by Clare James
I extended my hand to try to secure a grip on his collar, and he did as I asked. There was no growing or biting, but he also didn’t stay still. He dashed right and then left, forward and back. I resisted the urge to track him and decided to kneel down and stay still. Yeah, this was a game to him. He walked backwards a few feet then, leaving me no choice. I had to follow his move. At least he wasn’t running away from me.
He dodged my reach, once, twice, three times. It was getting ridiculous, I needed to get the dog inside so I could finish moving in. I had a big day tomorrow, so this time when I followed his move, I took a more aggressive approach and reached over a little too far, before slipping and falling, leaving me flat on my back.
My head smacked the ground, and my vision blurred for a second or two. And when everything finally came into focus, there was a slobbery face leaning over me. I swear to God, he was smiling, mocking me.
I sat up and leaned forward again, but he shifted away from my head traveling down closer to my legs. I moved slowly so I wouldn’t spook him, pulling myself to an upright sitting position. When he didn’t retreat, I stood up. He still didn’t back away. But what he did instead was far worse.
He looked right in my eyes as he lifted his hind leg and pissed all over me. The mutt had balls, I’d give him that.
Chapter Three
Jenna
Oh, my God! With the dogs in tow, I raced over to reprimand Oscar. “I’m sorry,” I called out, hoping there was a chance that I was wrong about who my dog’s savior was. But there was little possibility that I’d made a mistake. This guy had a face—and body—I couldn’t forget. He was a fantasy come to life, and when his gaze met mine, my head went fuzzy. But this wasn’t the guy of my dreams; he was absolutely a man in the flesh. Picture this: milk chocolate, not the dark kind everyone pretends to love, but the creamy, sugary kind. Warm. Melted. And about to satisfy you in the best possible way—starting at the tip of your tongue, before traveling at lightning speed to your brain and nervous system, altering your body chemistry, increasing your blood flow, releasing dopamine, and activating the pleasure receptors in your brain, to deliver immediate gratification that’s eerily similar to lust and love. Yeah, that is exactly what his eyes did to me.
Of course, I never ate chocolate because it comes in at number two on the five worst foods for dogs list, second only to grapes—something I also never have in the house. But I remembered that glorious taste.
Goosebumps peppered my skin, and not because of the weather. It was because of the guy. God, I really needed to get out more.
Molly and Ruby barked in unison, helping me to recover from the distraction. When I did, I pulled my eyes away from the man and found the dog, registering what he’d just done. “Oscar! What do you think you're doing?”
“Relieving himself, I guess.” The guy’s deep voice reverberated throughout my body. He assessed me, still smiling. It was clear he hadn’t placed me yet. I was grateful.
Without thinking, I reached out and placed my hand on his arm, warm smooth skin that covered his rock-hard frame. Once upon a time, this was my go-to strategy for getting a guy’s attention. A touch, a smile, a flip of my hair, and even a little giggle would’ve pretty much got me anything I wanted. And it worked for a while. I did get what I wanted, when I wanted it. Not that it ever filled the hole inside.
There were lots of names for a girl like me. I was probably what you would’ve called a bad girl, easy, royal bitch, slut, mean girl. Take your pick. But I hadn’t been that girl for a long time. Though I did keep up the charade for a few people, because that’s what I’d always be to them. What was the point trying to convince them I changed? They’d believe what they chose to, and there wasn’t much I could do about it.
Really, all I wanted was a second chance, just like my dogs at the shelter.
“I’m so sorry about Oscar,” I said, trying not to get caught up in his eyes again. “And your pants,” I added as my gaze drifted downward. Then I glared at Oscar, communicating without words. I started doing this recently to test a theory that I’d read in one of my canine journals about a dog’s ability to read its owner’s mind. I hadn’t concluded whether it was true or not, but it was worth a try.
“Dude, what are you doing?” I said in my head.
“Ahhhh,” he replied.
“Please redeem yourself…and me,” I begged.
For some reason, I cared what this guy thought of me in the moment. Maybe because it’d be my only chance at a good impression. Once he realized who I was, it’d be all over. So stupid, I know.
Just then, Oscar sat down in front of him and held out his paw to shake, clearly apologizing for what he did.
“Thanks, buddy. I have a rawhide with your name on it.”
“Please.” Oscar rolled his eyes. “Make it a bone-in ribeye or I’ll spray this sucker again, and trust me, it won’t be pretty.”
I gave the demanding monster a subtle nod. It was worth it.
“Thank you so much for finding him, I just turned my back for a second…” I stumbled when I found his eyes again.
“You sound like you’re talking about a toddler.” He chuckled.
“Well, they are one and the same,” I said before I smiled at him. It was my real smile, one I rarely used. When you had a reputation on campus like mine, body armor was a must. Every expression, look, and emotion was part of my mask. It was the only way to protect myself. But for some unexplainable reason, I didn’t feel the need to use it with him.
He leaned over and gave Oscar a pat on the head.
“You’re just a softie, aren’t you?” I mused aloud.
“Not usually,” he said, almost confused.
“Then it must be Oscar’s charm.”
“Something like that.” He rubbed the stubble on his chin, and I began to lift my hand to trace his path. There was no food to be found in his facial hair, and his shirt was clean—I inhaled the crisp, soapy scent. Why couldn’t my date have been with him last night?
Geez, get a grip!
I snapped my hand back. Yes, it might be time to do something about this dry spell. I’d lost all ability to act normal with humans. Well, human men. Hot, human men. My mantra played in my brain, even as my body chose to shut it down. Which reminded me, dogs before dudes. I needed to get my booty off to the shelter ASAP.
“Oh crap, sorry, I need to get moving.”
“Okay,” he said, his voice dropping an octave, along with the expression on his face.
“It’s just I’m running late for work. I’ve got to get these guys back inside. But hey, thanks so much for grabbing Oscar. And I’m really sorry about your pants.” I bent over to reach for my dog, but tripped, and as I tried to right myself, my hand grazed fantasy man’s crotch.
Oh. No.
On contact, my entire body went rigid and heat pricked at my cheeks. Could this day get anymore awkward? I closed my eyes and pulled myself together before I stood up.
Maybe he didn’t notice.
He cleared his throat and shifted his stance.
Oh, he noticed alright. I, on the other hand, pretended nothing happened and quickly latched the leash around Oscar’s collar, my face burning with embarrassment.
“That’s okay, Oscar and I have kind of bonded. I’ll help you get him inside,” he said as he took the leash.
Crap.
He rolled the end of the leash through his fingers, but didn’t take a step forward. Neither of us did. We were frozen, eyes locked on one another with this force of energy creating a bubble around us.
It felt like…I don’t know, something big was happening. Good or bad? I had no idea.
“Okay, we’re just over here in this building,” I said, once the current began to lose its intensity.
He made a weird face and indicated for me to lead the way.
“It’s right up here down the hall,” I said.
We pulled up to my door, Ruby and Molly were happily running in circles between my legs. “Thanks
again for helping me. You know, Oscar really is a good boy. I wish you would’ve been able to meet him under different circumstances.”
“I think that could be arranged,” he said, searching my eyes.
“Oh, really?” What the heck was happening?
“Yeah, I’m new to the neighborhood and could use a tour. What do you say the three of us go for a walk? Or should I make that the five of us, tomorrow morning, and you can show me where to get a cup of coffee.”
I knew I should say no. It wouldn’t be long before he realized who I was, bad girl on campus, slut, mean girl, and his precious little sister’s enemy. Tabitha Kelly, aka angel, good girl, love of my ex’s life. Trouble was, she did seem to be all of that and it made me crazy. Which is why I tormented her whenever I could. Or, I used to. Things had been different now. I was different now. Here, away from campus, I didn’t have to put on a show. I didn’t have guys talking about me because of a few stupid mistakes. I didn’t have the other mean girls trying to form alliances, or other girls trying to protect their boyfriends from me. I was just the dog walker, or even better, I was the girl nobody noticed.
So what harm would one little coffee date do? It’d be nice to be myself and enjoy a hot beverage with a friendly face.
Okay. I’d do it.
I opened my mouth to respond, but was quickly interrupted.
It was Tabitha Kelly, of course it was. She opened the door of the apartment across from mine. Oh no. No, no, no.
And as much as I hated what was going to come next, I had no choice…it was time to put on a show.
Chapter Four
Michael
What the hell was that? And what was I doing? Tab and I just had the talk about women and how I was trying to stay away to focus on securing a job with the Minneapolis PD. I didn’t need to be asking for a tour with the hot chick from the canine club.
Yet she was a distraction that I could totally appreciate. A gorgeous strawberry blonde, little makeup, and it seemed like a big heart to boot. Did I mention she was gorgeous? In a tight little package, probably from chasing after the dogs. I couldn’t help but wonder how soft that skin was, or how she’d feel wrapped up in my arms. It’d been too damn long since I had a woman under me, above me, or against the wall. Hey, I wasn’t picky at this point. But what’d Tabby always say, don’t shit where you eat? Yeah¸ probably not a good idea. Still…
As I followed her inside, we made our way into the building and up to the second floor. Jesus H, walking behind her did nothing for the raging hard-on she’d given me earlier. I know it was an accident when her hand ghosted over my dick, but fuck, it was hot. Yep, I was that pathetic.
It was clear she had no clue that I was her new neighbor, which gave me a thought—maybe I should ask her out before she realizes it. So I asked her to go on a walk…with the dogs. What the fuck? I was so far off my game it was ridiculous, but I wasn’t ready to let her go.
Her face lit up when I asked the question, but when she opened her mouth to answer, it was Tabby’s voice I’d heard.
“Geez, Michael, what’s taking so…” she interrupted herself once she got a look at who I was talking to.
It was a little embarrassing. Sure, Tabby hadn’t seen me with anyone since I moved to Minneapolis, but then her face got all scrunched up, like the way it did when her mom started in on her about something.
“Tab, this is…” I left the question open, hoping the dog whisperer would fill in the blanks and I could discover her name. To my surprise, it was Tabby who answered once again.
“Jenna,” she said.
“Tabby,” the dog whisperer, AKA Jenna, said in a different voice than the one she had been using on me.
“You two know each other?” I asked, turning to Tabby. But when she said her name again, something inside my brain clicked. I remembered why she was familiar. I didn’t realize it at first because she looked so different than the first time we were introduced, when she was all polished in makeup and designer clothes. Today, she looked sweet, and not at all like the rich bitch that Tabby described that very first time she introduced us.
But as Jenna’s expression and demeanor began to shift before my very eyes, I was starting to see it.
“Tabby,” Jenna said with a smirk. “I didn’t realize you and Noah broke up, are we neighbors now?”
“Nice try, Jenna,” Tabby replied with just as much snark. “I’m helping move my brother in.” She emphasized the word brother.
“Well, shoot, I was looking forward to slumber parties and drinking cosmos. I mean, that is what you and Jules like to do, right?”
Oh boy, it was time for me to jump in. “I thought you looked familiar,” I told Jenna, trying to redeem myself in front of Tab.
“Well, I recognized you,” Jenna said, her voice rich with flirtation. “Tabby, your brother is such a hero. He saved me and Oscar outside there, but unfortunately we had a little mishap with his pants.” She winked at me.
Oh, hell no, did she know what she was doing with that accidental graze across my cock? Or was she just trying to get under Tabby’s skin?
“Yeah, they do seem to have your scent on them, Jenna.” Tabby wrinkled up her face.
Shit, it was time to shut this thing down before I had a catfight on my hands. I’d never quite seen Tabby like this before, but it was nice to know she could take care of herself.
“I was helping Jenna with her dog, he escaped out the door I’d propped open,” I explained.
“And I was going to return the favor by helping him with his pants,” Jenna chimed in. With that, Tabby yanked me inside before I could say goodbye to my new neighbor.
“We’ve got it covered, Jenna. He won’t be needing any of your help.”
Well, that was one more distraction out of the way. It was probably for the best. Jenna had made life hell for Tabby when she first moved here. The realization was a giant kick to the balls. The girl that I’d been salivating over? She was my sister’s archenemy, Noah’s ex-girlfriend, and all-around mean girl. And that meant she was completely off-limits.
But the question on my mind was how was I supposed to stay away from her when she lived across the hall?
***
Jenna
“So what’ve we got?” I asked Gloria when I arrived at the shelter. I almost didn’t want to hear the bad news, but it was a welcome distraction from this morning.
Is it crazy that I thought it was a little fun? Being on the receiving end of a flirty boy’s attention, and then sparring with Tabby. It reminded me of my old life, when I dated Noah and bickered with Jules. Although in the case with Jules, it was all in good fun. We were best friends, after all, which was the complete opposite of my relationship with both her and Tabby these days.
In my head, I knew my pain and loneliness wasn’t Tabby’s fault. It’s not as if she swooped in and deliberately stole my life—I did a pretty good job messing it up before Tabby was even in the picture. Still, sometimes, it did feel like she’d taken my place, and my heart didn’t understand.
Truth was, I had no interest in Noah anymore. I hadn’t for some time. It was just that he was the only person who seemed to understand me and he let me lash out and be a total bitch after my brother Ben died. I knew he felt guilty because he thought he should’ve been there, driving instead Ben that night. Foster thought the same and Jules thought there was more she could’ve done, too. But that burden wasn’t on any of them. After visits with enough shrinks, I knew it wasn’t completely on me as well—despite what my parents believed.
“We’ve got two new residents, thanks to a drop-off overnight, two pit bull puppies.” Gloria pulled me back out of my head. She was good at that. “Thankfully, they’re mixed with a beagle, so that might be their only saving grace.”
More than sixty percent of our residents—as Gloria preferred to call them—were some breed of pit bull, which made them difficult to adopt out. Pit Bull Terriers were the red-headed stepchild in the doggie adoption business because of
all the bad press. Every time we had a new one show up, my heart squeezed because I knew they’d be with us for a while.
“Two more that might be with us for a while,” I repeated my thoughts to Gloria. “Which means we need to get some of these guys adopted today.” Okay, it was time to focus.
“That’s right, but I do have some good news.”
I raised a brow and waved my hand telling her to give it to me.
“We have two families coming for a second visit. And a new couple looking for an older dog.”
Sadly, that rarely happened. It was the puppies and young dogs who got the most action. But every once in a while you’d see someone come in who wanted to give a dog a good home for the last few years of its life. I called them the angels.
“Okay, then.” I smiled at Gloria, summoning my positive attitude. “Let’s find some forever homes today.”
“You have such a good heart, Jenna dear.”
She really had no idea.
I started with tidying up the front reception area. Saturdays were typically the busiest and Gloria had obviously been swamped, but if it looked like a pigsty then it’d definitely have an impact on our visitors. Gloria didn’t understand “the experience” piece to the game that I did. I think she figured that dog lovers would look beyond everything if they fell in love with a pet. I saw the world a little differently. People weren’t as loving and forgiving as we made them out to be.
Once the place was more presentable, I joined one of the young families looking at our two-year-old Basset Hound. The two kids looked to be about four and six and they were petting Clyde non-stop. The little one even took to driving his matchbox cars up and down his back. Clyde couldn’t have cared less. He was sweet that way.