“That’s fine with me.”
A deep sigh filters through my speaker. “Have I told you that you’re the best? Because you’re the best.”
“Well, duh,” I scoff. “Don’t act so surprised.”
He chuckles. “Are you okay staying at my place? Goose did well staying at your apartment with me, but I’m worried he’ll get anxious if I’m not there.”
I stretch my legs out straight, relishing the sensation. “Yeah, you have a guest room, right?”
“You may as well get used to my bed, Maya,” he says with practiced seduction. “Because you won’t be able to resist me for much longer.”
Dammit. Even through the phone, his voice sends shivers up my spine. He’d be an incredible audiobook narrator, though I’ll keep that opinion to myself.
“That’s very presumptuous of you.”
“Hmm.” That sound rumbles through me. “If you’re that opposed to sharing my sheets, then you’re more than welcome to sleep in the second bedroom. Although I’ll warn you that Goose doesn’t like sleeping in there.”
Well, Goose is just going to have to suck it up.
“Okay.” I bite back a laugh. “Let me pack up some stuff and then I’ll head over. I’m off today.”
“I owe you one, My. Seriously.”
Thankful he can’t see my blush, I say, “As if I could say no to Goose.”
Or you.
Cole’s place is only a ten-minute drive from mine, but our living situations are night and day. Although my apartment is in a nice area, I can only swing the rent because the building itself is… let’s saycharmingly flawed. The garbage disposal works when it feels like it, my showers hover somewhere between lukewarm and disappointing, and the chipped paint on the walls looks like it was slapped on sometime during the Civil War.
Cole’s condo, on the other hand, is straight out of a luxury lifestyle spread. It’s in one of Boston’s more exclusive neighborhoods and is surrounded by restaurants I’ve only read about inEater. The kind of places with six-month waitlists and prices that would require me to auction off a vital organ just to try the prix fixe.
Turning in a slow circle, I take it all in. Rather than the stereotypical bachelor pad I envisioned, his home is surprisingly inviting. Large arched windows and twelve-foot ceilings let in natural light that emphasizes the color variations in the oak chevron flooring. There are marble countertops in the kitchen and a hand-carved fireplace opposite a couch so oversized it could probably fit the entire Boston Bobcats team. If I lived somewhere this nice, I don’t think I would ever venture outside.
Cole jogs down the stairs with a duffel bag thrown over his shoulder. “What do you think?”
He’s freshly showered, and water droplets soak through his shirt, drawing my attention to the way the muscles of his shoulders stretch the material.
“You have built-in bookcases,” I comment. That should sum up my opinion. It’s like my Pinterest board brought to life. “Did you design it yourself?”
He surveys the room with a pleased grin. “Definitely not. I bought it completely furnished and haven’t changed much. Only turned the office space into a gym and added heated floors to the master bathroom.”
I lift a brow. “Of course you did.”
“You won’t be giving me that attitude once you try it out.”
The thought of using Cole’s shower is unwittingly erotic.
But I don’t let myself dwell on dangerous images of him naked and wet. No. With a shake of my head, I turn back to the instructions he left on the counter. They’re extremely detailed and include everything from how much time Goose needs outside to how many of each treat he’s allowed to have. It’s adorably detailed. Who knew dog dads could be so sexy?
“Does everything make sense?” Cole sidles up beside me, the spicy scent of his cologne wrapping around me like a hug.
His whole condo smells likehim, and it’s sent me into a state of arousal. Once again tamping down on the sensation, I clear my throat and take half a step to the side to put a little distance between us.
“I’ll have my phone with me if you have questions, but that should include everything.”
“We’ll be fine.” Looking at Goose, who’s curled up at my feet, I ask, “Won’t we, Goosey Goose?”
Cole nods, though his lips are pressed into a thin line, like he’s nervous about leaving Goose with a new sitter.
