Oh. “Okay. Good point.”
“Randall, if this has any chance of working, it’s going to be imperative that you get the right dog. Will you please let me narrow the choices for you?”
“Sure.” Like I could refuse anything he asked.
He nodded. “Great. Thank you. Well, I have two at the moment that might work. If you don’t connect with either of them, I’ll keep my eye out and let you know when we get another one I think might be an option.”
“No, I want one today. I promised Bailey.”
Another cocked brow.
Was it really only a few short minutes ago there had been heat between us? My heart bashing into my chest. My dick straining in my jeans. Memories of first kisses making me giddy.
Could we go back to those, please?Anything besides the expression on Noah’s face, which let me see all too clearly how I was beginning to look to him.
I glanced down at the floor, unable to meet his eyes. “Okay. Let’s meet your two dogs.”
A few cells later, Noah opened up the door to a cute, long, black-and-brown dog. “This is Charlie. He’s a four-year-old dachshund. He’s pretty calm and loving.” As if to prove his point, Charlie pranced over, bouncing happily to greet Noah as he sat on the floor. Noah looked up. “Sit across from me. Let’s see what Charlie thinks of you.”
I followed directions and managed to not point out that maybe we should see what I thought of Charlie instead of the other way around.
Noah quit petting the little dog and motioned toward me. “Charlie. This is Randall. Would you like to go home with him?” Noah’s tone was warm but matter-of-fact. He didn’t speak like most people when they addressed animals and small children. He was so formal to the dog I nearly expected Charlie to answer back.
I held out my hand to pet Charlie.
“Don’t try to pet him. Just let him sniff.”
At Noah’s voice, the dog looked back at him, but at last made his way over to me. He sniffed my hand a couple of times and then gave a tentative lick. He was a cute little thing. It looked like Noah had listened to me despite his earlier judgments. I could easily see Charlie sitting in the doggy bed I’d purchased. He’d be absolutely adorable.
Before I even had a chance to try to pet him, Charlie turned and padded back to Noah, curled up beside his thigh, and rolled over, exposing his belly.
Noah obliged, scratching as the little dog quivered happily. He looked up at me with a shrug. “Looks like Charlie isn’t the one. Let’s go see Harper and see what she thinks of you.”
“Are you serious? I got rejected by a dog?”
He let out a warm laugh. “Looks that way. Don’t be offended, though. Maybe Harper will like you.”
I nearly pointed out to Charlie that beggars weren’t supposed to be choosers, but I doubted Noah would find the humor. I liked the name Harper better than Charlie anyway.
After securing Charlie’s kennel once more, Noah led me to the very last cell. He looked over at me before unlocking it. “Harper has been with us a little over a year. We’ve not found a good home for her yet. She’s three, shy, and a sweet little dog. Don’t let her looks throw you off.”
Without giving me a chance to reply, Noah opened the glass door and led me inside.
I didn’t see a dog at all, though it was obviously hidden beneath a pile of blankets that covered a dog bed in the corner. Like before, Noah sat on the ground and motioned across from him for me to do the same. After I got settled, Noah patted the concrete floor with his hand. “Come here, Harper.” Though he still didn’t use baby talk, his tone was softer than it had been with Charlie. “Come here, girl.”
A head poked out from the pile of blankets, and I flinched. I looked over at Noah. “You’ve got to be kidding. Let’s try Charlie again.”
“If you want a dog that matches your accessories, you’re going to have to go somewhere else. If you want a dog that will love you and one I think you can handle, then let’s see what Harper thinks of you.”
The dog put a tentative foot outside the blankets, paused, and sniffed the air, the motion causing her to look even stranger. Again I looked back at Noah.
He smiled. “Harper is part pug and part Chihuahua. She couldn’t be sweeter or calmer. She’s just got some dental issues.”
“Dental issues? She looks like she borrowed her bottom jaw from a vampire.” The words were out of my mouth before I could censor them.
To my surprise, Noah laughed. “That’s a pretty good description.” He patted the floor. “You’re okay, sweet girl. Come on.”
Harper stepped free from her blankets and stood hesitantly, inspecting both of us with her bugged-out eyes. Her blonde body was stocky and compact, with a tail raised like a question mark behind her back. Both her tail and her floppy, pointed ears were a darker caramel color. Again she sniffed the air, the motion causing her toothy jaw to quiver.
