Loving The Temperamental Adonis
Chapter 268 - 6

Chapter 268: Chapter 6

Rayne Wallace was in clear view across the driveway when Liam emerged from the hotel. The limo driver had left in his limo, the bellmen and gardeners had dispersed, and she sat alone on the grass, in the median beside the curb next to the dog, with her legs curled beneath her.

Captured in the glow of torchlight, with her red hair a silken mantle across her shoulders and her hand gently stroking the injured dog, she looked ethereal. She looked up as Liam neared, searching his face for a clue as to what he’d accomplished.

"Help is on the way," he promised, crouching on his heels beside her and fighting the strong urge to place his arm around her and assure her. His urge to touch her was so strong that he clenched his fists and instead asked. "How’s the patient?"

She shifted her attention to the dog as she answered, her fingers gently stroking the animal’s shoulder. "His breathing seems a little stronger and more regular. I can’t feel any broken bones, and his cuts aren’t deep, but he may be hemorrhaging internally. He started to come around a few minutes ago, or at least I thought he did." She fell silent, and Liam said nothing more because he was listening for a particular sound. He heard it very soon—a siren growing louder and louder.

Rayne didn’t notice the siren because she felt a slight twitch of muscles beneath her fingertips and suddenly Eric opened his eyes.

"There you are!" she said joyously. "Stay quiet," she warned quickly, pressing him down with both hands when he made a feeble effort to roll onto his stomach. "Help is on the way," she promised him. Without looking up, she asked Liam, "What sort of help is coming?"

Her question was almost drowned out by the vehicles roaring up the driveway and screeching to a halt in front of the hotel.

"That sort of help," Liam replied, standing up.

Rayne leaned forward and looked around his legs; then she looked up at him in disbelief and unabashed admiration. "You called an ambulance?"

She would have said more, but Liam was already striding off toward the ambulance and the dazed dog was getting agitated, thrashing around in a feeble effort to roll to his feet. Soothing Eric with her voice and hands, she watched two men jump out of the ambulance while a dark red car came racing up the driveway and lurched to a stop behind them. The car was still rocking when the driver flung open his door and got out, carrying a large first aid bag.

He was a physician, Rayne knew at once, but her delight was doused by her fear that the doctor and ambulance drivers would all get back in their vehicles and leave as soon as Liam told them who their patient really was. Tensely, she watched Liam gesture toward the dog she was holding down.

Rayne held her breath.

The doctor turned and started walking toward her. The ambulance drivers rushed to the back of their van and pulled out a stretcher.

When the doctor didn’t seemed or look surprise at the sight of the dog, Rayne knew he already knew who his patient was. Amazement and optimism soared through her, and she whispered to the dog, "I think we’re in very good hands, Eric." She was positive of it when the physician crouched down beside her, looked at the nervous, wary dog and opened his first aid bag.

"Our local vet is on vacation, but I phoned a veterinarian friend of mine in town before I left, and I brought along some things he recommended. Now then," he said calmly, "dogs usually like me. Let’s hope this one does, too, because I don’t want to sedate him just yet. Head injuries," he continued as he slowly reached out toward the dog, "can be—" A low, throaty snarl began in the dog’s throat and his lips curled back over white fangs.

The physician yanked his hand back and laughed awkwardly as he noticed the others were watching him. "Wounded animals often attack anyone who comes too close," he informed Rayne and the others; then he reached toward the dog again, this time cautiously, inches at a time. "But this fellow is willing to let you touch him, so he ought to let me do it. He’s actually a little afraid of me... and all that snarling is really just...a bluff."

"No, I don’t think it—" Rayne’s warning was drowned out by the physician’s yelp of pain as the dog attacked him.

****

Poem.

With every beat of my heart, a song starts,

A tune of love, so deep, so pure, so true,

In each pulse, a piece of you imparts,

A gentle rhythm that belongs to you.

In quiet nights beneath the shining stars,

Each heartbeat whispers softly of your name,

A love so strong, it heals my deepest scars,

A flame that burns with a steady flame.

Each throb reminds me of your sweet embrace,

Your laughter, like a gentle, soothing rain,

With every beat, I see your loving face,

A love that flows through every single vein.

Through storms and shadows, doubts and darkest fears,

My heart beats strong, unwavering, sincere,

For in its rhythm, love’s message appears,

Your love, my dear, is all I hold dear.

With every beat, I vow to stay with you,

To hold you close and never drift apart,

For all my life, my love will remain true,

With every beat, with every beat of my heart.

As days turn into nights and years go by,

This love we share will only grow and shine,

For every beat, each whisper, every sigh,

Is proof of love that’s endlessly divine.

Together, we will face whatever comes,

With hearts in sync, our journey has its start,

Forever bound, as one, we shall become,

With every beat, with every beat of my heart.

***

Don’t mind my poem, you can choose to skip it.