One last look in the mirror.
Not bad. Too good, even. Like she was going on a date.
She swiped clear gloss over her lips, lightly darkened her lashes.
Nina froze and scowled at herself. What was she doing? When had she gotten so bold?
She rolled her eyes and grabbed cream-colored gloves anyway. It was chilly. And her heart was pounding like she was eighteen again. Back then, he’d been the unattainable guy she’d fallen for—who’d turned out to be a bastard. Now he was a man who could knock the breath out of her with a single look.
And damn it… he was waiting outside her house just to talk, walking his dog.
He really was standing by the driveway.
Gray jacket. Dark jeans. Heavy boots. A leash in one hand, a dog toy shaped like a rabbit—clearly well loved—in the other. Beside him sat a massive German shepherd in a muzzle. Intimidating, but calm. Just sitting there, looking up at its owner.
Nina stopped a few feet away. Her heart was racing. Jasper turned his head and looked at her. Carefully. Calmly. It only made things more awkward.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Almost fine. My leg still aches if I overdo it. Otherwise—good as new.”
She noticed, out of the corner of her eye, the security a few steps away. The sight steadied her instantly.
“So what did you want?” she asked.
Jasper nodded toward the sidewalk along the road, lit by streetlamps.
“Want to walk a bit?”
Nina hesitated for only a couple of seconds.
He took one step, then another, without waiting for her answer, just started walking. The dog trotted along beside him.
Nina looked at his back, then at her boots.
And followed.
The security team followed them.
Nina caught up with him, matching his pace.
“So you seriously came all this way just to walk your dog?” she asked.
Jasper didn’t turn around. He smirked.
“Seriously. Or did you think I dragged him here for no reason?”
“Honestly…” she snorted.“At this point, nothing surprises me.”
“Good. That means progress. By the way, this guy’s name is Russell.”
They walked slowly. The dog occasionally glanced her way, and Nina did her best not to show she was slightly intimidated, muzzle or not.
“He’s a former service dog,” Jasper went on.“I took him in after his handler was killed by some bastard. Russell was shot back then, too.”
Nina glanced at him. He said it calmly, almost casually. But she could feel it—there was a lot more beneath that even tone.
“Is he friendly?” she asked.
