Chapter 3 #2
He places another soft kiss to my mouth, then pulls back, adjusting himself and putting the vehicle in gear. “We’ll drop off the van, then head back to my place.”
The promise in his smile may as well be a spark being thrown onto a pile of paper soaked in lighter fluid, igniting a burning fire low in my belly. Another ping interrupts my chronicling of his every movement and expression of his handsome face. With a sigh, I open my message app.
My throat tightens, and a fissure splits through my chest as I swipe through picture after picture. “Oh, no.”
“You okay?” He slows to a stop at a stop sign.
I hold up my phone so he can see the photos of Titan.
In each one, he looks more and more dejected.
“Hawk said Titan is the only dog who didn’t get adopted today.
” I trace my finger along his scarred snout.
“He’s the sweetest boy, but he doesn’t get the attention he deserves because he doesn’t look cute and cuddly.
I hoped with today’s event people would see him interacting and look past his fierce appearance and his breed. ”
“Maybe it’s a sign for you to adopt him.” As he drives through the intersection, a neon orange tennis ball stamped with tiny white paw prints rolls out from under my seat, hitting my boot, evidence that Ian takes his dog to work with him.
“But my house…” As much as I want Titan to find his forever family, a part of me has been terrified that the big lug would be adopted, and I wouldn’t get to see him anymore.
Knowing he’s still available sends a wave of excitement through me.
But there’s so much to do. “I don’t even have heat right now.
And I still have at least a year’s worth of renovations left.
The yard is a mess, and he deserves to have—”
“Someone to love him.” Ian turns into Leaf Movers’ lot and parks. “Titan doesn’t care about what your house looks like or if your backyard isn’t perfect.” He intertwines our fingers together and squeezes my hand. “He just needs you.”
The conviction in Ian’s words slays my uncertainty. I bite my lip as I work out the logistics of adopting Titan. “I won’t be able to get him until next week. There’s no way Hawk would approve of his living in a freezing home, even if it is only for a few days. And I’ll need to get supplies.”
“We can pick him up now. He can stay with you at my place.” He unlocks the doors and exits the van.
I hurry to follow him. “What about your dog?”
“We can stop and get him so they can do a meet and greet.” Clasping my hand, he leads me to his SUV.
He told me on the drive back from Burlington that his house is a five-minute drive from his business.
“If they don’t get along, we’ll just keep them separated.
Merlin can hang out in my room. When he’s not destroying pillows, he’s usually passed out on my bed anyway. ”
“You’re sure?” Suddenly, leaving Titan to spend one more night in a shelter is unfathomable. No matter how hard his life has been, the stocky guy remains loving and happy. But when I look at the photos Hawk sent, the sweet pup seems so dejected. Like he knows no one wants him.
Ian tips his chin toward my phone. “Text Hawk and tell him we’re on our way.”
“Am I really going to be a dog dad?” My thumbs fly over the keys as I text Hawk.
Ian’s grin matches mine. “Looks like it.”
As we hurry to Ian’s place, I try to make sense of how I got here, but nothing about this day has gone to plan.
And I realize that since meeting Ian I’m not freaking out about my flat tire or all the things that are out of my control.
His easygoing vibe is definitely something I could get used to. And maybe it’s something I need.
“I can’t believe how well they’re getting along,” I call from where I sit on the floor in Ian’s living room. With my back resting against his sectional sofa, I toss the stuffed unicorn I bought, along with everything a dog could need before we picked up Titan, across the room.
Both the dogs take off in a blur of scurrying legs and wiggling butts.
For as intimidating looking as Titan is, he’s incredibly docile, which is the opposite of how the breed is viewed.
Merlin gets to the unicorn first, picking it up in his mouth and giving Titan a playful bark.
Titan drops to his belly, his tail powering back and forth with an enormous doggy smile on his face as he watches Merlin spin and dart around the room.
On the second flyby, Titan takes off after Merlin.
The two dogs zoom around the sectional. Merlin jumps over my legs, while Titan trips over them, but that doesn’t stop my boy from the chase.
“They’re going to sleep well tonight.” Ian returns from the kitchen and hands me a beer. He sits on the sofa next to me. The half-eaten heart-shaped pizza sits in the box on the table, and he eyes it as if deciding if he wants another slice or not. He decides against it and closes the lid.
I sip the beer, welcoming the cool liquid as it slides down my throat. “Thanks.” My head drops back onto the cushion as exhaustion creeps in. “It’s been a strange day.”
“Not like any Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had before.” His foot nudges my thigh. “Want to come up here? You’ll be more comfortable.”
“I’m too tired to move.” I take another swig from the bottle, letting my eyelids fall closed.
Above me, the cushion moves, and then Ian is next to me.
His body presses against mine from our shoulders all the way to our ankles.
The dogs slow down, and soon Titan slams up against my other side, his head resting on my thigh.
I open my eyes and smooth my hand down his coat, scratching behind his ears in the way he likes.
He lets out a contented sigh that sounds more like a snort, and my chest seems to expand. “This is nice.”
“It’s not what I envisioned when you said you were up for more when you stayed over.” He places a kiss on the top of my head. The gesture is something I’d expect after being together in a committed relationship for decades, not after knowing someone for mere hours.
I shift my head to find Merlin curled up on Ian’s lap, the dog’s eyes growing heavy. “We can—” A yawn escapes, and I cover my mouth. “It’s not what I thought we’d be doing either.”
“But it’s perfect.” He squeezes my thigh.
“Yeah, it is.” I tip my chin up, and he takes the gesture for what it is, capturing my mouth in a slow and lazy kiss that is more sensual than any other kiss I’ve experienced. And those kisses didn’t have to contend with snoring dogs.
A wheezing pant that sounds a lot like a dying snowblower jolts Titan awake. With a bark, he jumps to his feet, waking Merlin, who runs over me to get to Titan. Ian and I laugh as Titan looks around like he’s late for something, but he has no idea what.
“Tite, buddy, you woke yourself up.” I rub his head. Not wanting to miss a pet, Merlin nudges my hand.
Ian scoops up his dog. “Leave Titan alone. Like you don’t get enough love…” He stands and extends his hand to me. “Ready for bed?”
“Fair warning, I may be asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.” I take his hand and let him pull me up. Titan looks at me expectantly. “You’re coming too, buddy.” I bend down and give him a reassuring pat.
After letting the dogs out to do their business, the four of us walk up the stairs. Ian stops in front of an open door. “This is me.” His cheeks pinken. “You and Titan are welcome to crash with us, or I can show you the guest room.”
“We’d love to share your room.” I step across the threshold, brushing a kiss against his lips as I pass.
Sage green walls give the room a warmth that continues in the polished wide-planked floor, dresser, and fuzzy tan rug.
Three tall windows draped with heavy curtains insulate us from seeing the chilly night sky.
His bed is big enough for us and the dogs, with a snowy white comforter and pillows in deep green and brown.
A small TV sits atop a crammed bookshelf, and the plaid blanket draped over the chair positioned there looks soft and cozy.
Ian puts Merlin on the bed, then goes to the dresser and pulls out a pair of pajama bottoms. Between dropping off the pink elephant and adopting Titan, we never made it back over to Conall’s to get my bag. “They may be a little loose on you, but they’re comfortable.”
“Wait. You seriously don’t mind if we actually sleep?” My mouth drops open. I’m not sure whether I’m relieved or disappointed.
He closes the space between us, resting his hands on my hips, and pressing our foreheads together. “We may not have met under the best circumstances, but I have a feeling we’ll have plenty of time to do everything we want. There’s no need to rush any of this.”
“If you’re not careful, you may never get rid of us.” I tip my head to the end of Ian’s bed where both of the dogs are curled up together.
“If you’re not careful, you may find that I’m okay with that.” He claims my mouth in a torturously slow kiss.
And it’s perfect.
Best Valentine’s Day ever.