“That’s it, good boy.” Audra eased her hand toward Diggs, palm up. “Hand me thatbacon.”
Diggs did as she asked and Audra took the smallest step forward, her arm outstretched. Tension rolled off Diggs now, and from the corner of her eye she could see his mouthtightening.
“Come on, Trigger, come get some bacon. I know you like it.” She flapped it in the air, hoping the smell would entice thedog.
His furry coat, which had been standing on end only seconds ago, eased down, except for just between his shoulder blades. He rose to a standing position, his bandaged front leg standing out in stark contrast to his darkfur.
“Good boy. Come on, come seeme.”
Trigger lowered his head and took a small hop forward, his gaze bouncing between her andDiggs.
Audra knew she needed to put some distance between herself and Diggs, but she also knew he wouldn’t like it. “I’m taking a step forward now,” she warned and then stepped, focusing on Trigger, even though she could feel Diggs’frustration.
Trigger took another hopforward.
“Audra, don’t,” Diggs said in a firmtone.
Trigger froze. His lip curled but he didn’t make asound.
“Come on, Trigger, don’t listen to the silly man. Come see me.” Audra eased another step forward and Trigger’s attention turned back toher.
His face relaxed once more and he hoppedcloser.
Audra continued, matching him step for step until Trigger’s nose was only inches from the bacon. She kept her voice as soothing as possible, lowering herself into a squat so that she didn’t tower over him. “Goodboy.”
Trigger sniffed the bacon and, although her heart was breaking, Audra sat right where she was, making him come to her. She knew he needed that freedom, that choice, to know she wasn’t any kind ofthreat.
Trigger inched closer, nipped the end of the bacon, and tugged. Before Audra let go, she slid her free hand down Trigger’s neck and shoulders, her heart hammering with fear and hope. Trigger didn’t growl or bite, he just stood there and swallowed the entire piece of bacon in onegulp.
Audra continued to pet him, her hand shaking. “Good boy, Trigger, goodboy.”
Trigger popped in closer, nuzzled her now bacon-free hand, and sat down so that his side was pressed against her legs. The urge to cry rose sharp and fast, but she pushed it right back down. Maybe it was because she smelled a little bit like Jeremy, or maybe it was because she was a female. She wasn’t sure and didn’t care. All that mattered was that she and Trigger wereconnected.
“Audra, I’m not comfortable with this.” Diggs’ deep masculine voice carried across theroom.
Trigger immediately shifted his head to the right and gave Diggs a low growl before returning to nuzzle Audra’s hand for morepetting.
Audra did not fight the grin that tugged at her lips. She turned to Diggs and said, “I definitely think he doesn’t likeyou.”
Diggs had been in the process of taking a step but eased back down onto his haunches and stayed right where he was. “I’m the one with thebacon.”
“Don’t take it personally. He just needs more time to warm up toyou.”
“I could be wearing a bacon suit and he’d still not like me,” Diggs said in a sarcastic tone. “It’s because he’s protective ofyou.”
Audra dipped her head to Trigger, giving him a good scratch behind both his ears. “He likes the way Ismell.”
Diggs’ gaze darkened. “So do I,” he said in a toe-curling deep tone that knocked the breath right out ofher.
Dear Lord, she was in way too far over her head. Images from their lovemaking last night flashed in her mind and heat rose to her cheeks. Diggs’ intense gaze burned, and she knew he was thinking the same thing. “Stop looking at me likethat.”
“Like what?” heasked.
“Like you want to eat me alive,” she saidbreathlessly.
“Ido.”
Trigger, unsure, looked around her shoulder at the bacon dangling from Diggs’ hand andwhined.
