Everything about the mysterious hunk was completely masculine from head to toe, including his thick, wavy chestnut hair I longed to run my fingers through, but only if my body was wiggling under him. Broad shoulders, a sculpted barrel chest dipping to a thin waist and I could easily envision the sharply cut V in his abdomen, dipping to his… groin.
As soon as I blew a strand of hair from my eyes, his flickered for two seconds, a hint of amusement smoothing the deep lines of rage in his face.
Mr. Tall, Sexy, and Grumpy wasn’t inclined to provide his opinion.
“Well, then we can work something out. Let me run a few tests.” I tried my best to keep my eyes off him while he hovered over me like a vulture, not asking a single question, but I could easily tell he was ensuring I wouldn’t dare hurt his baby.
When I offered a piece of cheese for a treat, Sailor even finding the energy to place his huge front paws on my shirt, I was rewarded with another few seconds of a kinder expression.
Wow, the man was tough as nails. He had to be new to town. While I’d only been in Missoula for a little over five weeks, I would have noticed him. Certainly, Darlene or my other new friend Cassie would have expressed their desires to marry the man.
“Okay. That’s all I can do here today. What dog food did you buy for him?”
The question was as if I was chastising him all over again, Viper slipped back into serving the definition of what I suspected was a nickname well. “Let me guess. What I purchased wasn’t good enough?” The sneer gave him a dangerous don’t-fuck-with-me aura.
“You don’t need to have a chip on your shoulder, Viper. I was just checking because maybe I could find a way for you to obtain a discount on the food. That’s it. I do have connections even though I’m only a goddamn dog doctor.” There. I lobbed some attitude back in his direction as if we were playing a vicious game of tennis.
Only I had a feeling he was at the point of tossing his racquet across the net and storming off the court.
Surprise. Surprise. His face softened, but it was a full minute before he managed to pry open his mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to kindness. Farmer’s Dog something? Roxie suggested it.”
“Ah, that’s great. Perfect choice. Just be careful and don’t feed the fur baby too much, which you will want to do.” Now I was using the voice I did with eighty-some-year-old grandmothers who came in with their poodles. “His tummy can’t handle it right away. Can you, big fella?” Instead of facing another round of Viper’s verbal wrath, I returned my attention to Sailor, kissing him on the nose.
I had to wrinkle mine given the stench.
“Yeah, okay. I can do that. He’s just so hungry.”
“I know, which is good to hear.” While the puppy was eager to get off the table, we stood staring at each other with complete uncertainty what to say. I noticed another potential customerbehind him and resisted groaning. “Let me grab my card with the sanctuary’s address. And a couple other things for you.”
I’d always been awkward around boys I liked from high school through the remainder of my life until now. But I was jerky with my motions, dropping items and my thoughts jumbled.
Why?
Because of how attracted to him I was. So much so, my heart was pounding. I grabbed a bottle of doggy shampoo sent as a sample, putting everything into a bag.
“Here you go.” Our fingers touched again and this time, a sliver of an unwanted, far too husky moan slipped out.
And he heard the whispered groan. Damn it.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. One hint. I put some doggy shampoo in the bag. Why don’t you go ahead and give Sailor a bath?”
For whatever reason and after spending almost forty-five minutes feeling as if I was standing on the only spot without broken glass, his features finally softened, an almost smile sliding across his chiseled face.
He hadn’t shaved in a couple of days and even I was able to relax when enjoying the sight of something so spectacular standing right in front of me.
“I’ll think about it.” As expected, his voice was gruff, tinged with anger and I could clearly tell he didn’t like anyone telling him what to do.
Just like a man.
Maybe Darlene’s assessment of all men was spot on.
Toddlers until they were fifty.
When he grabbed Sailor’s leash, nodding once before pulling the dog into the crowd and disappearing, I was annoyed with him all over again.
Why?
