Sugar

“Did I do something wrong?” he asked, standing and looking concerned.

She shook her head. “No. No.” She closed her eyes and breathed out, trying to calm herself. She’d ruined tonight. “I just have to go.” He didn’t try and stop her as she left his apartment, or got in the elevator.

Once the doors closed and she was alone again she felt like crying. She couldn’t see him again, not just because of him not knowing who she was, but because her feelings for him were becoming consuming. She’d never felt like this before, never even imagined that she could have emotions that were so strong.

But there was something about Colton that made her want more out of life. He infuriated and agitated her. He pissed her off and frustrated her. But at the end of the day he made her happy, had her smiling, and she knew that was dangerous.

He was dangerous for her heart.

6

Three days later

Colton was still thinking about Sugar and when he’d had his mouth on her.

Hell, she was just as sweet as her name implied.

He didn’t know what he’d done wrong. One moment they were talking and he was being honest with her, and the next he was kissing her. She’d reciprocated. He’d felt it as she leaned into him and opened her mouth. But then she’d broken the kiss and hauled ass out of his apartment.

Staring at his dog, he knew he had to take him out for a walk, to have both of them get some fresh air. He needed to clear his head anyway. She hadn’t called, and in fact had been avoiding him since she left.

Sitting on the sofa, he stared at Boscoe, who kept his gaze on the door. In just the short amount of time Boscoe had been with Sugar there had been a huge improvement to his demeanor. The dog seemed more relaxed, content even.

“You’re waiting for her, aren’t you, bud?”

Boscoe moved his head so that his face was on Colton’s knee.

Colton had never been a pet or animal person. He had no time to care for them. His sister had adored them. Loved them.

Putting his hand on Boscoe’s head, he released a breath.

“I shouldn’t have kissed her. If I had controlled myself, you’d still have a friend, buddy, and I’d still see the woman I crave desperately.”

He didn’t understand. None of it made any sense to him. Everything had been going so well for him up until then.

Shaking his head and pushing those thoughts aside, he tried to focus on other things. In a few days he was finally going to have that precious meeting that he’d been working toward.

That alone made him so fucking happy.

It had taken him a couple of months to negotiate that meeting. Just a couple more days and he’d have everything he ever wanted or needed.

Boscoe whined.

“I know, boy. I know. She’s not coming, though, so I guess you and I are going to have to figure this shit out.” He finished off his coffee.

Boscoe didn’t move and he kept on rubbing behind his ears. The action soothed him.

All he could think about was that damn kiss.

“You want to go out for a walk?”

Boscoe lifted his head, doing that cute tilt that made him look so adorable.

“I may have finally figured out what my sister saw in you.” He smiled. Getting to his feet, he grabbed the lead, and Boscoe ran to the door, clearly wanting to go out.

“I can’t promise you that we’ll bump into her but here’s to hoping.” He wanted to apologize for his behavior the other night and maybe even ask her on a date.

With Boscoe on the lead, he made his way toward the elevator. Once inside, he tried to think of what he could say by way of an apology.

Sorry for being a dick.

Did I come on too strong?

I need you in my life.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror hanging in the foyer. “I’m losing my mind.” He burst out laughing. “You hear this, Boscoe? This woman even has me talking to myself.”

Leaving the apartment building, he waved at the security officer at the front desk. With Boscoe by his side, he noticed a couple of people crossed the street to avoid him. See, there was a good reason to have a dog by his side.

Even though he wanted to see Sugar, he had no intention of seeking her out. The last thing he wanted to do was to scare or push her away, and yet he found himself heading toward the dog park.

Making his way inside, he saw plenty of dogs already off their leads. Boscoe sat by his feet, clearly waiting to be let go so he could run out some of his energy. When Boscoe gave his head a little tilt, the leash pulled in Colton’s hand.