Chapter 6
OWEN
“Ithink Ladybird needs a bath and a trim before her shoot.” I’m standing in the kitchen holding a bowl of cereal when Gina enters, the hood of her hoodie over her head.
She quickly retrieves her mug and turns her back as she pours a cup of coffee. I swallow the laugh at the base of my throat.
The sight of her cute little ass peeking out from beneath that short T-shirt as she fled from my room last night, vibrator in hand, is burned into my brain. It’s like one of those old peep-show images—just enough. A little curve of flesh, a little bounce, and I want more.
I’m low-key obsessed with this cherry-scented, ginger-haired firecracker who sleeps mere feet away from me every night thinking about God-knows-who while she uses that thing to make herself come.
Hell, the thought of her twisting in her sheets, eyes closed, lip-biting, legs shaking, had me tugging one out before I went to sleep last night.
Clearing my throat and those lusty thoughts, I continue. “I’d be willing to do it myself if you don’t mind me using your space.”
Her shoulders drop, and she turns to face me, hoodie still on her head. “It would be quicker if I did it. I know where everything is, and I’m the animal coordinator after all.”
“Let me help you. Ladybird always likes to shake as soon as you’ve got her all good and soaped up.”
“Use warm water and distract her with treats.”
“That works?” My voice rises, and she nods, still not meeting my eyes. “And here I thought a wet dog shaking water all over you was one of those universal truths.”
“It can be, but usually it’s stress-related.” She takes a step back, almost like she’s going to run away. “Using a handheld sprayer also helps.”
“Hey…” I set the bowl beside the sink, holding out my hand. “I’m sorry about last night. You ran away so fast, I couldn’t—”
“No.” She shakes her head, eyes squeezed closed. “Please don’t.”
“I was just going to say I hope she didn’t break your—”
“She didn’t.” Her green eyes flash, and she’s fucking adorably embarrassed. “Let’s just drop it, okay?”
“Okay,” I say, nodding. “I guess we’re even now.”
She’s quiet for a moment, then her nose wrinkles and she looks up at me. “Are we? I mean, I saw you naked. You only know I have a personal massager.”
“Ah, yes. A massager.” I nod, crossing my arms. “I did, however, see your bare ass under that T-shirt. It’s cute, and I have a great imagination. Maybe Spanky will do me a solid and let me see the rest of you one of these nights.”
“My dog would never betray me like that.” She lifts her chin in a cute, superior way. “And I will never give him the chance.”
Laughter ripples from my throat, and a big smile breaks across her face as she blinks up at me. She reaches up and pushes the hoodie off her head, then takes a long sip of coffee before setting it on the counter.
“Meet you in the grooming station in five.”
“I’ll bring the dog treats.”
“See how holding the warm water close to her skin is more soothing?” Gigi moves the sprayer in slow circles over Ladybird’s coat.
My dog is secured to the side of the tub by a short leash attached to her collar, but it won’t be enough to stop her from covering us in dog water if she decides to shake.
“I mean, it’s possible she could still get us,” Gigi continues. “But that’s what the treats are for.”
“Got ‘em.” I pull a plastic baggie from my pocket on cue. “I’ve got jerky, milk bones, and at your suggestion, apple slices, which I still think is weird.”
“Dogs like apples,” she argues, keeping her tone low and steady. “Peanut butter is another really good distraction.”
“Oh, yeah.” I exhale a chuckle, wondering why I didn’t think of that. “Ready for the soap?”
“Yes… here.” She rises slowly, keeping the sprayer close to Ladybird’s coat. “I’ll let you take over with the scrubber. Just move it in slow circles, soothing, not stressful.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever treated her with such kid gloves before.” I carry the small bucket with the plastic scrubber to where the dog is standing.
“And you’ve gotten pelted with grimy dog water every time, I bet.” Gigi laughs, but somehow, on the way up, she gets tangled in the sprayer hose. “Oh!”
A little yelp rips from her throat as she spins, heading straight for the tiles. I drop the bucket, sending soapy water flying into the air, and lunge forward, pulling her quickly into my arms.
Her hands grip my shoulders, and I look down at her face so close to mine. Her body is soft and warm, and she’s breathing fast, her full lips parted. Our eyes meet, a flash of heat shoots through my stomach.
I should let her go, but I can’t seem to force my arms to relax. I want to go on holding her this way. I want to dip my chin and cover her mouth with mine. I want to slide my tongue with hers, curl it together, nibble her lips…
Which are now parted. Her breasts rise and fall rapidly with her breath, and her pink tongue slips out to touch her bottom lip. Is it possible she feels the same way?
What would happen if I did it? The thought presses against my temples just as Ladybird lifts her head and lets out a low “Yowl!” before turning her head and shaking her entire body as hard as she can.
“Oh, Ladybird, no!” Gigi cries, pushing out of my arms and holding both hands over her face.
Dog water flies all over us, and I hold up a hand as I laugh. “So much for soothing!”
“It’s because I fell.” She steps over to grab a towel off a nearby shelf. “Here…”
She presses one end to her face, and I use the other, cleaning myself as best as I can. “Looks like I’ll need a shower before the shoot as well.”
“Go on up.” She shakes her head. “I’ll finish up with her, and we’ll be ready when you are.”
“You sure?” I hesitate a moment, still thinking about how good she felt in my arms. “I can help you. I don’t need a lot of time…”
“Go on.” She waves her hands at me. “Ryan will be here any minute, and you need to be ready.”
I back slowly out of the room as she returns to scrubbing my dog. It’s strange how my stomach pulls as I leave her. I don’t know how in such a short time she’s made me only want to stay.
“Let’s try a few here with the poppies,” Ryan says, stopping near the wooden fence. “I think the red and orange will work well with her coloring.”
He guides Ladybird between the two overgrown California poppy bushes in the backyard, and Gigi sniffs. “Now I’m glad I didn’t bug Maverick too much about cutting those back,” she teases.
“Do you need them cut back?” I glance over at her.
I’m still wearing my T-shirt as I help coax Ladybird into the different positions Ryan wants. It seems to help keep the tension in check.
Still, the mountain of awkwardness between us is enough for a comedy sketch. First, you have me in the hall pitching a major tent before being completely disrobed by Spanky. Then we had Ladybird retrieving her vibrator and bringing it straight to me.
“You do not have to help me with yard work,” Gina replies. “I’ll take care of it… sometime.”
“I don’t mind helping. I’m staying here rent-free, after all.”
“Honestly, I think Mav was going to hire somebody to do it.” She steps back, surveying the overgrown bushes. “Knowing our luck, we’d kill it, and I really like having flowers in the yard.”
“Ready, Owen?” Ryan calls from where he has Ladybird sitting with her nose in the air. “You can just take a knee beside her. Try to keep her from lying down.”
Reaching behind my neck, I pull the shirt over my head. It leaves my hair a mess, but I notice Gigi’s eyes widen before she blinks away.
I do as I’m told, taking a knee beside my dog and palming a treat so she stays alert.
Ryan holds a small device with a white sensor near the two of us before backing away and adjusting the lens. He looks through the camera, then pops up frowning.
“Gina, would you straighten Owen’s hair?” He goes behind the camera again.
She skips over in front of me, and our eyes meet. This time, she blinks quickly, biting her bottom lip as she traces her fingers through the hair over my eyebrows, sliding it to the side.
“Like that?” Her voice is high, a little breathless.
It makes me wonder if she knows how damn tempting she is.
Ryan leans to the side, still frowning. “See that piece over his left eye?”
She turns again, meeting my gaze. She’s still biting her lip as she reaches up, threading her fingers in my hair. The movement is slower than before, a little more deliberate.
“Yes?” She looks over her shoulder at Ryan.
“Perfect. Now get out of the way.”
The two of them exchange a laugh, some teasing words, and the shutter on Ryan’s camera clicks rapidly.
“Nice… Good energy, Owen.” He moves to get a different angle, and the shutter clicks so fast. “Lower your brow like you’re thinking about your next slap shot.”
I’m not good at dissociating, but I do my best to follow his instructions. Thinking about my next slap shot while I’m kneeling beside my dog makes me want to roll my eyes, but I’m sure that’s not the look he’s after.
“Yes…” he calls from behind the camera. “Clench your jaw like that.”
My eyes flicker to Gina, to see what her response is to all of this.
She has both hands clasped in front of her nose, and her expression reminds me a lot of the way she looked at me when Spanky snatched my towel.
It’s hot, and I have to put that memory out of my head before I get a rise in my shorts.
“Let’s try one more pose.” Ryan turns a knob on the back of his camera. “Come over here by the tree… Do you think she’d stand on her hind legs for you?”
“I think I can get her to…” I’ve just started to answer when a white streak zooms past me.
Ladybird jumps into the air, letting out one of her long, happy Rooos. She’s off chasing Spanky around the yard. The two of them jump and play as the three of us humans stand back watching with our hands on our hips.
“Those dogs sure are happy together,” Ryan muses.
Gina and I exchange a look before quickly calling our animals. She lets out a crisp, “Spanky, heel!” While I blow a short whistle through my teeth.
On cue, the two dogs stop playing and return to where we’re standing. Gigi drops to one knee, holding Spanky by the collar, while I stand, ready to lead Ladybird to the tree where Ryan originally wanted us.
“Hold on just a second.” Ryan holds up a hand for me to wait where Gigi is kneeling. “Just stand right there for a second.”
I do as I’m told, and the shutter clicks several times before his smiling face reappears from behind the camera. “That’s a fun one.”
We return to my shoot, and it only takes a little longer before we’re wrapping it up.
“I’ll send you all the proofs tonight, once I’ve finished touching them up.” Ryan stands beside Gina rolling the film. “You two have great chemistry here. It’s funny how the dogs know they should be together as much as the owners do.”
“Oh, no…” Gina’s eyes widen, and she holds up her hand. “We’re not together.”
“You’re not?” Ryan’s brow furrows, and he gives me a disappointed glance. “Why not? You go really well together.”
“I…I just…” Gigi fumbles for words, so I jump in to rescue her.
“I just moved here from South Carolina a little over a week ago.” I cup a hand under Ladybirds muzzle. “I’m only staying until I can find my own place. We hardly know each other.”
“Huh.” Ryan drops the camera into his bag and pulls it over his shoulder. “Well, you could’ve fooled me. You seem as natural together as your dogs. Either way, I’ll send you the proofs tonight, Geeg. Let me know the details on the other guys. I need to wrap this up by Monday.”
“I will.” She calls a thank you after him, and we’re left in the backyard, me with no shirt and her with a handful of dog paraphernalia.
“He’s always had a vivid imagination.” She bites her lip, looking up at me.
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I guess after all we’ve been through, we are pretty comfortable around each other.”
“All we’ve been through.” Her eyes squeeze, and she shakes her head. “He has no idea.”
“Good thing we’re keeping it strictly professional.” Even as I say the words, I don’t like how they feel on my tongue.
I don’t like the pit they put in my stomach. I especially don’t like the flash of disappointment that flickers across her face. It’s gone in a blink, but I saw it.
“Yes,” she nods, collecting all her things and starting for her small studio. “Good thing.”
She says the words so quietly, I wonder if I’ve misread the entire situation. At the same time, how else could I have read it?
I need to get my daughter here as soon as possible. I need to refocus my thoughts and remember why I’m doing this. I’m not here for romance. I’m here to play the best damn hockey I can and be a good dad. Nothing more.