Finally, her tears subsided, and she leaned back, smiling at him. “Look at you, big softie.” She ruffled his ears, then more quietly said, “Thanks, Mal, that was just what I needed.” Sighing, she thumped her head against the wall. Her fingers stayed bunched in his fur, kneading his neck. “It’s stupid, I shouldn’t get so damn maudlin like this. But… no, you don’t want to hear this.”
Without understanding why, he sat up and licked her face. Then, tongue hanging out, he put one paw on her shoulder.I do want to know, why are you sad?
“Huh, maybe you do.” She flashed him a watery smile. “Today is my dad’s birthday. Or would have been if he hadn’t been killed in a failed raid a year ago. He was an amazing officer. Why I went into the force. You’d have liked him; he loved bacon, too.” She sniffled and stared at the wall. “I still don’t understand how those bastards knew he was coming. My dad and his partner both died that night. The investigation never turned up a leak, but I just can’t shake the feeling that something weird was going on.” Another heavy sigh as her hands dropped. “I guess I’d better get ready for bed, I’m not sleeping on this floor.”
Malachi backed up slightly. Normally, he didn’t follow her into the bathroom; she always shut the door behind her, discouraging company. When she stood, she stripped her shirt off before he could leave. His jaw dropped at the sight of her there in her bra and the lounge pants she’d put on when she got home. His eyes followed her hands as she pushed them down, her slender fingers skimming her thighs as the material slithered to the floor. Stepping out of the cloth puddled at her feet, she bent to collect it and toss it in the hamper. The sight of her bottom, covered in surprisingly delicate lace panties, almost wrenched a whimper from his throat. He might be in a dog’s body, but he was still a demon male. He knew how to appreciate female anatomy, and her anatomy was worth the appreciation he was giving it.
Her slim arms reached behind her back to unhook her bra, and Malachi fervently wished he still had opposable thumbs so he could help her. His tongue fell out of his mouth, hanging down as he panted heavily.
Chuck paused and turned a concerned gaze on him, noticing the intensity of his stare. Her fingers fell nervously away from the band. “Malachi, I keep ignoring it, but you’re not just a dog, are you?” She swallowed heavily before crossing her arms defensively over her chest.
Debating quickly on truth versus keeping up his charade, Malachi sighed and hung his head, shaking it slowly. He wanted to lie. It was in his nature to lie. But he couldn’t with her for some reason. His body shook and trembled in fear. He didn’t want her to send him away; he really liked working with her. He likedher. Dropping flat, he crossed his paws over his eyes so he couldn’t see the disappointment—or worse—rejection in her gaze.
A soft hand ruffled his ears. “It’s okay, Malachi, I always suspected. But I’m still not sure what’s going on. I guess we should talk.” Shesnort-laughed then, the sound surprising him so much he peeked at her. Her fingers were covering her lips, and she giggled.
The sound was like music to his ears, and he eagerly sat up, staring at her.Do that again, make that sound again.
To his delight, she did.
“Oh, Malachi, people would think I’m crazy, telling my K-9 partner we should talk, but I know you’re so much more than that. I do think you need to step out and give me privacy while I change. Then we can figure this out. Okay?” At his head tilt, she narrowed her eyes and jerked her thumb towards the door. “Don’t act like you don’t understand me. Out.”
Giving up all pretenses, Malachi sighed then turned, dragging himself slowly from the room. He glanced over his shoulder and woofed low at her.You’re beautiful.
Ten minutes later, Malachi lay on the bed, head on his paws. He was staring at the door, listening to the comforting sounds of Chuck preparing for bed. Water running, the toothbrush settling back in its holder before she spat out the toothpaste. The clink from the lid of the jar that held her nighttime moisturizer. It had a pleasing lavender scent that he enjoyed.
In the plush dog bed on the floor behind him, Reena was already asleep. Her little snores rasping in the quiet of the bedroom were the only other sounds. She’d had a long day terrorizing the neighbor’s cat.
Finally, the bathroom door opened, and Chuck stood on the threshold. Silhouetted in the soft light behind her, she looked even more angelic than ever. Her gaze caught his, and she offered a soft smile. “Thanks for saving me a spot.” After flipping the overhead light off, she made her way to bed, climbing under the sheet and settling against the headboard. “Okay, Mal, c’mere.” She patted her lap.
Slowly, he crawled to her and gingerly rested his head on her thigh. His ears trembled, and his eyes searched hers.Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to, Chuck.
Absently running her fingers over his back, she stared out into the darkness of the room. The only illumination was a small lamp on the nightstand. “Alright, so we’ve put this off too long. I think I didn’t want to know, because I don’t want to lose you, Mal. I’m scared that if I figure out the truth, everything changes. You’ve become part of my life, and I can’t see going forward without you in it.”
A soft humming sound came from his throat as he thought,I don’t want to lose you either, Chuck.
“But…” she blew out an unsteady breath. “I can’t ignore this anymore. It’s not fair to you, and it makes me selfish when you’re so giving. So, not fully a dog, but what are you?” she mused. “I don’t think you want to hurt me. You’re obviously very smart, and you understand human language. Are you an alien?” She glanced at him, smiling at his disgusted huff.
An alien? Please. Not even original. I don’t go around abducting and anally probing people! Well, not in the last few decades at least.
“Okay, so not a little green man. Got it. Hmm. Are you a familiar? Like for a witch?”
An eyeroll for this guess.
“Geez, calm down. Guessing here.” Tapping her finger on her lips, she stared at him hard. “Are you cursed?”
Malachi sat up slightly. Technically, he was cursed. He grunted low, and his ears swiveled to her in ‘alert’ mode like he’d been taught.
“Wait, you are cursed? So… were you ever a dog?” she exclaimed, sitting up quickly.
He nodded, then shook his head side to side. Frustrated, he groaned; this was hard.
Squinting, she nodded too. “Okay, right. I asked you two conflicting questions. My fault. Let’s do this one at a time. Are you cursed?”
A nod.
“Phew. Okay. Were you always a dog?”
Negative head shake.
