I chuckle, trying to tamp the flare of heat down. Kel raises one manicured brow at me.
“Girl, if you don’t fill me in on the tea between you and Mr. Fireman, I swear to god...”
“Nothing to tell, Kels.”
He pulls a face that I know means he doesn’t believe me.
“Well, since you’re avoiding the topic, we should take her home. Her fire daddy will be missing her.”
“He’s sleeping, Kels. Leave him be.”
“Oh, I see how it is. Not yours, but not anyone else’s, either.”
I know he’s teasing me, but it feels heavy in a way I can’t describe.
I stand, gathering up the leash. “See you for the weekend?”
“Sure thing. You bringing anyone?” He looks hopeful again. The fool.
“Nope. Just me.”
Kel rolls his eyes. “You are the most boring person I love, you know that, right?”
I laugh. “Glad to be of service. Someone has to keep you grounded.”
“Bored, more like it. See you later, honey.”
“Bye.”
Petal and I do three laps of the park before I walk her across the road to Miles’s apartment building.
When I walk the few flights of stairs to the apartment, I use the spare key he gave me to let us in and pad to the kitchenette to pour Petal some fresh water. She trots around, sniffing the place like she’s looking for something nobody else knows about.
“Here, girl,” I say softly.
Bending down to place the dish on the floor, I notice the bedroom door is half open. Petal pads over, lapping up the water. I’m halfway across the living space before I realize I’ve moved.
Stopping, I run a hand over my parted lips.
Miles lays sprawled out over his bed, his legs tangled in the sheet that stops just over his hips. His arms are above his head as his chest rises and falls in a slow, steady rhythm.
He looks so peaceful.
So—
Something warm and wet nudges my knee. I look down to find Petal’s wet nose, her muzzle dripping with water. I rub her head before walking back to the couch. I sit and pat the seat beside me. “Here, girl.”
She jumps up and settles on my lap.
“Sorry, baby, I can’t stay.” I shift her to the couch.
She whines, dropping her head.
“I know, kiddo. I’ll be back in a few days. You’ll be okay with your daddy.”
Um... okay. This is getting a little too?—
“Hey,” a gruff voice says.
