He barks again.
“You can’t be barking tonight. Baby Adele needs quiet.”
He whines before laying down. I swear he understands what I’m saying.
We arrive at Zane’s house and I park in the driveway. I blow out a breath and pause a moment to enjoy how lovely his house is. It’s a ranch with a big front porch and an attached garage. It’s not huge, but it appears cozy – a home.
My stomach sours. A home. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a home? A place with a family you can rely on. A safe place you don’t have to worry about being kicked out of.
I’ve been trying to build a home for myself since I was eighteen. I’m now thirty-one, and I’m the furthest I’ve ever been from having a home. Something needs to change. But I’m not sure what or how to make change happen.
Zane motions to me from the front door. How is it possible, he looks even sexier holding a baby in his arms?
As if he needed any help in the sexy department. Zane Raider has enough sex appeal on his own with his lush brown hair that curls slightly at the ends, his piercing blue eyes, and the three-day scruff of a beard on his square jaw. Not to mention those broad shoulders that appear able to carry the weight of the world on them.
Not for me, I remind myself. Zane Raider is not for me.
I snort. Zane is for every woman. One night only.
I have no interest in a player. Which is why Zane is off limits. With a capital O to the hell no.
I open the door and Boozer leaps over my lap. He rushes to the front door and I chase after him.
Zane bends down to scratch behind my dog’s ears and I nearly melt. There’s something incredibly sexy about a man who loves dogs.
Knock it off, Sloane. Zane isn’t your man.
“Come on in.” Zane motions into the house.
I was right. His house is a home. The sofas in the living room look comfy and well-used. The oversized television attests to hours spent relaxing in the room.
“This is…” I trail off to yawn.
He chuckles. “Let me show you to your room before you fall asleep standing.”
I can actually fall asleep standing. I’ve done it behind the bar once or twice.
Zane leads me down a hallway. We pass a bedroom I assume is his. It smells of the oaky musk he uses. There’s a huge unmade bed and not much else in the room.
We continue past another open door. This room is a mess of boxes. The only piece of furniture I can make out is the crib in the corner.
We come to the final door and Zane flings it open. “It isn’t much, but the bed is more comfortable than your car.”
I let the car comment go. I’m too tired to explain my current living situation.
“Thanks.” I scan the room. It’s smaller than his, but it’s an adequate size with a double bed, a dresser, and some nightstands.
Boozer launches himself through the air and lands on the bed. I cringe. “Sorry. He’s used to sleeping on the bed. I’ll get his doggy bed from the car.”
Zane stops me with a hand on my wrist. My pulse skips at the skin-to-skin contact. I can’t help but wonder. How would it feel if he were to touch other parts of my body? With his fingers? And his tongue? My stomach tingles with excitement.
I step away from him before I lose what little is left of my sanity and jump him. Bad idea. He’s a player. Plus, he’s holding a baby.
Zane clears his throat. “He can sleep there. I don’t mind. Sheets can be washed.”
I lift an eyebrow. “You know how to do laundry?”
He shrugs. “I have a washing machine. I can find directions on how to use it online.”
