The Billionaire's Island Bride (South Shore Billionaires 3)

By the time they got to Cole’s, Marvin was soaking wet and she was breathless from fighting the wind. She knocked on the front door, suddenly wondering if this was an awful idea. Marvin was going to be wet and probably make a mess; she’d be dripping everywhere. A nasty gust of wind slammed into them both and she hunched forward. What if he hadn’t heard her knock?

She just raised her hand to knock again when the door opened, and Cole stood there in the breach. His mouth was open in surprise as he took in what she was sure had to be a bedraggled sight—one woman in a canary yellow raincoat and a very wet dog with his tail not quite between his legs, but definitely in a displeased position. Another gust of wind sent a wash of rain over them and partly into Cole’s foyer. “You’d better come in, before you blow away.”

She stepped inside and let him close the door, but didn’t move inside. “I’m soaking wet, I’m afraid. And going to drip over your foyer.”

“That’s what towels are for. Hang on.”

He disappeared for a moment, then came back with two fluffy towels. He took Marvin’s leash while she removed her raincoat and boots, and then used a towel to blot her face and arms. She was just about to reach for Marvin when he started an all-over body shudder and shook, spraying water all over the foyer and Cole’s clean pants.

“Oh, Marvin!” Brooklyn let out a huge sigh. “I’m sorry, Cole. What a mess.”

Again, he laughed. “It’s water. It won’t hurt anything.” He took Marvin’s towel and started rubbing it over the dog’s back and down his legs. “Yeah, you like that, don’t you?” Marvin wore a blissful doggy expression and Brooklyn rolled her eyes. That creature loved anything to do with pats, scratches or rubs. He didn’t even mind when Cole lifted his feet and dried off each pad.

“Is it okay that we’re here? With the power out and all, and then a tree came down in front of the house, and I just thought...”

“You thought what?” He stood, holding the towel in his hands, watching her intently.

Heat rushed into her cheeks. “The worst of the storm is set to be after dark. It just felt...a little lonely. I mean, there are lots of times when I’ve weathered storms alone because there’s no one here. But you are here, and Raelynn and Dan, and—”

“You don’t have to explain. I told you that you were welcome to join us and I meant it. There’s lots of room, we’ve got power thanks to the generator, and we’ll be cozy as anything.”

“I’ll try to make sure Marvin behaves himself.”

In response, Cole reached down and unclipped Marvin’s leash. “Don’t be silly. He’s a great dog. Come on, Marvin. Let’s get a treat.”

At the word “treat,” the dog’s ears perked up and he followed closely on Cole’s heels as Cole started down the hall toward the kitchen.

“He doesn’t really eat people food,” she cautioned. The last thing she needed was for Marvin to have some sort of gastro episode in the middle of the storm.

“How about some cheese? Or some carrots?”

Brooklyn followed the duo into the kitchen. “I suppose a little would be all right. I did bring kibble with me.”

“Perfect. Let me find a bowl for water.”

He dug around in the cupboards until he found a stainless steel mixing bowl, which he filled with water and put on the floor. Then he went into the fridge and grabbed a platter. It contained cubed cheese, meats and had a bunch of green grapes in the center. “Hungry?”

She’d eaten lunch but it had been a simple grilled cheese. “I wouldn’t mind a few grapes.”

“Great. Make yourself at home.” He took three cubes of cheese and went over to Marvin. “Marvin, sit.”

Marvin’s butt hit the tile floor.

Cole turned to Brooklyn with a wide smile that made him look ridiculously boyish. “I didn’t think he’d really do it.”

“Ask him to shake a paw, and offer your non-cheese hand.”

He turned back, leaned over. “Marvin, shake a paw.” He held out his hand, and Marvin lifted his paw and placed it on Cole’s palm.

“Good boy! Have a piece of cheese.” Cole fed him the cube of cheddar. Marvin took it delicately, and once more Brooklyn marveled at the wide smile on Cole’s face. He really did love dogs. It was a crying shame that he was in his thirties and had never had one. Marvin added so much to her life.

“There’s a fire on in the fireplace. Why don’t you bring your grapes and come in? Do you want a coffee? Brandy or cognac?”

She’d forgotten that she was moving into the lap of luxury by coming to Cole’s. “I wouldn’t say no to coffee, but show me where the stuff is. I can make it. You don’t have to wait on me.”

“Don’t be silly. I know how to run a coffee maker.”

He did, too. Before long there were two steaming mugs. He even steamed milk for hers and poured the froth in, making a rich, aromatic latte. “See?”