By the time they exited the building, the snow was coming down in heavy drifts. The weathermen had definitely underestimated this storm, Derek thought, grateful for their mistake that gave him Cassie all to himself.
He nearly hadn’t made it at all. His mother hadn’t been feeling well, and his sister had taken her to the hospital. It turned out to be indigestion, thank God, but he’d spent the better part of the day in the emergency room. Not something he wanted to get into with Cassie.
When he thought about his mother being a widow, his father long gone, the anger he felt for her family resurfaced. Given their history, the only way to be with her was to keep the past where it belonged, to remember that whatever happened between them could only be short term. But for now, she seemed as eager to spend the night with him as he was to be with her.
Thank God, after the way he’d behaved earlier. Almost thirty years old and he’d never acted like a possessive idiot over a woman. Apparently he wasn’t too old to start that shit now. Brad had been standing too close, and he’d been too interested in Cassie, beyond wanting to rent her the apartment. Something inside Derek had snapped, causing him to stake his claim, like the caveman she’d accused him of being.
They were quiet on the trip to his apartment because he needed all his concentration on the road. Which didn’t mean he wasn’t fully aware of the woman in the passenger seat, looking adorable in a pink fluffy down jacket, melted snowflakes making her hair damp, and the cold having turned her nose red before they reached his home. Her vanilla perfume took over the car, enveloping him in her arousing scent and causing his cock to become erect and uncomfortable when he needed to focus.
Finally, after a skid and inching his way, he made it to the parking garage beneath his building. He left his car with Manny, the attendant, and led Cassie to the elevator that took them to his seventeenth-floor apartment.
After growing up poor, he hadn’t skimped on luxury or amenities when choosing where he wanted to live and how he wanted to furnish.
Before he inserted the key in the door, he turned toward her. “I should warn you—”
Before he could say another word, loud barking sounds came from inside the apartment.
“A dog!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “I love them.”
“Brace yourself,” he muttered, pushing open the door.
Derek’s thirty-five-pound wheaten terrier greeted them, hopping on his back paws, his front ones leaning on Cassie’s thighs as he jumped up and down, begging for attention.
“Meet Oscar,” he said, knowing better than to bother with a stern down. “Oscar, be nice,” he said, aware the two-year-old dog wouldn’t be deterred from his wheaten greeting nor would he calm down until he’d said his hellos.
“Oh my God, he’s so cute,” Cassie said, trying to pet Oscar while he did his happy-to-see-you dance.
“Do you need to take him for a walk?” Cassie asked.
He glanced at his watch. “The dog walker probably just took him, considering he’s damp. I’m sure she left a note. Take off your coat and make yourself at home,” Derek said.
He headed over to the credenza and dropped his keys, scanning the note the dog walker had, in fact, left. Unfortunately it contained more than information about walking, eating, and Oscar’s business. His dog walker, who had been amazing and reliable for over two years, had given him notice. She was moving out of state with her fiancé.
“Shit.”
“What’s wrong?” Cassie asked, jacket in hand.
He opened the closet and hung up their outerwear. He slipped off his shoes and she did the same.
“My dog walker gave notice. She’s moving. I have no idea how I’m going to find someone good, and willing to deal with Oscar’s … exuberant personality,” he said, giving his dog a pat.
Oscar who, on hearing his name, had raised himself up on his hind legs once more.
Cassie followed him into his apartment, Oscar on her heels. “There’s an app called Rover. It’s like Uber for dog walkers. You can find someone who is vetted and rated that way. I have friends who’ve used the service.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of them. As an app guy, I have to say I’m impressed. I’ll look into it. Thanks.”
“Happy to help.”
“So, do you like pizza? Downstairs on the corner is the best pizza ever. And they deliver.”
“Love it. Pepperoni if you don’t mind.”
“Exactly what I’d order.” He pulled out his cell phone and called a number he had on speed dial and placed the order.
He showed her the guest room, hoping she wouldn’t be using that bed, rather sleeping in his—without a lot of REM sleep being achieved—and they settled in his big family room/den in front of his big-screen TV, behind which was a wall of windows.
Snow came down in big chunks, creating a gorgeous vista in the background, but he couldn’t tear his gaze from Cassie. She curled her legs beneath her and settled into the corner of the couch, Oscar snuggled by her side.