by Lindsey Hart
“Thanks.” Nina felt like she should at least say one word. She watched helplessly as the brunette girl left them alone.
Chet walked out of the cage with Charlotte at his side. The scared, cowering, unhappy dog from only a few minutes before was completely transformed the second they opened the door and stepped outside in the grass. Charlotte was well behaved on the leash, but the tail wagging increased tenfold and the huge smile that curled up her doggy lips was obvious.
“What a beautiful girl,” Chet commented a minute later. The eighty odd pound animal at his side glanced at him and that smile seemed to grow even wider. That was the cute thing about rotties and pitties and all those ‘dangerous’ dogs. When they smiled, they really smiled.
“I agree. She’s very pretty.” Nina was afraid to look away from the dog and back at Chet. She was scared he’d see that her guard was down big time.
“Do you want to try?” He held out the small loop of the leash.
“Sure.” She went to receive the leash, but at the last second his hand closed over hers. Her entire body jolted into awareness. Her heart kicked into overdrive and that uncomfortable heat spiralled out of control. Worst of all, was the undeniable pounding at the juncture of her thighs.
I’m seriously fucked. No, wait. Not that. Not fucked.
Nina slammed her eyes shut as she wrapped the leash around her hand. “Come on, baby.” She took off running, Charlotte pounding and chuffing along at her side. She laughed and kept on running, even as the pins fell out of her hair and her messy bun turned into just a mess than trailed down her back.
She ran and ran and felt almost so free, the gentle beast keeping stride with her, that she almost forgot Chet was behind her.
When she stopped and slowly turned, their gazes locked, even across the massive distance she’d put between them in the fenced grassy field. His eyes burned right through her. She didn’t miss the hard sheen of attraction- or… or awe in their depths and that pounding between her legs grew steadily worse.
Damn it. Seriously, damn it.
If she had any defenses left, they fell in a hard heap around her feet when Chet jogged over. His beautiful smile on those beautiful, disarming, enchanting lips, lit up his face. It damn well lit her up as well.
“Well, what do you think? I think we should get her.”
“We?” She choked. “My apartment doesn’t allow pets.”
“I meant me. I’ve wanted a dog since I was a kid. My mom didn’t have the money to get one.
“Yeah, I know.”
“I think she’d be just right.” Chet stared down affectionately at Charlotte, who was happily wagging her tail. “Look, she wants me to take her home and get her out of this place.”
“I don’t think she’d have any argument there. Are you planning on staying then?”
“Staying?”
“In Houston?”
“I don’t know yet.”
His words were a tough blow to swallow, even though she knew full well that he was a gypsy soul and never settled. It shouldn’t matter to her what Chet did or where he went, but suddenly it did. And it was only date two. Yup, she was fucked. No, hopeless. She was hopeless. There that sounds better.
“How do you plan on travelling the world with a dog?”
“The same way I would with anyone else, I guess. It can’t be that difficult.”
“Oh, I’m sure it can.”
“There are lots of ways to travel. I’ve decided I want to have time for the things that really matter. I’m getting old enough that what was important to me before might not be that important any longer. I’ve spent my whole life wanting a dog. Thirty-two years. I’m going to make my childhood dream come true right now.”
“Childhood? I think it’s your adult dream too.”
He flashed her a devastating grin that turned her insides to mush. Nina actually felt like her bones were melting into a puddle at her feet. She handed over the leash and slowly followed along behind Chet and his new panting, tail wagging, heavy breathing best friend.
CHAPTER 8
Chet
“I can’t believe I really got a dog.” Chet sat beside Nina in the car. All the oxygen seemed to disappear. He was having trouble breathing, even though it should have been the most mundane function in the world. He wasn’t sure if that was due to Nina’s proximity beside him in the passenger seat, her dazzling smile and soft look in her eyes, or if he’d really shocked himself by truly getting a new best friend.
“I know. Me too. Although, it sucks that you have to leave her there for a few days.”
“Makes sense. She has to be fixed and they want to do it before the animals get adopted out. She’ll be ready in three days. I don’t think that’s too long to wait.” He paused, waiting for Nina to say something. She’d been pretty quiet since they were out in the field with Charlotte and he wasn’t sure why. It didn’t make him uncomfortable, he just felt something was off. “Or maybe it will.”
“What?”
“Kill me. To wait.”
“Shane will be excited. I can’t wait to tell him.”
Half of him, the illogical, jealous, shitty older brother half, was jealous that of course Nina thought about Shane. He hated that the guy came up in their conversation at all. He hated that Shane knew all about Nina. What she liked and didn’t like, that he’d probably damn well seen her naked or near it a few times, since she trusted him. The bitter, jealous feelings weren’t logical. They weren’t kind, and they weren’t brotherly so he slammed them back down into the black part of his heart where they’d originated.
“So, where to now?” He asked. He wasn’t ready for the date to be over just a few hours in. He fully expected Nina to ask to be taken home since he’d left himself wide open. She surprised him.
“Well… if you bought a dog you probably need supplies. Maybe we could go to the pet store and pick out a few things?”
“That’s actually a really good idea.”
Her lips turned up in a sardonic smile. “You say that like you’re surprised that I had one.”
“No, no.” Chet laughed. “It’s not that. I think it’s a great idea. We can probably find one close by that’s open late.” He produced his phone out of his back pocket and did a quick search. “This thing says there’s one a few miles away. It’s not always accurate though.”
“We can try it. I don’t mind driving around.” The way Nina colored again, that faint pink spreading over her alabaster skin, told him that she really didn’t mind at all.
Something wild and unharnessed, something he’d never felt before with a single other person, jumped inside. His stomach started churning wildly and the hair at the back of his neck stood up. Whatever shift he’d sensed back there at the shelter, it wasn’t in his imagination. It was real.
“Okay. Driving around it is.”
He started the car and reversed slowly and ultra-carefully out of the parking lot. He gripped the wheel hard in order to control the tremor that started in his hands. Or at least hide it. His knuckles whitened, and his head felt like it was in a fog. It was hard to believe that just one soft look from Nina could throw his entire universe into chaos.
The GPS voiceover directed him, and he made all the appropriate turns. He even remembered to obey traffic laws and signal and all that stuff that just came routine. He actually paid attention to the road. It seemed easier than trying to get a glimpse of Nina out of the corner of his eyes.
“Well, this looks like a nice place.” Nina glanced up at the massive red box store. There was only one other car in the parking lot. “Oh, it says they have puppies!” She clasped her hands together in front of her chest and smiled so wide and eagerly she looked like a child. It didn’t help that the low evening sun drifted through the window at just the right angle, highlighting her already golden features like a beautiful angel.
Chet stumbled out of the car, just to avoid sitting there and letting out a completely unmanly, horrible groan of desire. Nina was asto
undingly beautiful, but it wasn’t just that. For the first time that he could ever remember, he didn’t just want to get in her pants. He wanted to get to know her. He wanted to learn what made her happy. He wanted to see that radiant smile every single damn day for the rest of his life.
Whoa there. Nothing like thinking about forever when I can’t manage to stay in one place for more than a few months at a time.
Nina practically leaped out of the car. She danced her way to the front door. He wasn’t quick enough to hold it open for her. They walked in together. He glanced around, already overwhelmed. What did he even need for a dog? What did he know about caring for one? God, he didn’t even have a place he was living at at the moment. Not one piece of furniture.
Maybe adopting a dog was a mistake. He’d never had anyone to worry about other than himself. Maybe he should go back to the shelter and tell them he’d made an impulse decision and he needed to undo it and they could keep the adoption fee…
And then, in the midst of all his doubt, he glanced over at Nina and her smile, still radiant, her sparkling eyes and the excitement written all over her face reassured him. He took a breath and found he could actually breathe. The air went in and filled up his lungs and went out regularly.
A middle-aged woman with dusty blonde hair and grey roots approached them. She smiled widely. She was that kind of person who was instantly likeable. She was short, probably no more than five feet and oddly enough, had the body of a young teen. Her beige pants and beige shirt with a nametag that read ‘Lilly,’ clung to a frame that was tiny and petite.
“Can I help you find anything?” Lilly smiled, and it was one of those genuine, friendly smiles that could soothe even the grouchiest of customers.
“Yes!” Nina stepped forward. Instead of listing off the supplies she thought he’d need, she excitedly rushed on. “I want to see the puppies!”
“Perfect. Are you looking for anything specific? We actually help out some of the local rescues here. We put some of the puppies and kitties looking for forever homes in the store so that they have a better chance of being adopted. That means that we probably won’t have specific breeds, although I can help you with size and energy questions.”
Nina laughed softly. “I don’t care. I just love puppies. Any puppy. I just want to hold one, if that’s possible.”
Lilly smiled right back. “Sure. I have just the puppy for you.”
“Okay!”
Nina trailed behind Lilly to the back of the store and Chet had no choice but to follow. He didn’t really want to see the puppies. He already had one dog. He didn’t want to be tempted into another. There was always Shane though. Maybe he could convince his brother to get a dog…
Lilly led them to a small room where the puppies roamed free. Right away Chet spotted a little white fluffy puppy. She looked like a poodle, but what did he really know about dog breeds? Not much at all. He knew he liked big dogs and that was about as far as his knowledge went.
The little dog stood out immediately because there was something wrong. She wobbled a little when she walked. She bumped into things. She sat and stared, confused.
And that’s when he realized that the little dog had no eyes.
Of course, that was the one Lilly went straight to. She picked up the little puppy and handed the ball of fluff over to Nina. “This little girl was born, and her eyes were very small. She ended up having to have surgery to remove both of them, since they weren’t formed correctly. She was blind from birth. She tries to get around, but I think a familiar house would be better for her. She was brought in as the only puppy. Someone surrendered her to one of the rescues here. She healed well after her surgery, but it was clear she was missing some company. They brought her here so that she could play with the other dogs and learn how to be a dog. I’m worried though, that if the others get adopted out before her, she’ll be really lonely. I think she’d do better in a home or with someone she knows and is familiar with. All these new scents and new people are a little overwhelming for her.”
“Oh, baby.” Nina’s emerald eyes filled up with tears. The puppy sniffed around her face and, attracted to the scent of salt, eventually found Nina’s cheeks and licked away the tears. “I’ll take her.”
“What?” Chet gaped at her. “I thought you said your apartment doesn’t allow dogs.”
“Well, that’s true, but it just so happens I’m moving right away.”
That was news to him. Was she suddenly going to find a place that allowed pets just so she could have the puppy or had she already been planning on it?
“If you guys could hold her for me? I could pick her up next week. Of course, I would pay for her adoption now.”
“Sure. That would be great.” Lilly cast an adoring look at the puppy. “I think she’s going to the perfect home. I’ll get you the forms right away.”
“Great. We have some shopping to do.” Nina glanced at Chet, who was still standing near the door of the tiny room. He realized he was gaping at her and he quickly snapped out of it. “My- my friend just got a dog tonight too. From the shelter.”
“Oh, that’s great! What a great night!” Lilly clapped her hands together happily. “Do your shopping and I’ll have the forms ready for you when you’re done. The rescue does require references and a landlord’s number. Is that going to be a problem?”
Nina didn’t hesitate. “Not a problem at all. Thank you again. I’ve wanted a dog since I was a kid. She’s beautiful. She’s just perfect for me.”
“Excellent. If you need any help finding anything, let me know. I’ve been here for just about five years, so I usually know where everything is. There are some free samples of dog food and puppy food in bags at the front. Feel free to take some of those if you aren’t sure what kind of food you’d like to buy.”
“Thank you, we will.”
It was Nina who took the lead. She walked back to the front of the store and got one of the red plastic shopping carts. Her face had a new shine to it and a new determination. It wasn’t until they were down one of the aisles, one with collars and leashes, that Chet finally thought of something to say.
“Are you really going to move, just for that puppy or did you have plans already?”
“No, I had plans already. But even if I didn’t or if they fall through, I’m still going to move. I’ve already made a commitment to her and I’m going to keep my word.”
Chet gripped the edge of the cart. Damn. He’d give just about anything to have Nina look at him the way she was looking at the moment, face all fiercely determined and passionate. He’d seen that look of loyalty before, when she talked about Shane.
“That’s… that’s great,” he managed. “I’m really glad we came here tonight. I guess it was meant to be.”
She shot him a look as she picked out a dainty pink collar with diamond bones down the length of it. “You don’t strike me as the kind of guy who believes in fate or any of that.”
“I don’t know if I do or don’t,” he admitted. “But that just felt right. I mean, we could have gone to any pet store. I think maybe you were meant to find her.”
“I’m going to name her Dolly. She looks like a little doll. I thought it was fitting.”
“I like it.”
One blonde brow arched. “Do you?”
“Sure. Why not?” He moved over and picked up a plain brown leather collar with white stitching on the edges. “Do you think this would suit Charlotte?”
“Very well. She’s a dignified dog. Beautiful. Sweet. Not cute at all, I mean not in the same way as a fluffy puppy is. She’s not a doll. She’s a force to behold.”
“That’s a good observation. So, now we’re both proud dog owners. Neither of it planned.”
“I’ve never made a better impulse decision. Although, it doesn’t really feel like that. It makes sense what you said, about it just being right.”
Chet put the collar in the cart. “So, where are you moving to?”
“I- uh, well, Shane�
��s been meaning to renovate his house for a long time. He hasn’t had a lot of extra money and it needs a lot of help. He wants to put in a basement suite. I told him that he had to do it first and that he had to let me move in and live there rent free until I’m done school.”
“You’re quite a shred negotiator.” Chet said. He tried to ignore the sharp pang of jealously that shredded his chest and stomach again.
Nina blushed right to the roots of her beautiful blonde hair. It was messy and out of place, having fallen out of the bun she’d had it in at the shelter, but she’d made no move to fix it. He liked it like that, natural, tantalizing, a golden waterfall.
“I’m sorry if that sounds rude. It really is just to help me get out of debt so that when I finish school, I can actually just worry about finding a job. I thought it was fair, since it won’t actually cost Shane anything and I’ll keep the place nice and help with the renovations. I’m not trying to use him, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“I wasn’t thinking that at all.” No, he was thinking how he wished he had a house that had a damn basement that he could offer. How messed up was that anyway considering he’d never truly wanted to own a house in his life. He saw home ownership as this black pit that was just contrived by society as a ridiculous notion of a dream to entrap people into a certain system.
“No? That’s good then.”
“You could have told me to just mind my business.”
“I’m more into being honest. Everyone says that I’m always too honest. Or too blunt. I’m not sure I know what the difference is.”
Nina put the collar into the cart. She picked out a few other things, a leash, some puppy food, two dishes. He knew how expensive pet stores could be and he figured she didn’t have money to actually pay for anything.
At the checkout, he made sure that he included her items on his bill. She tried to protest, but he cut her off. “I didn’t have to actually pay for anything on this date, so let me pay for this. I think it’s a good trade off. A few really awesome supplies instead of an overpriced meal.”