I follow Yessi like a love-sick puppy to the first lecture hall. The place is crowded with a bunch of women, most of them way older than Yessi. I stick out like a dick on a cake.
Yessi is introducing herself to people, but she noticeably doesn’t introduce me. I guess hanging with a puppy store owner isn’t good for her image.
Finally, a lady with gray hair and a kind smile begins to speak. The lights dim, and I stare at the screen on the wall.
Once the lecturer starts showing slides of all the homeless dogs in shelters and the abused dogs at breeders, I actually choke back tears. It’s worse than watching that Sarah McLachlan “Angel” video.
Fuck. Images flood my head. These poor dogs… Suffering. Killed in gas chambers. Abused. Bred and that tossed out like trash.
And I’m contributing to this problem. What the fuck is wrong with me?
There are so many great homeless pets who need homes. Like Gidget and Cuffs. These shelter dogs get killed every day because people would rather buy cute puppies like the ones I’m selling.
But I can make a difference. I can showcase adoptable homeless pets. With Yessi’s help, we can save thousands of dogs.
I don’t need any more time. I make my final decision on the spot. Pulling out my phone, I text Hugh.
Preston: Cancel all puppy orders. We are only going to adopt out rescue pets.
Yessi is enthralled by the talk, scribbling notes and openly crying when she sees the pictures of the pets. I squeeze her thigh and show her the text I sent to Hugh.
She smiles and kisses me in front of the entire room. “Thank you.”
I kiss her back. In just a few days, she has already changed my life for the better.
I glance down at my phone when it vibrates.
Hugh: Not a chance, asshole. I don’t care how good her pussy is. This is a business, and we need to make money.
Fuck. He is right that we need to turn a profit. I quickly hide my phone. I don’t want Yessi to see that message. I’ll deal with Hugh later tonight.
The lecture ends, and Yessi and I walk out of the room.
And run straight into my parents.
Fuck.
A look of disappointment registers on my father’s face. I pause for a moment, not sure if I should reach out my hand to shake his or attempt a hug.
“Preston,” he says stiffly, his body language completely closed off. Guess neither of those options is viable.
“Sir, I didn’t think you would be here.”
“Your mother wanted to come.”
My mom looks beautiful as always, although there’s maybe just a little more silver in her hair than the last time I saw her. I feel a twinge of guilt; I really should visit more often, but I’ve been busting ass to get Doggy Style ready in time for the grand opening. I make a mental note to at least call her more often. She hugs me close, and I hug her back just as tight. “Well, this is a wonderful surprise. And who is this lovely lady?” She turns to Yessi, eyes full of questions but I know my mother is far too polite to ask.
“This is Yessi. She runs a dog rescue in Southern California.”
Yessi extends out her hand for my mother to shake, but instead, my mother gives her an embrace just as tight as the one she just gave me. I watch as Yessi awkwardly returns the hug.
My dad eyes Yessi hard, focusing on her tattoos. “Is she your girlfriend or just another one of the girls you use and discard?”
Damn, why does he have to be such a dick? I grab Yessi’s hand and notice that her cheeks are red, although I can’t tell if she’s embarrassed or angry. This isn’t at all how I pictured having the ‘defining the relationship’ talk with her, but I’m not going to let my dad drive the conversation. “We recently started dating, and I’m crazy about her. She’s smart and compassionate and isn’t afraid to stand up to me.”
Yessi smiles and squeezes my hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Evans. You must be very proud of Preston. His new store is beautiful and will definitely be a success, especially since he just made the decision to no longer sell puppies and only showcase rescue dogs in his store. He’ll be saving so many lives.”
My mom brightens up. “Oh Preston, that’s wonderful!”
My father, however, remains stoic. “Nice to meet you, Yessi. You seem like a smart young lady, so let me give you a tip about my son—don’t believe a word he says. He’s probably just using you for publicity like he used Kira.”
I clench my fist. “You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, Dad.”
I have to get out of here.
“Bye, Mom.”
“Bye, sweetheart,” she replies, her large gray eyes full of sadness.
I walk out of the expo and head toward the beach.
Chapter Fifteen
Yessi
“You’re wrong about Preston.”
Preston’s father looks like he wants to argue, but as Preston stalks off, I shake my head. No time to waste arguing right now.
I force myself to say goodbye to Preston’s parents. “Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Evans.” Before they can respond, I dash out of the building and race after Preston.
Wow. For years, I fantasized about what it would be like to have parents who actually took the time to raise me. I pitied myself for growing up in a foster home, for aging out at eighteen and having no family to call my own.
But seeing the way Preston’s father just spoke to him makes me wonder if I’m better off. I knew my family didn’t care about me, so I never felt the need to earn their approval. I live my life just for myself.
Preston is at the corner of the road, smoking a cigarette with some guy. Damn, I didn’t know Preston smoked.
He glances up at me as the other guy walks away. “Sorry. I’m not really feeling the expo at the moment. I’ll give you some cash for a cab for when you’re ready to head back to the hotel.”
“No, it’s fine. I want to be with you.”
He laughs bitterly before taking a deep drag of his cigarette, slowly exhaling and blowing out a thin stream of smoke. With the breeze and my proximity, it blows into my face, and I grimace. Preston catches sight of my face and says, “Yeah, what? I smoke. You were right about me. I’m an asshole. Clearly, my dad thinks so, too. I’m never going to be good enough for him, or for you, so let’s just forget this ever happened.”
I reach out and take his hand. “Obviously there’s more going on between you and your dad than just his issues with the sex tape, and I’m happy to listen to you. I’m not going anywhere. Especially since we came here together. I like you, Preston. You aren’t perfect, but neither am I.”
“You’re beautiful and spend your entire life saving homeless pets. You’re practically Mother Theresa.”
I laugh. “No, I’m a mess. I’m way too judgmental and closed off. We’ve all got our demons, Preston.”
He flicks the cigarette on the ground and stomps on it.
I don’t want to sound like a nag, but I’m curious because I haven’t seen him smoke around me or smelled cigarettes on his breath or clothes. “I haven’t seen you smoke before. Is it just a casual thing or are you a pack-a-day kind of guy?”
“I don’t really smoke anymore. I just bummed a cigarette off that guy. It’s a nasty habit I picked up in Iraq.”
I nod my head. “I get it. War seems like a good excuse to smoke. I used to smoke, too.” That gets his attention, and he looks at me with renewed interest.
“Really? When?”
“When I was in a group home. I grew up in foster care. It was my I-hate-everyone stage.” I’m actually still in that stage, but he doesn’t need the details.
His angry scowl drops off his face, replaced by a look of compassion. “Sorry, I didn’t know you grew up in foster care.”
“Yeah, I don’t tell people that. Like, ever. I don’t like to talk about it.”
He bites his lip, and then digs into his pocket and stuffs a stick of gum in his mouth. “I don’t blame you. I don’t like to talk much about m
y family, either.”
“Then let’s not talk much together. Let’s leave. We can go anywhere you want. Back to the hotel, or maybe get something to eat? I don’t need to go back to the expo today. It’s taking place all week, and we already went to the keynote earlier. We can come back tomorrow. I’m just grateful to be here.” What I don’t say aloud is that I’d do anything to make him feel better right now. He’s acting like he isn’t bothered by what happened with his dad, but I can tell he’s not okay.
“Can we go to the beach?”
“I’d like that.”
It’s only a short walk to the beach since you can see the ocean from the convention center. When we reach the sand, I pause to slip off my flip-flops, holding on to Preston for balance. The hot sand envelops my feet, and the fragrant ocean breeze relaxes me immediately.
Preston takes my hand. It’s a beautiful moment, one that strikes me as sweet and intimate. “How did you quit? Smoking, I mean?”
“Oh, I had to stop when I became vegan. The tobacco companies test on animals, so I gave it up.”
He shakes his head. “It was just that easy for you? You didn’t go through withdrawal? Even now, every time I get stressed out, I crave a cigarette.”
“I never said it was easy. Being vegan isn’t easy, either. But nothing worth doing in life is.”
He pulls me in to kiss me. Butterflies flutter in my stomach as his tongue explores my mouth. When he pulls back from our kiss, he cups my head in his hands and just looks at me. “Why are you so driven, so selfless?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m selfless, but I just believe saving animals is my purpose in life. My cause. Animals were the only ones who cared for me when I was in foster care. So I devoted my life to helping them. It’s simple, really. I have no one else. Well, Eden and Avril, but that’s about it.” The second those words leave my mouth I realize how pathetic they sound, but I trust Preston won’t judge me for them.
“You have me.” His dark gaze holds me captive and sends a surge of need to my core.
Swoon.
We kiss in the sand, and the world melts away between us. I have no idea why Preston moves me so much, not just physically, but emotionally. All I know is, kissing him on the beach in Hawai’i is the happiest moment of my life.
Preston whispers, his hot breath tickling the shell of my ear, “Let’s go back to the room.”
Chapter Sixteen
Preston
I hail a cab, and just like yesterday, we get in the back seat and start kissing. Her soft skin smells like coconut and papaya, good enough to eat. I nip and lick her neck. “Why do you taste so sweet?”
“Vegans taste better.”
Ha. I’m already addicted to her scent, her taste, her touch. Even crazier is how I’ve agreed to rework my whole business model to please her, though I’ve now been convinced it’s the right thing to do.
What would it be like to be in a long-term relationship with Yessi? Would I become a better man? Or would I never be good enough for a woman like her?
The taxi arrives at the hotel. I pay the guy, and just like yesterday, we race to the room. I vow to actually explore this beautiful resort, but not now. Later.
After I fuck Yessi.
Our kissing resumes in the elevator, but this time, I won’t be satisfied just to taste her.
When we reach the room, I open the door, turn her around, and throw her over the back of the sofa. I hike up her sundress, and my hands grip her incredible ass as I kiss her neck.
“Oh, Pres.”
“Don’t go anywhere.” I slap her ass and dash to the bathroom to get a condom. When I return, she’s still bent over the sofa, waiting for me. ”Come here, baby.”
She walks over to me, and I scoop her up and carry her to the coffee table. I’m dying to fuck her, but I’m a patient man. I want her wet and ready for me.
I remove her pink lace panties and spread her legs wide. I kneel before her and lick her pussy, eating her, devouring her, lapping up her sweetness. Her breath starts to sputter. I slide my finger inside of her, and she’s so incredibly tight. She moans, and her cheeks flush.
“Pres! Just fuck me.”
Yes, ma’am.
“On all fours,” I bark.
She obediently hops off the table and climbs on the sofa. Her sundress is still on, and I find it so incredibly hot that her bare-naked ass is sticking up in the air while the thin material covers the rest of her banging body.
I can’t wait any longer to fuck her.
I roll the condom on over my cock and climb behind her on the sofa. I rub her pussy again, and she’s so wet, so ready for me.
I tap the head of my cock against her pussy and slowly slide it in as she gasps.
“You okay, baby? You like my cock?”
“Yes, I love it.”
Bingo. She pushes her ass back, pressing it against my crotch. And I’m lost inside her. She’s so hot. The view of her plump ass is almost too much to handle. Her pussy clamps around my cock and I’m already in pure ecstasy. The harder I fuck her, the harder she fucks me back, moving her ass back and forth, meeting every thrust. My hand rubs her clit, and her breathing speeds up.
“That’s it, baby.”
She whimpers. I need to see her face, I need to connect with her, I want more than just sex from her. I want passion. I want intimacy. I want acceptance.
I want love.
I pull out of her and sit back down on the sofa and turn her to face me. “Let me see you, beautiful. Come here.”
I’m done with her dress now. I pull it off over her head, and her long black hair cascades over her nipples. I take a mental picture of this moment.
She climbs on my lap and this time she’s in control of the motion. She lowers herself down on my cock, slowly, so slowly.
Finally, we’re fully connected. Man and woman. Mind, body, and soul.
She rocks and rolls on me, the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. Her rhythm quickens, and I know she’s close.
I nuzzle my head on her chest and lower my mouth to her nipple. I take the pierced one into my mouth, and she moans. She tosses her head back, and I clamp my hands down on her hips, guiding her movement, bringing her closer to the edge and then forcing her back down again.
“Make me feel good,” she screams.
I grind her down on my cock again and suck on her tits until she lets out a long cry. Her pussy clamps and releases around my cock and I allow myself to let go, exploding in ecstasy.
I stop for a moment and look into her eyes. “I’m crazy about you.”
“Me, too. That was . . . that was amazing.”
I kiss her forehead. She climbs off my lap and runs off to the bathroom. I head to the other bathroom to clean up.
I start making plans for the rest of the day. What would she enjoy? I want to spoil her. Well, a luau is out. No pig roasted in the ground for Yessi. A romantic dinner on the beach? A moonlit swim in the ocean? A live concert at a local bar?
I reach for my phone to research our options, and I see three missed calls.
I check the voicemail.
Preston Evans, this is Deb Ramos at the Huntington Beach animal shelter. A dog microchipped to you was just dumped in the night drop. Do you want to surrender her to the shelter?
Chapter Seventeen
Yessi
Preston’s face pales as he listens to his phone. I wonder if his dad left him a nasty voicemail or something.
Before I ask, I take a moment to marvel at how incredible our sex was. It was completely amazing. I’m blown away. I came so fucking hard. His cock is so huge, and more importantly, he knows how to use it.
All that virile man prowess aside, other moments were even more special. The way he looked at me while we had sex. The way he connected with me on a deeper level. It felt emotional, intimate. He was completely tuned into my wants, my needs. I never once felt he was just trying to get himself off.
It’s as if he completely cares for me.
D
on’t be silly, Yessi. You’ve known this dude for less than a week. He’s going to be just like every other man you’ve met in your life. He’s going to use and abandon you.
I shake these self-deprecating thoughts off. No. Maybe it will be different this time. Maybe after all these years of being discarded by everyone I’ve ever cared about, I’ve finally met someone who will be there for me.
Preston paces and starts frantically dialing numbers.
“You okay?”
He blows out a breath. “No. Don’t freak out, but I just got a call from a shelter back home. They have Gidget.”
A heaviness settles deep in my stomach. No, this can’t be happening.
“What? Are you sure? How did she get there? She’s supposed to be in your store. How did they get your number?”
“I had her microchipped the day after I got her. Supposedly she was left in the night drop.”
Adrenaline rushes through my body, and it takes every inch of self-control I have not to fly into a rage. “The fucking night drop? Who dumped her in the night drop?”
“I don’t know. I’m going to find out.” He tries to put his arms around my shoulders, but I push him off. “It’s going to be okay, Yessi. Don’t worry. I’ll just call Hugh—”
I point my finger at him. “Don’t you dare fucking call Hugh. I saw the way he looked at her, not to mention what he said about her. He’s the one who probably dumped her.” At my accusation, Preston’s eyes go dark.
I run over and grab my own phone from my purse. “I’ll call Eden now to send in a pull and have Avril pick her up. Which shelter?”
Preston hovers near me, his arms folded across his broad chest.
“There has to be an explanation.”
“I said I’ll handle it. Which fucking shelter?”
He tells me, and I call Eden.
Eden answers on the first ring. She’s nothing if not dependable. “Hey! How’s Hawai’i?”
Doggy Style Page 10
