I chuckle. “I’ve seen the world.” In truth I’ve watched a lot of late-night television with a baby with colic. “Our safe word should be banana.”
“But what if I’m telling a dick joke and it includes the word banana?”
“How about banana hammock?”
“Okay, Rosabella. I expect to hear you say banana hammock when I cross professional boundaries, including asking you anything that makes you uncomfortable. I’m saying it the next time you tell me to strip in my office.”
“I look forward to it, sir.”
His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. I may have a praisekink, but Niki Coulter likes it when I call him sir. I’ll never find out what he’s like in the bedroom, but in my imagination, he’s the boss who tells me to get on my knees.
He changes the subject. “You haven’t told me where we’re going beyond the little village we’re nearing. Casual clothes and countryside. Are we strawberry picking?”
“In April? No. I’ve sorted your staff, but we’re missing something crucial.”
He gives me a side-eye before taking a tight corner with the skill of a racing driver. I didn’t realise sitting next to him, with his vanilla scent caressing my skin, would be so damn sexy. “What are we missing?”
“A dog! You’ve got a dog walker, and I’ve booked us to go shopping for dog baskets, toys, and all the other plethora next week—unless you want to do it alone or leave it to me.”
“I’d like to do it together. I expect you’re the only one who can stop me from buying silly stuff.”
“I’ll ensure we have a good half-day. Make a list of what you might want while you’re travelling. Obviously, I’ve already researched and have a sensible list.”
“Obviously.” His eyes twinkle. “Have you booked us to meet new puppies? I’m not sure what kind of dog I want.”
“That’s the beauty of this trip. Turn right here.” We drive down a small road and near the sign at the end. “Fawley’s a dog shelter. You need a dog that’s like you.”
“Rejected because no one wanted it?” He says it as a joke, but I suspect there’s truth behind it, like many of his jokes.
“No. Changed by its experiences, but more valuable than gold. One that needs someone to take a chance on them, because with the right amount of love, they’re perfect.”
As he drives through the gate to the car park, the car is silent. Every experience I’ve had of Niki tells me he’s an incredible man who’s trying his best even though he’s dealt with a lotof shit. I want to build his confidence and help him see what others do.
He parks the car and whispers, “Thank you. It’s a really good idea.” His fingers brush the top of my hand.
My skin tingles.
That action would usually scare him, as touch scares him, but it’s switched on something I can’t allow to thrive.
CHAPTER 26
Niki
“And here’s Toby. He joined us a week ago,” the worker at the dog shelter says, pointing to a bouncy cockapoo with big eyes. “I suspect he’ll go quickly.”
“Because he’s cute?” Rosie asks.
“Yes.”
I barely notice the dog. I rub my fingers together where I touched Rosie in the car. I want to reach for her again. I wish I could test my limits with her.
“Niki doesn’t want cute,” Rosie replies.
“I don’t?” Rosie’s cute, and I really want her. She smiles at me, and I’m drawn to her full lips. I’ve spent months attempting to forget our kiss. She makes me feel like my old self. What if my attraction to her is about trying to get the old me back and knowing I’m recovering because of her?
She shakes her head. “No. You want a dog that brings you joy and has its issues but needs love and to be accepted for who it is.”
She shivers. It’s chilly in the dog shelter, and I want to pull her into my arms and keep her warm.
