“He’s okay,” said Andy, cooing to the nervous animal. “The big mean man isn’t going to hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
The dog gave a quick glance back at her before stretching his head far enough forward to sniff the back of Liam’s hand. For a second, it was as if they held their breath, her office going quiet under the weight of the moment. Then Otter Fox nudged Liam’s palm with his long nose and Liam slowly stroked the top of the dog’s head.
“Big mean man?” he said, his fingers brushing hers as they petted the dog.
“I was just projecting the way he probably saw you,” she said, amazed she could squeeze enough breath out of her too-tight lungs to form the words.
His fingertips continued to graze hers as they stroked the dog and every touch made it harder for her to think about what they were doing.
“I plan on spending a great deal of time with your mistress. So you and I are going to have to be friends,” he said, and it took her lust-addled brain a fraction of a second to realize he was talking to the dog, not her.
It took a moment longer for the meaning of his words to sink in and when she looked up, she found him watching her instead of Otter Fox. She saw the heat she felt reflected in his eyes and knew when the time came, she’d say yes to whatever he asked of her. She didn’t have illusions of white picket fences and happily ever afters, but something about Liam called to more than her body. They were grown-ups. She’d enjoy the time they had together for as long as it lasted and then tuck it away to hold her through the next dry spell. She ignored—for the moment, at least—the voice in the back of her head that warned it wouldn’t be that easy.
“I’ve got something for you,” he said, taking his hand away so he could dig in his jacket pocket. He pulled out a foil-wrapped packet, unwrapping it to reveal a handful of French fries. “I thought I might need a bribe. I came armed.” He met her gaze, clearly waiting for permission before offering the treats to her dog.
“Between you and Millie, he’s going to get too fat to walk,” she said but she nodded.
He grinned at her, making her heart flutter, and then held out the fries for Otter Fox. The dog glanced between them before gingerly taking the treat with his teeth and settling back down on his pillow.
“Thank goodness,” he said, groaning as he stood and stretched his legs. Taking her hand, he helped her to her feet, but instead of letting go once she was up, he tangled his fingers with hers. “I was going to stay down there as long as I needed to get the job done, but I’d started to worry I might not be able to get back up again.”
She laughed, shifting her weight on her feet and urging the blood flow back into her legs.
“That went faster than I thought it would.” She looked down at the dog, happily decimating his treat. “It’s like he likes you or something now.” If she concentrated on the animal maybe she could ignore the way it felt to have Liam’s hand wrapped around hers, his fingertips moving over the sensitive skin of her wrist.
“I was serious about wanting to spend more time with you. We didn’t finish what we started this morning. Making friends with the furry gatekeeper is the first step in my plan.”
He stepped closer—close enough for her to feel the heat roll off him in waves. He wore an obviously well-loved canvas jacket and faded jeans that fit him better than denim had a right to. She breathed in the clean citrus scent of his soap and swallowed hard.
“How was your time with Jake?” she asked, aiming for normal and trying not to squirm under his perceptive gaze. “Millie missed you at lunch.”
He grinned, and she felt her face flush. “Millie missed me, huh?”
He reached for her, his strong, rough hand cupping her cheek. The breath caught in her throat and then she exhaled, leaning into his touch, giving in to what she’d wanted since he first showed up on her porch.
“Maybe notjustMillie.”
Closing the distance between them, she pressed her hand to the hard wall of his chest and felt the warmth of his body through the soft cotton of his shirt. The steady pressure of his hand urged her chin up, but she didn’t need any encouragement. She wanted him and she was woman enough to admit it. There was no reason to pretend she didn’t when they were both headed to the same destination. She stretched up on her toes and brushed his lips with hers.
The gentle touch was enough to break the dam, flooding her with a hunger that knocked her sideways. It was as if once she acknowledged the desire between them, she discovered something she hadn’t even known she’d been missing. Something fundamental, like the color of the sky or the power of the sun. Something she couldn’t deny and didn’t want to try to anymore.
Liam’s hand slid to the back of her head, his fingers tightening in her hair. The small bite of pain made her gasp and he caught the sound with his mouth. He kissed her like she was someone he needed, not just someone he wanted, and her heart tightened in her chest. His tongue met hers in a slow dance and suddenly there was too much space between them. Even pressed up against him, her body fitted to his, wasn’t close enough. She wrapped her fingers around the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Needing him closer. When he bent, reaching for the back of her leg, she opened for him, moving the way his strong hands positioned her.
“Fuck.” He groaned the word against her mouth and she nipped at his bottom lip, needing him so damn much. She couldn’t get close enough, fast enough.
“I was hoping.”
He pulled back just far enough for her to look in his blue eyes, to lose herself in the heat and the warmth of his smile. His hands slid down her back, palming her ass and before she could catch her breath, he hauled her up into the air. She wrapped her legs around his waist and felt the long, hard length of his cock pressed against her. There was too much fabric between them, but even grinding along his length separated from him by two layers of denim made her forget where she was.
Holding her, his strong arms vised around her, he took two steps, finally pressing her back against the wall. His hand slid up to cup her breast, his thumb playing across the tight peak of her nipple, and she let out a whimper, desperate for him to touch her bare skin.
The growl rumbling through the small room cut through the lust-filled fog and they both froze. Andy glanced over Liam’s shoulder to see the dog watching him, hackles raised and teeth bare, looking like he had every intention of taking a piece out of Liam’s ass if that’s what it took to protect her.
“It’s okay, puppy. He’s not hurting me.” She crooned to the dog and then slowly so she didn’t provoke him, she straightened her legs and slid down the front of Liam’s body until she was standing on her own feet again. The dog’s growling kicked up a notch but he didn’t move toward them.
“Not enough of a bribe, I guess,” Liam said, his voice sounding strained.
“Might be better if you didn’t move just yet,” she said, peering over his shoulder at the little dog still standing guard.
