Dog Tags: A romance anthology featuring military and canine heroes

by Kate Kinsley

  “Well, we’ll just have to do some scheduled playdates, and I can work with her a little, but you’re going to have to follow up with the training.”

  “Now you sound like me. I tell my patient’s owners all the time when they have pets with behavioral issues, especially dogs, that consistency is key, and that is the one thing I’ve never been able to give Sasha, and since the divorce and the move, well, I’m lucky she hasn’t chewed through all my shoes. Yet.” Chanel lifted her foot and showed off a pair of slobbered on boat shoes. “These were my favorites. Now I just wear them around the house.”

  “When I first got Milian, he did the same thing, and I hate to admit it, but he started doing it again when we retired a few months ago and moved here. However, I think I’ve finally broken him of the habit.” Max sat across from Chanel, leaning forward slightly. He pushed his shades up on top of his head so he could get a closer look at her pale-blue eyes. “How long have you been divorced?”

  “It just became final a couple of weeks ago. I was separated for a year.” She waved her hand. “I want to circle back to how you stopped Milian from chewing on shit, and I find it hard to believe that that dog over there ever did a bad thing in his life.”

  As if on cue, Milian dropped his head to the floor and covered his snout with his paws as if he were guilty of some crime.

  “I don’t have to tell you, a doctor of animals, that changes to a pet’s environment will cause them stress and anxiety and they will resort to nervous habits. When my wife left, Milian started taking all my shoes and putting them in the toilet.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s a weird one.”

  “Not when you consider my ex put a few of my favorite things in the toilet as she was screaming at me, calling me names, and then she left for good. I have no idea what Milian was thinking because he didn’t really like my wife, but we moved a few months later and he would just chew on shoes in the middle of the night and then drop them in the toilet. All I did was make it hard for him to get my shoes and reward him on the mornings he’d behaved.”

  “So, how long have you been a member of the exes’ club?”

  “Almost a year. It’s funny. She begged me to leave the military, so I did. Then she left me because I took a job with the Aegis Network and that was too much like the military for her. I’m just not cut out to be a salesman or have some boring desk job, and she decided she couldn’t be married to someone who carried a gun.”

  “I’m sorry,” Chanel said. “My ex-husband left me because he said I loved animals more than I did him, which might have been true.” She raised her beer and took a long sip. “Of course, he was fucking one of the lawyers he worked with, so I’d say he was the one who had commitment issues, not me.”

  “I’d say so.” Max leaned back on the lounge chair. Don’t do it. Don’t do it. He’d be insane if he didn’t ask her to leave the second she finished her drink. She wasn’t the kind of woman who did one-night stands nor could they ever be friends with benefits.

  Friends. Yes.

  But at this point, nothing sexual could happen without making their neighborly relationship awkward when it ended and he couldn’t have that, not when he hoped to expand the K-9 unit of the Aegis Network to a team of six and he needed her to be the official veterinarian for all of the animals.

  “Since our dogs aren’t going to want to separate any time soon, care to join me for dinner tonight? I have a huge steak I was going to grill and it’s too big for one person.” He dropped his head back and closed his eyes, letting out a short breath, preparing himself for rejection.

  “Just steak? Nothing else?”

  He chuckled. “I might have some vegetables in the fridge, but it’s questionable how fresh they are. I do know I have bread.”

  “All right. I’ll stay on one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You let me bring over a bottle of wine and the salad I was going to eat,” Chanel said.

  “It’s a deal.” He peeked open one eye.

  She jumped to her feet. “Can I leave Sasha here while I go get my contribution?”

  “Of course.” He stood, closing the gap between them. He reached out, fanning her cheek with his thumb and gazed into her soft-blue eyes. He was in more trouble than when Milian stared up him with his sad, dark orbs after they both nearly got blown to bits the first day they met. “Your ex-husband was a fool to cheat on you.”

  “Thanks for saying that, but you didn’t have to live with me, and he was right. I cared more about the animals than I did him.”

  He held her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “Did that happen before or after he mentally checked out of your marriage because he was sleeping with someone else?” He cocked his brow. “My ex said I cared more about my job and nearly dying than her. And then of course the dog. She always said I used my career to stay emotionally withdrawn, and she was right. I checked out before we even got married because she manipulated me in the first place.”

  “How?”

  “We got married because she was pregnant. She lost the baby when I was deployed, and she’s never forgiven me for being away when that happened.”

  “Could you have changed your orders?”

  “No. But she didn’t understand that. And then Milian came home with me, and I dived into training him and then going on one mission after the next, avoiding her and all the shit that came with being married until I up and got her pregnant again. This time she carried for almost twelve weeks, and I was right by her side when she miscarried since I’d left the military for her. But it wasn’t good enough. We were done. She had actually been talking to a lawyer before she found out about the baby.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Chanel reached up and palmed his cheek. “When I come back, no more talking about exes. Deal?”

  “Promise.” He leaned in and brushed his lips over her mouth. She tasted like sweet cantaloupe with a drizzle of chocolate.

  A low moan rumbled from the back of his throat. He rested his hands on her full hips, tugging her closer. In the distance, the whimper of dogs tickled his ears.

  This was a mistake.

  A big one.

  One he couldn’t stop if he tried.

  Chanel stood on the back porch with her heard hammering in her chest. It pounded so hard she thought it might bounce right out of her body and roll to the ground. “Thank you for a lovely evening.”

  “The pleasure was all mine.”

  She blinked. And then did it a second time. What she should be doing was moving her legs as fast as they would take her across the street and back into her home. This was a fresh start for her, and it was all about doing it on her own. Being independent. She didn’t need a man in her life.

  Nope.

  That would be a complication she could do without.

  “Come on, Sasha,” she said softly and without any conviction.

  The dog’s ears twitched, but she didn’t budge.

  Max took Chanel’s hands and rested them on his shoulders. He heaved her to his chest. “Milian. Inside. Now.” He snapped his fingers, and both dogs jumped. He reached around Chanel and pulled open the door. “After you.”

  “What? You’re not going to bark orders at me?” She swallowed. Even if he did, she wouldn’t be offended. And she’d do it.

  He laughed. “I probably should have asked you first, but—”

  “I would have said no, but my legs wouldn’t have moved me across the street,” she whispered. “I think we have a big problem here because I have a few rules we’re about to break.”

  “Yeah? What are those?”

  “I don’t date neighbors. Patient owners. Or men named Max.”

  “Well, at least you’re only breaking two of them because my real name isn’t Max. It’s Maxwell.”

  “Even worse.”

  He pressed her against the wall by the staircase. His warm tongue slipped between her lips, finding every crevice inside her mouth. His hands massaged her back muscle
s, leaving hot impressions that sent her mind down the path of no return.

  She flattened her hand on the center of his chest. Her breathing had become erratic. “I’m not looking to get into a relationship with anyone. As a matter of fact, I’m supposed to be staying away from men. If anything were to happen, it wouldn’t happen a second time.”

  He ran his thumb over her lower lip. “I don’t think once will be enough for either of us, but I’m with you on the no long-term commitment thing. I don’t do them anymore and I never will. But I also don’t sleep around or with more than one person at a time, so if we do this, for however long we enjoy the other’s company—”

  “Oh, shut up. I get it. Now let’s get on with it.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I take it this place is no different than my house and the master bedroom is upstairs?”

  He shook his head. “No. First thing I did when I moved in was put a big master bedroom and bath down here.” He curled his fingers around her hand and tugged her through the family and to the back side of the kitchen where he’d just finished the addition about three weeks before she’d moved in. The room had already been part of the house, but it was more of a den or office. He kicked out a few walls and made it a masterpiece.

  “Oh. My. God.” She stopped dead in her tracks in the middle of the room. She ran her finger over the big king-sized bed. “Is that the bathroom over there?”

  “And walk-in closet that I don’t have anything in because I have like five outfits.”

  She laughed. “May I?”

  “Please.”

  Still holding his hand, she raced into the bathroom. “Holy crow, this is gorgeous. And that tub. It’s huge. And it’s so white and clean.” She ran her fingers across the granite vanity. “I don’t have a bathtub. Not even in the second bathroom.”

  “I probably shouldn’t tell you this then.”

  She snapped her gaze in his direction. “You’ve never used it?”

  “Not once,” he said. “But you’re welcome to use it if you’d like.”

  “Oh. I’m going to take you up on that one.” There was nothing she’d like more than to soak in a hot bubble bath with a glass of wine and a good book.

  And maybe a sexy guy to wash her back.

  Maybe.

  She fiddled with the hem on her shirt. “Could I come over tomorrow night? Say around eight or nine for my bath?” She tossed the cotton piece of clothing to the floor before wiggling out of her jean shorts.

  He groaned. “Only if I get to hand you a towel when you’re done.” He inched closer, tracing a path across the top of her breast with his index finger. “Or better yet, feed you grapes and cheese during your bath.”

  “Yes, to all of the above.” She reached behind her back and unclasped her bra. “For the record, I don’t normally do things like this.”

  “Nor do I,” he said, pressing his lips against her neck. “This can’t go anywhere. We’re just having a little fun.”

  “While it lasts.”

  He set his shit on the vanity and slipped out of his slacks. “We’re probably making a huge mistake.”

  “Massive. Perhaps bigger than both our failed marriages combined.” She slipped her fingers into the elastic of his boxers.

  He hissed.

  “You’re definitely a better choice. You’re prettier.” He kissed her cheek. “Sweeter.” His lips brushed over her chin. “And kinder.” He lifted her breast with his hand and took her nipple in his mouth, swirling it with his tongue.

  She dropped her head back and closed her eyes, getting lost in the moment. It had been months since she’d been with a man. Months since she allowed herself to feel like a whole woman. Her therapist had encouraged her to start getting out there again, but Chanel didn’t think she was ready. Hell, she didn’t think she’d ever be able to open her heart up to love.

  But sex?

  Her body demanded it. Her mind had become obsessed with it, and right now, it’s all she cared about.

  He guided her into the bedroom, taking his time kissing every inch of her body. She’d never been with anyone so generous. It was as if his release was inconsequential and hers was what would rock the world.

  Her orgasm came at the most unexpected moment. It came hard. And fast. She gripped his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his strong body. Grinding with his movements, she let each wave of her climax take her for the most wild ride and she hoped it would never end.

  He swelled, holding her steady, spilling his release deep. He groaned. “Chanel,” he whispered, kissing her cheek. He buried his face in her neck.

  She accepted his weight, running her fingers up and down his back, taking in a few deep breaths.

  Rolling to his side, he pulled the covers over their bodies.

  “You’re going to hate me, but I’m going to have to sneak out soon,” she said.

  “Why? I might not be looking for a relationship, but I’m not an asshole. You’re welcome to spend the night.” He kissed her forehead. “I like cuddling.”

  She snuggled in and let out a long breath. “So do I, but I’ve got three cats I need to take care of and I really don’t want Sasha getting used to sleeping here.”

  “Good point. Next time we sleep at your place. My dog is used to being uprooted all the time.”

  She raised her brow.

  “Because of my job. Not because I sleep around.” He batted her nose. “But do you have to leave this second?”

  “No, but within the hour. I do also have to work in the morning.” She rested her head on his chest. It was going to be hard not to fall in love with him. But even if she did, she wouldn’t ever tell him because he had heartache written all over him and his adorable dog.

  Chapter Three

  Max finished the last of the dishes. He put the plates back in the cupboard and snagged two beers from the fridge before stepping back out onto the back porch.

  For five straight weeks Max slipped between Chanel’s bed and his house, sneaking across the street like a common criminal. Three times he’d gotten caught by the school bus crossing guard and twice by his next-door neighbor. Not that it mattered, except Sally, his neighbor, was good friends with one of his co-workers’ wives and it caused him a fair amount of grief at work.

  He could handle the teasing, no problem.

  However, he couldn’t cope with the reality that pelted his brain or filled his heart.

  He also owed no one an explanation except he could no longer think straight.

  And neither could his dog.

  Talk about being distracted. While Milian performed just fine on the job, the second they got in the car to drive home, he started to act all squirrelly. He’d get antsy in the car. He’d look out the window and pant. He’d dance in the front seat, doing a little circle instead of sitting still.

  There was no controlling him once they turned onto the street. He had to be with Sasha the moment they pulled into the driveway, and Sasha went nuts and wouldn’t stop barking the second they parked. She would run in a circle in her pen until he and Chanel let the two dogs play. On the few nights they chose to ignore each other, like the last three or four, his dog was miserable. Milian actually moped about the house as if his life were over. One night, he actually wouldn’t eat. Not even a T-bone steak that Max prepared special. Real fucking human food and the damned dog passed just because he couldn’t play fetch with the bitch across the street.

  Fucking ridiculous.

  Well, he wouldn’t do it tonight. No. He would ask for some dignity. Some respect.

  “Why don’t you put some food out for the cats and spend the night at my place?”

  “I was thinking that maybe our fun should come to an end.” She took the cold beverage and sipped.

  “That came out of the blue.” The unexpected predictable breakup. Though usually he was the one spearheading the end of a good thing. A wave of insecurity flushed through his system, something he didn’t welcome.

  “Not really,” she said. “We�
�ve both been busy lately and haven’t really seen a lot of each other in the last week, and we both know it’s better to end these things before it gets weird or ugly.”

  “Yes. I totally agree, but it’s not even a little bit awkward yet.” His heart dropped to his stomach. It twisted and churned, beating in uneven painful bursts. He’d had a few short-term flings dump him before and they always stung.

  But they never hurt.

  This felt like someone took an ice pick and stabbed him in both eyes and he couldn’t explain the odd sensation.

  “Are you sure you want to call it quits?” he asked, hoping he didn’t sound so desperate. “I’m still having fun; aren’t you?”

  She stood and smiled. “I am. Perhaps a little too much.” She raised her fingers to her mouth and blew.

  Sasha came running.

  “This is becoming a little too easy. A little too comfortable. It feels like a relationship and I just can’t go there right now. I’m sorry. I should have said all this before dinner.”

  He ran his hand up and down her forearm. “Don’t be silly. You still had to eat, and I had enough food to feed half the block. Besides, just because we won’t be sharing a bed doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

  “Do you think we can transition into that role without—”

  He pressed his fingers against her lips. “We’ve always been friends who happen to have great sex. Now we’ll be friends who every once in a while blush over remembering when you were sitting in that chair and had your legs over my shoulders and—”

  “I get the picture.” Her cheeks turned bright red, which was the desired effect.

  “I don’t have a lot of self-respect when it comes to you, so if you change your mind and want to renegotiate the terms of our friendship, you could probably twist my arm.”

  “I have to admit, I was worried this might turn into a fight,” she said, hooking the leash onto Sasha’s collar.

  “We’re going to still have to get the dogs together.” Wow. He was going to resort to using their pets to work his magic to keep Chanel in his life.