Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Graham
Adopting a dog is a lot more work than I’d thought it would be. Cupid might be tiny, but what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in demands.
He eats special food, requires two daily walks, and his sleeping arrangements are whatever and wherever he likes. So far, he likes my pillow, my bathrobe, and my desk chair.
He’s pretty much claimed my desk chair. To sit in it to type, I have to put him in my lap. It’s not easy typing with a dog in my lap.
I give up on writing and take him into the yard, where I throw his ball over and over. My arm gives out before he does. When I can’t think of anything else to get him to settle down, I call Mara for emergency help.
“Hello?”
The sexy sound of her voice over the phone is a welcome balm to my frayed nerves. “I’m desperate.”
“Graham?”
“Yes. It’s me.”
“Why are you whispering?”
Cupid opens one eye, staring me down as I tiptoe past his resting place. “Cupid is trying to nap.”
The soft sound of her laugh makes my heart ache to see her. “He’s a handful.”
“I need your help.”
“What can I do for you?”
The offer has me thinking of a dozen things, none of them involving a pet. “Do you know how to train a dog?”
“That depends. What do you want him to do?”
“I’d settle for him giving me a little personal space. I can’t even go to the bathroom by myself.”
“He’s got a bad case of Velcro-dog.”
“I can’t get anything done.”
There’s a long pause. “I’d be glad to take him back if you want to give him up.”
“No.” I reach down and give Cupid’s furry ears a rub, and he gazes up at me with adoration. “Too late. I love him.”
“Aww. That’s so sweet.”
“My next book isn’t going to write itself, and I’m finding it impossible to type with a ten-pound dog disabling my left arm.”
Her laugh makes a tingle rush down my spine. “I might have a solution. Meet me at Azalea Park at two today.”
I glance down at Cupid, who is pressing his nose into my calf. “What’s the park going to do to solve my dog problem?”
“You’ll see. Bring Cupid, and wear something appropriate for the park.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t wear a tuxedo!”
Two p.m. can’t come fast enough. Cupid senses adventure in the air and wears out the rug in front of the door waiting for me to grab his leash.
Just to tease Mara, I’m wearing a suit jacket over jeans and a T-shirt.
If she doesn’t think it’s funny, I’ll know we’re not compatible. If she laughs, I’m done for.
When I see her standing with a group of people holding leashes in a large grassy area of the park, my heart swells with emotion.
Mara is surrounded by dogs, each vying for her attention. Happy barks sound, and tails wag. Mara pays equal attention to all the dogs, kneeling to give them belly rubs and head scratches.
When Cupid sees her, he dances on the end of his leash. “I know how you feel, buddy.”
He whines and tugs, pulling me toward her, as if I’d go anywhere else.
Mara sees us, and her face lights up. “Nice jacket.”
My heart shines. She got my joke. She got me .
She bends down to greet Cupid, and I wait impatiently for my turn. My heart thumps in my chest, beating as hard as if I’m writing a fight scene. I have to shove my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching for her.
In my head, I know our relationship isn’t real. So what if we’ve shared a kiss or two?
We are just exchanging dates as a favor to each other. We aren’t actually dating.
My head knows this to be the real truth. My heart? Hasn’t gotten the footnote.
Mara rises from her crouch and gives the lapels of my jacket a tug. “You dressed up for me?”
“I couldn’t help it.”
She slides her hands down the front of my jacket, causing fireworks to erupt in all my nerve centers. “You look great.” A sly smile curves her lips. “Peter is cute, but you’re much better looking.”
The fireworks erupt under the surface of my skin. “You think Peter is cute?”
Her smile grows. “I think Peter is gorgeous.”
Jealousy spawns in my chest. “Yeah?”
Her hands glide up to my shoulders. “But he’s not really my type.”
Disappointment sinks like a stone in my belly. Peter is probably too old for Mara. Same as me. “You have a type?”
Mara rises onto her toes and whispers in my ear, “I’m into men who rescue animals.”
A whistle blows, calling both humans and dogs to attention.
“Welcome to puppy training’s first class. I’m Aidan, your trainer.”
I bump Mara with my elbow. “This is a dog training class?”
She shushes me. “Aidan is a genius.”
For the next thirty minutes, the trainer runs us through the basics of dog obedience. Most of it is common sense, but some of it baffles me. I haven’t had a dog since I was a kid. I grew up on a farm, and the dogs slept in the barn, not our beds.
“You have to show them who is in control.” Aidan takes Cupid’s leash from me and demonstrates how to use a commanding voice to ensure obedience.
“It’s working.” I watch in pleasant surprise as Cupid behaves perfectly for Aidan.
“You can do it.” Mara encourages me as I try out Aidan’s techniques.
Just as I’m starting to feel like I’ve gotten the hang of being in charge with my furry friend, a thundercloud rolls in, casting the grassy area of the park in shadow. A torrent of rain unleashes so suddenly, we all make a break for shelter.
Mara grabs Cupid, and we sprint toward a small, covered picnic area. We laugh and scramble on top of the table to avoid the sideways spray of rain. Too late, we’re already soaked.
Cupid doesn’t seem to mind. When Mara sets him down, he gives a great shake, spraying rain drops from his long coat.
Mara shivers and plucks her t-shirt from her skin. “That came out of nowhere.”
I shrug out of my jacket and drape it over her shoulders. “Here, take this. It’s wet, but at least it’s warm.”
She snuggles into my jacket, tucking her face inside the collar. “It smells like heaven.”
Our gazes collide, and chemistry sizzles between us.
If only I were ten years younger, I could really go for a woman like Mara. But she probably has tons of men her age lining up to date her. What would she want with a guy in his forties?
A frown dents her forehead, and she reaches up to cup my cheek. “What’s going through that big, sexy brain of yours?”
I feel myself falling into her huge blue eyes. There’s no resisting the attraction I feel. “Too much.”
“You shouldn’t be thinking right now.” Her gaze drops to my lips. “You should be kissing me.”
I let my gaze roam over her face. Her flawless skin, her perfect nose, and those full, inviting lips. “I’m thinking about it.”
Her eyes drift closed. “Stop thinking and kiss me.”
A shock of pleasure vibrates through my entire body at the command. With a groan that sets my blood on fire, I crush my mouth to hers.