Tease: A Kings of Korruption MC Novel Read Online Free

  We enter the vet’s office, and Travis takes us straight to the desk.   After a quick explanation of what happened, the receptionist moves us right to an exam room.   I hear Travis set Dex down on the table, and then he grabs my hand, pulling me up to the edge.
    The natural way that he guides me without thought makes my head spin.   Even my family is awkward and obvious when assisting me with any task.   I hate that.   It makes me feel like an invalid and completely useless.   Depending on people is not my strong suit, and I don’t do it unless I absolutely have to.
    Just then, his phone rings.   “I gotta take this.   Be right back.”
    He leaves the room, leaving me alone with Dexter.   I bend at the waist, lowering myself so that I can rub my cheek along the top of his head.   “My poor boy.   We’re gonna get you fixed up, OK?”
    A warm, wet, doggie kiss is planted on my cheek, and I smile.   It’s sad to admit, but Dexter is the best friend I’ve ever had.   He’s insanely smart, never judges me – regardless of the fact that he’s seen me naked – and he is always happy to see me.   Even before I lost my vision, I’d never had a true, loyal friend.   Dexter is one of the best things to ever happen to me.
    The door opens, and I hear the footsteps of someone entering the room.   Lifting my head, I turn toward the noise.  
    “I hate to do this to ya, but I’ve gotta go.   It’s an emergency.”
    I nod my head and smile, worried for him and hoping that it’s nothing too terrible.   “OK.   I hope everything is all right.”
    “Yeah.   It’s just … work shit.   Ya know?”
    I nod again in understanding.   “I do.   Well, hey … thanks for your help with Dex.”
    “Didn’t do much.”   He clears his throat.   “But you’re welcome.”   An awkward silence fills the room.   “Well … see ya later, Laynie.   I hope your dog’s OK.”
    Just as his footsteps fade from the room, I turn, dashing toward the door.   “Travis!   Wait –“   My foot catches on the edge of something – a chair leg, I think – and I stumble, throwing my hands out in front of me to catch myself.
    My knees crack off the ceramic tile flooring, my hands landing with a loud slap.   His return footsteps pound across the floor as he runs to help me.   “Shit!   Laynie?   Are you OK?”
    Feeling like an ass, I nod and struggle to get to my feet.   Travis doesn’t help me, and I like that.   Somehow he knows that his help would only make it even more humiliating for me.   “I’m fine.”   I fake a smile, wondering if my face is as red as it feels.   “Happens all the time.”
    Reaching out, I feel my way back to the examination table, skimming my fingers through Dexter’s fur and searching for my wounded pride.   He clears his throat, reminding me that he was in a hurry to leave.   “I just … well …”   Why the hell am I nervous now?   Jeez, Laynie, get a grip!   “Can I, uh … get your number?   So I can pay you back for the taxi?”
    Clearly offended, he growls, “I can afford a fuckin’ taxi, Laynie.”
    Shit.   I didn’t mean to offend him.   “I know.   I just … I just wanted to pay you back, OK?   It’s important to me.”   I face him head on, hoping that he doesn’t argue with me on this.   I hate to owe things to people.   I’m not a charity case.
    He groans.   “Fuck.   Whatever.   Give me your phone.”
    Biting back my smile of victory, I hand over my phone.   I hear the clicking of the touchscreen buttons before he hands it back to me.   “There.   Happy?”
    I can’t help my grin now.   Beaming at him, I give him an exaggerated nod.
    He chuckles.   “Fuckin’ nut.”   I hear him come closer and the jingle of Dexter’s collar from where Travis is petting him.   “Be cool, Dex.   Later, Laynie.”
    My belly is overrun with a swarm of warm butterflies.   “Later.”

AFTER THE CAB DELIVERS me to my bike, I swing my