Jennifer reminded herself they’d only just met, and it was way too soon to feel this strongly about Grant.She had to take an emotional step back and slow down before she got hurt.
Jennifer forced a smile before she made herself climb in with them.All five puppies attacked, pushing her down.She laughed uncontrollably while she tried to dodge their little tongues.
Grant tried to pull the wiggly puppies off her, but the second he released one to grab another, that one was back into the fray.
He laughed and gave up, stood, pulled her up, and held her while she caught her breath.All the while, the puppies bounced and pitifully cried for attention.Grant tilted her head and drew a deep breath as his eyes focused solely on her.The heightened color in her laughter brought out the starling blue of her eyes, which at that moment held pure happiness.Unable to wait another second before he tasted her, he bent and pressed his mouth against her smiling one.
Her body instantly softened, even as her heart pulsed heavily.A moan slid from her throat, and she opened wider for his exploration and gave herself over to him.Her arms clung tightly around his neck as her blood pumped heavily through her veins.
He took immediate advantage and pushed his tongue into the depths of her mouth.
The kiss turned deeper and hotter.Grant jerked his head up and forced air into his constricted lungs.
“I think someone just peed on me,” he said gravely, then held back a groan at the intensely heated expression on her face.
Jennifer’s wide eyes stared unseeingly as she tried to get her breathing under control.When his words registered, a choked laugh burst from her as she looked down.Yup, all over one of his boots.Thankfully, they looked waterproof, so they would be easy to clean.
“I’m so sorry.Let’s get these guys in their kennel, and I’ll take you to the back.”
She led him to a back room that held a shower, a large sink and counter, and shelves of supplies.Grant’s eyes roamed over the well-organized room.“This must be where you bathe them?”
She nodded and wrung out the cloth she’d put a solution and water on before she bent to wipe off his boot.
“And give them the medical attention they need.We also isolate expectant mothers back here for their safety.It has the quiet, serene place they need to give birth.”
Grant looked down at the top of her head.
“Baby, I can do that,” he said and tried to pull her up by the arm.
“No, I’m just about done.I really am sorry you got peed on,” she said as she continued to look down.
His eyes narrowed when he realized she’d tried to hold back a laugh, by the way her shoulders quivered and the soft little sounds she couldn’t hold back.He bit the inside of his mouth to keep from laughing.
“You’re not laughing about this, are you?”He tried to keep his voice firm.
She made a small squeak and shook her head.
“Jennifer?”
Her shoulders started to shake, and desperate sounds of hilarity fell from her mouth.
He pulled her up to stand before him, but she refused to lift her head.
“Look at me,” he commanded as his lips twitched.
She raised her head, looked at the twinkle in his eyes, and burst into laughter, unable to hold it in.He held her against his chest and laughed until they were both breathless, and she had tears that trickled from her eyes.
It was a long moment until they calmed.Jennifer smoothed a hand down her cheeks to dry the tears.
“I really am sorry.”Her face was flushed with mirth.
Grant chuckled, kissed her forehead, and placed soft kisses down her cheeks until he took her mouth.A blaze instantly erupted when their mouths touched.It became hungry and burning, pushing at his already shattered control.He picked her up and sat her on the counter by the sink before making a place for himself in the notch between her legs.One of his hands cupped the back of her head and dislodged the clip before he loosened her braid to fall free.His other hand slid down her lower back, pressing her tighter into his hardness.
Her breath caught as a spike of intense desire burned through her veins.Her arms went around his shoulder.Her hips gyrated against his and tried to relieve the intense ache he caused.
He ripped his mouth from hers as his gaze roamed over her face and puffy lips.
“We have to slow down, baby.”A low growl of frustration and need slid from his throat as he watched her still gripped in the realm of desire.“Open your eyes, Jen.”
