Chapter 9
9
Leo
The level of slobber on my face is beyond acceptable, yet Lana disregards the complaints. The chocolate lab can’t resist. Since she was just a puppy, I’ve been taking care of her, and her visits are always enjoyable, regardless of the reason. While my assistant draws blood for testing, I rub her head.
“We’re gonna figure out what’s wrong with you, pretty girl. Okay? Don’t worry.” A snort escapes my throat as she licks my cheek. “I’ll be soaking wet by the time you leave here, girl.”
Once the draw is done, she lays down. She is used to her visits. The worst part is talking to the owners once the results are back.
After tending to another animal, the test results show nothing, but with the digestive issues they are describing, it is likely due to Lana’s weight. It is a common issue among labradors. I leave her asleep in the kennel while I go to talk to the owners.
“Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Matta. So, the results came back fine, but we should talk about getting her set up on a restrictive diet to help with the weight issues. I know we have been battling this for a couple of months, but we really don’t want her issues to progress.”
“Do you have any suggestions? Because we work during the daytime, we leave a container for her that dispenses.”
“So, let’s remove that. Dogs don’t need to have forever access to food, or they will likely overeat. Let’s try getting her this food here.” I hand them a card. “Give her a small bowl of it before you leave in the morning and then another bowl for dinner. Let’s try to cut back on the human food too.”
Mrs. Matta snickers. “Good luck! My husband can’t say no to her. Just last night, she had chicken and vegetables.”
Many animal owners don’t know the repercussions of overfeeding their animals. Especially when it comes to human food. Dogs are creatures of habit. Once human food is an option, they will always beg for it. “This is what’s best for Lana. I’ll go grab her. Call if you have any questions.”
I left the couple in the waiting room and go to the back and open her kennel. “It’s time to go home.” She sits pretty and waits. I know she is waiting for a treat and normally we did give them out at the end of an appointment, but with just having explained her issue to the owners, I don’t. “Come on, girl.”
She looks around, and didn’t move for a second, almost confused, but then she follows. Once she sees the Matta’s she runs straight to them, and then looks back, wagging her tail. Until next time.
“I’m headed for lunch at the diner. I’ll be back in an hour.” I yell to my office admin.
I take off my coat and head out the door, down the street. They are used to me coming in on lunch around the same time every day.
“Hey, Leo! We saved your booth. Miles coming today?” The waitress asks, bringing me my normal coke.
“Not sure. He’ll show up if he can.”
“You want your normal order for Wednesdays? Bacon cheeseburger and fries. Extra ranch?”
“Yes, please!”
After she walks away, I pull out my phone. Why hadn’t Brylee reached out? Maybe she has been busy. Or maybe she regrets that night. No, that can’t be it. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and the chemistry between us is off the fucking charts. She must just be extremely busy. I am not going to let my doubts fuck this up for me. They just keep creeping back up.
I pull up her phone number and open a text chain. The cursor blinking at me. What should I even say?
Me: What are you up to?
I erase it.
Me: Can’t wait to get together again.
Ugh. I erase it again. When did this become so fucking hard?
Me: Wanna go to dinner tonight?
The green arrow is pressed before I can think too hard. If she isn’t going to reach out first, I’ll gladly bite the bullet. We have things to talk about and being scared to face things isn’t going to do either of us any good.
“Hey! Sorry I’m late. Lost track of time.” Miles says, sitting down across from me in the booth. The waitress sees him and smiles. “Normal, please!”
Sometimes he meets me for lunch and other times he is too busy, but it makes it more enjoyable. Eating lunch or dinner by yourself gets depressing. All the prying eyes wondering why. “Still haven’t heard from Brylee.”
The waitress drops off his Mountain Dew on the table and he takes a sip. “Damn. I was hoping you guys would work things out. You might have had a rough patch, but it takes an idiot not to see how much you care for one another.”
Miles is good with words. His girlfriend has a lot to do with that.
“I know… waiting around to hear from her sucks, though.”
“Well, if you want to, we can play pool tonight. I’m free. It’s my night off and she has to work. It’ll be better than sitting around at home.”
The waitress brings the plates and sits them down. “I brought ketchup and ranch too. Anything else, fellas?”
We both shake our heads. “Thanks!”
It would be nice to keep my mind busy tonight. “Alright, let’s plan on it and if I hear from Brylee then I’ll call ya. But in other news, what do you think the big meeting was about today? I still hadn’t heard anything.”
“I didn’t go either. Had to get the bar ready to open for the day.”
“They act like people can just leave work with a half an hour notice. Ridiculous. The way this town spreads information, we will figure it out soon.”
My phone buzzes against the table and I jump. Not Brylee. Is this what it is like for women after going on dates? Just blindly waiting for a call or text message? I am not envious.
Miles and I eat in silence for the most part, except for the brief conversation about the new distributor for his liquor having upped the price by three dollars a bottle for his favorite whiskey. Inflation is a thing and always getting worse.
My phone buzzes again. I pick it up, not even hopeful.
Brylee: Not tonight.
Seriously? That is all I get? Two words?
“Looks like we are on for pool. She’s busy.” I try not to show my disdain, but I am sure he can tell.
Brylee and I will have to talk at some point.
Four hours later, my best friend tries to keep my mind occupied by attempting to beat me at pool. Miles has always been good, but sometimes I let him win, so he can feel good. Isn’t that what friends do?
“Eight ball, corner pocket.” Miles says. I laugh, and his eyebrow arches. “What’s so funny? Think I can’t make it?” I shrug my shoulders.
The ball goes straight into the pocket and Miles does a victory dance with the pool stick that is hilarious. He is a sore loser, but even worse at winning. “Alright, I gotta head home. Got some early appointments tomorrow.”
“Come on, one more game. Best two out of three?” He throws his hands up in the air. “It’s guys night. Who leaves after an hour?”
“Apparently me. We’ll do this again.”
Miles puts the pool stick back on the table and follows me toward the door. “Brylee is really messing with your head right now. You haven’t really been in it all night.”
“You know the drill. She is like a drug. Once I got a taste, it sucked me right back in. All consuming.”
He leans behind the bar, pouring him a shot. “Well, here’s to not having to deal with that.”
I roll my eyes and walk right out of the door. My bed is calling my name after this extremely long day. I walk a couple of blocks and go straight to change into shorts. Khakis aren’t the most comfortable thing to wear for an entire day. I can probably get away with wearing jeans to work, but I’d rather look professional over comfort.
When I hear a knock at the door, I glance at the clock, realizing it is only nine. Who would just show up here? Then my phone starts to ring, glowing Brylee’s name.
I rush to the door and open it, but before I can even say a word, she is pushing me back, shutting the door with her foot, and her lips on mine. Wow, I wasn’t expecting this tonight.
I push her away. “Slow down. You don’t talk to me and then you just show up here expecting me to jump into bed with you again?”
“Are you seriously turning this down?” She takes off her top, unbuttons her jeans and lets them drop to the floor.
Fuck! She was right. What kind of man turned down a woman for sex? Especially one that looked like that in just bra and underwear. “Okay, you got me there. But seriously…”
“Just shut up and kiss me, Leo. I’ve had a horrible fucking day and need a release.”
“So, this isn’t even about us. You just want to use me to get an orgasm?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You just did.”
She nearly growls and puts her hand on her hip. “Listen, we will go to dinner, but tonight I need you, dammit.”
I pick her up and push her up against the wall. If there is one thing I know about Brylee, it is her favorite position. This girl fucking loves getting railed against the wall. She moans into my mouth as I hold her up, her legs wrapping around my waist. The hunger in her eyes is insatiable, and I can't resist the temptation. Sure, I want to know where this is leading, but right now I’m focused on one thing. My hands roam her body, her beaded nipples begging for attention. I take one in my mouth, hearing her gasp and her hand clutching the back of my head, pulling me closer.
“Fuck. Yes,” she manages to murmur, the need in her voice igniting a fire. I push my hand in between her legs, feeling the heat radiating from her core. She is so sweet, ready for me. I need to be inside her.
Leaning down, I whisper in her ear, “This is for you, princess. Just let go.”
I know what she wants, and I am not going to disappoint her. With a steady grip on her hips, I thrust inside her, her walls clenching around me like a vice. The sight of her flushed face, her moans and gasps, and the way her body moves against mine only fuels my desire. I move in and out of her, each thrust more powerful than the last. Her nails dig into my back, her breath ragged and hot against my neck.
As we continue, our bodies moving in a frenzied dance, her cries growing louder. Her breathing becoming heavier, her hips begging for more. Her moans fill the air, and she is nearing the edge, about to fall into the abyss. Her orgasm is imminent, and I don't want to be the one to hold her back. I reach down to cup one of her breasts, my thumb brushing against her nipple. She arches her back, her hips bucking against me in response.
"Oh, fuck, Leo, I'm right there. Please, don't stop," she begs.
I increase my pace, my thrusts becoming faster and more intense. The wave builds within her, the tension mounting with every second. Her moans grow louder, the sound of her pleasure filling the room. My hands grip her hips tighter, her skin warm and sweaty, my fingers digging into the soft flesh.
As her orgasm approaches, I adjust my angle, hitting her sensitive spot. Her cries fill the air as her release begins to wash over her. Her body spasms uncontrollably, her mouth open in sheer ecstasy. Her body clenches around me, her muscles tightening as the orgasm sweeps over her. I join her, my own release crashing over me like a tidal wave. I pull her closer, our bodies shaking together, panting heavily.
The intensity of the moment is palpable, the air still ringing with the sound of our passion. I slowly pull out, my heart racing, and collapse onto the floor below us. Brylee, still panting, slowly slides down the wall.
We sit in silence for a moment, catching our breath, our hearts still thundering in our chests. Brylee reaches over, stroking my cheek, her eyes soft and filled with gratitude. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, princess.”
Despite the events of the day, this is the best way to end it. Brylee might not want to talk right now, but being near her, inside of her… is the best fucking feeling in the world.