I shake my head. “I adopted him for him. When I went to the shelter, I saw him playing outside and remembered you’d talked about him. Somehow the second I met him, I
knew I wouldn’t be leaving without him. So, no, I didn’t adopt him for you, but you made me want to go see him.”
“Why?” she asks with genuine curiosity.
I’m more honest than I’ve ever been with anyone. “Because I wanted to know what kind of guy could steal your heart.”
She takes a step closer. “Why did you want to know that?”
I get exactly what she’s looking for. And I’ll damn well give her the answers she deserves. Now it’s my time to talk. “Because I wanted to understand the way you think.”
Another step. “Why?”
The air is thickening between us. My cock swelling, reacting to nearness. “I wanted you to see that I am that guy you met in Muskoka. That I don’t want to be the guy you’d always known in L.A. I wanted you to see that I’m not just a selfish prick.”
One more step. “Why do you care how I perceive you?”
I’m lost in her pretty eyes. “Because I miss you.”
“You miss me?” she whispers, angling her chin up.
I remove my hands from my pockets and drag my knuckles across her cheeks. “I miss being around you. I miss the fun we had.” I stare into her eyes, loving how they heat under my touch. “Your body, your mind, your heart, your cute rambling—I miss all of it.” I reach for her chin, capturing her gaze. “I know that it doesn’t make sense. We had only a few days together. But, there it is. I want to explore this between us, and see where we end up, if you’ll have me.”
She blinks, her chest rising and falling against mine. “Actually, it does make sense.”
“How so?”
“Because I miss you, too.” She smiles.
Emotion tightens my chest as I cup her face. “I’m sorry, Mallory. For the email. For the auction. For all of it. I will never hurt you like that again. Ever. That is my absolute promise to you.” I step back and whistle, and Muskoka comes barreling toward us.
When he sits next to me, I lower to one knee and place his furry face next to mine. “So, what do you say, Mallory, will you give us another chance?”
She laughs softly, staring down at us. “You do not play fair at all.”
“When it comes to you, I won’t.” I rise, moving closer while Muskoka stays at my feet. “I want to see where this goes. Can you forgive me?”
Her mouth twitches, eyes search mine. “Well, as far as getting me to see that you’re serious about all this, I’d say you’re off to a really good start.”
“Just a start?” I ask, wondering what else I could possibly do to prove myself.
She presses her soft body against mine, resting her hands on my chest, and grins. “I think you need to take me back to your place before I make my final decision.”
I don’t need to hear more, understanding completely.
With a grin, I take her hand and whistle for Muskoka to follow, determined like hell to make this woman a permanent fixture in my life. Because for all that’s felt wrong these past days, when my hand squeezes hers, suddenly everything feels right again.
Mallory
When I enter Jackson’s condo, I smile at the warmth of his space. Panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles fill my vision. I’ve been to Liam’s condo a couple times, and there are some similarities. Their living spaces make my and Aria’s condo look like a closet in comparison. But where Liam’s condo is cool, Jackson’s is warm. Lots of chrome on the tables and light fixtures keep things modern but every other thing in this room has an earthy feel. Now that I know about Muskoka, I guess that makes sense. This space feels like he re-created his love of the outdoors and brought those elements inside. From the earth-toned stones on the fireplace against the far wall to the dark gray hardwood floors leading from the doorway to the open-concept living room to the kitchen table behind the soft gray leather couches to the chef’s kitchen on the right.
I turn and watch Jackson unhook the leash from Muskoka’s collar. Then the ball of fluff, clearly at home, trots down the three stairs toward his bed in front of the fireplace. I follow him, squatting down and giving him a head scratch. There are toys scattered around. A lot of toys. A big water bowl and a food bowl with a ridiculous amount of food are in my line of vision in the kitchen. “You are one lucky boy,” I tell Muskoka, kissing him on the head.
I’d never bonded to a dog as much as I had with Muskoka. He just had this unforgettable thing about him. And as far as grand gestures go, Jackson couldn’t have found a better one. Not because he adopted Muskoka, because truthfully, I would probably be annoyed that Jackson would use a dog to get to me. But he had won me over because he did one better. He cared for Muskoka, truly and meaningfully, doing all he could to make sure Muskoka was happy. He gave him a good home.
That means something to me.
He was trying to do better and make amends.