“Praise is just as good as treats.” Aiden crouches and rubs Skye’s head, fingers moving easily through her fur. “Good girl.”
The words hit mehard.
I look away quickly, suddenly very focused on Neptune. I kneel in front of him, rubbing his head, scratching behind his ear. His happy eyes meet mine, calm and trusting.
“How did I get this lucky, Neps?”
“Oi!”
The voice comes from a distance, loud and unmistakably amused.
I straighten and turn just in time to see him.
Finn.
He’s running toward us from farther down the beach, messy brown hair bouncing with every stride, bright green eyes locked straight on me. He’s wearing black shorts and—
I blink.
He’s shirtless.
In this weather.
Wowza.
He slows as he reaches us, shifting from a run into an infuriatingly confident walk, chest rising and falling, skin slick with sweat that glistens in the afternoon sun. Muscleseverywhere.
What is it with this town and absurdly beautiful men?
“I was not aware,” Finn says, accent thick and playful, “that there was a German Shepherd club.”
He gestures between Neptune and Skye, a flirtatious smile spreading across his face. “May I join?”
I snort softly. “Do you own a German Shepherd?”
He grins wider. “For you, Miss May? I’ll get one.”
“Mmm,” I hum, glancing sideways at Aiden. “I don’t know. Do we want any posers in the club?”
Aiden smiles back at me, slow and easy. “Nah,” he says. “I think our club’s already at capacity.”
There’s a subtle smirk on his face, and it makes me smile too.
I hate that I notice Finn’s chest then. The definition. The sweat. The way the sun hits him just right.
Another beautiful specimen.
Finn laughs, shaking his head. “I don’t wanna interrupt club time.” His gaze flicks back to me. “Will I see you tomorrow, lass?”
I hesitate, confused for half a second, then it clicks.
“Oh. Yes, at the station. We’ll be there.”
“Can’t wait,” he says.
Then he looks at Aiden. “Holloway”.
Aiden meets his look. “O’Donoghue.”
