I let him dictate the kiss, partly because he short-circuited my brain every time his mouth claimed mine, and partly because I didn’t know if I should reveal the mutt or squirrel him away until I’d trained and earned his trust.
But Jacob pulled away, his eyes warm as molasses. “Aunt Cassie said you had something to show me?”
“Oh, she did, did she?” I glowered over his shoulder at her.
She threw her head back and laughed.
“What’s going on?” Jacob’s smile faltered a little. “Everything okay?”
“Um.” I bit my lip. “I did something.”
“What did you do?” His gaze dropped over me, scanning me from head to toe. “Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?” Panic I hadn’t seen in a while filled his eyes. “Goddammit, Hope. I told you I didn’t want you around those rescues. Not after what happened with Mom—” He went to grab me, but I spun out of his reach and yanked open the back door.
“I’m not hurt, but this little guy is. I know you find it hard, and I know I’m asking so much of you, but…please?” I held out my hand, inviting the little dog to creep forward. “Give him a chance?”
Jacob froze, his attention locked on the scruffy mutt. “Where the hell did he come from?”
“The farm where the horses were abused.”
“Why did you bring him here?”
“To save him.” I shrugged. “But only if you can handle it. If not, I’ll fatten him up, show him what love feels like, then find him a forever home.” I didn’t want to give him up, but I also didn’t want to hurt Jacob.
“Goddammit, Hope.” He rubbed his face with a shaking hand. “What are you trying to do? Kill me?”
I abandoned the pup and went to my best-friend and lover. “Not kill…set free.” I nuzzled into him, hugging him tight. “You love Forrest. You have a bond with him. That doesn’t hurt…does it?”
He hugged me back, wedging his chin on my head. “It hurts, just like loving you hurts.”
I kissed the dirty shirt over his heart. “But worth it.”
He nodded with a heavy sigh. “Yeah, worth it.”
I held him until his shakes subsided.
A thud sounded behind us, followed by a little squeak.
I spun in Jacob’s arms. “Oh, no. He fell out of the truck.” I moved to leave Jacob’s embrace—to check on the dog now splayed in the dirt, but Jacob held me back.
His fingers feathered and tightened, then let me go reluctantly.
With a smile, I moved away and ducked by the little dog.
The canine trembled, his tiny muzzle pulling back to reveal pointy teeth in warning.
I cringed.
Jacob wouldn’t tolerate a dog that might bite me—begging or no begging.
I stiffened as Jacob crept forward, expecting him to pull me away and order the dog off his property. Instead, he dropped to his haunches, murmuring soft things, his voice calm and soothing.
And the dog listened.
His teeth no longer bared, and his tail wagged. Slowly, he inched with his belly gliding the ground toward Jacob’s boots.
Jacob didn’t touch him. Just let him sniff.
The dog took the invitation and circled him, sniffing his jeans, his wrists, his knees, everything he could reach.
After he’d sniffed his fill, he stared Jacob dead in the eye, then flopped onto his back, revealing his gaunt belly.
I burst out laughing as Jacob groaned under his breath.
His eyes met mine, rueful and exasperated. “Just like you, huh? Bit of fight to start with, then full-on warfare to make me fall in love with you instantly.”
I giggled. “I did nothing of the sort.”
He scratched the dog’s belly, shaking his head. “You know exactly what you did. I didn’t stand a chance against you.”
“And he doesn’t stand a chance against you. You’re the favourite.” Even though I’d rescued him, he’d chosen his pack, and the leader was Jacob. “He’s madly in love with you already, just so you know.”
Jacob caught my eyes, his tan face and handsome smile stealing my breath. “And you’re madly in love with me too, right?”
“Every day of my life.” I smiled.
“For the rest of forever?”
“For the rest of forever.” I leaned forward and kissed him, still shocked even now at the privilege of being able to touch this man. Kiss him. Make love to him. Sleep beside him when he was at his most vulnerable.
Jacob grabbed me, squishing me close until we tumbled into the dirt together. But he didn’t stop kissing me. He didn’t stop when dust covered us or the dog jumped on us or when Cassie got out the hose and sprayed us with a laugh.
We rolled and hugged and kissed and played, and I’d never been so stupidly happy.
“He can stay, Hope Jacinta Murphy.” Climbing to his feet, he held out a hand to help me up. When I stood, he brushed the worst of the mess off me before yanking me close and whispering into my ear. “That’s the last time I call you Murphy, by the way. After tomorrow, you’re a Wild. Hope Jacinta Wild. For always.”