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“Sounds like a win-win to me,” she says, covering her face with her hands.
“Another time. Okay, stay there. No peeking, promise?”
“Yeah, yeah, promise. Hurry up, I’m in a good spot in my book.”
Creeping backward toward the mud room, I keep an eye on her to make sure she stays true to her word. As carefully as I can, I pick up the clumsy, heavy-ass surprise—I didn’t realize it was so big until I showed up to transport it. Thankfully, it’s size is mostly due to its thick fur. This thing is gonna shed all over my house.
“Are your eyes still closed?”
“Yeh-es,” she singsongs, sounding almost bored. “But if you tell me to reach into a box, I don’t want it.”
All it took was her voice for the dog to leap out of my arms and bolt toward her. She opens her eyes right before she’s clobbered by the thing. She squeals, and so does the damn dog. Well, I don’t know if the noise the dog is making is so much a squeal as it is a happy scream.Is that normal?
“Chicken Salad!”
What a ridiculous name for a pet. I roll my eyes and try to wipe all the dog hair from my shirt. I told that hairy motherfucker to be cool, but apparently, she was equally excited to see Jordan.
With her arms wrapped around the dog, her eyes turn glossy. “Cam! You got my dog!”
“Thought you could use some company while I’m gone ortraveling or whatever.” And for my own comfort. I like knowing there’s a dog around when I’m gone. A big dog. Not sure how much of a guard dog Chicken Salad is, but hopefully, she’s protective enough to bark if she hears something strange. “Besides, it’s your dog. I cleared it with your family—oh, and updated the address for the dog groomer your family hason retainer?”
“I can brush my own dog.”
“Good, because this thing sheds worse than you do.”
She laughs. “I don’t shed!”
“Tell that to the hair I found wrapped around my nutsack...”
Her jaw drops, and she tries to hide the shocked smile.
I shake my head. “A dog groomer on retainer.” I still can’t get over that. “You are such a princess.”
She stands and scoffs at me, Chicken Salad right at her heels. “Shut up. I’m not a princess.” Her arms open to offer a hug, and I pull her close.
“Oh, you’re definitely a princess.” Without a second thought, I cup her jaw and press my thumb to her chin to open her mouth for mine. My tongue sweeps across hers, and she kisses me back with those plush lips I find so addicting. I like the way she sucks in a breath and holds it for a second, then releases it on a soft sigh. Like she’s as lost in the kiss as I am.Is she?
The dog howls, then she steps back. We stare at each other.
“Thank you. For Chicken Salad, I mean. This is one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received.”
Before Jordan, I never kissed a woman I didn’t have the intention of fucking right after. But this wasn’t a kiss because we were having sex or fooling around. It wasn’t even a kiss with the hope of something more. I did it because when herface lights up, it warms my insides and puts me at ease. Seeing her happiness is a natural high I never want to end.
“Happy Birthday, Sunshine.”
Then I get the hell out of there so I don’t need to think about the feelings expanding in my chest.
31
“Ineed to FaceTime my parents,” she says, sitting at the kitchen island with an apple scone. She’s picking at crumbs instead of inhaling the whole thing like she usually does. “They saw the hockey game kiss.”
From behind, I rub her arms to ease her tension.
“What do I tell them?”
“Tell them whatever you want.”
She nods, biting a nail, and wraps one arm around her stomach.
