“Real good. I have a couple of kids—a son and a daughter. What about you?”
“No kids.”
“What about a wife?” Sheila leaned forward slightly.
“Nope.”
“I’m divorced.”
Chains nodded.
“I just moved back from Carbondale a year ago. I wondered if you still lived here.”
“Well… now you know. So how long do I gotta wait before I can get my dog?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. What do you do?”
“Web development.” He glanced over his shoulder and spotted an empty seat.
The door opened and one of the techs walked into the reception area. She glanced over at him and smiled.
“Hi. I bet you’re here to pick up Thor.” He didn’t miss the way she checked him out. He looked at her nametag.That’s right—the chick’s name is Christina.
“Yeah. I was just wondering when I can get him.”
“Soon. Dr. Stanford should be finishing up with her patient. Thor’s been such a good boy.”
“Didn’t you come out here to bring a patient back to one of the rooms?” Sheila asked, irritation punctuating her words.
Christina gave her a sidelong glance, then cleared her throat. “Minnie Cuellers,” she said.
A woman jumped up from her seat, and a white bichon frise barked.
“Hi, Minnie.” Christina crouched down and rubbed the dog under its chin. “How are you doing?”
“She has a bad case of the runs,” her owner said.
Christina stood up and held the door open.
“That doesn’t sound too comfortable.” The tech glanced over at Chains. “Nice seeing you again.”
He lifted his chin and began to walk toward a vacant chair.
“So maybe we can go out for a coffee to catch up,” Sheila said.
Chains looked over at her. “My schedule’s pretty full.” The last thing he wanted to do was encourage her. She’d been a major pain in the ass, and he didn’t want to invite her into his life.
“I’m sure you have a free hour—everyone does.” She licked her lips and held his gaze.
“Chains,” a soft voice said.
He glanced over at the door and saw Autumn: hair pulled up in a messy bun with tendrils hanging down around her slender neck, high-heeled ankle boots that made him think lecherous thoughts, and a sheen of gold shimmer over her full lips. He sucked in a breath.Damn.
“I’d like to speak with you before I release Thor.” She held the door wide open.
“Sure.” Chains shoved his hand into his front jeans pocket and swaggered over. As he walked past her, the scent of her perfume enticed him: vanilla with hints of cinnamon and musk. It was sweet and spicy and sexy as hell, and it was the first time he’d smelled it on her. Something told him that she wore it for him, and if she was trying to beguile him, it was working.
He stood aside then followed her down the hallway, admiring the way her hips swayed and her ass wiggled; once again, nasty thoughts filled his mind.