dylan.

“No, you’re not going near it—well, not in a surgical capacity...” His voice turns sultry and wanting.

For a moment, I gnaw down on my bottom lip, not knowing what to reply. Once I get all my senses back from wherever they scurried off to, I reply, “Tell me why you’re here then, if not for this procedure that you’re booked in for.”

“My friend told me I had to get a drug test done, and he told me where I needed to go. Obviously, this is some joke he’s playing.”

“Hmm…does he enjoy wasting people’s time?” Humor is now void from my words. I don’t try to hide the fact that I’m annoyed. Who would do this to someone?

Mr. Carter takes a step closer. His scent wraps around me, caressing my annoyance, turning it around to pleasure. “I’m really sorry. I’m happy to pay for the appointment.”

With a deep sigh, I step back, dropping onto the bed. “So, your friend did this. Why?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. Some twisted joke, I guess.”

“Mm… well, I guess I have no right to be angry at you. If you give me your friend’s details, I’ll send him the bill if you like.”

He chuckles, and it vibrates through me