“No, I purchased you a superb guardian since you dislike having a bodyguard. His name is Blade, and he’s a Tibetan Mastiff.”
“He’s huge,” Ida Jane breathed.
“You had dogs on your ranch,” I said, shifting my weight. “Your dad told me. And he seemed to think a guard dog was a good idea.”
Blade panted, flashing his long, white canines.
“My daddy had Aussie shepherds and mutts. Nothing bigger than me!”
“He’s only one-fifty.”
She turned to gawk at me. “That’swaymore than me!”
“Well, it’s a good thing someone has already trained him. He got the highest marks for walking on a leash and guard patrol.”
This wasn’t going as I’d expected. I thought she’d cuddle the dog, but she inched closer to me. Not that I minded. I enjoyed feeling the soft curve of her hip and breast against my arm. I’d like it even better naked where I could worship those luscious tits with my lips and tongue. But that was for later…after she grew comfortable with Blade.
“Um…hi, Blade.”
The mastiff rose to his feet and Ida Jane whimpered. He shook himself, starting with his head and ending with a little shimmy in his tail. The whole time, Ida Jane cowered against my side like the dog was going to go full-scale Cujo.
“Don’t eat my hand, don’t eat my hand, don’t eat my hand,” Ida Jane whispered.
“Why would you say that?” I asked, confusion rolling over me.
Blade strolled over, and Ida Jane gulped. Gamely, she held out a trembling hand. Blade sniffed it, then his tongue darted out, and he licked it. A moment later, he’d wedged his massive body between the two of us so that Ida Jane could scratch his ears. He shut his eyes and made a deep moaning sound that rumbled out of his chest and through my leg.
“Oh, you’re just a big softie,” Ida Jane stated, delight lacing her tone. The apprehension drained from her features as she leaned in closer. She didn’t have to bend over that far. No wonder she’d been anxious.
Over her fear, Ida Jane made smoochy faces at Blade, and dammit, I wasjealousof her guardian. The one I bought her. Blade licked her wrist and stared up at her with adoring eyes. He pressed into her hip and thumped his tail against the tiles.
“It’s okay that you’re bigger than me,” Ida Jane said. “We’re gonna get along great.”
I scowled. The damn mutt had more mojo than me. Blade huffed as he leaned against her, causing Ida Jane to stumble. I steadied her with my arm, and she laughed. “You’re an enormous boy, aren’t you? Just like your daddy. Maxim’s huge, intimidating, and just as interested in getting sugar as you are.”
My chest puffed out at her words. She saw me as enormous. Wait until she got a good look at what I was packing down below. I chuckled.
Blade lifted his ears, shooting me a look that said, “Don’t fuck this up for me or I’ll bite you and shit in your bed.”
I glared until the dog closed his eyes. Blade didn’t take my glower as a threat because his tongue lolled as he panted happily. Ida Jane laughed, and my lips tipped up at the joy in her expression.
Cormac and Stol were worried a large guard dog would be overwhelming, but I’d known Ida Jane would love him, and he’d be with her on the weekends and at the house, so that kept her protected most of the time, especially now that she’d mentioned she didn’t love having a bodyguard following her around. I leaned down and nuzzled into her hair.
“I’m glad you like him. His trainer will come out twice each week for the next month to help you learn all his commands.”
She met my gaze, her eyes filled with heat. “You’ve been fantastic to me…husband.” Her voice took on a husky quality I enjoyed. “The security, the dress, the ring, the dog.”
“I plan to continue to be,wife.”
She shivered at the word. “Then, it’s my turn to give you something.” Her voice remained throaty and sexy as fuck.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“You mentioned you wanted me to share your bed.”
“And fuck you often, yes. I already made that clear.”
She laved her lower lip with her tongue. “Well, here’s the deal. I want you to take me to bednowso that I can give you the most amazing wedding night.”
