by Milly Taiden
But it doesn’t seem to stop me from imagining what we’ll do later. Not much gets me hotter than dirty talk. Scratch that. The way Derrick looks at me practically turns on my faucet. This man invades my senses the moment I see him. Whether it’s lust or anger, he makes my blood boil. I’m in so much trouble.
Lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice the dogs haven’t checked in with us for a while until Derrick slows down to call them. But we don’t hear the familiar jingle of their tags. He stops and calls again.
I scan for any sign of movement and shout out too. I say, “Do you think they found something delightfully awful to roll around it?” The scent of dead animal on my family dog comes to mind.
Derrick scowls. “Yeah, and that’ll be a fun mess to clean up.” He shouts out their names again. After a moment he says to me. “We should turn back the way we came. This isn’t like them.”
Now I’m worried and start to jog. My eyes dart around the forest for any sign as we take turns yelling. A few minutes later a twig snaps, and I spot Cleo. She’s walking slowly and her head is down.
Derrick sees her, too, and sprints toward her. “Cleo, honey. What’s wrong?”
As I get closer I discover the problem. Porcupine quills adorn her snout, chest, and legs. Her mouth is hanging open, and spikes are in her tongue too.
“Oh, poor girl.” I crouch down to comfort her. Her drool is warm on my leg. A blur of black catches my attention as Ollie and Jake run to us. Quills stick out of their bodies too, but not nearly as many as are in sweet Cleo.
“Oh man, guys, what’s the porcupine look like?” Jake wiggles as Derrick rubs his back. Ollie has come over to Cleo and is trying to lick the quills sticking out of her body.
“Derrick, there are so many in Cleo I think you’re going to have to go to the vet. The ones in her mouth look dangerous.”
His brown eyes are full of compassion as he coos to her. “Cleo, baby, we’ll take care of this.” He scoops her up in his arms and begins to walk back. His muscles flex as he moves, and I follow with the boy dogs close behind.
We’re about a mile in, and I’m guessing a fifty-pound dog is going to get heavy soon. But Derrick keeps up a brisk pace as he talks softly to the brown dog.
I scour my brain for where a veterinary office might be. I recall an emergency pet hospital in Silverthorne. “Derrick, did Nika leave the vet’s number for you?”
“Yeah, she left it by the phone in the kitchen.”
“I’m going to run ahead and call. Okay?”
“Sure, take the boys with you. Nika would kill me if anything happened to her babies.”
The power of urgency fuels my muscles as I take off in a sprint and yell over my shoulder. “Got it.”
CHAPTER 14
This isn’t an emergency, but knowing Cleo is in pain gives me an adrenaline surge and I push myself to run hard. Within minutes I’m in the kitchen searching for the vet’s number. Sweat drips down my nose, and I blow off a droplet as I listen to the phone ring. It makes me think Derrick will be thirsty, and I search for water bottles to fill.
The vet’s office directs me to the emergency pet hospital, and I call to let them know we’re on our way. Finding the laundry room, I gather old towels from a shelf. The familiar scent of clean cotton wafts up when I drop them by the door with our water.
Unfazed by the incident, Ollie and Jake chase me as if we’re playing a game. Their wet noses smear moisture against my legs when they shadow me as I jog up the stairs to the guest bath. I remember seeing tweezers and grab them in case I have time to remove a few quills while we wait to be seen. When I get outside to the car, Derrick is emerging from the woods.
I lay out the towels to protect the leather seat and pat it to get the boys in. Jake is hesitant, and his coat is soft on my fingers when I lift him up into the car. Derrick sets Cleo down on the asphalt and says, “Nika has seat belts for them.” His face is flushed, and I notice his shirt is stuck to his back with sweat. I ask, “Do you want me to drive so you can hold Cleo? I know where I’m going and can fill you in on the way.”
“Thanks.” He throws two dog harnesses at me. “Unclip the carabiner and use it with their collar. It’s not perfect, but I don’t think the harness will feel good against any quills.”
I nod. The cold metal loop of the carabiner opens with a spring-loaded section that snaps back into place. It attaches a nylon loop to the harness. I remove the loop, and it clicks easily onto Ollie’s dog collar ring. Sliding the seat belt buckle through the loop will keep the dog on the seat and contained if we stop fast. Clever.
The engine of the Land Rover hums as I maneuver it out of the driveway. It’s a beautiful machine to drive, and I enjoy the smoothness as I shift gears. I’ll be getting another beater to get me by, and a pang of longing for a nice car makes me sigh.
Derrick says, “I’m sorry, the dogs definitely ruined our run.”
“Oh, that’s not why I’m sighing. I’m more concerned about Cleo than a run.” I steal a glance his way, and Cleo’s golden-brown eyes look back at me. So big and sad, they tug at my heart. “Oh, my gosh, those eyes just kill me.”
“I know. Something about Cleo makes everyone love her.” Derrick leans down and nuzzles her with soft words only she can hear. I smile, realizing he’s such a softie.
The blinker clicks steadily as I slow to turn right. “I know she looks pathetic now, but she’ll be okay in a few days. We had chocolate labs when I was a kid, and they managed to find more than one porcupine.”
I glance quickly in the rearview mirror to check on Ollie and Jake. Cuddled together they don’t seem to be too concerned about their predicament.
Derrick says, “I guessed you had dogs before. You’re good with them.”
“Just be grateful they didn’t find a skunk.” I crinkle my nose, remembering the odor.
Derrick smiles. “I can imagine. It probably ruins Bloody Marys forever.”
Happy he’s found his humor, I don’t bother to correct his assumption that tomato juice is what we bathed our dog in and launch into a story about the skunk my pups tried to befriend at the expense of my dad. By the end he’s laughing, and my worry for him dissolves.
Cleo is panting, and the acrid odor of her fear cuts through the salty sweet smell of her. The quills in her mouth have probably worked their way deeper, and I’m sure she’s in agony. Derrick holds a towel under her mouth as she drools.
The car’s wheels crunch over gravel, and I put the car in park. I say, “You get her inside, and I’ll follow with Jake and Ollie.”
The interior of the emergency center is softly lit, and while done in tile with varnished wood benches, the atmosphere is warm. I guess it’s intentional, considering the state of most people that arrive here.
I approach the woman behind the counter. “Hi. I’m here with two more porcupine victims. Did Derrick already go back with Cleo?”
She pulls on the shirt of her blue scrubs and says, “Yes, we’re ready for you. She’ll probably be sedated. Your boyfriend will be out shortly.” Boyfriend? My insides tingle. The brunette comes around to check out the black dogs. “Let’s take a look at you two.”
She squats down and opens Jake’s mouth. “Good boy.” She repeats the process with Ollie. Glancing up at me, she says, “These two should be easy. We can remove their quills in the examining room. Follow me.”
Bright light shimmers off a stainless steel table set next to a counter with a sink. Another wooden bench is against the wall and is cold under my bare legs when I take a seat with the two dogs. Removing their leashes, I let them roam freely while the vet tech opens a computer to deal with the paperwork.
“I’m sorry. These aren’t my dogs. My boyfriend has all the information.” That slipped out way too easily.
“Oh, that’s okay. I’ll get him in here to answer the questions.” She steps out and leaves us to wait. Jake and Ollie are busy sniffing around, and I move about the room.
It’s too small to pace effectively,
so I sit down on the floor. I immediately become interesting to the canines, and they both come to sniff my face. Jake’s rough tongue tickles as he licks my arm. I’m sure my salty sweat tastes good, and I pull him into my lap. I absently stroke his smooth coat and wonder what’s keeping Derrick. Ollie climbs on me too to get his share of attention.
The click of the door opening has all eyes on Derrick when he walks in, and I’m struck by how disheveled he appears. My model boy could use a cleanup in aisle three. I say, “Hey.” The dogs scramble over to him, and I stand to touch his arm. “They sedated Cleo?”
“Yeah.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “She looked so pathetic, you know?” A half smile covers his face, and I’m tempted to take him in my arms and tell him it will be okay.
“She’s in good hands. It’ll be fine.” We both sit on the bench to wait for the tech. Derrick’s musky smell wraps around me while his voice seeps into my pores. This guy has a good heart if he’s so worried about a dog.
He says, “I know I shouldn’t have a favorite, but ever since she was a puppy, I’ve been in love with Cleo.”
“She’s claimed you as hers. I don’t think she let you have a choice.” He tilts his head in response like the dogs do and gives me his trademark stare. Strangely I’ve gotten used to it, and I’m not unsettled.
A slow smile forms on Derrick’s face and he says, “I think someone else is doing the same thing.”
Elizabeth, the vet tech, enters before I can reply, but my brain scrambles wondering how it is he thinks I’m in control here.
She takes Jake first and positions him between her legs. Squeezing tightly with her thighs to contain him, Elizabeth alternates between plucking a quill out with tweezers and feeding him a dog treat. He quickly figures out the game, and his tail thumps on the floor as he barely flinches when she pulls them all out.
“That was pretty easy. I’m impressed.” Derrick pats Jake and turns to me. “Hopefully we won’t need to, but we now know what to do if this happens again.”
I smile as I think about the tweezers sitting in the change tray of the Land Rover. We watch as she repeats the technique with Ollie.
Elizabeth says, “Cleo should be done in about an hour, but we’ll want to watch her for a bit to make sure she’s okay after the anesthesia. Would you like to go home and come back?”
Derrick shakes his head. “No, I’d rather stay.” He stands slowly. “We should find something for dinner. It will be late by the time we get back.”
My stomach grumbles at the thought of food. “I know a pretty decent sandwich shop just around the corner. We could get some and find a place to sit with the dogs.” Jake pants while I clip a leash on him and Derrick puts one on Ollie.
Walking out of the examining room, Derrick slips his arm around my waist and leans against me. “Take me. I’m at your command.”
Yeah, my mind went there, and I flex my core around my evil thoughts.
The orange tint of light surrounding us when we leave the hospital tells me it’s later than I thought. But without a pocket in my running shorts, my phone is in the Land Rover, and I’m not sure of the time. “There’s a sandwich Casey and I get every time we go to the Sunshine Cafe. You might like it.” I close my eyes for a moment and let out a small moan, thinking about the taste. “It’s cranberry-orange bread with walnuts, grilled with turkey, goat cheese—what?” Derrick is chuckling.
“The animated way you describe that sandwich makes me think you dream about it.”
I remove my arm and give him a playful shove. “Maybe I do.”
“That’s a shame.” His voice lowers to a sexy rumble. “I can think of better things to dream about.”
Me too, and believe me, I do. “Just wait until you taste it.” My words taunt him because I’m not thinking about the sandwich, and from the simmer in Derrick’s eyes, I assume he isn’t either.
The restaurant is a short walk, and we move toward the benches set outside. They’re cast iron, painted dark green, and we can easily tie the dogs to them without worry. A common practice in this area, I’m not hesitant, but Derrick is. He says, “You stay with the dogs, and I’ll get the food.”
I decide to let him. “Sure. I want that sandwich and water.”
“Nothing else?” He hands me the leash for Ollie.
“Yeah, that’s enough for me.” I pull the dogs in close so they won’t follow Derrick into the cafe. Their warm softness is welcome against my legs.
“No, it isn’t.”
I bristle at his commanding tone, but bite back the snippy reply on the tip of my tongue. “Um, okay.” I pause, thinking about how upset he gets with Nika for not eating. “How about an order of sweet potato fries, too?”
A grin covers his face. “Good girl.”
What? Am I a freaking child? The moment he turns his back I scowl and say to the dogs. “Control freak much?” They gaze up at me with their dark eyes and tails wagging.
I pretend they answer, “You have no idea, lady.”
I know the bench is going to be cold on my legs, so I perch myself on the edge to wait. It’s chilly this time of night in the mountains, and I huddle down with the dogs, stealing their heat. I think I should go get an old towel from the car to use as a blanket.
I push open the door of the restaurant and stick my head in to find Derrick. “Hey, Derrick!” He turns from a clothing display with a sweatshirt in his hands.
“I’m going to go get us some towels to use as blankets. Can I have the keys?”
“No need. Blue or green?” He holds up the hoodie by the shoulders to show me the yellow sun logo with the words the Sunshine Cafe. He’s buying sweatshirts instead of going to the car?
I shake my head. “A towel is fine.” But my words are lost on him.
“Green might look nice with your eyes.” He walks over to the counter and sets it with another green one. The beep of a cash register sounds as the woman rings him up. Right, like I had a say. I return to the bench with a huff. Once again he’s pissed me off. How does that happen so quickly? I pace in front of the café while the dogs’ heads swivel to watch.
Derrick comes outside and hands me the sweatshirt. I put it on because, while I’m not happy, I’m not stupid. It’s cold, and the soft fleece of new cotton caresses my skin. Pulling my hair out, I watch as he puts his on too and am struck by the fact he got us matching hoodies. “Seriously? You take the twin thing a little too far.”
He grins at me. “You don’t think it’s cute?” Grabbing the front section of my sweatshirt, he pulls me close. Flipping my hood on my head he says, “Because right now you’re adorable.”
Damn it. Zero to sixty again. I look at his lips, and he utters a small noise before saying. “Scratch that. You’re fucking sexy.” He steps away and enters the café, leaving me hot and bothered.
The dogs stare up at me and I say, “How the hell does he do that, guys?” They wag their tails, and I’m convinced they’re laughing at me.
***
Goat cheese oozes out when I take a bite of my sandwich. The sweet flavor of the bread combined with the salty turkey and pungent onion makes me groan. “Oh, man, I really love this sandwich.” I grab a fry from the paper bowl set between us.
Derrick bites into a huge mound of roast beef that dwarfs the bread. Mustard drips just below his lips and he licks it off. That simple act of his tongue causes a twinge of desire in my belly.
I suck the salt off my finger and he watches me. I put another finger in my mouth and lick the flavor off slowly as he ceases to chew. Without breaking my gaze I reach for another fry, and he gulps his mouthful down.
“Fry?” I ask and move it toward his mouth. He opens and clamps his teeth down on the sweet potato. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. I want him to do that to me.
Before I can move my hand he grasps it and wraps his lips around my fingers, which are holding the remaining piece of fry. His tongue strokes me, and I inhale a shaky breath to say, “I’m glad you convinced me to get these.”
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He gives me a sly glance and releases my hand, which I let drop to my lap. My sandwich is forgotten because all I can think about is devouring him.
CHAPTER 15
I yawn and stretch as I envy Cleo sleeping soundly in my lap. Checking the time on the dash of the Land Rover, it’s no surprise I’m tired, considering it’s past nine, not to mention my lack of sleep lately. Derrick asks, “Do you want me to stop by your place for anything?”
Okay, so I’m sleeping over. I suppose that was assumed when he asked me out for a dinner and fuck date. Silly me. “No, I don’t go in until ten. You can just bring me home in the morning.”
My blood hums with anticipation. I’ve wanted sex with Derrick since I first saw him—and just about every time I’ve seen him since. It’s finally going to happen. A tiny shudder runs through my body.
Squirming a bit in my seat, I try to distract my thoughts. I turn back to check on the boys and get a whiff of earthy musk, reminding me of our run. “I could really use a shower.”
The silence makes me think if he could Derrick would be trapping me in his usual stare. Cleo lets out a sigh and readjusts in my lap. She’s warm on my legs, and I pet her head.
I glance at Derrick’s face, which is lit by the faint glow of the dash. The contour of his checks and angles of his chin make my fingers ache to touch the rough stubble coming in.
After what seems like an eternity he responds, “Yeah, me too.”
I really wish he would say what he’s thinking. Is he wishing he brought me home? Worried about Cleo? Wondering how to tell me he’s too tired? I blurt out, “Are you having second thoughts?”
“What?” He snorts. “Are you?”
Damn it. He thinks he can twist this around on me? He doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. “Oh, no you don’t. Answer my question, then I’ll answer yours.”
