“We’ll have to keep him isolated from the others and I need to check out Mac and Chewie as well. Mac’s had giardia before and it hits puppies harder, but I don’t need it running through the kennels.”Fuck.Champ probably drank some water on one of his free runs, if that’s even what we’re dealing with. Alex went over to the bench to see that Arden had already started setting up the SNAP test before she’d left.
He glanced back at Sylvie. “If you want to watch, come on over. You won’t have to do these when you’re on the K9 Unit, but it’s good to know anyway. Helps to know what to look for in a sick dog.”
“Sounds good.” Sylvie stood up and crossed the room. She held Champ with his stomach pressed against her shoulder like a baby, which seemed to bring him some relief.
They spent the rest of the evening talking all things canine—not the way he’d hoped the rest of their date would go. And yet, Alex found himself feeling happy just being in her presence. Every time she brushed his arm, the same sparks were there. Every smile she gave him warmed his heart in a way that he never expected to feel again. And she was smart—which was a huge turn-on.
Yeah, he probably shouldn’t have started something with Sylvie just yet. But he didn’t regret it.
And by the time ten o-clock rolled around, Champ had turned a corner. The tests showed no giardia antigens, and his bloating was down. He drank some water and even took a little food.
“I think we’re out of the woods,” Alex told Sylvie as he scratched Champ behind the ears. She was holding the puppy in her lap again, having only put him down to eat and drink. “But just to be sure, I’m leaving Mac here and taking this guy home.” He looked into Sylvie’s eyes. “Thanks for staying.”
“No place I’d rather be.” Her cheeks reddened as her gaze dropped to the furball in her lap. “Certainly one of the more unusual dates I’ve been on.” She looked up again. “But also one of the best.”
“You can’t be serious.”
Her eyes widened. “Iamserious, believe it or not. You put me at ease like no one else. That’s…rare for me.”
His heart thumped in his chest. “Me too.”Here goes. “So, what do you say about giving a guy and his dog a lift home, then coming in for a drink?”
Her lips curled into an enticing smile. “I’m not working tomorrow, so I’d say that’s a great idea.”
CHAPTERSEVEN
The first thing Sylvie did when she stepped inside Alex’s house was kick off her shoes at the door. “I never like to track in dirt,” she explained. “Old habit.”
“Let me get Champ settled, then I’ll pour us a drink.” He carried the puppy into the spare bedroom where he had a small kennel set up. The night had cooled down, so he made sure Champ was tucked in. He even ate the treat Alex gave him before curling up and closing his eyes. That eased Alex’s mind. He was sure Champ would be fine by morning.
Alex paused at the entrance to the hallway. He watched Sylvie as she prowled around his place, running her hand over his things as if seeing them alone wasn’t enough to take them in. She looked like she wanted to touch everything. He joined her.
“Don’t mind me, I’m nosy.”
“Look and touch all you like.” There was that delicious blush again.
Sylvie paused in front of a shelf holding a length of driftwood that had caught his eye while walking along the beach. He’d picked up the wood and run his hands along its sinuous curves buffed smooth from tumbling in the ocean. It reminded him of a woman’s lithe torso, with two shortened branches like arms reaching up and a cleft at the bottom defining a pair of rounded thighs. He took it home to practice his knotwork on it. He’d oiled the wood first to make it shine, then taken a length of white cord and hooked it under the cleft, circling one end over and down one of the ‘arms’, making loops and tying intricate knots along the way. When he’d finished the final knot and studied his work, he found himself flushed with excitement.
As Sylvie’s hands moved the same way over the wood, he felt that initial excitement return. “You tied this, right?”
“I did.”
“When you were a SEAL? Was it practice? Sailors do have to know how to tie a lot of knots, don’t they?” She glanced up at him through her lashes, a teasing lilt to her voice.
He chuckled as he drew near. “Not these knots.” He covered her hand with his as she drew it down the sculpture. “These are for a different purpose.”
“Really?” Sylvie kept the humor in her voice.
She set the driftwood back on the shelf and turned to face him. They were only inches apart. He had the urge to back her up against the wall and brace his arms on either side, caging her. Then take his sweet time kissing her, starting with her full lips and moving down to her long neck and throat. He tried to imagine the hungry sounds she might make. Would she return his kisses, or let him roam where he wanted to, passively enjoying the pleasure he would give her? How would she feel about being closed in by his body? How would she feel about knots?
Sylvie moved away, the softest laugh on her breath. Her teasing notched up his desire. She wanted to play, or at least he hoped she did. She studied one of the prints on the wall, a seascape he’d first bought when he moved to San Diego. Then, she moved to his couch and sat down, that sexy smile he loved playing on her lips.
“Can I get you something to drink? I have a bottle of wine. Two bottles, actually. Do you like red or white?”
“Either. I… How about you decide what I’ll have?” Her eyes flashed. “I make so many decisions, sometimes I want someone else to lead.”
Oh, mercy.
“All right. My decision, coming right up.”
