Chapter 5
GINA
Owen Stone’s cock is incredible.
His entire body is a work of art.
I’d just jogged up the stairs to grab a sweater, and of course Spanky was hot on my trail, thinking we were playing a game. Naturally when he saw Owen with that towel around his waist, he did what he always does.
It all happened so fast, I couldn’t even warn him. One second, I was standing at the top of the stairs feeling a chill, the next, my entire body flooded with heat as a six-foot-two naked Adonis was unveiled in front of me.
From his broad shoulders lined with muscles, to his rounded biceps, to the cut of his six-pack torso, to the two lines forming a V down to his fully erect penis.
An audible gulp came from my throat. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Then he stopped my heart when he asked me if I liked it.
His tone was different than it has ever been. It was cocky and teasing, and it did crazy things to my insides. It made me feel like I was on a roller coaster going over the first big hill.
Excitement raced from my stomach to my throat, but I couldn’t say, “Yes, sir!” I very much liked what I saw… Owen Stone’s naked body is gorgeous.
Instead, all I could do was mutter a quick sorry and dash down the stairs again. I figured I’d use a quilt or one of Mav’s hoodies to get warm. Although, after that encounter, I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be cold again all week.
What had he been doing in the shower… and could I watch next time? My cheeks burned hot at the thought.
Now I’m in the Champions’ locker room with Haddy facing the entire team and going through the names for the fundraising calendar.
The guys are gearing up, getting ready for practice. Half of them seem amused by the idea; the other half aren’t really interested.
Gav and Mav have already headed out to the ice. They have their dates and dogs. It’s the rest of the “models” we have to coordinate, so we’re here, facing a gang of super tall, super-hot, super impatient men.
“As you know, management wants to do something fun to benefit the children’s hospital,” Haddy starts, confident as usual. “After careful consideration, looking at market performance, a calendar seems like the easiest way to do it.”
A rumble of affirmation is the only response.
“The theme is ‘Hockey Hunks and Hounds,’ and I have a list of names…” she continues. “We only have twelve spots, so as much as we’d like to use everyone, we just don’t have enough room.”
Haddy’s brow furrows as she reads off the selections, and it reminds me of my dad breaking the bad news to teenage boys at high school football camp. Clearly, it’s a gene, because none of them seem angry or offended at not being chosen.
The list includes several guys we know, who’ve been to the house for Halloween parties or Friendsgiving events, Donovan Price, Saxon Walsh, and Aiden Akers. The rest I’m meeting for the first time.
“My cousin Gina here is our animal coordinator. She has hounds picked out for each of you, but if you have a dog you’d like to use, please let us know. We prefer actual relationships to arranged pairs.”
With that, she steps to the side with the guys whose names we called to make notes of their pet-ownership status on her roster. I’m left facing the remaining calendar boys, which includes Owen Stone.
I purposely avoided him after our flashing moment in the hall. I wasn’t sure how my nerves would react to seeing him again after that naked encounter.
Today, he stands in front of me, fully clothed, with a grin on his face like we share a secret. “I guess you know I have my own hound.”
“Yes…” Clearing my throat, I nod, not making eye contact. “We can go ahead and schedule your photo shoot as soon as you’re ready. With the season starting so soon, we’re hoping to get all the photos taken before games begin.”
“Tell me the place and time, and I’ll be there, Cherry.”
“Cherry?” My nose wrinkles, and I squint up at him, this time making eye contact.
“You always smell like cherries.”
“Oh…” I exhale a laugh. “My mom’s favorite color is red, and cherries sort of became her thing. I guess it reminds me of her. My dad calls her that sometimes…”
My voice trails off at the implication.
“I like it.” His voice is low, and it’s clear things have shifted between us.
Whereas before, we gave each other space, not blurring the lines or being overly friendly, now he’s standing close, almost touching.
I’m not sure I like this new development. It makes my ears hot and my insides tingly.
“Does tomorrow afternoon work for you?” Taking out the roster, I show him my notes. “I’ve got Maverick set for this afternoon, and Gavin is tomorrow morning.”
“Of course.” He grins, and my chest tightens. “What do you need me to do?”
“Just be at the house.” I scrub my fingers over my forehead, focusing my thoughts on the job. “It’ll be easier for Ladybird if she’s in a familiar place.”
“Sounds good. What should I wear?”
“Oh, um… Haddy didn’t tell you?” Looking around, I spy my cousin making notes with the other players. “Just, ah, your skating shorts… no pants.”
His brow arches, and a naughty gleam flickers in his eyes. “No shirt?”
To my horror, my cheeks burn red. I quickly blink away, fanning myself with the roster I’m holding. When I realize what I’m doing, I stop immediately and shove the papers under my arm.
“It’s all part of the ‘hunks’ theme of the calendar, you know.” I wave my hand, adding under my breath, “It was Haddy’s idea.”
“Don’t worry, Cherry, I’m not offended.” He’s still teasing me, and it’s almost worse. “I get it. Ladies like topless men. It’s the same with guys.”
Straightening my shoulders, I force myself to stop acting like an embarrassed amateur. This is not my first rodeo, and I was recruited for my professionalism and dog expertise.
Lifting my chin, I decide two can play at this game. “You’re saying men like topless men as well?”
His lips part with a full, pearly white smile. “I guess some do.”
He says it with that same swagger he had while naked, only this time, he couples it with a wink. I’m pretty sure I burst into flames on the spot.
“Well, I’d better get going. Have to get Spanky ready for Mav.”
With that, I turn and walk straight into the round, metal trash can sitting beside the door. It bangs loudly then starts to spin, rolling around and nearly falling before Owen and I both jump forward to catch it.
I want to die.
“I didn’t see that there.” I point at the metal canister, putting my hand on the door as I push through it.
So much for professionalism.
Owen’s lips press, and I can tell he’s fighting a laugh. Turning on my heel, I walk with purpose to the exit.
“That Ryan guy’s pretty cool.” Maverick flops onto the couch after treating us all to a habanero mac and cheese dinner with Cajun cornbread.
The kitchen is clean, and we’re trying to decide what “family movie” to watch tonight, since we’re closing in on our final weeks of being together every week.
In the past, when hockey season started, Maverick would be gone all the time, Haddy would be in graduate school, and I’d be completely absorbed in the world of dog show judging, dog training, dog grooming…
A few things have changed since last year: Haddy graduated and had a baby, and I’ve backed off on judging dog shows after the last time our house was toilet-papered.
The rest has remained the same. Gav and Mav are gearing up to play nonstop, which seriously shifts our social calendar.
“I didn’t think I could fit Spanky on my shoulder,” Mav continues. “But the way he did the thing with the prop… it was pretty cool! Wait til you see it.”
“You had Spanky on your shoulder?” My eyebrows rise.
Ryan Grantham is the premiere dog photographer in the city. I’d had to leave my cousins with him this afternoon so I could head back and file the paperwork for the Greater Los Angeles dog show, which is the last one that might put Spanky in the running for the best in show competition.
It’s probably too late, but I know Ryan so well, I knew they were in good hands.
He started out briefly as my assistant dog handler, which is why I was able to get him to work with us on this calendar on such short notice. Otherwise, he would be completely out of reach.
Ryan works all the “Meet the Breed” events, and he photographs the winners of all the state competitions. He’s also a rising star in Hollywood, making a name for himself taking pictures of celebrities and their dogs for local media as well as national campaigns.
“You are going to die at how good these photos look.” Haddy plops down on the sofa beside me. “Mav and Spanky are supermodels.”
“You don’t have to convince me.” I shake my head. “I knew from the start Ryan wouldn’t be my assistant for long. He has a great eye.”
“He wants to include Lucy in the pictures with Gavin and Patsy tomorrow.”
“Ohhh…” I’m immediately swoony, but Haddy looks worried. “Is that okay?”
Her nose wrinkles, and she tilts her head to the side. “I don’t know. What do you think? We’ve done our best to keep her out of the media, but this is for a good cause… She’s just so little.”
Chewing my lip, I don’t know the right answer. “Talk to your mom. They had you when your dad was a football superstar. See what they think. If it were me, I’d do it, but you know how I feel about dogs.”
“I do.” She boops my nose. “If there’s a dog involved, it can only be a good thing.”
“Oh, come on, I’m not that out of touch.” I lean my head on her shoulder. “Ask Ryan to do both, and when we see what he does, you can decide how you feel. Yes?”
“My best friend’s name is Ryan.” Owen’s deep voice sends a charge through my stomach, making me jump. “It’s funny how things like that make you trust a fellow.”
Tilting my head, I look up at our newest house guest. “He’s not my best friend, but I can vouch for him. He’s a really great guy.”
“I like your idea of seeing the proofs before deciding.” Haddy nods. “You’re the animal coordinator for a reason!”
“We’re in this together after all.” I cover her hand with mine as Maverick cues up Saw.