Melt My Heart

by Marie Tuhart

  Lexi glanced up at Gabriel. He stood with a look of amazement on his face. She hid a smile; he was enchanted with the puppy. “Well, no broken bones that I can feel. I need to get some blood work done and x-rays to be sure. His belly is swollen, and he’s very thin, so he might have a bad case of worms.”

  “How long will that take?”

  “At least an hour.” The puppy’s shaking calmed to an occasional tremor. She leaned down and looked into his eyes. They weren’t clouded with pain, but there was hope in those eyes, so that was a good sign. “If you want to go back to work, I’ll call you when I’m done.”

  “Can I wait?” He sounded uncertain.

  Lexi jerked her head up in surprise. Gabriel didn’t strike her as a man who waited for anyone or anything. Let alone be uncertain. This was uncharted waters for him. “Sure.”

  Just then Rachael jogged into the room. “Sorry. Three people came to pick up their dogs at the same time.”

  “No problem. Rachael, this is Gabriel. He’s going to wait while we do some blood work and x-rays. Would you show him back to the waiting room and get him to fill out the paper work?”

  “Sure.”

  Gabriel moved to Lexi’s side. He reached over and gently scratched the puppy behind the ears, and the dog pushed his head into his palm. “I’ll be waiting,” he whispered. His lips lightly touched hers, then he was gone with Rachel.

  Her fingers drifted to her lips. He had kissed her in front of her employee. Rachel would be ribbing her for weeks over that little kiss. Lexi blew out a breath.

  “Okay, little one, let’s check you out.” She gathered him up and proceeded into the back of the clinic.

  Two hours later, Lexi walked out to the front reception area. Gabriel sat in a chair, his cell phone cradled in his hands as he texted. Lines of worry creased his forehead. “Sorry I took so long,” she said quietly so not to startle him.

  Gabriel lifted his head. “How is the little guy?”

  “Dehydrated, undernourished, and he has to be de-wormed, but otherwise he’s a trooper.”

  “De-wormed?”

  “Yes. Do you want to come to the back and see him?”

  His face lit up, and she couldn’t help but smile.

  “Please.”

  Lexi gestured him to follow her. “I’ve given him medication to get rid of the worms. It’s not unusual for a stray like him.” She pushed open the back door where they housed the animals they needed to keep for any period of time. “He’s been given fluids and is responding well.” She led him over to one of the larger crates where the puppy lay. She opened the door, and the puppy’s head snapped up. “Hi, sweetie.”

  His ears perked up, and he tried to stand. Lexi reached inside, lifted him into her arms, and turned to Gabriel.

  “Hey, boy,” he said, rubbing the top of the dog’s head. The puppy made a noise then wiggled in Lexi’s hold. She handed him over to Gabriel. The puppy snuggled right into his arms, his little head resting trustingly on Gabriel’s chest, staring up at him. “Can I take him home?”

  “You’re going to keep him?” Her mouth fell open.

  “Why does that surprise you?”

  Lexi shook her head. “I just didn’t expect you to want to keep him.”

  “He needs a home.” Gabriel looked down at the puppy. “And who could resist eyes like that?” He scratched the puppy’s head once again.

  She laughed. “He should be fine. He’s hydrated, been given medication and a couple of vaccinations. He’s about three months old.”

  “Okay. What do you say, Zeus? Are you ready to blow this place?”

  The dog let out a muted bark, and they both laughed.

  “Zeus. I have to say it suits him.” She tilted her head and stared at man and puppy. He really was a caring man, and that made her heart sing.

  “How much longer do you need to stay?” Gabriel asked.

  Lexi looked at the clock. It was almost five. “Maybe ten minutes.” She closed the crate door and led Gabriel and Zeus out of the room. They walked to the reception desk where Rachael stood.

  “There’s our big boy.” Rachel reached up and rubbed the dog’s nose. “Everything is locked up. Brian is in back. He’s got the weekend shift. Dr. Winters is on call and will be in tomorrow.”

  “Great. Get out of here,” Lexi said.

  “Bye.” Rachel jogged around them and out the employee’s door.

  “Someone is anxious for the weekend.” Gabriel smiled.

  “Yes, it’s been a long day.” She blew out a breath. She was so ready for the weekend, too.

  “How much do I owe you for treating Zeus here?”

  “You don’t.” She leaned against the reception counter.

  “Lexi.” He was using his Dom tone again, and Lexi fought against smiling.

  “Don’t go all Dom on me, Gabriel.” She reached out and scratched Zeus behind the ears. “You giving him a home is payment enough.”

  Lexi glanced up to see Gabriel staring at her. “Okay, but I’m going to need some help.”

  “Help?”

  “I’m not prepared for a dog. I’m going to need your expertise.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “I know when to let someone else take control. And this is one of those times.” He leaned down and brushed her lips with his. “Because later tonight, I get to be in charge.”

  ****

  Two hours later, Gabriel pushed open the front door to his home. Lexi had taken him at his word, and they’d gone shopping for Zeus. Tossing his keys into the dish on the small table by the door, he jogged back outside.

  Thank goodness he’d made the investment in the property a few years ago. He was going to need all the yard space for Zeus. A dog? He almost laughed. He never thought about having an animal, but one look at Zeus’ little face and his heart was a goner. His Dom side melted for his furry friend.

  “Lexi?” He glanced around and didn’t see her.

  “I’m giving Zeus a potty break.” Her voice drifted over from the side of the house.

  He laughed and carried the bags from their shopping trip into the kitchen before traipsing back out to his SUV. He lifted the twenty-five-pound bag of dog food onto his shoulder and then grabbed the huge dog bed.

  When he made his way back up the walkway, Lexi was standing in the yard with Zeus. The puppy had his nose to the ground, smelling the grass and everything in it. “I still think this bed is too big for him.”

  “He’ll grow into it, trust me.”

  “I do trust you.” He winked and then carried the stuff into the house. When he came back out, Lexi was at his vehicle, lifting the box of puppy pads into her arms.

  “This is men’s work,” he said, taking the box out of her hands.

  “Really?” She placed her hands on her hips and her eyebrows rose, but she didn’t argue with him. He grinned; she was learning.

  “Maybe not men’s work, but you deal with the puppy and let me do the heavy lifting.”

  She let out a small sigh. “You know, I sometimes have to lift heavy dogs, so I don’t think a box of puppy pads is going to kill me.”

  Gabriel locked the SUV and gestured for her to precede him. “If I’m around, you won’t lift anything heavier than a cat.” She turned and sashayed up the walkway. He followed, enjoying the swaying of her ass as she walked. He was so engrossed he almost ran into her when she halted just inside the front door.

  “You have hardwood floors.” The unease in her voice caught his attention.

  “Yes.” It was one of his many indulgences in the house. Along with the media room he had set up, the hot tub, and his bedroom. He couldn’t wait to share it with her. “Is that a problem?”

  “Zeus will have accidents.”

  “And I’ll clean them up.” He nudged her in the small of her back with his hand. “Don’t worry so much.”

  She stepped inside, and he scooted around her, set the box down before marching back to her.

  “Everything will be fine.�
� He ran his fingers down her cheek. She pressed her cheek into his touch, and Gabriel’s cock twitched at her submission. “What do you suggest I do first?”

  “Do you have a utility room or laundry room?” She drew back from his fingers, and he missed her soft, warm skin.

  “Sure do.” He let his hand drop. “It’s right this way.” He turned and led the way to his laundry room. He pushed open the door and flipped on the light. A white washer and dryer sat side by side, with cream colored tile and plenty of room.

  “Perfect.” She smiled at him. “It’s a good size. When you go to work, you can put Zeus in there with puppy pads, food, water, and his bed. You can either close the door or get a gate to put across.”

  “Leave him here alone?” Gabriel stared at her. “Isn’t there day care for dogs?” He knew he’d seen signs around town about it.

  Lexi laughed. “Yes, but he hasn’t had all his shots yet and most of them won’t take him until he’s at least six months old.”

  “Then I’ll just take him to work with me.”

  “Oh, my God. You’re going to take Zeus with you everywhere, aren’t you?”

  There was laughter in her voice, and Gabriel realized this was the first time all week he’d seen her so relaxed with him. He was making progress. His heart swelled. He wasn’t going to fail her.

  “Well, not everywhere.” He snagged her around the waist and pulled her to him. “There are some places that are just for the two of us.”

  “That’s nice to know.”

  She stayed relaxed in his hold, and he stared at her features. Her eyes were alight with laughter, and her shoulders limp. No distress, no need to assert control. She was beginning to trust him. Another barrier gone.

  Just then Zeus whined, and he looked down to see a small puddle under the dog. “Oops, I think we just had our first accident.” Gabriel reached around Lexi and grabbed a towel off the dryer. Bending down, he lifted Zeus and put the towel down before setting the dog on it. “Why don’t we get his bed and some pads set up, and then I’m feeding you.”

  “You don’t have to.” She followed him to the kitchen where he stacked all his purchases.

  “No escaping, Lexi. I have plans for tonight.” Plans that included the two of them, getting to know each other more.

  An hour later, Zeus was curled up in his bed in the family room, and Gabriel sat the pizza box on the small oak table in the breakfast nook. When he told Lexi he was ordering pizza, she had said that was fine. And she never asked what kind or anything. She let him take control and order their meal.

  He’d worked with her all week. Little things really, but each day he could see it getting a little easier for her. He liked how Lexi fit in his home. While he’d gotten Zeus settled, she found the plates and napkins and put them on the table. Then she asked him what he wanted to drink with dinner. He usually had a beer with pizza, but that wasn’t an option tonight. He needed to be on his toes without any alcohol clouding his judgment, so he told her to grab him a soda.

  Gabriel opened the box, and Lexi leaned forward and took a deep breath.

  “Ohhh, that smells so good.” As if on cue, her stomach growled. “I missed lunch today.”

  “We’ll discuss you missing meals later. But for now, extra cheese, bacon, sausage, beef, and pineapple.”

  “Perfect.”

  He pulled out a slice and put it on her plate before taking two for himself. The next ten minutes were spent with them eating in silence. “So tell me why you decided to be a vet?” he asked, reaching for his fourth piece.

  “I’ve always loved animals. I kept bringing home strays or injured animals.”

  He nodded. He could see her caring for every animal. “How did your parents react?”

  Lexi shrugged. “They really didn’t care.” She polished off her third slice and pushed her plate away.

  “How old were you?”

  “Nine.” She leaned back in her chair. “Animals have a way of giving you unconditional love. Love that you might not get from the people in your life.”

  “Yes, animals do.” This was a very interesting conversation. While they’d talked before Lexi usually didn’t say much about her family or childhood. Some pieces were falling into place. “How old were you, Lexi, when you began taking care of yourself? When did you become the responsible one?”

  “Fourteen.” Her eyes widened, and she slapped a hand over her mouth.

  “Don’t tense up.” Gabriel leaned forward and snagged her free hand. From the panicked look on her face, he was afraid she’d bolt. “Talk to me.” He kept his voice firm.

  She started to shake her head, and then a whine broke the silence. He glanced down to see Zeus standing by his chair, his brown eyes pleading and his backside wiggling.

  “I think someone needs a potty break.” Gabriel released her hand and rose. “Go make yourself comfortable in the living room, I’ll be right back.” He scooped up Zeus and carried him out to the backyard.

  After letting the puppy down, Gabriel hoped Lexi would open up to him tonight. They needed this for a true relationship. Something in her past, her childhood, had her clinging to her control. He hadn’t pushed to know before, but now the door was cracked, and he was going to shove it open.

  Zeus came bounding back to him, his tongue hanging out. “All done, boy.” He patted the dog’s head then led him back into the house. Zeus made for his bed. Gabriel checked to make sure there was enough food and water. Zeus let out a small bark, turning round and round in his bed before curling up and closing his eyes.

  Gabriel smiled and went back to the table. He wanted to put things away before he went in to talk to Lexi. But the table was empty, not even a crumb left. Lexi had cleaned up. He strode into the living room. “You didn’t have to put dinner away.” He sat next to her on the sofa.

  “It only took me a few minutes while you were tending to Zeus.” Her fingers tangled together in her lap.

  He reached over and pried them apart. Holding one hand in his, he brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles. Then he laced his fingers with hers. “Talk to me.”

  Lexi let out a sigh. “My Dad was a long haul trucker.”

  She said that as if it explained everything. It didn’t. “What about your mom?”

  “Mom was...just Mom.” Her fingers tightened around his. “Mom couldn’t handle Dad being gone for long periods of time. So she spent her time at the local bar with other men.”

  “She left you alone?” Gabriel frowned.

  “Sometimes.” She fidgeted. “I’m not judging her.”

  “I wouldn’t care if you were.” Parents were supposed to take care of their children.

  “Mom would take me to the bar with her sometimes. She knew the owner.”

  “That’s no place for a kid.” His outrage grew. Someone should have turned in the owner and her mother.

  “I was usually in the back office, doing homework or reading.”

  He heard the small hesitation when she said usually. “But?”

  “Mom would drag me out to show me off. Her straight-A daughter. She wanted to brag about what a good mother she was, telling everyone she made sure I went to school and such.”

  “And that is so far from the truth, isn’t it?” His soul hurt for the abandoned little girl, Lexi. Only to be trooped out when her mother wanted to show her off.

  Lexi let out a laugh. “I got myself up every day, dressed, and went to school. She’d be passed out drunk in her bed or with her latest one-night stand.”

  Now he was getting to see where her need to control was coming from. She had to control what she could to survive.

  “Everyone thought I had a great home life.” She continued to talk, and he let her. “I knew where she put the money Dad sent her, so I would take part of it and hide it so I could buy food and school supplies. Mom never realized any was missing and never asked how I got the food.”

  “What about when your dad was home from the road?”

  “He’d alw
ays call Mom before he came home. She’d make sure the house was clean and there was food. She would lecture me on how hard my dad worked, and I wasn’t to upset him by telling tales.”

  “Did your dad ever find out?” What a way for her to grow up.

  “I think he suspected, but he never said anything. But he left Mom when I moved out at eighteen.” Her lashes dropped as she looked down at her lap.

  Gabriel released her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, guiding her to his side, cradling her against his body. “Tell me what happened with Josh?”

  She stiffened and tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold on her.

  “I’m sure you heard the rumors?”

  Gabriel brushed a kiss over her forehead. “I don’t listen to rumors. That’s why I’m asking you.”

  She puffed out a breath. “Josh and I tried to play together, much like you and I did Saturday night. It was more a disaster than it was with you.”

  He didn’t consider what had happened a disaster. He would find a way to get her out of that mindset. “You started topping from the bottom?”

  “Yes.” Her shoulders slumped. “I couldn’t let go of my control at all, and Josh became angry. He called me all sorts of names and then stormed out of Logan’s. Last I heard, he moved back East.”

  “Good. He wasn’t right for you.” He wanted her to understand that it wasn’t all her fault with Josh.

  “And you are?” She tilted her head back and looked at him.

  “Yes.” He dropped a kiss on her nose. He would show her just how good he was for her. He would make this work and make her happy at the same time. “Tell me, how it has felt this week doing the things I texted you?”

  “Scary but exciting.” She let her head rest on his shoulder. “I wanted to make you proud of me. I’d never read a book nude before, it was somewhat freeing.”

  Gabriel grinned, she was letting go of her control even if she didn’t realize it. He didn’t want her obedience but her submission to obey him. There was a difference that many didn’t see. But he did. Plus he’d kept the tasks somewhat easy and something she could do in the privacy of her own home.

  “Well, tonight has been derailed somewhat by Zeus,” he said.