13. West
13
WEST
“She’s cute, what’s her name?” I ask Luna, looking down at the tiny little Chihuahua in her arms.
“We named her Minnie Mouse because she’s so small.” Luna places a kiss on top of the tiny dog's head. “She was the runt of the litter when we rescued her and her two siblings from a puppy farm.”
I look up. “Cash knows about it?”
“Uh, huh. My old man loves to crack skulls, so this was a good excuse to shut it down.”
“Damn assholes.”
Luna hums in agreement. “But she’s honestly so sweet! She’s just tiny, and I think that’s why she’s been overlooked.”
“How old is she?”
Luna gives me a smile. “Please tell me you’re thinking of adopting her? You’d look so sweet with a Chihuahua on the back of your sled.”
I laugh out loud, imagining the tiny thing with goggles on and a tiny MC cut strapped onto my back. I have to admit it’s pretty cute. “Tryin’ to charm me into takin’ her home?”
“That’s the name of the game.” Luna shrugs. “And she’s only twelve weeks old, but she’s a clever little thing, very affectionate, and knows commands already.”
When I think about Audrina saying she wanted a little dog, I wasn’t quite sure if a puppy was what she had in mind or if it’s my place to get her a dog, but if I do, then I have to be responsible enough to keep her if she wasn’t serious about a dog. She yawns, stretching her tiny paws out, and my heart clenches.
“I was thinkin’ of gettin’ her for a friend.”
Luna glances up at me. “Presents for friends aren’t exactly encouraged; it’s the number one reason why people dump dogs at shelters, especially around the holidays.”
I’ll give it to her; she loves her animals, and rightly so. “Trust me, she’s told me a hundred times about gettin’ a dog, but if she changed her mind, I’ll keep her.”
“She?”
My gaze shifts to hers. “Fine, it’s Audrina.”
Luna’s face splits into a grin. “Now I know why she’s been skipping around here lately, a little spring in her step, her cheeks flushed like she’s just had a good old pounding,” Luna laughs. “It all makes perfect sense.”
I tilt my head. “Wow, you got all of that from me just sayin’ her name? It’s not like that.” I don’t want to be spreading rumors around; Audrina’s a lady after all. I don’t know how to keep a straight face. I mean, outwardly, she is a proper little princess. Well mannered, intelligent, and lovely. But then I think about our antics in bed.
Nope. Audrina wasn’t a lady when she arrived at my house without her underwear on. Nor was she a lady when she let me bury my head between her thighs on our first date until she came on my tongue. And she definitely wasn’t a lady when I rammed my fat cock down her throat until she almost choked on it. But we’ll go with that.
“Right, and you’ve got nothing to do with her sudden good mood?”
“She’s always in a good mood.”
Luna snorts. “Women notice these things, just like I’ve noticed she’s rostered on the same shifts as you every single week. You can’t hide from me.”
“She’s a good worker, and she’s reliable. I wish I could hire a dozen more of her.”
Luna isn’t letting up. The chief sniffer of information — if anything ever got past her, I’d be surprised. “Just tell me if you’re boning, please!”
I laugh. “A gentleman never kisses and tells.”
“You’re hitting it, I know the signs. You know she sings little songs when she thinks nobody is around; that’s new, I’ve never heard her sing before."
Neither have I, and now I need to.
My heart soars that my princess is happy, and it may have had something to do with me. She is always happy, though, so it could be a coincidence. Then again, I think about how I’ve been on Cloud Nine myself this past week and how I can’t get enough of her, and I realize that it has everything to do with her.
I ignore her insinuations. “So if I decide on the dog, can I pick her up tomorrow for the adoption event and surprise her then?”
Luna kisses the little dog's head again as she passes her to me. “Okay, but make sure you’re sure because tomorrow is her one real shot at getting adopted, and if you change your mind, I’ll slap you around the ears.”
As soon as she’s in my arms and I hold her warm little body to my chest, I feel a rush of joy come over me. This is what dogs do. I’ve had them before, and I miss my Simba and Lukey, two of my previous dogs who have since passed away. I’ve never had a little dog before, so if I’m way off the mark, I need to learn how to care for such a tiny little thing. The stairs at my apartment, for example, will be a problem.
“She’s perfect.” I look down at the little bundle as she sleeps soundly, her little eyes screwed up tight, so trusting. “I think she’s gonna love her.”
Luna beams. “I do, too. It might make her slow down a little bit and take some time out. She’s been running around here playing babysitter for months, as well as working and hunting for an apartment.”
A pain lodges in my chest. I don’t want her to look for an apartment. I want her with me.
I know my place isn’t fancy, and it wouldn’t be permanent, but I don’t like the idea of her being alone. This city is crazy. I’d worry about her when I had to work late or when I had to go out of town. Then again, Audrina has told me on many occasions that one of the big reasons for her divorce was the fact that her ex was never present. He was always out of town or working late, as well as weekends, and I don’t wanna be that kind of man for her. I want her to have the freedom that she wants, but I also want to be part of her life. Her coming home to me? That would be the best present a man could ever ask for, but I know for her it’s early days.
“I’m sure havin’ a puppy will force her to take some time out, they need a lot of attention,” I say.
“Look how snuggly she is,” Luna says, caressing her face with her finger. “I think she likes you, Daddy.”
I look up. “Don’t start that.”
Luna laughs. “In all seriousness, Hustler, I’m glad that you’ve finally taken Audrina off the market; it was only a matter of time before some handsome guy came in and swooped her off her feet.”
I don’t even try to deny it anymore. I just need to talk to Nevada before word gets around about us and he finds me and knocks my fuckin’ head off. Not that we don’t get along, and I’m pretty sure he’d approve, but it’s still his mom.
“That ain’t happenin’,” I grumble. “Not on my watch.”
“I’ll have the paperwork ready for tomorrow.”
“Good, I’m gonna go get some doggie shit for her — food, a bed, what else does a puppy need?”
“Blankets, a collar, and a leash — not that she’s quite big enough to fit a collar yet. Maybe a carry bag so Audrina can carry her around,” Luna says.
I smile when I think about Audrina and Minnie Mouse. I really hope she likes her, and I’m not overstepping the mark.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me for the moment,” I tell the puppy. “At least until you get a mommy.”
“Aww.” Luna punches me playfully on the arm. “You’re already so cute with her!”
“Hard not to be, she’s pretty darn cute.”
I spend the rest of the day buying pink shit because the women in the pet shop swoop on me when I tell them what I’m doing. They load me up with toys and special Chihuahua dry food. Two hundred dollars later, I’m heading back to my place with my arms full of stuff, ready to dump it upstairs before Audrina arrives, but when I get to my office, she’s already in there at the computer. I hide everything in the hall closet and run a hand through my hair, my heart thundering at seeing her again.
I take a few extra steps toward the office, and then I hear her on the phone. “I guess I could. I mean, I’d have to check with Asher first.” She pauses. “Oh, just us? I thought you might take him to a game or something? Right. Well, I don’t know, John. I’d have to check my schedule; I’m really busy these days... what? You’ve no right to ask me that, and frankly, it’s none of your business... I don’t either, but I don’t ask you about your personal life…”
John? Her ex, John? I try not to see red, but what is that asshole doing calling her?
I don’t want to eavesdrop, so I move into the doorway and lean on the doorframe. She doesn’t see me at first, and I’m not pleased to see her cheeks are pink and she looks flustered.
He’s upsetting her. Him upsetting her is upsetting me. Maybe I should do a Tag and knock some skulls together, mainly John’s against a brick wall. He had more than twenty-five years with this woman; why won’t he fuck off and leave her alone?
I clear my throat, folding my arms over my chest, and she looks up; her eyes go wide. “I know that, and I agree, we really don’t have to do this. You’ve got your life, I have mine.” Her eyes are still glued to mine. “Listen, John, I can’t get into this right now, I’m at work... I’ll let you know, okay? Fine. Yes, okay. Bye.” She hangs up and sags back in the chair.
I push off the door, striding toward her. “What did that asshole want?”
She sighs. “What he always wants, to have dinner when he’s in town.”
“He’s comin’ to town?” I don’t mean to bark it, but it comes out a little severe.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Next weekend.”
“And let me guess? He wants to have dinner with you?”
She looks away, swallowing hard. “I’ve always found it hard to say no to him.” I don’t like the sound of that, and it’s like this John asswipe intimidates her.
“Did he ever hurt you?” I find it hard to believe Nevada would put up with that shit if he knew about it, but maybe she hid it.
She shakes her head. “No, never, not physically anyway, but he… he has this way of always coercing me to do things I don’t want to.”
I narrow my eyes “Like what?”
She glances up again, her brow furrowing. “No.”
“No?”
"No, not that. I’ve never slept with him after we broke up.” She screws her nose up and I like that a lot. “I’d rather stick my head in a bucket of cold water than have to sleep with him again.”
I nip her chin, bending down to kiss her. I’m delighted when she lets me, moaning softly at my touch. “You don’t ever have to see him again, Audrina. No more. He had his shot; he blew it.”
She smirks against my lips. “Are you getting jealous?”
I snort. “Jealous? Of that asshole? Not one bit. You divorced him for a reason.”
“I just don’t want to be rude, but I really don’t want to see him. I’ve moved on, we don’t need to have dinner.”
“So tell him no.” I gently push her chin up so she’s forced to look at me. “You have every right to stand up for yourself.”
She bites her lip. “He just knows me, you know? I know he didn’t want this divorce, and he made things pretty difficult for me, but I mean, I’m also not suffering. I only took what was fair.”
“You don’t have to explain it to me,” I tell her gently. “You never, ever have to explain or ask me permission to be yourself, Peaches.”
“I know. I’ve just been in a tizzy. I lost my keys yesterday, and then they weirdly showed up in my bag even though I’d looked everywhere for them, so I was frantic over that,” she says.
“Why didn’t you call me? I could've helped.”
“I’m always losing things, but I know I checked my bag a million times.”
“Well, you found them, that’s the main thing.” I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “I don’t like him upsettin’ you, Angel. I know you and me are new at this, and it’s early days, but I want you to know I’m a jealous guy. I can’t help it, and when you’re sad, that makes me really fuckin’ mad.”
She blinks, her hand folding over mine. “Language, West.”
“I’ll show you some language, baby, why don’t we sneak upstairs...”
“There you are!” Lace calls from the doorway.
We spring apart, but it’s a little too late because Lace is grinning like the cat who got the cream.
“Well, well, what do we have here?” She wiggles her eyebrows as she sits in the chair on the other side of the desk. “You two make such a cute couple, by the way. Don’t stop on my account.”
I roll my eyes. “Can we help you with somethin’? You don’t want your old job back by any chance?”
Lace laughs. “I just came by to see my favorite new office girl, and look where I found you.”
“I do own the place,” I muse.
“Uh, huh, which is why this is so hot. How long have you guys been at it? I need details.”
“Lace!” Audrina chastises. “Leave West alone, for heaven’s sake!”
She pokes her tongue out. “Don’t be a spoilsport. I’ve been waiting a long time for this.”
“You really need to get out more.” I smile. “Or maybe those two men at home aren’t doin’ their job properly?”
Lace’s eyes meet mine. “They do just fine, thank you. In fact, I just came here from a mid-morning rompathon?—”
“Okay, okay!” I hold my hands over my ears. “We get the idea.”
Audrina laughs, giving her a look. “How is work going?”
Lace sighs. “Good, but I’ve been working so much lately, we all have, I think we need to have a girls night.”
“I know what your girls nights consist of,” Audrina laughs. “And I don’t plan on going to any strip joints.”
“Why not? They’re fun.”
“For one, I don’t want to see your boyfriend with his tackle hanging out and then have to serve him coffee when he comes in, I won’t know where to look.” Audrina wrinkles her nose, and I laugh.
“I get it.” Lace presses her hands to make prayer hands. “Why look at the menu when you can eat at home, right?”
Audrina groans, and I sit on the edge of the desk, shaking my head. “If you’re planning on sitting here keeping us from working, you can put yourself to use,” I say.
“That’s charming, I come to visit my two favorite people on the planet, and you automatically give me a job to do,” Lace sighs. “Nice.”
“West is severely short staffed at the moment,” Audrina chimes, sticking up for me. “So I’m only able to commit to a day here and there in the office.”
“Easier to play footsies in here,” Lace laughs. “Without prying eyes.”
“Not as easy as you think.” I give her a pointed look.
“I came to ask Audrina if she’s going to the adoption event tomorrow,” Lace says excitedly. “I think we’re going to get Eli a dog.”
“That’s awesome!” Audrina claps her hands together. “And yes, I’ll be there, in fact, I’ve got to get over there this afternoon to help the girls get everything ready.”
A little thump in my chest at what I did today pounds like a ticking clock. I really want her to be happy with Minnie Mouse, but I also don’t want to force her into it.
“I can help, I have the afternoon off if they need an extra pair of hands?” Lace offers.
“That would be great, we always need helpers,” Audrina says.
I shift off the desk. “I better get back to it.” I wave behind me, knowing I have a ton of stuff to do. “I can drive you over later, if you’d like.”
Audrina smiles and fuck me if it doesn’t go straight to my dick. “Thanks, West, that would be fantastic.”
“It’s no problem, I’m headed that way myself.”
I leave the girls to chat while I sneak the bags upstairs, leaving the dog bed in the closet because she’ll see it, and then there will be questions.
I still can’t get the idea of her and her ex having dinner out of my head. It rattles me. I’m not overly possessive, or I didn’t think I was until she came along. When I see someone making her upset, I want to go postal on their asses. I’m not sure she nor Nevada would appreciate me pummeling John’s head into a brick wall, but that’s about all he’s fit for.
In fact, I pull out my cell and shoot her a text.
Me
I’ve got a great idea, want to hear it?
I’m delighted when she immediately reads my message, and the gray bubble appears. A few moments later, her reply appears.
Peaches
I’d love to
I grin, biting down on my lip as I reply.
Me
The next time I’m fucking you, I want you to call your ex and tell him you’re not having dinner with him, while I’m inside you
The gray bubble appears, then disappears, then appears again. It takes a full minute before her reply shoots through.
Peaches
You really are a very bad man
I grin.
Me
Oh, baby, you have no idea