He grinned.That’s right, he thought.I won’t ask about your sexual misadventures, so relax. What he’d overheard was herown private business. She could discuss it with him or not, but he wouldn’t put her on the spot.
“I . . .”
“Small, large?”
She pursed her lips. “I guess small and cute would be best. Easier to take care of and all that.”
“A yapper,” he said with a nod. “They’re notorious heel nippers.”
Her worry eased and she smiled. “You sound like a man familiar with small dogs.”
“A few. They can be really territorial.” Especially with women. “Disgruntled pooches have a knack for trying to ruin my plans with dates.”
Skye laughed, but Laylee murmured, “I bet you don’t let much get in your way.”
Ignoring that, he said, “If I got a dog, it’d be something muscular. Friendly but capable.” Envisioning one particular dog would only frustrate him. He was used to wanting things he couldn’t or shouldn’t get. That feeling of disappointment reminded him of his youth and all the high expectations he’d had for his life. “A dog who’d chase a ball or a Frisbee. Who’d enjoy a jog, and a ride in the car with the window open.”
In the softest voice he’d ever heard from her, Skye said, “That does sound nice. Do you have a dog in mind?”
“She doesn’t need adog.” Tired of being left out, Laylee leaned forward to peer around her sister, and when that didn’t suffice, she moved to the chair to take center stage. “She needs a man.”
“I’m a man,” he said, holding out his arms. “I don’t think she needs another. But a dog? Everyone needs a dog.”
“Then why don’t you have one?” Laylee asked.
“One day I will.” If the dog he wanted was still available. Rather than get too introspective, he shook his head. “Maybe when I settle down and all that.”
Skye said low, “In a hundred years or so?”
He teased back, “Exactly.” In truth, he hoped it wouldn’t take that long.
Laylee crossed her legs. “So you two are . . . ?”
Skye went comically still. Probably her usual reaction to her outrageous sister’s nosiness.
No problem for him though. He stroked two fingers along a lock of Skye’s hair, down her cheek, over her shoulder.
He heard her small, sharp inhalation.
God, her hair was silky, and so pretty. She wore it a little darker than Laylee’s, but with a few select highlights that framed her face. A face that was a little rounder than her sister’s, and softer because of it. Darker brows, too, which made them more noticeable. And those plump lips . . . They were a focal point on her face, at least for him.
Settling his hand on her knee, he gave a smile of pure seduction. It usually worked, and seeing the flare of heat in Skye’s eyes, he knew he still had it. “Now, Laylee,” he said, without taking his gaze from Skye’s midnight eyes. “I’m guessing a woman like you doesn’t need it spelled out.”
In a cunning tone, she repeated, “A woman like me?”
Making his expression as bland as he could, Ford glanced at her. Oh, this one was good at getting her way in most situations. “You’re Skye’s sister, so I assumed you were as astute as she is . . . but maybe not?”
Skye took another quick breath, this time more of a gasp. “We should go.” Abruptly, she shot to her feet. “We don’t want the shelter to close on us.”
More slowly, Ford rose, too.
Laylee watched them both. “Are you set up for a dog? A bed, treats, dishes, food?”
Skye bit her lip. “No. I wasn’t sure what to get.”
“You have time,” Ford assured her. “They won’t give you the dog today. You’ll just choose the one you want, then fill out an application. It’s their way of ensuring the animals go to a good home.”
She released a breath. “Oh, good. So I’ll put that on my agenda for tomorrow.”
