Chase chuckled and turned his back to her, grabbing a T-shirt from the closet, revealing his muscular back. “What’s on the agenda for today?” he asked.
She lifted the puppy up to her face, kissing his cute wet nose. He was so much brighter than yesterday, giving her hope he would be okay. “Well, first thing first, I’ll need to grab my car from the Spurs and head home to get ready for the day.” She placed the pup down between her legs on top of the duvet and tickled his belly, while he wiggled, trying to nip her fingers. “After that, I guess I’ll go to the pet store and grab this guy some stuff. Who knows how long he’ll be here. The way Leah sounded, it might take a few days.”
Chase glanced over his shoulder and nodded. “I suspect it will.”
Houdini flipped over, mouthing her fingers. “What about you?” she asked.
“I have to take a drive over to the ranch.” He faced her again and slid the black T-shirt over his head, covering his torso. Across the front, in bold white letters, read BLACKSHAW CONSTRUCTION.
She couldn’t hide her smile, so damn happy for him. Her dream was opening a restaurant in Las Vegas. His had always been opening his own construction company. She could recall hearing him talk about it to her parents all the time while growing up, and he even talked about it a lot after they passed to Brody.
Three months ago, that dream happened for him. She had seen the way the purpose affected him whenever he came into the bar, the light of pride in his eyes. She envied that, excited to find it herself. Though she also happened to notice how the fabric stretched across his strong chest. “I bet you get all the catcalls in that T-shirt.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Right now, I only want one girl catcalling at me in this T-shirt.”
She whistled.
Addictive heat flared in his eyes. He took a step toward her, all the air evaporating between them. When he pressed his hands against the mattress, leaning in close, her belly fluttered, heart raced. To be Chase’s focus heated her from head to toe. She leaned in to kiss him, when out of nowhere, Houdini nipped her chin. “Ouch.” She gently snatched him up, holding him against her chest. “Maybe I should grab a crate when I’m there.”
“Not a bad idea.” Chase reached down to the floor, rising again with a sock in his hand. The toe had a huge hole. “It will stop him from destroying my stuff while he’s here.”
She laughed again. “Oh, you are a naughty boy.” She kissed his cute nose anyway.
“Are you working tonight?” Chase asked, bringing her attention back to him as he buttoned up his jeans.
“Yeah, I told Megan I would keep working until Tuesday and help train my replacement, Bethany.” Harper had worked every night at the Spurs from seven thirty until closing, usually around three in the morning, alongside Megan.
Houdini began nibbling on his duvet. “I don’t think so, little one.” Chase scooped him up with one hand, holding him like a football again, the pup’s belly resting on his arms, little legs dangling. “I should have everything I need to do wrapped up this afternoon. What time will you be done with all your stuff?”
“Three o’clock-ish.” That gave her time to stop putting off moving and begin packing up her bedroom.
“Good.” He grinned. “Then I get you from three to seven.” It wasn’t a question, more a statement. One she didn’t mind either.
The warmth his presence carried spilled over
her when he placed Houdini on the bed again, then cupped her face. His lips met hers, his tongue sliding with hers, until she was breathless, moaning against his mouth. Each second becoming hotter. Every swipe of his tongue pulling her in deeper. His fingers threaded into her hair, pinning her to him. This was what she had been missing in her. She always wanted a man who claimed her, without fear of what her brother would do.
Chase was that man.
Though he also was the man who put everything and everyone before his own wants. He leaned away and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “We need to go.”
Sometimes she wished he would stop being the good guy all the time. Actually, she wished he would put her first, not only when it made sense, but because he wanted her that badly.
Eight days. She would take what she could get.
He took a step back then and reached into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet. He removed his credit card, offering it to her. “For what he needs at the pet store.”
She kept her hands on the bed. “That’s not necessary. I’ll pay for whatever he needs.”
Chase frowned. “How about we don’t argue about this, all right? The pup is in my house. He’s my responsibility. You’ve got enough expenses coming up, I’m sure. I’ve got this, Harper.”
Something in his eyes stopped her from arguing further. She realized she could love parts of his strength while appreciating that, at times, his strength might also annoy her a little. “Okay, then I won’t argue”—she grinned—“this time, since he is staying at your house.” And she was totally broke right now with the upcoming move. She accepted the card then gave Houdini another kiss on his nose.
Chase harrumphed. When she looked up, he arched an eyebrow again in her direction. “I do believe I deserve that kiss.”
“Right? How could I dare kiss the cutest puppy ever?” To tease him, she released Houdini, dropped the duvet, and rose to her knees, revealing her naked flesh. Chase’s gaze flared with heat as he glanced over her puckered nipples and moved lower to her sex. She quivered with ravenous hunger as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He slid his hand over her back, to her bottom, pressing her tighter against him, revealing his erection. His lips discovered hers in a kiss taking her away from there, bringing her to a place where thoughts faded, and sensation became all she knew.
A piercing bark broke their kiss. She glanced over her shoulder, finding Houdini attacking the duvet as if the bed were his greatest enemy.