Law of Desire: Embracing Krystal

Excerpt

Krystal watched the last patient of the day leave the office and went back to the kitchen to clean the coffee maker and get herself a bottle of water. Glancing at the clock, she grimaced. She’d be a little late getting home, and she’d have to call Rafe so he wouldn’t worry.

She’d wanted to have a nice hot bath and smell of lavender before he got home.

Instead, she smelled of stale coffee, antiseptic, and the cheeseburger Rafe brought her for lunch. As she cleaned up in the small kitchen, she called Rafe, surprised when he answered on the first ring.

“Hey, baby.”

The affection in his deep voice and his words sent a rush of warmth straight to her soul. “Hello, darling. Do you have a minute?”

“For you, I have all the time in the world.”

“You know, I know you’re working, but when you say such sweet things to me in that deep voice of yours, I melt.”

“Hmm. That’s a good thing for a husband to know. I think we should discuss it later tonight. I’ll pick up something from the hotel restaurant, grab a bottle of wine.” His voice had lowered her even more, becoming even more seductive. “I’ll put dinner in the oven to stay warm while you and I get into the bathtub and have a glass of wine or two. We’ll make love nice and slow and then eat together in bed.”

Krystal could already feel the muscles in her shoulders loosen. “That sounds like heaven.” Remembering why she called, she groaned. “I called, though, to let you know I’ll be a little late. I didn’t get a chance to enter all of the patient information today, so I’m going to have to stay a little longer to finish it up.”

“No problem. I’ve got a little paperwork to finish myself. When I finish, I’ll go get dinner. Call me when you get home.”

After finishing, she grabbed her tablet and went into Dr. Hansen’s office to see if he had anything he wanted her to add to their notes.

He waved a hand. “I don’t have anything to add. Just follow up and make sure Edna gets her blood work done. I want you to keep on the lab for it. I want the results as soon as possible.”

Krystal made a note to herself and nodded. “Of course. I’ll take care of it.”

“Don’t worry about staying late. We’ve got a light schedule tomorrow. You’ll have plenty of time to take care of your notes. Besides, Debra will be in tomorrow. She can take care of it.” Since it wasn’t the first time Dr. Hansen had done such a thing, his decision didn’t surprise Krystal.

Debra Gentry had worked for Dr. Hansen since long before Krystal came to town, but had lessened her hours when she’d gotten pregnant.

“Thank you. I’ll see you in the morning then.” She checked to make sure the back door was locked, locked the tablet in her desk drawer, turned off her computer, and picked up her keys and cell phone. She started back to Dr. Hansen’s office. “Do you want me to lock the front door on my way out?”

Dr. Hansen grinned and hung his white coat on a hook in his office. “I’ve got it. I’m right behind you.” He walked behind her to the front door. “Any plans tonight?”

Krystal smiled as he opened the door for her. “Just a quiet dinner with Rafe. Linc’s working tonight.” She stepped outside and waited for him to lock the door. “You?”

Dr. Hansen’s mischievous grin made her smile. “I’ve got a date tonight. Taking her to the Italian restaurant in Tulsa.”

Knowing that Dr. Hansen hadn’t dated since his wife’s death years earlier, she noted the unease in his eyes but didn’t want to get too personal with her employer. “Good food there. Have fun.”

“We’ll see.”

With a sigh, Krystal pulled out her phone and looked at the time, smiling when she realized she could be home in time to see Linc before he went in for his shift.

Minutes later, she pulled into the driveway, parking next to his SUV. Grinning in anticipation, she flung her door open and started to jump out, shocked when a strong hand closed over her upper arm and yanked her the rest of the way out of her car with a force that slammed her against Linc’s SUV. “Hey!”

Panicked, she instinctively struggled, knowing that neither of her husbands would ever handle her so roughly.

“You gotta help me. I need money.”

Recognizing her brother’s voice before she saw him, Krystal found herself spun and slammed up against him. “Kevin? What are you doing here? I thought you were in prison.”

“They let me out. Good behavior.” His smile, pure evil, sent a chill through her. He lifted his other hand, the one with two fingers missing. “You owe me.”

“That was your fault. You’re the one who owed them money.”

“But I didn’t tell them where you were until they cut off one of my fucking fingers!”

“You’re the one who told then I had money I didn’t have! Let go of me!”

“Well, you and the two men you fuck are all making money. I’ve been in prison. I need money!”

“Get a job.”

“Yeah, right. I want five thousand dollars.”

Unable to miss that her brother was high on something, she suspected meth, Krystal tried unsuccessfully to pull her arm away and winced. “You’re hurting me. Let go!”

“Not until you give me money!”

She knew how strong someone could be when on drugs, and her brother appeared to have bulked up while he’d been in prison. “I’m not giving you anything! You’ll blow it on drugs and just keep coming back for more! Linc!”