CHAPTER TWENTY
Me: hey, sexy. your faithful ride has arrived to take you home
Me:I’m early but don’t hold it against me. you know I’ll leave you satisfied
Me:wanna come out and hop in? or on top if you’re extra adventurous
Me:we can go all night
I smirk at the suggestive texts while waiting for her response. We’ve gotten progressively more explicit over these past few weeks. It shouldn’t be long until we have a playdate in the flesh rather than through a speaker. That’s precisely why I ordered Callie a new gift for the impending occasion.
Those thoughts fade when the three bouncy dots don’t appear. I frown at our thread and my unanswered messages. Silence mocks me while my screen remains the same.
Me:too much?
But she’s never complained about my dirty texts. Quite the opposite. Callie usually types something adorable that pumps my cock to bursting levels.
Her lack of response sets off warning bells. I shift my truck into park, and get out to confront this strange situation. The bell jingles as I step inside Pampered Pooch. My stride falters at the scene in front of me. That delay in processing lasts less than two seconds. Even so, I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
First and most importantly, Callie is behind the counter crying. She’s visibly afraid, practically trembling in fear. Her watery gaze lands on me and her frozen stance thaws slightly. That evident relief expands my chest.
That’s right, love. Reinforcements have arrived.
What I notice next is more of an afterthought, but clearly the source of her upset. A man stands with his back toward me while he continues blabbering. The harsh tone spewing from him doesn’t belong anywhere near Callie’s ears. Then he makes the mistake of pointing a stubby finger in her face.
My protective instincts roar to the surface, ready to maim and defend against the threat. I stalk forward to place myself between him and Callie. The customer’s rant cuts off at my interruption. His eyes bulge in recognition. He gulps audibly and stumbles backward.
“Done bitching and moaning so soon?” My muscles bunch and flex, itching for a fight.
The dude is still dumbfounded. His gaze tracks over my height like I’m a giant. Might as well be considering how puny he is.
“Not so tough now, huh? Found yourself an adequate opponent. C’mon, let me hear what you’ve got to say.” I lean in and cup my ear.
He lifts a trembling palm as if that will stave off my attack. “I’ve got no beef with you, Crusher.”
“No? That’s interesting,” I seethe. “The way I see it is that you’ve just given me a reason to kick your ass.”
His knees look ready to buckle. “What? Why?”
“Give my girl trouble and you’ve just created a war with me.” My even voice is a deception.
Meanwhile, his face shakes and cracks into broken shards. “Your girl?”
“Damn fucking straight. That’s my future wife you’re disrespecting.”
Callie gasps, which is the first peep she’s made since I entered. The asshole appears to be equally as shocked by my claim. His complexion turns ashen while he blanches.
“Shit,” he mutters. His palm lifts higher to act as a shield. “I had no idea, man.”
“Her connection to me shouldn’t matter.”
“But—”
Thunder booms across my expression and cuts him off. The urge to throttle him is a rabid beast inside of me. “Does verbally attacking an innocent woman make you feel bigger? Is your dick that tiny?”
He sputters. “My dog got hurt under her care—or lack thereof.”
I don’t spare the hound loyally sitting at his heels a glance. “That gives you the excuse to make her cry? Nah, wrong answer.”
If possible, his eyes get bigger. “I was filing a formal complaint. It’s not my fault she’s sensitive.”
Menace echoes off the floor when I shift to crowd his space. “Are you trying to make me mad?”
“Aren’t you already?”
My chuckle is devoid of emotion, taunting him. “The fact you’re still standing in one piece answers that stupid question.”
His pinched lips remind me of a puckered butthole, which almost earns him a genuine laugh. “What about Daisy Mae? Her ear is bleeding.”
“Don’t be a shit human. You signed a waiver. There are policies in place for this exact reason. Take your mutt to the vet like a proper owner.”
He straightens as if regaining his backbone. “She’s a purebred.”
“That’s what you got from what I said?” I growl under my breath. “If you’ve got a problem, take it up with me. Next time you wanna snivel and whine, let me know. I’ll introduce you to my fists. Unless you’d prefer a proper greeting now.”
He winces as I crack my knuckles. “That won’t be necessary.”
“You sure? It’s been too long since I’ve knocked someone’s teeth out. A broken nose is a decent alternative. Might fix the smug slope you use to look down at everyone else. There’s something satisfying about that crunch of bone.”
“Now you’re just trying to intimidate me.”
I wag a scolding finger at him. “We both know I don’t have to try. But I suggest you get the fuck out before we test that theory.”
“Messaged received. Let’s just forget this happened.”
“As if that’s possible.” My glare becomes lethal as he retreats toward the door. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
The dumbass glances around, searching for who’s hidden behind me. “No?”
I sidestep to get my point across. “Apologize to the lady. Make her believe it. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to have you beg for her forgiveness.”
His posture deflates in surrender. He has the courtesy to look Callie in the eye. “I’m sorry, okay? My temper got the best of me. It wasn’t my intention to make you cry. Daisy Mae got injured, but accidents happen. I shouldn’t have blamed you. Please accept my apology.”
My scoff reveals how I feel about his flimsy attempt, but it’s not my decision. I glance over my shoulder. The sight of her tear-stained face reignites my rage to a chaotic boil. A deep breath is my attempt to calm the storm. Vanilla fills my lungs and gives me pause. Her scent provides comfort, as well as an important reminder. This is about her. If she gives me free rein, I’ll gladly punch her assailant in the throat.
“Do you think that was sincere, sweetness?”
Her glassy stare doesn’t move from mine. She blinks, but doesn’t react otherwise. It’s obvious she’s uncomfortable voicing her opinion until the customer is removed from the situation.
“I hope you’ve learned a valuable lesson. If not, we’ll be chatting again soon. You’re free to leave.”
He pauses before crossing the threshold. “No hard feelings, Crusher?”
“That’s entirely up to you.” I shoo him away like the exterminated pest he is.
Once the scum skitters off to a dark corner where he belongs, I turn to Callie and nearly double over from the pain lingering on her features. The tremble in her bottom lip is a knife to my gut and awakens the demand for retaliation. But he’s already gone. More than that, she deserves my full attention.
In a swift maneuver, I hop over the counter and pull her flush against me. “I’ve got you, love.”
Callie collapses into my embrace with a sob. “He was very mean.”
My palm traces the length of her spine. “Should I beat him bloody?”
Her fingers curl into the front of my shirt. “No, don’t leave me.”
“Never.” Which reminds me. “Why were you alone? Where’s Stacey?”
“She went home early. The only pups left are overnight stays. That man picked up his dog early.”
Anger burns and threatens to rise, but the fuse is smothered from her warmth against me. “He won’t bother you again. I’ll make sure of it.”
Callie sniffles while peeking up at me. “I feel silly for being this upset.”
“Don’t even.” I cradle her cheek in my hand. “If anyone is ridiculous in this scenario, it’s that’s douche canoe with an ego problem.”
“I suppose,” she huffs. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”
The arm I have around her waist tightens instinctively. “I’ll always come for you, sweetness. I just wish I had sooner.” My nose presses into her hair for a fresh hit of vanilla. “And you don’t need to thank me. Defending you is part of my duty as your… boyfriend.”
“If the roles are ever reversed, you can rely on me to save you.”
My forehead touches hers and our gazes lock. “I look forward to it.”
The cogs in her brain might as well be visible as she mulls something over. “Why did you call me your future wife?”
“That’s how I refer to you in my mind. Might as well make it public knowledge.” I rest her palm flat over the purposeful brand on my chest. “You’re permanent to me.”
“Maybe I should get a tattoo,” she breathes.
My thumb absently rubs along the scar on her forearm. “Of what?”
“As if you have to ask.” The blue in her unwavering gaze heats to smoldering levels.
I melt into her faster than liquid lust. Our mouths glide together in a practiced motion. The last drops of aggression evaporate as she opens for me. Chemistry sizzles from the slippery friction of our tongues. That crackle strokes my flesh and I groan against her lips.
An urgency seems to consume us. Callie rises onto the balls of her feet to get closer. The palm I had at the dip in her back lowers. She arches into me when I grip her ass. A feverish rush floods downward through my veins and sends me reeling. The mewls spilling from Callie confirm she’s just as eager.
She bumps her hips into mine and nudges my dick in the process. There’s no mistaking my arousal that’s excited to greet her. Rather than shy away, she rubs herself against me. I’m shot with a feral dose of pleasure. The layers of clothes between us become insignificant.
Static streaks over me as if her skin is touching mine. My cock twitches and I thrust to alleviate the throb. She must sense the shift in my mood, whimpering for more. I swallow her pleasure while feeding her my own. We get swept away in each other for several blissful moments.
Claws clicking on tiled floor interrupt our fiery passion. Callie is the one to pull away and I muffle a protest. Her giggle might as well be foreplay for how hard the sound gets me. But we’re practically on display for Main Street. It’s probably in our best interest to move this make out session to a more discreet location.
Before doing so, I cast my gaze to the dog circling Callie’s legs. “Who’s this?”
“The doodle puppy I told you about.” She scoops him into her arms, immediately nuzzling into his fur. “Meet Walter.”
“He’s… cute.” In a cockblocking sort of way.
“And the fluffiest puffball. You’re irresistible, aren’t you?” Her laughter rises several octaves when the pooch begins licking her face. “He’s very friendly.”
“I can see that.” The mutt pins me with a smug look that I can easily decipher. Lucky little shit. I find a good spot to scratch behind his ear to form a truce.
“We’re practically inseparable during my shifts.” As if she has to tell me. Their bond is evident.
Which prods at my curiosity. “Why haven’t you claimed him as yours yet? Isn’t he up for grabs?”
“It’s a bit more complicated than that. Mostly because the owner hadn’t committed to putting him up for adoption.”
I quirk a brow. “Past tense?”
Callie bobs her head. “She just confirmed this morning that Walter can’t move into her new apartment.”
“Does that mean you’re allowed to take him tonight?”
She narrows her eyes at me. “I don’t see why not. You’re being extremely encouraging.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? He makes you happy. That’s my main priority. Let’s bring him home. We can stop for supplies along the way.”
Amusement twinkles in her eyes. “To your place or mine?”
“Both. Ours,” I amend.
“Ours?”
I tip her chin up for a kiss. “Haven’t you realized by now that what’s mine is yours?”
“Maybe I need a reminder,” she exhales against my mouth.
And I give her one. Gladly. Callie sags forward to accept my affection. Walter is trapped between us, but he doesn’t seem to mind fitting into the equation. The three of us are already an inseparable unit.
As if listening to my thoughts, Callie notices our position and smiles. “I think he approves.”
“Our meet cute is better than I expected.”
Her brow furrows. “Oh?”
“Couldn’t have been better.” I ruffle the curls on Walter’s head. “This smooth transition avoids the trouble I was facing of getting him out of here without you realizing he’s gone.”
“Why would you do that?”
“How else would I put him in a box on your doorstep to find?”
“You wouldn’t.” But her laughter is knowing.
My shoulder lifts in a half shrug. “I’d been planning on it ever since you mentioned him.”
Callie blinks as unshed tears collect in her eyes. “What did I do to deserve you?”
“I could ask you the same. But if you want my honest answer.” My lips brush her forehead. “You chose the path that led you straight to where I’ve been waiting for you.”
Her sigh is dreamy and content. “This occasion calls for so many pictures. You’ve turned my evening right side up.”
“The direction it always should be.”
She points to the ceiling for emphasis. “What else are you planning, boyfriend?”
My smirk is stamped into her temple. “If I told you, I’d have to keep you forever.”
“How convenient,” Callie murmurs. “I’m not planning on going anywhere.”