“You gonna come see me? Or you just wanna stay in his lap?” I said, all my focus on the dog, smiling and cooing to it.
Slowly, I leaned closer, gaze still down and not making eye contact. I breathed in the musky cologne of the man who held the dog. Lucky stray dog, I thought, sitting in that lap against soft fabric, cradled in strong arms, free to inhale the cologne that smelled like a mixture of citrus and a spicy musk that somehow reminded me of the ocean, of tropical beaches and kisses in the sand. Scratching lightly behind the dog’s ears, I slid my other hand under his belly, the back of my hand sliding along the heat and muscle of the man’s stomach, his thigh. Color heated my cheeks as I picked up the dog carefully, giving it scratches and making kissing noises to it.
“Got him,” I said triumphantly.
“That was quick. You’re good with animals,” he said.
“I better be! I’m a vet tech here. The receptionist is at lunch,” I said, babbling a little because he made me feel a bubbling excitement.
“Like I said, he was a stray, and I couldn’t just leave him there.”
“Thank you. I wish more people felt that way. This guy just needs some TLC. Sometimes we can board a dog for a few days here until it can be adopted, or it can go to a foster home.”
“There are fosters for dogs?” he said, raising an eyebrow in a way that made him look vaguely wicked in a way that made for a dangerous storm in my mind, the kind that flashed naughty images through my head and made it hard to concentrate.
“Yeah, I foster dogs myself. I have one of my own, and then I take in dogs that need a temporary home. It’s better for them than just staying in a kennel at a rescue or here.”
“That sounds very nice. My name is Raul Santiago, by the way. I’ll pay for his treatment and grooming, whatever he needs to help him find a home. Here’s my card,” he said.
He passed me a business card, then paused to scratch the dog behind his ear, “You’re gonna be okay now, right?”
“He will be. You made sure of it,” I said, “I’m Allie Shaw,” I added.
“I see that,” he said, indicating my nametag.
“Right. Are you from around here?”
“I have a ranch outside town.” he said.
A ranch. That fantasy just expanded to include Raul in jeans and a cowboy hat—maybe shirtless—riding a horse.
“Well, I can’t thank you enough for bringing him in, making sure he’d be safe,” I said.
“You act like I’ve done you a personal favor. It’s a homeless animal. Anyone would have done the same.”
“Not everyone, trust me,” I said, an edge to my voice.
The dog chose that moment to lick my neck and chin, not just once but a lot. I giggled, “That’s enough, buddy! I know you’re happy to be here, but I don’t need a puppy bath!”
Raul chuckled, “I have to be on my way.” His whole face changed when he smiled. He went from handsome to completely devastating.
“You said you had an appointment. Good luck,” I offered.
“I wish luck would help,” he said sounding grim, the smile dropping from his rugged features.
I watched him walk away, took the dog back for some water and checked him over for ticks and sores. I added him to a vet’s caseload as a work-in and then texted my sisters.
Just met the hottest guy on earth.
Rly? Megan replied, so Justin Timberlake brings his dog to you?
No smartass, I answered, way hotter than that skinny JT!
Do NOT take JT’s name in vain! Addie answered. I laughed.
Tell me about this guy, Megan said.
Tall dark handsome brought injured stray to vet, so sexy! I texted.
Did u get a pic? Addy said.
NO! I do not take pics of guys I just met at work.
How hot can he be if you didn’t take a selfie with him? Megan said.
Are u in middle school? Who does that? I said, will tell u more at dinner tonight.
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A Note from the Author
Thank for you taking the time to read my latest release.
I hope you loved reading my story, as much as I enjoyed writing it.
It would mean the world to me if you could take some time to leave a quick review for this book. Reviews allow me to understand how my readers truly feel, and they keep me improving.
I appreciate you supporting me, thank you so much.
- Natasha L. Black
Also By Natasha L. Black
Here are a list of my previous releases, some of which that went to the top 100 of all of Amazon.
Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Faking It
Bad Boy’s Secret Baby
My Ex’s Secret Baby
Let’s Pretend
Double Dirty
Men in Charge : A Contemporary Romance Box Set
One Lucky Girl : A Reverse Harem Boxset
Saving Sky
Protecting Her
Forbidden Daddy
Pretend I’m Yours
Redemption
Sweet Tooth
Training the Rookie
Pretend You’re Mine
Double Trouble
The Cabin
Cuffed to my Roomies
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Brother’s Best Friend Page 20
