The Ink Romance Series

by Bridget Taylor

  Flamingo has been my saving grace ever since I moved to Long Beach. My parents were on the fence, especially when I bought the run-down cottage. They weren’t too happy that I put all my savings into fixing it up, but I had been saving since I was sixteen. I needed to spend the money on something and what’s better than your dream home?

  When I first moved here a few years ago, the loneliness started to kick in. I even contemplated moving back home, but I knew I couldn’t give up just yet. I went to Ocean’s View Animal Clinic and Shelter, and not only did I see a job posting for a manager, but saw they were having an adoption event. It seemed too good to be true. The previous manager had been diagnosed with terminal cancer with no treatment available to her. When I met her that cloudy cool day, I could see her exhaustion, but I saw her relief as well when I told her my qualifications for a shelter. I am certified in wildlife protection, basic animal care, and have my degree in animal science. She hired me right there. I told her I could start the next day, but today I was looking for a new friend. She pointed to the back where they kept a few animals for adoption, and that’s when I saw Flamingo.

  He was pure white with a bright pink nose and he was curled into a ball. We made eye contact and his crystal blues shone with happiness. I knew right then that he was my dog. Here we are today, best-of-friends as he rushes out the door with me to get into my ‘95 army green Jeep Wrangler.

  I bring him to work with me so he can play with the other dogs. When I took over the place, I installed a huge fence for the yard, so the dogs wouldn’t be trapped all day in cages. Not to brag, but I also gave them a room where they could just hangout, sleep, and eat. Luckily, we get a lot of donations. I figure, why not improve the quality of their surroundings? They deserve more than a cage.

  Pulling up to the driveway, the gravel crunches against my tires, but the ocean to the left crashing against the shore almost drowns out the annoying sound. This place is unique. The shelter almost has a homey feel to it. The building is dark blue with a wraparound light, wooden porch, and swings. Its windows in the front look directly over the cliff to the ocean. It’s gorgeous. When I stand on the porch, miles and miles of water are in view. I always feel like I’m floating right on the waves. Unfortunately, I only own half of the building. The other half is up for sale and I want to buy it! Lucky me, Duncan has agreed to let me pay a little more on my monthly payment for the shop next door.

  “Come on, Flamingo. Let’s go inside so you can play with your friends. Who’s a good boy? Yes, you are. Who is the prettiest boy in the entire world?” I croon at him. His tongue hangs out and he barks, while his tail is wagging so hard his entire body shakes. I don’t care what anyone says if they hear me talking to him, I’ll baby him all day, every day.

  Flamingo runs to the porch and starts barking at the front door. He starts to run in circles as he impatiently waits for me to open it. “Jeez, okay, cool your jets.” The moment I put the key in the lock, he stands on his hind legs and his nails click against the glass. The momentum flings the door open and I tumble to the ground right in front of the receptionist desk.

  “Great, thanks so much, Flamingo.” I lay there for a minute, staring at the ceiling. Huh, it really does look like popcorn…

  A wet tongue licks my cheek, making me laugh. I keep the door open to let the light breeze in and open the back door to let Flamingo out, and ten minutes later the rest of the dogs follow. What is better than happy animals? I can’t think of anything. It’s like being stuck on an island with a pack of dogs! I have the dream job!

  “Hey, Leslie!” Rorie, my part-time employee, smiles at me as she passes the desk. From eight in the morning to ten, I watch the front. It is usually her job, but she has a morning class, and I’m all about bettering yourself. If it means I hold down the fort, so be it.

  “How are you, Rorie? Wasn’t that big exam today?” I ask worriedly.

  She looks so tired.

  “Yes, I stayed up all night studying. I don’t know how I did. I feel like it could go either way. I was the first one to turn in the test, so you know how that goes.” She rolls her eyes.

  “Yeah, but that’s not everyone. You are so bright, I’m sure you did fine. I tell you what, tell me your passing score and if it’s above a 90, I’ll give you a small raise.” I lean my arms on the table, resting my chin in my hands. I had been planning on the raise. This just gives her incentive.

  “Seriously!” she squeals, and I can barely catch her before she wraps her arms around me in a tight hug.

  I laugh. “All right, all right. You’re going to choke me to death.” I tap her back.

  “Oh my God, I’m so sorry! Thanks, Leslie! I’ll start checking the dogs and see how they’re doing.” She claps her hands excitedly.

  “All right, let me know how Bruiser’s doing. His old age seems to be getting to him, and his hip seems to be bothering him. He isn’t walking the same. I’m afraid we might have to call Chase.” I sigh. He is a great veterinarian, but he comes on to me so strong that it makes me uncomfortable.

  “Oh, do it. He’s hot and totally into you. You should go for it. Two people that love animals; it’s a match made in heaven.” She spins on her heel and walks out the back door to the dogs.

  Too bad the only feelings I get when I see him consist of dread and the need to come up with excuses not to go out with him. Loud footsteps bang against the porch, which has me looking up from the budgeting paperwork. Duncan and a tall, muscular, six-foot-five man with ink black hair stop in front of my door. Just for a second, the stranger makes eye contact with me and my body fills with electricity. It’s like pop rocks are going off in my veins. My breath hitches when I notice his bright blue eyes staring at me with curiosity. His tongue licks his lips and his head tilts slightly to the left like he is trying to figure me out.

  I want to lick those lips!

  Duncan’s arm extends to the front of him making the big hunky man turn to walk in the direction Duncan indicated.

  “Holy Starbursts!” I sigh. I’ve never felt like that before. I’ve never felt so turned on and needy. It was like an electric rope was wrapped around the two of us, trying to pull us together. Or at least that’s what it did to me. Breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth, I get my body back under control. Kind of. An image of my big vibrator at home flashes through my mind. Yep, I know exactly what I’m going to be doing when I get home. I know who will be starring in my fantasies tonight!

  Wait.

  What was Duncan showing him? What if it was the store next door? No way! There is just no way Duncan would do me dirty like that! But what if…what if that big hunk of a sexy dream is stealing my dreams from right under me!

  “Woah, Leslie. Are you okay?” Rorie puts her hand on my shoulder to turn me to her. I didn’t even recognize I had zoned out and tears well in my eyes. I know down deep in my gut that this guy, this beautiful man that made my body come alive from just a glance, was looking at the shop with an interest in buying it.

  “Oh, um nothing. Just got a call saying that one of the dogs Chase got from us didn’t make it.” Liar! Liar!

  Rorie’s hand goes to her mouth. “Oh my God, was it Zeus? I know how much you loved him, I’m so sorry, Leslie.” She pulls me into a hug while those big, pounding footsteps go down the stairs on the porch.

  He better walk away if he knows what’s good for him! I roll my eyes at myself. I wouldn’t stand a chance against that guy.

  “It’s okay, I actually don’t know which one yet. He texted me saying the one he picked up last week didn’t make it, so it could be a few.” I shrug. At least that wasn’t a lie.

  “Let me know if I can do anything.” She turns to grab a big bag of dog food and a cup to fill the bowls. We go through too many pounds of food to count each week, but luckily people in California care about animals and donate to the shelter. We aren’t hurting as of yet, thank the Starbursts!

  At least not how my body and heart are hurting. I never knew hurt could
come in different forms. My body aches with need, but my heart is shattered knowing everything is about to change.

  A few hours go by and the overnight employee walks in at 9:00PM. Rorie left for the day, but Max is my nighttime guy. If he ever left the shelter, I’d be up the creek without a paddle. He really loves the dogs and always calls me with an emergency. Like when someone delivered a box of puppies they found on the side of the road last month. When something like that happens, I come in and help with the health screening and then call Chase.

  “Hey, Max!” I walk over to him. “We had a few strays come in today that someone found on the side of the road. They seem scared, so if you could hang out with them and lift their spirits, it would really help.” I show him to the sterile-looking back room where we keep all the dogs until they are declared healthy.

  “You mean spend my night cuddling and pampering doggies that need love? Sounds horrible, how dare you!” He puts his hand over his heart dramatically, making me laugh.

  “Yeah, yeah. You know what to do.” I wave to him before calling Flamingo, telling him it’s time to go home. When we step out onto the porch, the cool ocean breeze hits my face. The smell of salt lingers as I look towards the shop I want so badly.

  Anger replaces the lust felt earlier and I whip out my phone to call my sidekick. “Molli, you will not believe what happened today!” I don’t even let her speak. She needs to know that I need my best girl, popcorn with M&M’s, and a venting session.

  “Let me grab a bottle of wine and I’ll be right over.” She hangs up as I open the door to my Jeep. I don’t know what bothers me more. The fact this stranger is taking my dream, or that he is a dream! Groaning, I bang my head against the steering wheel, making Flamingo bark.

  Why do men have to ruin everything? Well, mostly everything.

  Chapter 3

  This. Day. Is. So. Long. The banging of my head hitting the desk fills the room. If someone could just find a stray, call about a cat rescue, or an injured bird, that would be great. I obviously don’t want them to be hurt, but this is what I’m here for!

  “Now, now, you’re going to bruise that pretty head of yours if you keep going.”

  My head stops meeting the desk. I know that voice. Internally I groan. I do not feel like being chased today. Ha! Pun intended.

  Gathering my courage, I lift my head. My eyes travel over him. He really is a handsome man. He’s tall, has thick chestnut brown hair, the lean body of a swimmer, eyes the color of emeralds, and a smile that would make a woman fall head over heels for him. When he flashes those straight white teeth, one dimple appears on the left side, and I’m a sucker for dimples. I just don’t want to be another conquest for a man like Chase.

  “Just a slow day today and it’s driving me nuts. What brings you by?” Please let it be animal related and not me related.

  “Oh, I’m just stopping by to see if there are any animals here that need my attention before calling it a day.” He perfectly smiles. Damn dimples… “And I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner tomorrow night.” His voice turns a little raspy. He walks up to the front desk and leans in.

  Instinctively, I lean back.

  “I know what you’re going to say. You’re going to say no because we need to keep it professional, business only. I can understand that, but I really think there is something here. One dinner.” He holds up his index finger. “And after that, if you decide I don’t strike your fancy, I’ll leave you alone for good. Scout’s honor.”

  “Yeah, why do I feel like you were never a scout?” I laughed.

  His hand goes over his heart. “You wound me. But you are right, I wasn’t.”

  “Hmm, I don’t know. You did just lie…” I tsk. It’s hard not to flirt with him, okay? He is so attractive!

  “Only for the best of reasons.” He leans in closer, to the point where I can see that he has a freckle on his lip.

  I open my mouth to answer him, but Duncan walks through the door. The flirtatious smile disappears and my stomach sinks. I already know what this is about.

  “Hey, you okay?” Chase’s hand grazes mine as I look up at him. While I can see the worry in his eyes, I know he can see the sadness in mine.

  “I’m fine. I’ll think about it, okay? I’ll call you.” Bravely, I lean in and give him a peck on the cheek. It was rough with his beard, but I didn’t mind it. Maybe I’ll go out with him. I’ll need a drink after this conversation with Duncan, and if he is paying, why not?

  Wow, I sound shallow.

  “Sure thing, Leslie. I’ll be looking forward to your call.” He kisses my cheek in return and walks away, nodding at Duncan.

  “Hey there, Leslie.” Duncan has always been a nervous man. He is fidgeting, not looking me in the eye, and transferring his weight from one foot to the other.

  “Duncan, while I appreciate your kindness, please get to the point. I saw that man yesterday in front of the shelter with you. This has to do with him and the shop next door, doesn’t it?” My voice started strong and firm, but ended on a rasp to keep the tears at bay.

  Duncan sighs. “Yes. It’s why I’m here. I’m giving you a refund of the money you’ve put towards it. I’m sorry, Leslie. I don’t mean for this to be personal, but he paid upfront in cash, and I really need that store to have a business in it.” He hands over a check for around three thousand dollars.

  I don’t look up. I can’t look at him. A tear comes from my eye, then another, then another, and I wipe them away with my Ocean’s View Animal Clinic Sweater. I really thought my dream was in sight. Everything I had planned, everything I envisioned: gone. What do I do now? How can I expand this place and afford it at the same time? How can I make this a place where all animals are welcome? I can’t without that space!

  “Duncan, please. You know how badly I want that space, I need it.” I look at him with big teary eyes. I sniffle.

  “Aw, Leslie. I’m sorry, sweetheart. Please don’t cry. I can’t handle a pretty girl like you crying.” Duncan is older, around sixty. He reminds me of a grandpa with his white beard, bald head, and Santa tummy. He shuffles around the corner to give me a tight hug.

  “I’m sorry, Leslie. The wife just got out of the hospital, so I really needed the extra cash to pay those bills. You know if you ever need anything else, you can talk to me. I might not be able to give you the shop, but maybe we can think of something else?” His old wrinkle hand pats my leg before he gets up and slowly starts to walk out the door.

  Finding my tearful voice, I say, “Tell Mrs. Anderson I wish her well, Duncan.” I give a small smile.

  “I sure will, young lady.” He walks out and closes the door. The hinges creak and the door clicking in place reminds me I’m shut in. The breeze can’t enter, and my dreams can’t get out. They are in here with no way to make themselves come true. I feel as though this was my one chance to help make the loneliness go away, but now it’s increased tenfold. The room is quiet, not even the dogs are barking and, for some reason, I feel like I’m mourning a loss. It might not be a big deal to others, but I’ve dreamed of this and planned for it for years. I’ve known what I’ve wanted to do with my life since I was fourteen, and while sure, I’m young and I have plenty of time to make it happen, I want it to happen now. Call it impatient, call it rash, but I’m disappointed. Someone Duncan doesn’t even know, someone who probably doesn’t love this building like I do, someone who doesn’t make Mrs. Anderson those chocolate chip cookies she loves so much, is picked over me. I might not be swimming in cash, but I’m hardworking and honest, and this is what I get?

  My woe is me moment fizzles out as pissed off sparks in its place. I pop a Starburst and tongue it angrily.

  “Un-freaking-believable.” I pick up the check. A lot of people would be happy to see three grand. You know what I see? Inky black hair, crystal blue eyes, tattooed arms, a crooked smile, and a devil in a Sunday hat.

  Footsteps pound on the porch and I know it’s not any of the employees because I sent t
hem home. I shoot up from my chair to run towards the door and peak out the blinds. Well, well, well, the man of the hour. There he is with his equally hot friend, unloading tools, strutting around like he owns the place.

  He does.

  Reminding myself of that, I swing the door open and march down the steps, both of their heads turn from the massive cherry-red Chevrolet truck with matte black rims. Must have a tiny penis. The thought makes me smirk to myself as I stomped my way towards him.

  “Hey there –” I stop at his smooth deep voice that’s sending waves upon waves of lust through every vein.

  “You!” I point my finger at him.

  “Me,” his voice questions, but at the same time sounds like a hot summer night, listening to the jazz music, sipping a cool drink, and soaking up that good energy. He points his own finger at his chest, and his friend smirks as if he knows that his black-haired friend affects me.

  “Yes, you! You think, you can just show up here. No one knowing you, do whatever you want, buy a place, that you’re probably going to trash. You’re a thief! You stole that place from me! Duncan might be fooled by you and your ability to pay in cash, which is probably drug money, or something illegal, but no, you don’t have me fooled!” My chest heaves and my eyes are tearing up. No, no, no! I cannot show weakness in front of this arrogant man!

  “You ruined everything! You are nothing but, but…” I can’t find the word.

  “Nothing but extremely handsome? Nothing but amazing in bed?” He smirks.

  Oh, the audacity!

  “Oh, you wish. Let me tell you, guys like you that have trucks like that,” I point to the massive truck, “seem to have a little…brain.” I glance at his crotch while putting my thumb and index finger together just to show how tiny that brain really is.