“Right, right. I’ll try to remember that. Speaking of early, did you already do my job for me today?”
It was Kyle’s turn to laugh. “Some of it.”
“You just can’t help yourself.”
“Once a trainer, always a trainer. I was checking on Buster to see how he’s faring. Besides, you need to take a little R and R now and then.” He nodded toward Champ who had taken a length of his leash in his mouth and tugged. “Speaking of training, how’s this little guy coming along?”
“Excellent. I think we have our first contender for Lackland.”
Kyle’s smile eclipsed the previous one. “That’s what I wanna hear.” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked around the facility. Alex read his thoughts.
“It’s good here, Kyle. You really made something great. Water-tight.”
Kyle visibly relaxed. “Thanks, Chief. That means a lot coming from you.”
“You’re welcome, boss.”
Kyle’s shoulders tensed again. He looked momentarily uncomfortable at the title coming from his former senior officer—not something Alex had meant to do.
“You know I’m grateful for this job, Pup.”
Kyle changed the subject. “Class today?”
“Police dog training all day.”
And there it was—the knowing nod.
What was I just saying about water-tight? This place leaks gossip like a sieve.
Alex decided to let it go and work that much harder on not showing his interest in Sylvie. There were no rules on his side saying he couldn’t—she wasn’t exactly a client—but she might catch hell if her department accused her of trying to influence her instructor. She was in the running for a position on Boulder’s K9 Unit and everything rode on how well she did in this course.
At least that’s what he told himself each time he tried to get up the nerve to ask her out.
“I’d better get ready,” he said as he fist-bumped Kyle and started toward the kennels.
“It’s okay, you know,” Kyle said behind him.
“What’s okay?” Alex paused, not liking the tone in Kyle’s voice.
“It’s okay to be interested in someone. They’re not all gonna be like her.”
Alex felt the now-familiar knot begin to form between his shoulder blades at the mention of his ex-wife.
“Best not to take chances.” He started walking again.
* * *
Alex wasout in the practice yard near the doggie obstacle course with Mac. He’d just succeeded in convincing himselfagainthat it was a bad idea to ask Sylvie out when the door opened and Sylvie and her dog Chewie stepped out into the sun and he was right back at war with himself. Jesus, what he would give to just be able to tear off that uniform. He tortured himself at night wondering if she was the lacy panties type or went for boy shorts. Not that it mattered—both would look equally good on his bedroom floor.
But he might admire the lace panties on her just a tad longer.
He watched her come closer, trying his best to tamp down his thoughts before his body gave him away.
Gorgeous.
And then he realized her usual sexy smile was replaced by a frown.
Uh-oh.
