“Are you sure you won’t tell me what you guys have planned?” She’d thought she would be able to see once they’d arrived but there was no signage on the building.
“It’s a surprise.” Tim smiled and scanned the screen of his phone. “Here we go.”
Two camera men appeared on either side of her door before Erik approached. Dressed in a button-down white shirt and dark wash jeans, he looked good enough to kiss. Stop it.
He opened the door, the heat of the day creeping into the car. Inhaling a steadying breath, she placed her feet on the cement and stifled a curse. The car had parked so close to the curb, her legs were at an odd angle, folding her almost in half. With as much grace as possible, she used the doorframe to push herself up, managing to keep her dress down and her modesty intact.
Erik offered his hand and she pasted a smile on her lips. Sabotaged once more. She stood, pleased that she performed the task safely. Her heart in her throat, she allowed him to lean in and kiss her cheek. The clean scent of soap and cotton filled her nose and she lowered her eyes. The sun was out and a glare hit her from the sidewalk. She blinked at the too bright light.
“That looked like fun,” he whispered in her ear, his breath warm on her skin.
“A blast.” She wanted to lean into him and allow closer contact. Instead, she linked her finger into the strap of her purse and tightened her fingers around it. Trying not to squint, she glanced around. “Where are we?”
“A very special place.” He offered his arm to her and she slipped her hand around his elbow.
Palm on the bulge of his biceps, she tried hard not to squeeze. She’d made the rules and she had to stick to them. “That’s not telling me much.”
The tiny laugh lines at the corner of his eyes enhanced the grin he gave her. He laid his palm over hers. “It’s a surprise. Come on, I’ll put you out of your misery.”
“Please do.” Summer had come early, the heat level in direct contrast to two weeks ago, and she was happy to get out of the sun. She faltered at the signage on the door. “Animal Rescue?”
“Yes, they’re having an open adoption day.” Excitement lit up his blue eyes.
Her knees weakened and she slipped her hand out of his grasp. She had to remember that they weren’t on a real date. Like that helped her on the previous dates. Or their hot night between the sheets. Well, in front of the fireplace. “Erik and Belle, welcome,” an older woman said. Her name tag read Mary, adoption coordinator.
Pleased for some interference between her and her fickle emotions, Belle shook hands with the woman, a warm smile on her face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m thrilled you two are here. Since we announced the show wanted to film here, the reservations have doubled.” Mary beamed at them both, her round cheeks flushed with pleasure.
“I’m glad to hear that. It’s a good cause, one I’m glad to be a part of,” Erik said.
“We’re having a runway show for our senior pets and we’d like both of you to do the honors of introducing the animals. If you follow me, we’ll go back to the warehouse where people are waiting to kick off the animal show.” Mary waved for them to follow.
Erik placed his hand on the small of Belle’s back, letting her go ahead of him down a long hallway. She had to hand it to the writers to think of this date scenario. Kudos to them.
Mary opened a grey door and stepped aside. People were crowded into the warehouse, mostly women and children. No doubt, here to see Erik. She brought them down another hallway, cutting them off from the crowd. Cages lined the room. Half of them had dogs, the other half cats. Two young volunteers were brushing a couple of dogs. Tim was talking to them. Flirting more like it. Both teenagers broke into silly giggles when Erik said hi.
“Oh my goodness, how cute are they?” Amused by their giggling interest, Belle asked, putting her finger to the nearest cage and allowing the cat to smell her. She was greeted with a loud purr from the black cat, whose marking resembled a white bow tie.
Erik stood close beside her, glancing over her shoulder. She felt the heat of his body. In another time and place, she would have leaned back against his strength.
“He’s got your name written all over him,” he said.
The gentleness in his tone sent chills along her spine. Memories of sensual, slow kisses made her swallow and wish she could escape, while at the same time stay right where she was. “Kendra has a cat and she’s not a very friendly one. We’re a one animal household right now. J.J. wants a dog but he’ll be out of the house soon and I don’t have time for one. Not right now.” Someday, she’d get the house with the white picket fence but that was in the future. She had the present to think about.
“I see Ribbon likes you,” Mary said, opening the cage and retrieving the cat. The petite woman wore her silvery grey hair in a sensible bob. She petted the cat’s head. “He’s a little purr machine.”
Mary turned her back to them, retrieving a red harness from a pile on a nearby table.
“I seem to recall you being a little purr machine,” Erik spoke low enough for only her to hear.
The chill turned into goosebumps at the memory of what he was doing to make her purr. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She stepped away, unwilling to allow her mind to go down that road. They’d made a deal and she’d stick to it.
“Belle, you’ll walk Ribbon down the runway.”
“You mean carry?” Belle focused her attention on Mary.
“No, walk. He walks on a leash quite well. It’s a selling point. And for Erik,” she pointed to a little Chihuahua, her tongue sticking out of her tan muzzle. “He’ll bring Babydoll down. Babydoll and Ribbon came from the same owner. Sadly, he died and his family asked that we try to get them both placed in the same home.”
