Darling Little LeeLee (Doctor Darling’s Clinic #2)

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

Everleigh

My mind wandered back to last week when Leo slept over my house. I’d been avoiding him at work for reasons I didn’t quite understand.

It wasn’t fair to him or me. However, if I stood near him for longer than two minutes, the memories of our impromptu sleepover made it hard for me to focus. Leo had attempted to get us on a date but I’d rejected all of his advances. Not purposefully, I wanted to see him, but I was so caught in my head. For the entirety of our daily morning staff meeting, I’d been shooting lingering glances his way and then pretending like I wasn’t looking at him.

Ronnie concluded the meeting by handing out updated schedules and orders for the week. Glancing at the papers in my hand, I groaned inwardly. Assigned to Leo all day. I wouldn’t make it without fumbling or drooling or something else equally embarrassing.

“Hey! Who wants to trade?” I waved the paper over my head.

Ronnie immediately lowered my arm to my side.

“No swapping, Everleigh.”

I didn’t want to battle Ronnie because he always won. Besides, I knew that even if he had pointed Leo in my direction or gave his blessing, he wouldn’t pair us for fun. Leo had a dedicated nurse, but she was on vacation for two weeks. Ronnie’s decision was professional, not personal.

“Joking.” I rolled my eyes.

“Do you want to talk about what’s on your mind in my office?”

No. I very much did not want to do that. Talking in private usually led me to either standing in the corner so I could gather my thoughts or curled up on his lap while I babbled a million miles an hour. I trusted Ronnie more than anyone in my life aside from Leo, but I didn’t want to open up yet.

“Nope. But if that changes, I’ll let you know.”

“I can always make time for you,” he whispered.

“I appreciate it.”

Leaving the room without looking at anyone, I did my best to ignore the pinching anxiety in my stomach. Throwing myself into work, I let my feelings fall to the wayside. Our guests expected happy-go-lucky Everleigh at the clinic. I needed to focus on them and not on my own issues.

Leo flagged me down more than once, but I did not want to sit with him in his office alone. I’d been on edge all day. He was far too observant not to have noticed. Sitting at one of the desks away from the main area, wrapping up tasks and setting up activities for next week kept me busy. Anything to keep physical distance between me and the man I’d been thinking about.

“Everleigh.”

I hadn’t heard him approach, but Leo was over my shoulder, his lips against the shell of my ear. His husky tone made me press my thighs together.

“I’m working, Dr. Callahan.”

“Yet you’ve ignored me twice.”

He pulled away, but the scent of his yummy cologne lingered.

“No, I haven’t. I’m very busy.”

“We have a stack of reports that need information verified or added before they can be processed. It’s easier with two people.”

Fighting to keep my composure, I glanced over my shoulder. Everything this man did turned me on. He’d bathed and spanked me, but it left me wanting more.

“I shouldn’t have to rearrange my priorities to meet your demands.”

Leo stared at me for a moment, probably wondering what the heck I meant. He glanced around the room before setting his hand on the back of my chair and spinning it to face him. At least I didn’t have to strain my neck to see his disappointment.

“Demands aren’t typically my style. Is something bothering you?”

“Just you.”

Placing his hands on both armrests, he leaned into me, coming closer than was polite. However, I hadn’t been polite to him at all.

“We received a small shipment of supplies,” he said calmly.

“As we do several times a week,” I snipped.

“Go into the back room and put them away. Three boxes should take you half an hour. When that’s complete, come to my office. Once we go over the reports you can finish the rest of your tasks.”

“But…”

“I’ll stay until they’re done so you aren’t leaving here alone.”

My jaw dropped open, but Leo shut it with his pointer finger.

“You pushed for a reaction, sweetheart,” he acknowledged.

“Yes, I did.”

“Do as you were told.”

I silently stewed, staring at him. Leo had practically said to behave. But we didn’t have rules yet. It’s not like he’d punish me at work! Glancing at his posture and reminding myself that he’d tasked me with a job that wasn’t typically mine, I rescinded. Yes. Yes, Leo absolutely would punish me at work if it came to that.

“Do you have anything to add, Everleigh?”

“I’ve been both professional and courteous all day long.”

He cocked his left eyebrow. “If you believe your statement to be one hundred percent true then let’s discuss those reports now.”

Standing up and out of my chair left very little distance between us. I wanted to give him a piece of my mind. But the truth was I hadn’t been acting like my usual self.

Ever since he’d come to my house I’d let my imagination run rampant with fantasies. Snuggling with him on the couch, him holding me while we talked about silly things. Leo spanking me until I had an orgasm and then his strong arms holding me in place while he fucked me senseless. The tension was stifling. I tucked a piece of hair that had slipped out of my ponytail behind my ear.

“I’ll put the supplies away, Dr. Callahan. When that’s complete, I’ll meet you in your office.”

“All right.”

“I’m going now.” I blew out a long breath but made no effort to move.

“Would you like me to walk you there?”

“Nope.” I nodded and stepped around him. He grabbed my wrist, halting my action. I didn’t love what he’d ordered me to do, but it would help get me in a better headspace. I angled my body toward his.

“Is something else on your mind, Everleigh?”

“Nope. Not one thing. Certainly not the mental image of you removing your belt, bending me over your desk, and punishing my ass. Then I’d feel the aftermath all the way home, while I’m getting ready for bed and possibly tomorrow morning.”

“We don’t have rules established, sweetheart.”

“I know, but…”

“I also want to keep our private lives separate from work as much as we can.”

“Yeah, I understand, but…”

“If I did belt your ass once I was done and you promised to be a very good girl, I’d reward you.” His tone deepened as he jumped into the fantasy with me. “That reward involves my bed.”

My palms grew sweaty, but Leo still held my wrist captive. “Uh, er, well, right. Bed rewards,” I whisper-mumbled.

“Right now we are going at your pace. If you want to change the speed, little lionheart, say the word.”

Lionheart. Exceptional courage and bravery.

Leo literally meant lion, so it was the best nickname ever. His heart. Being brave and courageous in my everyday life. Adding little in front of it was a nod to my younger mindset and my petite stature compared to his. I swallowed several times, but could not seem to make any words come out. I wanted everything with Leo. A relationship. A dynamic. The home. The kids. The picket fence. The thoughts barreling through my head at a million miles a second scared me as much as thrilled me.

“Velveeta.” I don’t know why my safeword popped out of my mouth. We weren’t in the middle of a scene.

Leo released his grip. “I apologize–”

“No, no. I apologize.”

“Everleigh–”

“I’m the one feeling exceptionally vulnerable. I don’t know why I said what I said. I’ll meet you in your office as requested, Dr. Callahan.”

Spinning on my heel, I rushed down the hallway to give as much distance between us as possible. I did not want him following me, and yet I did. It was dumb. The back and forth was exhausting for both of us. Something needed to change.

Leo

Sitting in my office, I finished reading over my appointment schedule for tomorrow. Everleigh had been avoiding me. I wanted to be the one who cared for her in any way she needed. But then my little lionheart threw her safeword at me in the hallway. Before I’d been able to respond, she took off. It was becoming a pattern when things overwhelmed her. I should have followed her, but I’d decided to give her space.

Two knocks bounced off my office door and then Everleigh poked her head inside.

“I finished with the supplies, Dr. Callahan. Are you free to go over reports?”

“Yes. Please come in.”

She glanced between the chair in front of my desk and the one I currently occupied. Everleigh chewed on her bottom lip, a gesture that made me think of much naughtier things she could do with her mouth. Clearing my throat expectantly, I waited for her to sit.

“I’m sorry for getting distracted at work today.” She offered an explanation. “Every time I see you, I think of all the stuff we talked about. I think about some promises you made. It’s hard to focus. When I said the name of a specific cheesy sauce, it was more of that.”

“You mentioned the two of us taking baby steps. I’m attempting to go at the pace you want. However, if what we’re doing is too much, we can stop for a moment.”

“No! Sorry, I didn’t mean to raise my voice. I don’t want to slow down or pause this. I want to spend more time with you, not less.”

“I prefer to keep our relationship out of the office.” I repeated the statement from earlier.

“So, I shouldn’t climb into your lap and give reports while you stroke my hair?”

“You are always welcome in my lap, but let’s finish work. Then I’ll follow you home and we can watch something on television. When you get tired, I’ll tuck you into bed.”

“All I’m hearing is ‘no’.”

I rubbed my fingers across my lips, trying to determine the best course of action. Raising from my chair, I took both of her hands. “I’d like to keep things professional here. It doesn’t mean we have to act like strangers at the clinic. However, what we do outside these walls is our business.”

She tugged her hands away and stomped to the chair further away. Plopping herself down, she crossed her arms over her chest. “But, you gave me repercussions for being a total brat all day. I ignored you more than once. When you came to talk to me, I wasn’t subtle about my feelings. Then instead of further opening up I threw a fucking safeword out.”

“Cursing is one of the few rules at the clinic,” he reminded me. “Don’t do it.”

“Sorry, Leo.”

“I asked you to put supplies away to give you some time to think about how you addressed me. I’m not your boss, but I am technically your superior as far as hierarchy. You wouldn’t dream of speaking to another doctor the way you spoke to me.”

“No, but I storm into Ronnie’s office sometimes.”

Returning to my chair, I leaned forward so she could catch my gaze. “What are you seeking when you do that?”

“Attention.”

“How does Ronnie give you his attention?”

“Corner time. Cuddles. Sometimes I just need to physically sit across from him and let my thoughts calm. Playing matchmaker and ensuring everyone else’s needs are met is a tough job.”

“Interesting. Please keep this in mind. You have my attention. The faster we complete our work tasks, the more time we’ll have to spend together tonight.”

“Fine, fine, Vanquisher. I’ll do what you’ve asked.” Everleigh’s mouth twitched at the corners. Sarcasm dripped from her words and she gave a dismissive wave.

Where the hell had she pulled that title from? If she wasn’t in such a poor mood, I’d have laughed until tears came to my eyes. I didn’t know her well enough to respond to her bratting at work. She seemed to be seeking something more from me. I wish I knew what the hell it was. I shot a text message to her phone, knowing it was safely tucked away in her purse.

“While we are in this building tonight you can refer to me as ‘Dr. Callahan’ or ‘Sir’. Read the message I sent you when you get to the parking lot. Am I understood?”

“Yes, Dr. Callahan or Sir.”

“If you are going to continue to poke me, I’ll do the reports myself. Then you’ll be free to go.”

“And then you won’t come over?”

“I will, but it will take me longer to finish up.”

Everleigh dropped her hands into her lap. “I’m not used to receiving attention from you. I apologize, Dr. Callahan.”

“I accept your apology.”

“I’m ready to finish our workday.”

If we were anywhere but inside my office, I’d praise her appropriately, but I’d hammered in the point of remaining professional. As badly as I wanted to call her my girl, she wasn’t quite mine yet. I lifted the tablet and entered a password.

“Thank you. Harriet came in this morning complaining of chest pain. Was she transferred to Dr. Barton in cardio?”

“Ah. It was heartburn,” she said off the top of her head.

“It should be noted but I don’t see anything.”

“Harriet didn’t mention it at her last appointment so it could be from a spicy meal or too much coffee. There should be a follow-up appointment for Friday.” Everleigh frowned. “I added notes.”

I scrolled through the chart. It wasn’t like her to forget. “I found it, but you entered it in the wrong box.”

“Oh no! Do you have her appointment booked or did I mess that up too?”

Glancing at my laptop, I pulled up Friday’s schedule. “She’s set for nine in the morning.”

“I never make mistakes when charting.”

“Don’t beat yourself up. The software updated last night, maybe they changed the way you enter in extra information. I’ll mention it at the staff meeting tomorrow in case anyone else has an issue.”

“Thank you, Dr. Callahan.”

“You’re welcome.”

We had a few more charts to discuss, but her mind seemed to be focused on what was going to happen when I arrived at her house tonight. My plans shifted slightly. Everleigh would be cuddled and put to bed, but she’d do it all while nursing a hot bottom.