Read Online Not Negotiable: A Trident Security Series Novella - Book 3.5 by Samantha Cole - Free Book Online Page A

the feeling of being in Parker’s arms. “Yes, it does and I would love to help you decorate. It’ll give me something to do when I’m not sleeping or puking in the toilet.”
    Placing her back on her feet, he kissed the top of her head. “How are you feeling? Are you up for a walk with me and Spanky? There’s a dog run in the park up the street and he likes to go hang out with his best buds and lady friends. He’s got the hots for this standard poodle who won’t give him the time of day. But he keeps trying.” Bending, he covered the big dog’s ears with his hands. “Don’t tell him he’s been fixed. I don’t think he’s figured it out yet.”
    A full belly laugh burst from her lips. The man was entertaining in more ways than one. “I won’t say a word. And a walk sounds great.”
    “Good. Why don’t you put your sneakers on and I’ll grab his leash, ball, and poop bags—extra strength.”
    Shelby watched as he left the room with Spanky on his heels. Biting her lip, she tried to tell herself that this was only temporary. She would either move back to her condo when her chemo was done or…well, she didn’t want to think of the alternative. Either way, she’d be leaving this wonderful man. But for now, she selfishly wanted him. She wanted to enjoy their time together while she still had a chance.
    * * *
    “Hi, Parker.” The ladies greeted him in unison as he opened the front door. Kristen, Angie, Kayla, and Boomer’s new girlfriend, Kat Maier, followed Mistress China into the foyer.
    “Hello, ladies. Head on back to the patio. Shelby’s taking advantage of the comfortable weather.”
    It was the Thursday after her third treatment and a week since she’d move in with him. The meeting with her doctor the previous Friday had gone well, and Parker had his list of questions answered to his satisfaction. He now knew all about her type of cancer, the course of treatment, the survival statistics—which, thankfully, were good—as well as what he could do to make everything a little easier for her. She’d been a little fatigued that night, so he’d bundled her up on the couch and let her pick out a movie to watch. Expecting it to be a chick-flick, he’d been pleasantly surprised to find out she was an action movie lover like him, and they ended up having a Die Hard marathon. It’d been nice having her lay her head on a pillow in his lap as he stroked her hair and arm. When she’d finally fallen asleep, he stayed that way for a while, loving the intimacy of the scene. And that was almost as intimate as they’d been over the past few days, aside from a few chaste kisses and hugs. She no longer seemed uneasy about being with him, but he didn’t want to push things when she obviously didn’t feel well.
    On Monday, Parker made sure his foremen could handle things and told them to contact him by phone for emergencies only. Everything else could wait until after Shelby’s chemotherapy session. He had to hand it to the staff at the treatment center—they were absolutely phenomenal. The nurses explained everything to them and answered any questions he thought of. They ensured she was comfortable and even made her laugh with silly stories and jokes. While the drugs were being slowly pumped into her system, a trained therapy dog had stopped by for a visit and Shelby had taken a few minutes to talk with the handler, while scratching the Golden Retriever’s ears. If one had to go through chemo, that was the place to do it. Even the décor was soothing.
    Taking her doctor’s advice, he’d filled his refrigerator and pantry with healthy foods and nutritional supplements. Ginger ale, tea, and candies were stocked for when her nausea hit. He made sure she walked with him for exercise when she felt up to it and slept when she needed it. Spanky had become her guardian and Parker’s alert system. If he was in his home office or somewhere else in the house and Shelby dashed to the bathroom to get sick, the