by Lori Foster
Now that sounded promising. Much better suited to his purpose than being in a crowded restaurant. “I’m on vacation for the next two weeks, so I’m at your disposal.” He realized suddenly that Rosie had a vacuous grin on her face. She knew him better than Regina did, so she’d probably already realized how territorial he felt.
Glancing over his shoulder at the workout area of the gym, he said, “I have to get back on the floor. I have three more hours of personal instruction before I’m free.” He touched Regina’s cheek. “Promise me you’ll be careful, Red.”
She blinked, then stepped out of reach. Her laugh sounded forced. “It’s the middle of the day. I swear, Riley, you’re more fretful than I am.”
That’s because he knew firsthand the danger that could befall a woman alone. He shook off that dark thought and raised her chin. “Promise?”
“Cross my heart.” With a last platonic pat on his chest, she said, “Don’t be late.”
Riley watched her disappear into the shower room, spellbound until Rosie started snickering. When he gave her his attention, she clutched her heart and pretended to swoon.
“Brat.” Riley put her in a chokehold and knuckled the top of her head. Though she was gorgeous and sexy, Rosie was like a pal, permanently safe from any lecherous intentions, especially since she’d married Ethan.
“Hey,” she gasped out, “no fair. I don’t want to get messy again. I have a showing this afternoon.”
Riley released her and got a sharp elbow to his middle. He grunted while Rosie quickly backed away. “Sucker,” she said with a grin, then she turned and jogged toward the door.
Riley laughed. He did love Rosie, but he didn’t want her. He didn’t burn for her.
Not the way he did for Ms. Regina Foxworth.
*
REGINA KNEW it wasn’t the wisest decision she’d ever made. And for a woman who prided herself on only making wise decisions, she should have been appalled at herself. She only had so much money for decorating her new house and putting in the alarm system that she’d promised Riley.
She tried to talk herself out of it, she really did. But as she stared at those big brown eyes, she fell madly in love. He was so cute with the way he laid his enormous ears back on his little round head, how he stared at her with bulging eyes, shivering with uncertainty. He probably wasn’t the type of dog Riley had in mind, but the man said they were loyal pets, dedicated to their owners.
“I’ll take him.” Sometimes things just felt right. Like being a journalist. Like buying the house.
Like being near Riley.
This felt right, too. Now that she’d met this dog, no other would do, so she shelled out the six hundred dollars that she really couldn’t spare. Love was love and it should never be denied. Not that she knew a lot about love. But she did know that she wanted it more than anything. And to get it, you had to give it, she reasoned. She could really love this dog.
While she carried him outside, he continued to shake and stare at her with those big, watchful eyes. She’d never seen such a pathetic look in her life. She wanted to crush him close, but he was so puny, she didn’t dare. Gently, she stroked his skinny back and rubbed his soft neck.
She’d never felt a dog so soft. He had bunny fur, so cuddly and silky. And he didn’t smell like a dog either. She rubbed her nose against his neck and got a tiny lick on the ear in return.
Once in the car, secured in the carrier, his teeny tiny mouth formed an O and he began to howl.
It was both hilarious, the way he looked, and heart-wrenching the way he sounded. The mournful baying continued until Regina was in a near panic. “Shh. What’s wrong?” Did he want her to hold him? “I have to drive, sweetie,” she explained. “It wouldn’t be safe. Soon as we get home, I’ll cuddle you again, I promise.”
At the sound of her voice, the dog quieted and inched to the edge of the small cage to sniff the air near her. His spindly little hind legs quivered and he continued to look sad, but trusting.
“Awww…” He was just so adorable. Big tears filled her eyes. She had made the right decision. Sticking one finger through the carrier, Regina rubbed behind his ear. “You’re as soft as a baby bunny, did you know that?”
He cocked his head, listening to her, his ears still down in a woebegone display but he made no sounds of dismay.
“What should I name you?”
The ears came up. Regina marveled at his many expressions.
“How about…Elvis?” His ears pricked, then flattened again and he gave her a sideways look. “No? Then maybe Doe? You do look like a little deer, you know. Hmm. That doesn’t appeal to you either? Something more manly then. I know. Butch. Or Butchie when you’re being so adorable.”
Soothed by her banter, he gave an excited yap of agreement and Regina nodded. “Butch it is.”
For the rest of the ride home, Regina alternated her attention between her driving and the dog. She constantly scanned the road and surrounding area, still spooked from the time someone tried to run her off the berm. To calm herself and the dog, she spoke to him, being sure to use his name as the breeder suggested, so he could get used to it.
By the time they pulled into her apartment complex, he was looking around with interest, animated anytime she spoke to him. He continued to shake though.
People were coming and going, keeping the parking lot alive with a safe, surrounding crowd. Feeling secure again, she carried Butch, along with his paraphernalia, into her apartment. She’d bought bowls, food, chew sticks, a toothbrush, leash, collar and a cozy fleece-lined bed. She set Butch down first, watched him cower there on the floor, and decided he needed some encouragement.
Her apartment was small, only one bedroom, a bath, kitchenette and living area. “I’ll be right back, Butch.” She went to the kitchen to unload all the items, then came back for him. She found him sprinkling her couch.
“Oh, now that’s just not right, Butch.”
He slunk toward her, his head down in apology.
Regina’s heart melted. “Honey, it’s okay.” She cuddled him close, got a tentative lick on her cheek. He was the most precious perfect dog, she decided, and carried him into the kitchen since that was where he’d spend most of his time. With a kiss to the top of his round head, she put him in his bed, then went back to clean her couch. When she returned to the kitchen, she found three more wet spots. Butch looked so very contrite, she couldn’t hold it against him. She understood that he was nervous and needed reassurance. Instead of chastising him, she hugged and petted him some more, trying to let him know he was safe and secure and well loved.
By the time she had dinner going and Riley was due to arrive, Butch had relaxed enough to play a little. He followed Regina everywhere she went, sometimes bounding here or there, sometimes turning excited circles. Charmed, Regina had to keep stopping to pick him up, kiss him and hug him.
Because she was on the second floor, she put a litter box on her small balcony for him to use and in no time he got the hang of going to the glass patio door to scratch. She used a short leash that kept him from reaching the edge of the balcony so he couldn’t accidentally fall off and get hurt. He did his business like a trooper and came back in.
Of course, he marked his territory everywhere inside the apartment, too. Regina wasn’t yet sure if he was uncertain of his boundaries, stubborn or just not very bright. She hoped the first, because the second and third didn’t bode well for her peace of mind.
The chicken was done, the potatoes already mashed, when the knock sounded on her door. She recognized Riley’s knock right off. Decisive, firm, just like the man himself.
Though she hated to admit it, she felt that familiar leap of her heart whenever he was near. They’d known each other three weeks now, and so far Riley had been attentive, courteous and understanding.
More important than that, he believed her somewhat wild stories about stalkers and threats when no one else would. Of course, Regina thought his belief just might be attributed to boredom
. Riley used to be SWAT, for heaven’s sake. He was used to excitement and danger.
In Chester, the most excitement he got was photographing old man Tilburn’s house because the neighborhood rascals had toilet-papered it once again. For a man like Riley, a man of his skills and background, that had to add up to a lot of frustration. Even chasing Regina’s ghosts had to be better than that.
But she wouldn’t complain. Regardless of what motivated him, she needed his help, so she’d take what she could get.
She expected the thrill that skated through her when she started to open the door.
What she didn’t anticipate was Butch going into a complete hostile frenzy. He transformed from tiny shivering dog into Tasmanian devil right before her eyes.
Riley called out, “Regina? It’s me. Open up.”
“Just a second.” She picked up Butch, but holding the snarling, rigid, four-pound mass of meanness was nearly impossible. Outrage stiffened every muscle in his lean little body and he fought her to be free—so he could attack her visitor.
What a courageous dog!
Using one hand, Regina turned the locks on the door and then struggled to maintain her hold on Butch while Riley stepped inside. The dog broke free. Regina almost dropped him but managed to get him to the floor, head first.
He rolled, landed on his feet and like a shot, went after Riley.
Riley stood there, brows high, expression arrested, while Butch tried to tear his pant leg off. “What the hell? Is that a rabid squirrel?”
Indignant, Regina closed the door and crossed her arms. “Of course not. It’s my dog, Butch.”
“That’s a dog?” Incredulity rang in his voice. “Are you sure?” His head tilted down at the wriggling fury hanging from his leg. “How can you tell?”
Offended on Butch’s behalf, Regina huffed. She pulled the dog free and went about soothing him. “Shh. Butchie, it’s okay. He’s allowed in. Such a good dog. So brave.”
Riley looked like he might puke. “That is a dog. What the hell is wrong with it?”
Regina sat on the couch. “Nothing. He’s perfect.”
“He can’t weigh more than four pounds.”
“He’s four exactly.” She rubbed Butch’s belly and he rolled to his back, his skinny legs falling open, his eyes half-closed.
Riley pulled back. “Good God.”
Regina didn’t take him to task for that comment. After all, Butch was showing his equipment with no evidence of modesty whatsoever. She cleared her throat. “The breeder said I should have him neutered.”
“He’ll only weigh three pounds if you do.” Grinning at his own joke, Riley took the seat beside her and reached out to pet the dog. Butch went berserk again, his doggy lips pulled back tight, rippling with menace, the whites of his eyes showing. One second he looked so innocent and sweet and the next he appeared like a vicious gnat.
“He needs time to get used to you,” Regina explained in a rush, and hoped that was true. If Butch continued to act so contrary, what would she do?
In his usual calm manner, Riley surveyed Butch. “What kind of dog is it?”
“He’s a pure bred Chihuahua. His beautiful coloring is very unique.” She certainly thought him beautiful. “Red with black brindling.”
Riley only nodded. “How much bigger will he get?”
“Oh, he’s full-grown.” She rubbed Butch’s ears and watched his bulgy eyes narrow in bliss. “Isn’t he just precious?”
“No.” Riley frowned at her. “Please tell me this isn’t your idea of a guard dog.”
“But he’s perfect,” she said by way of answer. “You saw how he attacked you.”
“And you saw how I held real still so I wouldn’t accidentally hurt him.”
She had noticed that. Riley was always so cautious with people, so careful. She knew a lot of that had to do with his training and his ability. It would be so easy for him to hurt someone, that he naturally tempered himself in almost all situations. Others might not be aware of his restraint, but Regina had seen it in his intense blue eyes, and she’d felt it during her lessons.
She’d also noticed that he hadn’t been startled by Butch’s attack. Most people would have jumped, maybe even screeched.
Not Riley. She couldn’t imagine anything unsettling Riley enough to wring a screech out of him. With unparalleled calm, he’d taken in the situation and then reacted, without haste, careful not to hurt Butch.
Such an incredible guy.
Nodding, she said, “I did notice. Thank you.”
Lounging back in his seat, Riley put one arm along the couch back, almost touching her shoulder. Without leaving Regina’s lap, Butch slanted a mean gaze his way, his rumbling growls a warning. Riley continued to watch the dog while speaking to Regina. “When do we eat? It smells good.”
Flustered by the compliment, she came to her feet, holding Butch like an infant—which he seemed to enjoy. “It’s ready now. We have to eat in the kitchen. I don’t have a dining room. Once I get moved in I’ll have a dining room, and we can use it then. I mean, if you’re ever over for dinner at my new house….” Turning her back on Riley and rolling her eyes at her own rambling nonsense, she rushed into the kitchen. Hostesses should not ramble. They should feed their guests.
Riley followed. “Regina?”
“Hmm?” She turned after setting Butch in his bed. He came right back out of it, still watching Riley, inching closer for a sniff. Now that Regina no longer held him, he was jumpy enough to lurch back a step each time Riley moved.
“We’ll be having plenty of dinners together.”
The sneaky way the dog advanced distracted her. “We will?”
Butch was at Riley’s foot now, his sniffing more purposeful. Knowing what Butch probably intended, Regina scrambled to find a chew stick. In no way did she want Butch to mark Riley. He was not part of the permanent territory and unlikely to become so.
Riley crouched down and held out a hand to Butch. The dog gave his fingers a thorough inspection, donned an angelic expression complete with big innocent eyes and a small doggy smile, and even allowed Riley to rub under his chin. Teasing, Riley said, “You sure he wasn’t bred with a rat?”
Regina, too, bent down to hand Butch the rawhide chew. The second she got near, Butch did an about-face. He snapped at Riley in warning, squirmed up close to Regina and accepted the chew.
“Contrary dog,” Riley commented while standing up straight again.
Butch retreated to his bed to work over the chew. “He’s getting used to you already.”
Riley caught her hand and pulled her upright in front of him. Her heart pounded when his strong, warm fingers laced with hers, palm to palm.
“What about you, Red? You getting used to me, too?”
Oh boy, there was a load of innuendo in the way Riley said that. And truthfully, she was so used to him that when he wasn’t around, she missed him. Dumb. Regina Foxworth did not allow herself fanciful infatuations. She thought to tell him that yes, she was used to him and why shouldn’t she be? He was no different from any other man. But with his callused fingers holding hers, words stuck in her throat. She barely managed a shrug.
With his gaze holding her captive, his hand opened, slid slowly up her arm, over her shoulder and the side of her neck, along her jaw until his fingers curled around the back of her neck. Where he’d touched, gooseflesh sprang up and she trembled.
Softly, Riley whispered, “Wrong answer.”
Her startled gasp emerged just as he urged her to her tiptoes. “Riley?”
“You need to accept a few things, Red.”
She felt spellbound, uncertain. Anxious. But if she hesitated much longer, her chicken would burn and then she’d make a bad impression. She forced herself to say “Like?”
“Like this.” He bent and kissed her.
CHAPTER TWO
THE TOUCH OF HIS MOUTH was brief, warm, firm. Regina barely had time to appreciate his taste before he lifted away the tiniest bit.
“Oh.” Tentatively, thoughts of chicken obliterated, Regina laid her hands on his chest. He’d dressed in casual chinos and a polo shirt, but the domestic clothes couldn’t hide the true nature of the man. The soft cotton fabric served an enticing contrast to the hard muscle, long bones and crisp hair underneath.
His eyes were more gray than blue now, glittering with heat. There was nothing even remotely domestic in the way he watched her. “More than anything,” he rumbled low, “I’d like to carry you into your bedroom right now, strip you naked and make love all night.” He closed his eyes a moment, drew a breath. When he looked at her again, some of that intense heat had been tempered. “But we’ve got a lot to get cleared up first.”
Regina faltered. Make love all night? Strip her naked? They hadn’t known each other that long. Regardless of her strong attraction to Riley, she wasn’t the type of woman to leap into an affair. Responsible people utilized caution and thought before making that type of commitment.
Stepping back from him, she gestured to her tiny two-seater table. Her hand shook and she had to clear her throat twice before she could speak. “Sounds like we have a long talk ahead.” Thankfully, her voice was only a little shaky. “Sit down while I serve dinner.”
Riley watched her with indecision before silently agreeing. Regina could feel his gaze on her rump when she bent to pull the perfectly browned chicken out of the oven. Martha Stewart would be proud. Ms. Manners would applaud her.
As the delicious scents of stuffing and chicken wafted through the air, Butch perked up, his little nose raised and quivering with interest. Regina looked at him, but Riley said, “I wouldn’t. Once you feed him table food, you’ll never be able to stop. And it’s not good for him anyway.”
“Right.” She knew that, and since she always tried to do the right thing, she hoped her dog would do the right thing as well. Giving Butch an apologetic shake of her head, she filled his bowl with dog food. Appeased, he began to eat while Regina carried the food to the table. The chicken was placed perfectly on a platter, the potatoes looked fluffy in a decorative bowl, and steam rose from the broccoli with melting butter atop it. She lit a scented candle in the middle of the table and everything was complete. Beautiful.
