“How about a cup of coffee any time you choose?” he tried again.
“Careful, Julian. I might think you’re desperate.”
“What makes you think I’m not?” He settled a hip on her desk, clearly digging in, refusing to leave until he got the answer he desired. “Okay, you won’t just agree to talk to me. I get that and I understand why.”
She knew better than to feel relieved. He was merely biding his time. Still, she had to try and push him further. “So you’ll give up and go home?”
He flinched at her words but remained in place, his steady gaze on hers. “Not so fast, kitten.”
“Don’t call me that.” It was too intimate, too much. He’d had his reasons for the nickname he’d bestowed on her, and today they made her blush. She folded her arms across her chest, protecting her heavily beating heart.
He blew out a long breath. “I guess you’re going to make me spell it out right here, right now. I’m in Alcoholics Anonymous—works for me better than Narcotics Anonymous,” he said, the same muscle ticking at the corner of his eye as he admitted a truth she hadn’t seen coming.
She gripped the edge of her desk with both hands.
“I’m seriously working the program, and I want to talk to you. There are things I need to say,” he said, his voice low, his tone sincere.
Raw honesty was the last thing she’d expected to hear from him, and her heart twisted, softening toward him. How could it not? She’d done the therapy thing herself. Had gone through apologies with her sister, Kade, and her father, taking responsibility for her actions. Never mind that Julian had instigated some of her behavior, she’d made her own decisions. So she understood his need to apologize to her now.
But if she let him in in any way, she’d be risking the trust her sister and her husband placed in her. They wanted her to steer clear of Julian, and they had good, solid reasons for their feelings.
Reasons she agreed with herself. And she couldn’t justify hearing him out for any reason other than she was weak when it came to Julian Dane.
“I’m sorry,” she said, the words painful but necessary. “But I can’t. If you need to apologize,” which she knew was a tenet of his program, “then know that I hear you. And I appreciate the sentiment.” She could at least give him that.
Disappointment flashed across his handsome features, and she felt bad. “That’s not all I have to say.”
She swallowed hard, fighting past the need to listen to what he wanted to tell her. She couldn’t let it matter. “You need to hear me, Julian. Go home.”
“Okay.” He rose from his seat on the desk, both shocking and disappointing her with his sudden acquiescence.
Before she could blink, she watched his back as he strode out the door, giving her exactly what she had asked for. And leaving her feeling emptier than she could have imagined.
Chapter Two
To Kendall’s surprise, Julian showed up at the shelter the next day, again asking to talk. This time, the place was busy with people picking up already signed-for and adopted animals, families looking at potential pets, and a devastated woman who had to leave her beloved dog because the women’s shelter she was living in didn’t allow her to keep him.
Kendall was fried and exhausted, and the last thing she could deal with was a sexy-as-sin Julian, waiting patiently for her to have time for him.
Thank goodness he realized the day wasn’t going to lighten up, and he disappeared during one of her trips to the kennels in the back. Once again, she ignored the immense feeling of disappointment she experienced at his leaving, reminding herself it was for the best. In fact, if he gave up, he’d be doing her a favor.
The next day, there was no sign of Julian, and Kendall spent the morning with the animals. She was worried about one pup in particular. Monty, a mix of too many breeds to count, with big brown eyes, wasn’t feeling well. The vet who donated his time was coming to check him over this afternoon. Kendall cleaned his crate and spoke to him gently, promising he’d feel better soon. He curled up in the corner of his crate and looked at her with soulful eyes, breaking her heart.
She checked on the other dogs and spent a few minutes with Steve before washing her hands and walking into the front office, where Josie manned the desk.
“I’m glad the vet’s coming for Monty,” Kendall said. “The poor guy’s stomach is really bad.” Her words trailed off as she caught sight of Julian, his head bent over a form as he filled out paperwork.
“What’s going on?” she asked, her gaze flying from him to Josie.
“Mr. Dane—”
“Julian,” he said, glancing up and flashing Josie his most endearing smile.
“Julian,” Josie said obligingly, “wants to adopt.”
“What? Since when?” Kendall asked.
Josie’s eyes opened wide at her harsh tone. “Kendall!”