Talking directly to Daisy in dog-speak, she ruffled both dogs’ ears as they vied for her attention. “Lies! I don’t believe it. Girls this pretty can’t be trouble.” After a moment, her joy in the dog partly faded as she remembered she wasn’t wearing much. She stood, straightening her clothes as best she could without being obvious.
But Caleb seemed to have at least one or two gentlemanly genes in his makeup, because he spoke to her face, not breasts barely shielded by her thin top. Pull it together, Liv. He didn’t come all this way to ogle you in your pjs. “You said something about needing help? What do you want me to do?”
When a lazy, seductive grin spread across his face, she fought the need to fan herself. He straightened his shoulders and appeared to get himself under some sort of control before speaking. “I have to go out of town for the weekend. My mom was going to keep Daisy, but she tripped over one of her garden statues. The gnome won. I don’t think she’s up to the job.”
“Oh no. Is she okay?”
“She is, or should be soon. It’s just a nasty sprain, but the doctor wants her to keep her weight off it and use crutches. I don’t think she should be trying to keep up with an active puppy.”
At that exact moment, a wet tongue licked the top of her bare foot. She looked down to see not one, but two sets of puppy dog eyes staring up at her. It seemed Boomer had made fast friends with Daisy.
“I know you’re a good dog parent, and that you’ve most likely pet proofed your home. I hate to spring this on you at the last minute, but I’m out of options.”
The dogs began to play, dodging and lunging this way and that. Daisy tried to chase after Boomer as he hid behind Olivia’s legs. “It’s not a problem. I’m off for the weekend and had no plans, other than doing a little housework and relaxing.”
Boomer ran a circle behind Caleb’s jean-clad legs and Daisy, hot on his trail, followed. Caleb transferred the leash behind his back to the other hand. “And we’re taking that break that from you. I’m sorry. I owe you. Seriously.”
“It’s not a problem. I’m flattered that you trust me with her, and you helped me not too long ago. We’re happy to keep her for a couple of days.” Daisy’s leash pulled tight behind Olivia’s knees. She wobbled, put her arms out to the sides. Then Boomer bumped into the side of her leg, knocking her off balance.
“Thanks, I—” Caleb’s sentence cut off with a whoosh as she fell, slamming into his chest. One muscled arm wrapped around her waist and one landed on the upper part of her back. Warmth pressed against her from hips to breasts. He anchored her, holding her tightly her as she got an up close and personal look at his mouth. A mouth that had been made for kissing. “Really appreciate it.” Her mouth watered when a soft breeze stirred his subtle scent. Her palms pressed against his hard pectoral muscles. She licked her lips, before fighting the urge to taste his mouth and bite his bottom lip.
How she’d used to love kissing him.
She attempted to step back only to have her legs trapped by the leash which continued to jiggle as Boomer and Daisy wrestled. She wobbled and only ended up pressed tighter against him. Her fingers gripped his chest. “Sorry. I’m stuck.”
A slow, devilish smile spread across his face. “I see that. It’s not a problem.” There was something sexy in his tone that made her suspect that he didn’t mind having her plastered against him. “Daisy.” He whistled in that casual, attractive way she’d never been able to master.
At the sound of her name, Daisy’s ears perked up. “Come here, girl.” Happy to be of service, she hopped up and came near. When the leash slackened, Caleb did the hand transfer again, but this time he passed the loop behind her back, bringing them somehow even closer.
And damn, did he smell good. Subtle, sinful, and decadent. Combined with the feel of his hard body against hers? Solid, steady and altogether yummy. It was as sexy as it was dangerous.
Isn’t this too soon?
Though she didn’t have any regrets, it had only been a month since she’d made a life-altering decision. She needed to let herself settle, didn’t she?
When Caleb stepped back but held onto her waist, steadying her, her body ached at the loss. “Alright, I want you to be good for me.” It took a moment before she realized Caleb was speaking to Daisy. “You behave for Olivia.” She’d been half-ready be a good girl herself, whatever that might entail. “My flight gets in at four on Sunday evening, so I hope to come back and get her by six or so.” For a second, he moved as if coming in for a kiss then he stopped, smiled, and ran a hand through his hair. “Ah, yeah. I’ll see you guys Sunday.” Before she could respond, he turned and hurried down her front steps.
Had he almost kissed her? What would she have done if he’d given her the opportunity to sample what she craved?
She smiled and held the door open for the dogs. Boomer led the way and after a quick, puzzled look over her doggy shoulder, Daisy joined her new friend. Fighting the desire to turn and watch Caleb’s truck drive away, she followed the dogs inside. She just might have let Caleb kiss the daylights out of her, if he’d wished.
Olivia folded a pair of shorts and laid them on the stack of clean laundry. From across the room, two sets of pitiful eyes stared back at her. So very mournful, one would think that Boomer and Daisy had been trapped inside since the dawn of time instead of a mere few hours. Side by side, in near identical poses, they lay in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen. “Really, guys? Lay it on a little thicker, why don’t you?”
Tails wagged, even as they continued to pout. She couldn’t say she blamed them for their persistence. A person—or a dog—couldn’t ask for nicer weather. The sun was shining, the temperature hovered in the mid-seventies, and the humidity was blessedly low. She looked at the clock and estimated that Caleb would be by in about an hour. He’d probably be tired after a busy weekend. A hyper puppy was likely the last thing he needed. “All right. You guys win. Let’s go.” The moment the g-word left her mouth, they hopped up and danced in circles. She led them to the backdoor, opened it, and stepped back.
Racing for freedom, they sprinted off the porch and kept right on going. Daisy chased Boomer around the yard until Olivia wondered how they didn’t get dizzy. Then she stopped abruptly then ran the opposite direction, leading Boomer on a mad chase.
She envied them their enjoyment in the simplest pleasures. A thrown ball. A full belly. A scratch behind the ears. A romp in the sun with a good friend and all was right with the world.
How long had it been since she’d been that happy? She couldn’t remember. After she’d moved back to town a few years ago, she’d allowed work and the monotony of a daily routine to take over her life. She’d met Chris soon after returning home. She’d been content in their relationship, but thinking back, that’s all she’d ever felt. A month after she’d canceled her wedding, and she’d yet to find a single serious regret. Not even a pinch of pain in her heart.
She loved her job, but she needed more. Adopting Boomer had helped. He’d gifted her with countless smiles and laughs in the short time since she’d brought him home.
But other than the emotions generated by Boomer’s presence, the only other time in recent memory she felt anything blood-stirring was the evening Caleb dropped Daisy off at her house. His little girl had literally thrown them together and tied them in a human knot. He’d caught her in his strong arms and the delicious press of his hard body against hers brought to life all the memories of a budding young love. And if anything, the chemistry had only grown more intense with time.
She remembered the day she met Caleb. During the summer before college, she’d worked at the lake’s resort, cleaning rooms. She’d been working her way down the row of lake view suites. She could still hear the odd squeak that one of the wheels made every single time she used it. When she’d come out of the last room for the day, she’d stopped, frozen in place by the sight before her.
Beneath one of the towering oak trees, a member of the landscaping crew stood, w
iping the sweat from his forehead with his arm. When that hadn’t done the trick, he pulled the tail of his tee free from his jeans and raised the hem to wipe his face. Her attention had caught on his rock hard abs, flexed tight above faded jeans that rode low on his trim hips.
When he dropped the bottom of his tee, hiding her eye candy from view, her focus moved higher, even as she mourned the loss. Muscled arms, tanned by a summer spent outdoors crossed over his broad chest. When her lazy gaze finally made its way to his face, she thought she might die of embarrassment.
Busted!
He stared back wearing an amused smirk, laughter dancing in his knowing eyes.
Heat flooded her face even as she’d given him a silly little wave. Caught and embarrassed, she’d turned to put her cart inside and finish out her day. As she’d turned the corner at the end of the sidewalk, one of the wheels caught on a pebble. In her haste to flee, she pushed too hard and the entire thing toppled over with a crash. Little bottles of shampoo and lotion rolled everywhere.
She bent and grabbed hold of the cart’s side to try and turn the unwieldy beast upright.
“Here. Let me.” From somewhere just behind her, he spoke. Close. Quiet. Maybe even a little amused. “It’s the least I can do, you know. Since I distracted you.”
The blush spread all the way to her ears. “Thank you, but you don’t have to.”
“Scoot on over. I’ll get it.” He lightly touched her waist and maneuvered her out of the way. His biceps rippled and bunched as he easily righted the cart. She shook free of her dazed appreciation of his physique and turned to gather the bottles scattered all over the sidewalk and grass. When she’d dropped them into their little box on the top of the cart, he’d gifted her with another of those to-die-for grins. Without another word, he turned and walked away.
She’d assumed that was that, until he met her at the doors after her shift. He’d walked her to her car where he’d introduced himself. They’d spent nearly an hour talking. The next day they’d gone out for pizza and had been nearly inseparable until summer’s end.
She’d been torn when the time to leave for college had come. She’d been excited to start a new journey. She’d wanted to be a teacher as long as she could remember. The time had finally come to take those precious first steps toward her goal. Even though she’d only dated Caleb a short time, she’d felt the loss for most of her first year away. Even when other men had expressed interest in her, she hadn’t felt anything. Near the end of her freshman year, she’d entered into a steady relationship with a sweet biology major. Then life happened.
Boomer sauntered up and dropped his ball at her feet. He grinned and wagged his tail expectantly.
She’d forgotten to stop and enjoy the special things that made life worth living.
Chapter 3
As Caleb knocked on Olivia’s front door, he realized how much lighter his mood was. He’d enjoyed his time away, but had been just as eager to return home. Prior to this weekend, how long had it been since he’d looked forward to anything at all? He couldn’t remember.
The wedding had gone off without a hitch, and his best man duties had been fulfilled. Never having been much of a talker, he’d dreaded the toast, but when he’d finished and everyone had raised their glasses high, saluting the couple, he’d felt as though he’d done right by his best friend.
David and Shauna had looked from Caleb to each other and smiled brightly. Shauna, with telltale dampness in her eyes, and David bursting with pride in his new bride, kissed with enough heat to burn down the church.
Most everyone had laughed and there had been a few catcalls, but wasn’t that the way it was supposed to happen? A ceremony full of joy and excitement? A couple eager to begin their lives together?
He couldn’t help but think about the contrast between his friend’s ceremony and what should have been Olivia’s. When he’d hugged Shauna goodbye and told her she was glowing, she’d laughed and said that her face hurt from smiling so much. She’d never known that being so happy could actually hurt.
If Olivia’s intended hadn’t been able to give her that same joy, in his opinion, it was best that she’d called things off.
When no one answered the door, he knocked again. Olivia’s car was in the driveway and he was on time. Maybe she was doing laundry or something and couldn’t hear him? Hoping she was okay and he didn’t have to barge in unannounced, he raised his hand to knock a third time, but before he landed the first blow, he heard faint laughter coming from somewhere outside. He followed the sound to her backyard where he came to a tall fence. “Olivia? It’s Caleb.”
“Come on back.”
He unlatched the gate and entered the yard where he found the trio. Daisy dropped a blue ball and ran straight for him, tail wagging so fast it was a wonder she didn’t take flight, helicopter-style. “Hey, girl. How’s my Daisy?” He bent down to give her a rubdown. “How did she do?” He hoped the pup hadn’t given Olivia too hard a time.
“She did great. We only had one accident in the house and Boomer was happy to share his stash of chew toys. We discovered that caring for two dogs isn’t much harder than one, especially when they play so well together.”
He gave Daisy’s shoulder a final pat and stood so he could give Olivia his full attention. She sat on the next-to-bottom porch step, bare legs and feet stretched out in the yard before her. Dressed in cutoff camouflage shorts and a black tank top, she shouldn’t be so damn pretty. Yet she was unmercifully so. “So they got along alright?”
Boomer brought the ball back to Olivia, and she patted his head in thanks. “I think they’ve become best friends, or maybe boyfriend and girlfriend? I’m not quite sure how that works with dogs, but they’ve been inseparable. They played together so much that they tired each other out both nights. We’ve had a busy day, so don’t be surprised if your girl is exhausted later.”
“How’s Boomer doing? Any more trouble?”
“Nothing too bad. I’ve had more time to spend with him and it’s showing.” She stood and walked up the steps. “Come on in. I have her things ready to go.” She opened the door and called the dogs in.
Was she that eager to be rid of him and Daisy? He jogged up the steps and took the door, holding it for her. When he neared, he caught the subtle hitch in her chest and stifled a grin.
Nope, not unaffected. He’d bet his last dollar that she felt the same pull of attraction he did. The only question was, when could he act on it? A month’s break after a canceled wedding and ended engagement wasn’t long enough, was it? He didn’t want to rush things and ruin his chance for something he was becoming more certain by the minute could be special. But something nagged at him, urging him not to waste any time. Maybe it was the post-wedding vibes, but he didn’t think so.
He didn’t want to wait any longer.
Following her inside, he watched the subtle sway of her hips. They’d grown a little wider than they’d been years ago, but if anything, the fuller curves had only grown more attractive. His hands itched to grab hold and pull them close. He wanted to feel the sweet heat of her body pressed against his more than he wanted his next breath, but not more than he wanted to come off as an inconsiderate asshole.
He’d been thinking quite a bit about the summer they’d dated and each time another precious memory surfaced, it urged him to not let Olivia get away.
At the end of the hall’s end, she stopped beside an entryway table and turned to him. “We enjoyed having Daisy. She’s welcome anytime you need a sitter. I don’t know what Boomer will do without his new friend.”
Each time he stared into those blue eyes, he felt as though he was getting drawn into cool, clear, waters on a hot day.
His mouth opened before he realized he was going to speak. “That’d be great. Do you have plans next weekend? We could take them on a playdate.” Well, hell. Might as well roll with it. “I’d like to see you again.” Daisy brushed against his legs, giving him an idea.
When Olivia smiled brightly he
knew he was on the right track, not for a single date, but for much more. Possibly a lifetime’s worth. “Okay. We’d like that. When?”
“Next Saturday? We’ll pick you up around three.” Already an idea formed.
She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear then looked down at the dogs circling their legs. “Do you want me to bring anything?”
“Nope. I’ll take care of everything.”
She met his gaze. “Sounds good.” When her long lashes fluttered, he was done for.
Screw it. Unable to contain his desire to know if she still tasted as sweet as he remembered any longer, he stepped in, put his hand on the small of her back. He laid his mouth on hers, intending to keep the contact light, brief. When her mouth opened on a whisper soft sigh and the tip of her tongue touched his, his plan burnt to cinders.
Their mouths merged, reacquainting one another. Memories came to life, evolving into a fresh and somehow more intense reality. Desire simmered, brewing a heady, addictive elixir he’d crave for the rest of his days. Potent, delicious, he’d never get his fill.
He forced the hand on her back to stay in place. He allowed the other to rest lightly on her hip when in reality he wanted crush her against the wall and let his hands have free range over her body. Shaken, he drew away. Patience. He wanted to snarl at the little halo-topped creature on his shoulder whispering in his ear.
Kiss swollen and pink, her shaky smile made him yearn for more. The slender fingers resting on his chest trembled.
Six days was far too long a wait.
Olivia clipped the leash to Boomer’s collar and looked around. Wanting to surprise her, Caleb had driven them out to the lake where they’d met all those summers ago. Lush green forest surrounded them on all sides. A narrow winding path led from the parking lot toward the lake. She could see glimpses of water between a few gaps in the trees.
She hadn’t been back in ages, but the park remained much the same as it had been then. Eager to explore, Boomer vibrated with excitement, ready to jump out of his skin.
More Than a Rescue: A Dark Horse Allies Novella Page 3
