Page 17 of Doggy Style

“Dammit, Yessi. Have I not taught you anything?”

“Clearly not. I mean, he wouldn’t give up. He even promised to consider turning Doggy Style into a pet adoption store. And he offered to let us bring all our dogs to the store for the grand opening. And he wanted to donate twenty-five thousand dollars to Pugs N Roses. Twenty-five thousand! He’s even fostering Gidget, the Chi I needed a home for.”

“And you said no? Are you high? What the fuck is wrong with you? We need that money! And we need to get our dogs adopted. And he’s hot!”

Well, when you put it like that . . .“I know. I just don’t want to owe him anything. And it wasn’t just going to Hawai’i. He wanted me to help open Doggy Style with him. That means I’d have to sell purebred puppies. I can’t do that, Avril. It’s against everything I believe.”

“Listen to me, woman. I don’t care what you have to do. I don’t care if you have to sell puppies at an auction. I don’t care if you have to breed the puppies yourself. In order to effect change, sometimes, we have to go out of our comfort zone. That donation would save so many dogs. And if he stops selling puppies and turns Doggy Style into an adoption store, we’ll save even more. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Avril is right. I should’ve said yes.

“I’ll sleep on it tonight.”

“Good. I’m just curious why he offered you all this. Sure, you’re gorgeous, but he can have any woman in the world. I mean, why would he change his entire concept for some psycho girl protesting outside of his shop?”

If anyone else had said that to me, I’d be offended. But I know Avril and what she means. “Believe me, I asked him the same thing. He’s a huge influencer, so being seen with a rescuer would be good PR for him. He did say we’d have to take pictures at the hotel. Hell, he wanted me to swim with captive dolphins, but I told him there’s no way in hell that’s happening. I think he’s mostly afraid we’ll protest and ruin his shop, which we would. And…I think he actually liked that I stood up to him.”

She sighs. “Call him tonight and say you’ll go. I’m so jealous right now! I seriously hate you. You’d better fuck him like a porn star, so he turns his puppy joint into an adoption center. Pull out all the stops. Deep-throat his delicious cock. Let him do you doggy style. Baby talk to him all breathy. Men love that shit.”

I may be selective about whom I sleep with, but I definitely don’t need any pointers in bed. I’m a freak.

“You’re crazy. I’ll consider going, but I’m not going to sleep with him.” Maybe if I say that three times out loud, I’ll finally believe it.

She laughs. “Yeah, right. You’ve seen his video, right? You’d be crazy not to fuck him. If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for me.”

“No. No way. Sex is off the table. His words.”

But if sex is off the table, why do I want him to bend me over one?

“Whatever, woman. Sex is never off the table.”

A wave of doubt makes my stomach twist. Am I actually going to agree to go to Hawai’i with a man I don’t know? This is crazy. I’m not the type of woman who jumps into bed with every man I meet. No shade on Avril. In fact, I’m jealous of the way she owns her sexuality, but I can’t even consider sleeping with a man unless I have feelings for him. I’m also not even remotely spontaneous. As a card-carrying Capricorn, I plot and plan every detail of my life. I most certainly do not travel to faraway islands with strangers.

But a small part of me wants to…not just for the dogs, but for me. Let my hair blow in the wind, inhale the scent of the salty air, bask in the sun, relax in the sand, dip my toes in the ocean, sip a Mai Tai.

And an even bigger part of me wants Preston to do me doggy style.

“Well, we’ll see. If I go, I’m going to text you all my flight information and his number just in case he ends up kidnapping me. And I’ll need you and Eden to help me bring all the fosters to his store. He offered to also watch my own dogs at the store, but I think I should bring them to you and take your fosters to the store, instead. That way, we have a better chance of getting the fosters adopted.”

“Yup, sounds good. I’ll be there, and I’ll drag Eden along. I may try to stow away in your luggage though. Anyway, girl, go home and get your rest. You’ll need it . . . for all that cock you’re going to be getting!” She starts cracking up.

I sigh. “Thanks, Avril. Bye.” I hang up and can still hear her laughing when I do.

I continue driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, my mind replaying my conversation with Preston. Is he a gentleman like he says he is? Based on the way he responded to Gidget’s asshole owner, I’m inclined to say yes, but maybe he’s just like that when people are watching. Although in Hawai’i I’m sure there’ll be plenty of people watching his every move since he’ll be doing promo work. He was awarded medals for heroism in war. Could he be a hero for millions of dogs? Could he really consider turning his store into an adoption center?

If so, he’d no longer be my nemesis.

I walk into my apartment, let the dogs out into my small yard, and dial Preston’s number. He picks up right before I think it’s going to go to voicemail.

“Miss me already?”

What a cocky, arrogant son of a bitch. I throw my hands up in defeat, not that he can see me. “Fine, Preston. I’m in. But I swear, if you’re lying to me, there will be hell to pay. I’ll have hundreds of rescuers outside your place daily. But I’m going to give you a chance to do the right thing. And let me be clear—this is an educational trip. I’ll be the teacher, and you’ll be my student. After I’m through with you, you’ll realize how reprehensible it is to own a puppy store. This is not a romantic vacation.”

“I’ll cancel the romantic couple’s massage then. And the romantic dinner on the beach. And the dolphin excursion. Anything else?”

“No. I’ll be at your store the morning of the flight.”

We exchange information for the plane ticket.

“I’m excited, Yessi. I’ll show you a great time.”

Yeah, I bet. “I’m sure you will. But on second thought, don’t cancel the massage. I think I’ll need it.”

He laughs. “Yes, you most definitely will.”