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But it doesn’t matter because she doesn’t have to put on a show for me to want her.
If she did wear something sexy – just for me, only for me – I’d consume her fiercely.
It’s her, though, her smile, cascading hair, and the curvy captivation of her body. The baggiest clothes in the world couldn’t hide those curves, tempting me so furiously. It’s like she was designed in a lab to make me want her, made just for me.
Placing Shelby down, I attach the leash to his harness.
“I love this place,” Danni mutters as we walk toward the shelter.
It’s situated on the outskirts of the city, quieter, with less noise for the dogs. The land wasn’t cheap, a sprawling estate-like collection of buildings and open areas. Through the painted fences, we can see many of the dogs already in the communal area, lounging in the sun, relaxing in the shade, or wrestling and having fun together.
“You’ve been here before?” I ask.
“A few times,” she says, her arms wrapped across her middle, causing her big beautiful breasts to shift up. “With Lizzy before I left for England. You don’t remember?”
“No,” I tell her.
I barely remember any specifics about Danni before she appeared as this woman. The idea she was ever some shy kid seems so distant to me.
The mention of my daughter makes me realize how bad my thought was about Danni’s breasts. But it’s not like I can instantly turn off the desire…or stop my gaze from moving to her ass, the denim hugging it, making me want to peel it down and reveal the round perfection of her cheeks.
We walk through the doors, Jerry rising from the desk.
He’s in his early twenties and currently on an internship, pending review from Candace.
“Hey,” he says, grinning at me and then at Danni.
I have to focus on not snapping at him for looking at her like he was. It would be an insane thing to say, especially to an employee. I’ve always done my best to keep things professional and civil.
But as Jerry runs a hand through his curly black hair and shifts from one long skinny leg to the other, I want to growl at him.
She’s mine. She’s off-limits.
“Hi, Jerry,” I say. “This is Danni. She’ll be working under Candace for a while.”
“Awesome,” Jerry says, his grin widening.
He’s just an enthusiastic young man. I really need to relax.
“Do you want me to take Shelby to see his bro?”
“Sure, thank you,” I say. “Just make sure to walk him the back way.”
After handing Jerry the leash, Danni looks at me, “The back way?”
“Through the storage room, away from the other dogs. I don’t like having to do that, but Shelby isn’t at the tough-love stage yet. He’d get nothing but more anxiety if I made him go the regular way.”
She blinks, staring. For a second, I think she’s going to cry.
“You really love dogs, don’t you?” I say.
“Yeah,” she whispers, holding my gaze. “I really do.”
“Shall we go meet some more?”
She smiles, a most beautiful sight to my eyes. “That sounds like heaven to me.”
I lead her into the communal outdoor area. Candace is standing on the other side, watching as three large rescues – two Labs and a dog of an indeterminate breed – play with each other.
“Oh, hello,” Danni says, beaming as a curious Dachshund comes trotting over. “Aren’t you a handsome one?”
She leans down, stroking him behind the ear. “Oh, you’re a good boy.”
“I’d be careful doing that,” I warn her with a smirk.
“What do you mean….”
She trails off when more dogs come over for attention, their tails wagging, and soon she’s surrounded by them. Ten or so dogs border her, all of them eager for attention.
I stand off to the side, watching as Candace walks up beside me. She’s a tall woman with a cropped afro and lime-green sunglasses slotted into her shirt.
“Who’s this?” Candace asks.
“Some extra help for you,” I tell her. “She’ll be starting today.”
“This will be a good test, then,” Candace says, watching closely.
I know what she means. It’s a difficult task showing affection to these dogs while preventing the others from getting jealous.
But Danni does an admirable job, giving each one a stroke, and then she stands, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, guys, but I don’t want to get you all worked up.”
Candace looks at me with a grin. “That was the right instinct.”
“I agree,” I say, pride burning in me, flaring.
“Do you have anything specific you want her to do?”
I raise my hands. “She’s all yours.”
The statement couldn’t be less true, literally speaking. She is, in fact, all mine.
Even if she doesn’t know it yet.
Even if telling her would ruin my relationship with my daughter.
So how can I say she’s mine, really, when I can never act on it?
Danni walks over to us, a friendly smile on her face.
