Paws Up for Love

by Stephanie Rowe

  "Dinner tonight."

  "No, thanks."

  "With Dr. Black. It was the deal."

  Josie grimaced. "That was before you and I had..."

  He held up his hand. "I know what we did. That's not what tonight is about. Tonight is business. Part of the deal."

  Oh, great. So he didn't even want to talk about it? Fine, she didn't have to either. Wasn't that what meaningless sex was all about anyway? Being able to walk away without rehashing it? "Fine. Dinner."

  A fancy business dinner with Evan less than forty-eight hours after he'd taught her what it was like to truly relish her sexuality? Having to sit across from him and know she'd never feel that kind of passion again?

  She couldn't wait.

  What a brilliant start to the week. Obviously, she should go buy a truckload of lottery tickets. Not.

  Chapter 22

  "You can't ignore me during dinner," Evan ordered.

  As if she'd respond to that. She folded her arms tightly across her chest and lifted her chin.

  "He's a dog!"

  She narrowed her eyes at him and kept her vow of silence.

  "He doesn't care if he's in my garage!"

  Did you ask him?

  "He'd destroy my house or my car or anywhere we left him. He had to go in the garage."

  Of course, Evan was completely correct, but she wasn't going to tell him that. Morally, she had to find it repugnant to leave a dog in the garage. Besides, she did feel guilty about it, and making Evan suffer was a good distraction.

  Because he deserved to suffer.

  Forty-two hours since they'd made love, and he still refused to discuss it, or even acknowledge it had happened.

  Bastard.

  "We're here." He pulled into a parking spot and shifted into park.

  Sure, she wanted an affair with no emotional attachments.

  Sure, that probably translated into not dissecting it the next day.

  Sure, she didn't like Evan or even care what he thought of her.

  That didn't mean she didn't have feelings that could be hurt because he wouldn't talk about it!

  "Are you going to at least be civil to Dr. Black?"

  Granted, she was on her way to becoming an Amazon who could destroy men with a single swipe of her spear, but that didn't mean she was there yet. She didn't even know how to wield a spear... Wait a sec. That was her problem! No actual ability to maim, destroy, and annihilate. She had to take care of that immediately.

  "He's coming this way." Evan flicked some imaginary dust off the skirt of the very sexy and very slutty —in her opinion—black cocktail dress that Evan had insisted she wear. "Can you at least pretend not to hate me?"

  She wondered if there was a place in Boston that taught spear throwing.

  "He's the one coming toward us with the red tie," Evan whispered. He straightened his own jacket, tugged on the sleeves, touched his tie, cleared his throat, and generally looked like a nervous Nellie.

  Wuss.

  He'd run screaming when she appeared on his doorstep able to hit one-inch targets from ten miles away with a flick of her wrist.

  He tucked his hand under her elbow. "If you foist your attitude on Dr. Black after I endured being engaged to you, you will find yourself sleeping in the garage tonight," he growled.

  What? He had to endure being engaged to her?

  He shook the hand of a bespectacled, rotund man and exchanged greetings.

  She was definitely making Evan her first victim when she learned how to throw a spear. Or, if she couldn't find a spear throwing place, there had to be somewhere that taught sword fighting. That would be a close second, right?

  "And this is Josie Harper. Josie, this is Dr. Black." He crunched her elbow with his thumb and index finger. Trying to show off the strength in his hands? As if she'd fall to her knees begging to have his hands all over her body.

  Dr. Black held out his hand. "Nice to meet you."

  Evan cleared his throat.

  What fun it would be to walk off and leave Evan hanging without saying a word to his precious Dr. Black. She glanced at him, and was pleased to see some sort of rage and apprehension gurgling in his very dark and still stupidly sexy eyes.

  Cretin. How dare he seduce her with his eyes after refusing to acknowledge their great lovemaking venture? But still, she'd promised to be social with Dr. Black, and she never broke a promise.

  She glared at him, then turned to Dr. Black, throwing him her most scintillating smile. "Dr. Black, it's so wonderful to meet you." She shook his hand, making sure to give a firm handshake worthy of an Amazon. When he got a weird look on his face, she figured that was probably hard enough and released his hand. "Tell me, would you ever tell your fiancée that you'd had to endure being engaged to her? That's a bit uncomplimentary, don't you think? A girl could take offense to that."

  Evan made some sound like the building had just fallen on his head, but she didn't turn around to check. Let him suffer.

  Dr. Black wasn't so restrained. He looked right over her shoulder at Evan. "She's not talking about you, is she?"

  "It's a private joke," Evan spluttered.

  She felt a hard elbow in her back, so she flung her foot backwards and had the pleasure of feeling her slut-stiletto (again, which Evan had made her wear) dig into flesh. "Dr. Black, it's not a private joke. He said that just before you arrived. I ask you, would you ever say that to your fiancée?"

  A strangled version of her name came out of Evan's throat, but she ignored him, focusing on Dr. Black's very wise face.

  "I didn't realize you were engaged," Dr. Black said to Evan. "Who was that woman last week?"

  "Oh, Priss? She was a business colleague of Evan's. Evan thought you might get along with her." She tucked her arm through Dr. Black's. "I personally find her too skinny and an utter bore. Did she eat anything at all during dinner?"

  Dr. Black looked past her again. "You're engaged?"

  "No, he's enduring the engagement. Charming, don't you think?" She patted Dr. Black's arm. "Let's go inside. Maybe he'll stand outside and park cars for a while."

  Some sort of agonized groan emanated from Evan, as she watched Dr. Black peer at him. "You okay, Dorsett?"

  Evan cleared his throat. "Of course. We're just having fun."

  Dr. Black clapped his hand on Evan's shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Dorsett. It's fine that you're having a tiff with your fiancée. It's nice to know you have some personality. I was beginning to doubt it."

  "Pardon, sir?" Evan looked completely confused. Darn cute, actually. How dare he look cute?

  "Dr. Black, do you think my outfit is too slutty? Evan made me wear it, but I think it takes things too far. I'd prefer a soft blue that doesn't show all my cleavage, and maybe a pair of flats. He insisted this look would be appropriate for dinner. What's your opinion?"

  Dr. Black chuckled and glanced at Evan. "You have yourself a handful, don't you?"

  "You could say that," he muttered.

  "Love it. So refreshing," Dr. Black said.

  Evan looked even more confused.

  Dr. Black patted her hand, which was still tucked through his arm. "Ms. Harper, I think you look lovely. However, I do see your point. I'd like to see a woman who wasn't afraid to show a little personality. Next time, go with the blue."

  She smirked at Evan, but he ignored her. Still looked confused actually. Was it because Dr. Black actually appreciated her the way she was and didn't want her to be some dull freak? And Evan had thought a man like Dr. Black only liked women like Priss.

  Priss.

  Ugh.

  The thought of that woman made her want to vomit. Or at the very least, practice her spearing skills on her. Not that she was jealous of her. It was just that she didn't like women who had ears of that particular shape. Yes, that was it. "So, did you find Priss an utter bore?"

  Dr. Black smiled and patted her hand. "It's unprofessional to talk about others, my dear."

  "Of course it is. So?"

>   He grinned. "Let's just say I think tonight will be much more interesting."

  She smiled back. "Good."

  Dr. Black looked over his shoulder. "Dorsett. What are you doing hanging back there? Get up here and join the conversation. I want to hear how in the world you managed to land this charming woman. You seem way too dull for her."

  Hah! Evan was dull! Served him right for ignoring her after making love to her.

  Evan caught up to them. "I'm too dull?"

  Dr. Black clapped him on the shoulder. "Nothing to be embarrassed about, my boy. You just need to learn how to let your personality come out. You're young and you have Ms. Harper. You'll get it."

  Josie smiled and patted Evan's arm. "Yes, sweetie, just let your true, wild nature come out. No need to hide it from Dr. Black. Obviously, he's a lot more interesting and tolerant of real people than you thought, huh?"

  He told her to shut up with a very black glare.

  So she kept right on talking.

  Chapter 23

  He flipped his car keys on the kitchen counter.

  What a night.

  "Well, I'm glad you finally loosened up. I thought I was going to have to start forcing drinks on you to get you to smile. Where'd you learn to be so uptight?" Josie tossed the sequined black purse he'd bought her into the corner and pulled a couple bowls from the cabinet. "Ice cream?"

  "Fine."

  Josie had been brilliant. She'd been herself and Dr. Black had loved her. Okay, he'd been a little worried at first, but it had worked out well. Who'd have guessed that a man of Dr. Black's money, heritage, and class would prefer dinner with people who were imperfect?

  He supposed he had, given that he'd invited Josie in the first place. Truly, he must be a business genius, even if it was still on a subconscious level.

  Josie turned her back to him and he watched her dress swish gently with her body. She looked gorgeous and sexy.

  "Chocolate or mocha almond crunch?"

  "Don't care." Her shoulders moved under the thin spaghetti straps, flexing.

  He had a new client. His biggest one ever. Thanks to Josie. He'd never have had the courage to relax around Dr. Black, to be open and honest. But Josie had forced it, and it had worked.

  She turned around with the container of chocolate, her fingers wrapped around it as if she were caressing it. She set the ice cream on the table and pried off the top.

  Josie had given him his dream—Dr. Black for a client.

  She picked up the ice cream scoop and tried to dig out some ice cream. "You have the freezer on Antarctic temperatures or something? It's like a rock."

  Because of Josie, he had everything he'd wanted. His career. Finally. Her family. Her. Her.

  She paused. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

  "Like what?" He levered himself off the door and walked toward her. Toward his Josie.

  She held the ice cream scoop up like a weapon. "Like you're going to eat me."

  Not a bad idea.

  Not a bad idea indeed.

  "Evan? What are you doing?" She backed away as he got closer. "You stay away from me. Just because I had fun with Dr. Black doesn't mean I like you. I don't. You're a selfish, cold, unfeeling cretin."

  "Sounds about right." He kept walking.

  She reached the counter. Nowhere to go. "You stay away from me."

  "Did I tell you that you looked incredibly sexy tonight?"

  "Shut up!"

  "No." He came to a stop in front of her. "You also look sexy in jeans and sneakers. Throw out the dress if you don't like it. I don't care. You're perfect the way you are."

  "You back off right now, buster." She leaned back, arching over the counter to try to stay away from him.

  "It shows off your collar bones." He traced his index finger ever so lightly across the curve.

  She flinched under his touch. "Get away from me."

  "Why?" He let his hand drop to his side, but he leaned closer. Not touching, but almost. "I want you."

  "You're a horrid man."

  "I'm aware of your opinion of me. I'd still like to kiss you."

  "No." But her voice was losing some of its force.

  "Fine." He leaned back, giving her room. But he couldn't walk away. "I got Dr. Black as a client."

  She smiled. "I know. I was there, remember."

  "Thanks to you."

  She arched her eyebrow. "It's about time you noticed how fabulous I am."

  "You could be my secret weapon."

  "Is that right?"

  "You could become my shadow." Didn't that sound great? "Behind the scenes, lurking, then jump in to woo every client."

  Josie's face immediately darkened, then she smacked him in the chest with the ice cream scoop. Hard. "I will never be a man's shadow. Ever! I'm my own woman and don't you dare try to put me in the corner!"

  Damn. That hadn't come out right. "That's not what I meant..."

  "Oh, yeah? Well, it's what you said." She pushed herself off the counter and shoved at his chest, forcing him to take a step backward. "First, you accuse me of being a liar. Then you seduce me."

  "I seduced you? Wait a minute..."

  She pushed him again. "And then you refuse to acknowledge it ever happened. How dare you pretend the best sex of my life was nothing more than a mirage? A fantasy? You are despicable. Horrid. A beast."

  The best sex of her life?

  "And wipe that smug grin off your face. It's no compliment to be the best sex of my life. I was thinking of someone else while I was having my orgasm."

  He stopped backing up. "Kiss me."

  "No!"

  "Fine." She wanted acknowledgement. She'd get it. "We did make love. Each time it was incredible. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Does that make you feel better?"

  "Don't think you can get me into bed with some wimpy apology which wasn't actually even an apology." She pushed his chest, but he didn't back up. Instead, he slapped his hands over hers and held them against him.

  "Kiss me, Josie."

  "How dare you order me to kiss you? I hate you." She didn't pull her hands away.

  "Do you?"

  "Of course I do."

  "I don't hate you." He rubbed his thumbs over the back of her hands in small circles.

  "Too bad for you." She moved closer, until her forearms pressed against him. "I hate everything about you." She dug her fingers into his chest. "Except the fact that you had a fence built for Max." She moved closer, her breath hot on his chin.

  "Thank you." He dipped his head, until his forehead was against hers, their lips only a breath apart.

  "For what?"

  "For tonight. I owe you everything."

  She sucked in her breath. "Don't do that."

  "Do what?"

  "Be nice."

  "Sorry."

  He said nothing.

  She said nothing.

  They both stood there.

  Foreheads touching.

  Breathing.

  Waiting.

  In the same instant, they both went for each other. Lips crashed against lips, hands dove for bodies, breath intermingled.

  Yes. This was what he needed. He needed Josie. More than anything he'd ever needed in his life.

  "Now," she whispered against his jaw. "Here."

  Her fingers flew to his waistband. Unbuckle. Unbutton. Unzip. "Come on, Evan!"

  His body tightened, his mind spun, his chest hurt. He nibbled her collar bone, swept his hands up her legs, under her dress. Lace. Hooked his thumbs, slid it down her legs. Skin so soft. Warm. Alive.

  His pants around his ankles. Josie's arms around him. Up on the counter. Her legs anchored around his waist. Yes.

  It was Josie.

  It had to be Josie.

  It would never be anyone but Josie.

  Heat closed around him. Groans. His. Hers. He had no idea. Everything was right. Perfect. She's the one. She'd always be the one.

  Shudders wracked her body.

  An
d his.

  Together.

  This was how it was supposed to be.

  "I'm going to take sword fighting lessons." Josie trailed her fingers across his bare chest.

  He caught her fingers and entwined his with hers. "Why are you going to do that?"

  "So I can kill you."

  Wasn't that a nice affirmation after three hours of fantastic lovemaking? "Might I ask why you're plotting my death?"

  She sighed and rested her cheek against his chest, her feet twisted in the covers. "You need to be taught a lesson."

  "What's the point in learning a lesson if I'm too dead to act on it?"

  "Don't try to make me be logical." She closed her fingers around his chest hair, but didn't tug. "Just because you gave me a record number of orgasms in a year doesn't mean you're out of the dog house."

  "In two nights, we've beaten your annual record?" He liked that. As long as he didn't think about the fact it implied there'd been other men before him.

  "Don't try to distract me when I'm planning your demise. Great sex isn't enough to convince me to spare your life." But she burrowed deeper against him and sighed with female contentment.

  He figured he wasn't really in that much trouble. "I'll ask again. Why?"

  "You deserve it."

  He groaned. What was up with her? "Is this still about Max?" Who hadn't seemed remotely concerned about his three hours in the garage when they'd gotten home from dinner.

  "Nope. Never was about Max."

  He hoisted Josie up his chest so she was level with his face. "What's going on?"

  "You're a jerk."

  "I'm figuring that out. Why?"

  She propped her chin up on her hands and studied him. "In the morning, are you going to pretend tonight never happened? Like before? Because if you do, I won't wait for the sword lessons. I swear."

  "Ah." So that was it.

  She narrowed her eyes. "Expand."

  "No."

  "No, what?"

  "I won't pretend it didn't happen."

  "And..."

  "And what?"

  She ground her elbow ever so slightly into his chest. "How about something like—you're a goddess, I can't live without your body and this is the start of a wonderful affair?"