For now, packing up her things allowed her to make space in her life, both in her heart and her apartment.
The first decision she was clear on was to adopt Ragnar. She loved him and he belonged with her. She knew they didn’t do adoptions on Sundays, so she was going to go tomorrow to pick him up, right after her visit with Bill. Normally adoptions had a three day waiting period, to give people time to process their decision and to ensure they didn’t change their mind. But she knew Penny would vouch for her and they would waive protocol.
She smiled to herself, thinking about finally bringing her dog home. They could figure out the rest together.
She looked around and shook her head. She was going to need a few more empty boxes and planned to stop at the corner store on her way to the shelter tomorrow. They would most likely have some.
She dropped a few more items into one of the boxes. She held up a pet leash and looked it over, chuckling to herself as she set it aside. She could use that for Ragnar, she thought. It had never occurred to her she might one day use it on an actual dog.
She picked up the packing tape and sealed both boxes, writing “Toys and Stuff” on top.
* * *
The next day, she could barely control her excitement as she rushed into the store. She was on her way to pick up Ragnar, but had to make one last stop. She needed to pick up the empty boxes.
She walked up to the front counter and waited for the customer ahead of her to buy cigarettes. As soon as he left, she stepped forward and nodded at the man behind the counter. She knew him to be the owner.
“Hi,” she said, smiling happily. “Would you have any empty boxes I could have?”
He looked her up and down.
“Please?” she quickly added.
He nodded and offered her a half smile in return.
“Sure,” he said, “they’re in the storeroom. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
He stepped out from behind the counter and made his way to the back of the store. Reagan crossed her arms and shifted from one foot to the other, anxious to be on her way. She looked down at the candy counter, debating whether or not to buy something sweet. She decided against it.
She casually looked at some of the other things for sale around the counter. The entertainment magazines caught her attention.
She inhaled sharply when she saw a close up image of Mia Miller on the front cover of the paper, with the headline:
FALSE ALARM!
Reagan quickly grabbed the paper and read the article.
Mia Miller has set the record straight. She is not expecting a baby with Hollywood hottie Ethan McLaughlin. “We’re good friends, but that’s all,” she explained to reporter Marisa Crewson at Entertainment Weekly. “It was just a misunderstanding. Sometimes the press gets it wrong. While Ethan and I will always be friends, we are no longer dating. Our break up was mutual and amicable. We both have very busy careers and we want to focus on that right now.” There is good news for this up an coming starlet! She just won the lead role in an upcoming romantic blockbuster …
“Here you go, I have three boxes you can take.”
Reagan looked up with a bewildered look. The store owner stood in front of her with the folded boxes in his hands.
“You should buy that paper,” he suggested cooly, annoyed she was reading it.
Reagan nodded and tucked it under her arm.
“Yes, of course,” she agreed, fishing a ten dollar bill from her jeans.
She placed it on the counter.
“Keep the change. Thank you.”
The man grinned widely at her and handed her the boxes.
“Have a great day. See you again,” he said as she walked towards the door. Reagan looked back and smiled.
“Oh, I will!”
Once she was in her car, she opened the paper and finished reading the article. It didn’t say anything more about Ethan. The story was mainly about Mia and her Hollywood history, where she came from and where she was heading. None of it was important.
What really mattered was that Mia wasn’t pregnant and never had been. And she wasn’t dating Ethan anymore.
She thought about her last encounter with Ethan. He’d told her there was more to the story and maybe there was. She began to second guess herself for not giving him a chance to explain.
She had felt so sorry for Mia, and it had triggered so many painful memories for her. It didn’t even dawn on her that the story might not have been true.
Ethan had tried so hard to explain and she had pushed him away. She told him not to come back and he hadn’t. He hadn’t called or texted, even though the situation with Mia was now resolved.
Maybe he didn’t want her anymore, she thought sadly.
She folded up the paper and placed it between the seats. She would call Ethan later. She loved him and even if he didn’t want her in his life, he deserved an apology.
She took a deep breath and started the car. She may have made the wrong decision with Ethan, but she was making the right decision about Ragnar, and she was going to get her dog.
CHAPTER 42
REAGAN
Reagan walked into the shelter with the leash in her hand. Penny would be so happy to see her. She couldn’t wait to see her face when she told her she was adopting Ragnar.
She smiled at the young woman working behind the desk. Reagan didn’t recognize her, but that wasn’t surprising. The shelter had a frequent turn over of staff. People always thought they wanted to work with animals, until they actually did. Most people thought they would be petting and playing with the animals all day, but it was mostly just physically demanding, dirty, work.
The young woman looked at Reagan with curiosity.
“Hi there, Kate,” Reagan said, reading her name tag.
Kate smiled brightly.
“How can I help you?” she asked.
“Is Penny here?” Reagan asked, looking down the hallway behind the front desk.
Kate shook her head.
“No, she had to step out.”
Reagan’s smile slowly faded.
“Do you know when she’ll be back?”
Kate shook her head.
“No, sorry. Is there something I can help you with?”
Reagan sighed, unable to hide her disappointment.
Penny would have made the adoption quick and hassle-free. It was unlikely someone new could authorize that, especially when they didn’t know who she was. She was anxious to take Ragnar home today, but she would settle for just walking him, she thought.
“Um, well I came to adopt Ragnar, but I’ll wait for Penny to come back. Maybe I could just take him to the pond while I wait?”
Kate looked at Reagan with a perplexed expression on her face.
“Ragnar? The black lab?”
Reagan nodded.
“Oh, he’s not here anymore. He was adopted.”
Reagan shook her head, certain she heard incorrectly.
“No, I was just here on Saturday. I walked him myself. No one said he was being considered,” she mumbled nervously.
Kate’s smile disappeared slowly when she realized how disappointed Reagan was.
“I’m sorry. I’m really not sure of the details. I just got here. All I was told was that someone came in this morning and took him home.”
Reagan felt her eyes filling with tears.
This can’t be happening, she thought.
She felt her heart aching under her ribs. She’d waited too long, and now he was gone.
“Do you know who adopted him,” she asked, unable to control her sobs. “Was it a nice family?”
Kate shook her head.
“I’m sorry, we really can’t share that information.”
Reagan nodded and wiped her tears.
“Did you still want to wait for Penny?” Kate asked.
“No, I don’t think I can be here right now. If you see her can you tell her Reagan was here?”
“Of course,” Kate said, her voice soft
with sympathy.
Reagan nodded again and walked toward the door, the leash heavy in her hand.
* * *
Reagan stepped into the elevator and pressed the number for her floor, relieved to be home. The universe had placed nothing but road blocks in front of her since she’d made the decision to change her life.
If she were a pessimist, she might have thought she was making a mistake, but she was more optimistic than that. She preferred to think she was being tested to see how seriously she wanted it, and how hard she was willing to work for it.
Yes, she no longer had Ethan, and that really, really sucked, but she knew she would be okay. Her happiness didn’t depend on a man.
And no, she didn’t get to bring Ragnar home, but he had found a family to adopt him. Reagan liked to think that maybe she played an important part in that for him, helping to get him ready for a family’s love.
In some way, maybe Ethan did the same for her. All the things she wanted would come to her in time. She had faith in that.
She watched the numbers light up as the elevator carried her closer to her floor. Finally, the doors open and she stepped out, shifting and readjusting the empty boxes to get a better grip. She started to walk toward her apartment, her free hand digging in her purse for her house key. She was so distracted she nearly collided with something running toward her.
“What the hell?” she said, caught by surprise.
She looked down to see a big, black lab with a goofy smile and a bright red bow tied around his neck.
She squealed with delight and dropped the boxes, kneeling in front of Ragnar. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as he offered her his wet, sloppy kisses.
“What is happening? Why are you here?” she cried.
She looked around to see if she was on some sort of hidden camera show.
“How? Why?” she sputtered.
She looked down the hall and saw Penny walking toward her with Ragnar’s leash in her hand. She gave Reagan a big smile and helped her up.
“Penny, what is this? Did you do this? Is he mine?” Reagan asked, trying to process what was happening.
Ragnar stood between them, looking at one and then the other. Reagan scratched him behind his ears.
“Yes, he’s yours. I hope you don’t mind, I used the key you gave me to wait here for you. I knew you’d be home after you went to the Senior Center. What took you so long?”
Reagan chuckled and shook her head.
“Of course I don’t mind. You’ll never believe this, but I went to the shelter to bring this goofball home myself. Kate told me he was adopted. It broke my heart,” she said. “Why did you do this, Penny?”
Penny bent down, picked up the empty boxes and gestured for Reagan to follow her into the apartment. Reagan grabbed Ragnar’s collar. He didn’t need much encouragement. He would follow her anywhere.
Penny put the key in the door and turned to look at Reagan, smiling slyly.
“Let’s go in,” she said.
Reagan narrowed her eyes. She wondered what Penny was up to.
Penny opened the door and stepped aside, allowing Reagan to slip past her. Ragnar ran ahead, bounding into his new home with delight.
Reagan looked up and saw him running toward a figure standing in the middle of the room.
Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized Ethan. She shook her head, confused and thrilled, happy and scared all at once.
Ragnar jumped up on Ethan, trying to lick his face.
“Ragnar, down,” Reagan said.
The dog immediately dropped to a sit and cocked his head, his tongue lolling out of his mouth.
Ethan laughed.
“Looks like he knows who’s in charge too.”
Reagan grinned, still in shock that Ethan was there. She walked over slowly.
Ethan held out his arms to her and she slipped into his embrace, accepting his hug.
Penny shut the door and walked toward them.
“You asked if I did this, Reagan,” Penny said.
Reagan turned to look at her.
“It wasn’t me. Ethan came in early this morning and introduced himself to the staff. As soon as I heard him mention Ragnar by name, I came out to meet him. He told me he was there for you and I invited him into my office to chat. He told me the whole story. Now I understand why you couldn’t tell me who your mystery man was.”
She grinned.
Reagan nodded, encouraging her to continue.
“Anyway, he told me that he wanted to adopt Ragnar for you. How could I refuse?”
Reagan looked at Ethan, his soft smile weakening her knees.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispered. “I thought you were gone forever.”
Ethan pulled her close again and looked deep into her eyes.
She met his gaze, her heart filling with gratitude.
He cupped her face in his hands and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. His mouth was tender and loving and Reagan kissed him back, tears moistening her eyes.
When she pulled back, he saw her tears and wiped them away with his thumbs.
“I’m here for as long as you’ll have me,” he promised.
He slipped an arm around Reagan as she turned toward Penny.
Penny hooked the leash on Ragnar’s collar, a smile on her lips.
“I’m going to take Ragnar home for the night, give you both some alone time. The boys will love it.”
She patted Ragnar on the side.
“Can I pick him up tomorrow?” Reagan asked.
Penny smiled.
“Ray, I don’t mind dropping him off. I’ll pick up some food and supplies for him too so he can settle right in. He’s going to be so happy with you.”
Reagan hugged Penny tightly. She was so grateful to have such a good person in her life.
“Let me give you some cash,” she said, grabbing her purse.
She pulled three twenties from her wallet and handed them to Penny.
“Thank you, Penny. For everything.”
She took Penny’s hands in hers and the two friends looked at each other with so much love words were unnecessary.
The dog came over and nuzzled Reagan’s leg, not wanting to be left out of the bond. She reached down and scratched him behind the ears.
“You behave yourself. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Reagan handed his leash to Penny.
“Text me before you come,” she said with a smirk.
Penny laughed and looked back at Ethan. He raised his eyebrows and nodded in complete agreement.
“You got it. It will probably be later in the morning, most likely lunch time,” she said with a wink. “Come on, boy.”
Reagan gently shut the door behind her.
She could feel Ethan close in behind her. She inhaled deeply as he put his arms around her waist and pulled her tight. She leaned back, exposing her neck to him. That must have been the invitation he was waiting for, because he instantly kissed the flesh of her neck, sending a shiver of anticipation through her.
“We have a lot to talk about,” he whispered, his breath hot in her ear.
She nodded, so aroused by his touch it took everything she had to keep her knees from buckling under her.
“Later,” she purred.
She spun around and put her arms around his neck. He kissed her passionately, teasing her mouth with his tongue. She felt his erection growing against her and reached down to touch his pants. Her hand brushed over the mound in his jeans.
“Ethan,” she whispered.
She said his name quietly.
He pulled back and searched her eyes.
“Yes,” he said, his voice cracking with passion.
“You’ve been coasting on your good looks long enough. It is time to put your talents to use,” she teased.
He laughed and began opening her jeans.
She was so wet for him, craving his touch so deeply, that she had goosebumps.
“Not here,”
she said, “in my bedroom.”
He cupped his hands under her butt and lifted her off the floor. She laughed and tucked her legs around his waist, kissing him again. He carried her to the only room in her apartment he hadn’t yet been invited into.
CHAPTER 43
ETHAN
Ethan couldn't hold back any longer. He put his hand behind her neck and pulled her in for a deep kiss. Her warm mouth parted, inviting in his tongue.
They kissed deeply and passionately as he carried her to the bedroom, pushing the door open with her back.
In his haste, Ethan knocked over her bedside lamp and Reagan laughed.
“Sorry,” he said.
“Ethan, I don’t care. Just please fuck me, and don’t hold back.”
He tore open her blouse, revealing her silky pink bra. He shuddered at the sight of her cleavage, held perfectly by the lacy cups of the bra.
She willingly slipped the blouse off her shoulders, revealing her smooth, white skin.
His hands eagerly caressed her curves, his finger tracing the line along the top of her bra. His cock was so rigid he thought he’d burst with anticipation.
He pushed her back on the bed and pulled down her jeans. They gathered around her ankles and he crouched down to take off her boots and then the jeans.
She spread her legs and he rose up between them, his tongue trailing up the inside of her thighs and over the outside of her silky panties.
Reagan giggled and squirmed as he tongued her panties, pressing against the still covered lips of her pussy.
“I can’t wait until you’re finally inside me,” she sighed.
“Me neither, baby,” Ethan said.
He pulled his t-shirt over his head and flung it across the room. She sat up and began fumbling with his jeans. The moment she got them open, she reached inside and grabbed his cock.
“Hello there,” she cooed.
It was firm and thick in her hand, and Ethan saw her eyes widen as she was reminded just how well endowed he was. She pulled down his jeans and boxers and he stepped out of them.
“Get on your knees,” Ethan said.
Reagan flashed a look up at him, but he knew his assertiveness thrilled her. She was used to telling men what to do, but she liked this just as much, if not more.
Fire & Ice: A Ménage Fantasy Page 92
