“He’s getting better.”
“Deanna,” he starts with a frown on his face.
“He listened to me just now, didn’t he? He was in protective mode too, so that’s major,” I interrupt, having no clue if it really matters that he listened to me in that moment, yet he still refuses to move to the foot of the bed and stay there.
“If you change your mind, let me know. I want to help.”
“Did you come over just to see the dog?” I mutter, walking around Otis and back to my living room.
“Primarily.”
At his admission, I whirl around in disbelief. When I see his smirk, I laugh. “You’re mean. I’m also surprised you’re toying with me, Brayden. I thought you didn’t like games.”
He stands and comes to sit next to me on the couch. “I said I didn’t like yours,” he reminds me as Otis tries to crawl between us, but I direct him to the end of the couch. He listens and I send a pointed glance at Brayden. I’m three for three on Otis listening to my commands in the last few minutes. “Why Otis?” Brayden asks.
“Why not Otis? He looks like an Otis to me.”
Brayden chuckles. “If you say so.”
“Don’t hate on my name choice for my dog. How was your trip?” He hasn’t talked much about it.
“Lots of meetings,” he replies with a shrug. Those eyes swivel and fixate on me. “Did you panic when I asked for your address?”
I grab the throw pillow next to me and hit him in the stomach. “What is your problem today? I’m supposed to say shit to you, not the other way around.”
He grins. “I’m in a good mood.”
“Well, I don’t like it,” I grumble, even though I really do. It’s nice to see a playful side of him.
“Too bad. When do I get to see your bedroom? You saw mine less than two minutes after entering my house for the first time. I’ve been here for at least five.”
Man, I can’t get over him being like this! I love it. I stand, hold out my hand, but when Brayden stands, he hauls me over his shoulder. Otis barks once and through my laughter, I tell him to stay and give Brayden directions to my bedroom down the hall.
“Miss me?” I ask once Brayden sets me on the bed. It was supposed to come out as a breathy tease, but...is that hope in my voice? What in the world? I don’t understand.
Brayden places his hands on either side of my hips. He presses a firm, quick kiss to my mouth. “Yep.”
All the air in my lungs evaporates. I expected a chuckle or a grin or more kissing, not an actual answer, and
definitely not a yes.
I relax when he adds, “I missed fucking you.” It reminds me we’re fuck buddies; at the most, friends. It means nothing that he’s the first guy to ever come to my house since I stopped letting guys come over. It means nothing that he’s about to fuck me in my bed.
This means nothing at all.
I remind myself of that as he strips me naked, kisses me, and runs his hands along my body as if he actually missed me, and as I ignore how ridiculously fucking good it feels to be with him. It all means nothing. Afterward, we’re lying side by side, facing one another, and Brayden frowns. His fingers graze over my chest.
“What are these bruises from?”
I’m surprised he noticed them; they’re already fading. “Otis. He runs and jumps on me when I come home.”
Brayden’s hand dips beneath the sheets and brushes over the top of my thigh. “You have one here too.”
“He accidentally jumped on me when he jumped on the bed.”
The concern in his eyes is sweet, but it means nothing, too. “You need a trainer to help you, Deanna. I’ll find someone and you’re going to let me. Then, you’ll at least know if you’re doing the right things or not.”
“Fine.”