Chapter 7
Mel
I arrived home very late that evening. I spent a few hours with Dad, watching America’s Got Talent and hearing about the newest gossip in his online book club. I had mad respect for my daddy. He’d practically had to start from zero after his stroke. He was the strongest person I knew.
I’d eaten steamed vegetables and fish with him, but by the time I got home, I was still a bit hungry.
I always had cheese in the fridge—and, of course, wine.
I blushed, remembering Dylan’s request to keep my phone nearby.
The man was cocky, but I liked it. I ate two slices of cheese, then went outside onto my balcony with a wineglass and my AirPods.
I had a date with a steamy audiobook. This was the same dangerous combination that had led to sending Dylan a flirty text last time.
I shouldn’t do it again, but I couldn’t wait for his reaction. He’d surprised me in so many ways today, from the fact that he’d thought about gifting Isabelle a dog to taking the puppy home with him.
I relaxed in my armchair, looking out at the sky. It was dark, but I’d lit a lot of citronella-scented candles around me. I sent him a picture of my glass of wine and a grinning emoji. He replied in less than a minute.
Dylan: I was waiting for your text.
Mel: Were you now? Why?
Dylan: Last time was unexpected.
Mel: How is the puppy behaving? Did you name him?
Dylan: I want Isabelle to do it. Don’t want him to get used to a name. He’s asleep. How is your dad?
Mel: Great. We watched a talent show together. He loves them.
Dylan: I’ve said it before, but you really are amazing.
Mel: I haven’t had enough wine to be flirty.
Dylan: I can wait. I’m patient.
I laughed, pondering what to text him back.
My pulse was insanely fast because every instinct told me not to do this, yet I couldn’t help myself.
Isabelle had practically warned me that Dylan wasn’t looking for anything serious, but somehow things didn’t add up.
He was so caring with his family and even that puppy!
He asked how Dad was doing. But then again, I wasn’t an expert on guys or I wouldn’t have fallen for Elliot, my shitty ex.
And the few guys I dated before him were equally as disappointing in one way or another.
Mel: Hmm. I think tonight I’ll turn in early. Wine flirtiness only happens under specific circumstances.
Dylan: Such as? I have to know so I can replicate them.
I laughed again, pondering his question. He made me laugh so easily. It was surreal. I yawned, getting up from my chair, and headed inside. I poured the rest of my wine down the drain before replying.
Mel: I’m not sure, honestly.
Dylan: Come shopping with me tomorrow. The list reads like hieroglyphics.
Holy shit, he was creative, and I wanted to give him all the points for this, but first I needed to tease him a little.
Mel: Your case isn’t compelling. I think any pet shop sales assistant will know what to give you.
He didn’t text back but called me instead.
“You thought your case would be more convincing if we talk?”
“Much more.”
I grinned just because I heard his voice.
“Let’s hear it.”
“You don’t want me to buy the wrong things, do you? The puppy’s going to be the one suffering if I do.” His voice was taunting and lighthearted, but it lit my whole body on fire. Holy shit.
“Hey, no emotional blackmail. It doesn’t count if you’re stealing my technique.”
“But is it effective?” I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Yes, yes it is,” I admitted. Leaning against the counter, I pondered what to do. It was only shopping; what harm could it do? Besides, what if he stumbled upon a good salesman who’d try to make him buy more things than necessary? I didn’t want anyone to take advantage of him.
Oh wow. The things I tell myself to justify giving in.
“Okay. There’s a pet shop not too far away from the gym. I’ll text you the address.”
“Thanks. See you tomorrow, Mel.” His tone was different. He sounded almost smug .
“Why do you sound so triumphant?”
He laughed throatily, and I swear the sound woke every cell in my body. I was hyperaware of my breath and the tingling sensation in my belly.
“I’ve yet to talk you into something outrageous, remember? And I do my best work in person.”
The next day, I met Dylan at the pet shop in the morning, right before our session. I arrived early, so I texted to let him know I was already inside. I handed the sales associate the list. Since I was already here, I could get on with it.
The starter kit, as I like to call it, was quite sizable and expensive, but it was better to be prepared from the beginning rather than keep coming to the store as you discovered that you still needed things.
I honestly still couldn’t believe Dylan had taken the puppy with him.
He was all swagger and suits, but underneath that rugged exterior was a man full of surprises.
“Okay, this is everything,” the sales associate said.
“Thanks. I'm waiting for my friend to come and pick this up.
He'll be right here.” I texted Dylan to ask him where he was, but he walked in the next second.
Oh God, is he sexy or what? He wasn't wearing a suit today, just jeans and a polo shirt.
He looked mouthwatering. The shirt showed his perfectly formed biceps, and I had to make a great effort to look him straight in the eyes.
One corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. He flashed me a knowing look before his gaze traveled slowly down my body. Oh, heavens. He couldn’t make me blush this early in the morning. Wasn’t there a rule against that?
Clearing my throat, I pointed at the counter.
“Okay, so I took the liberty of ordering everything. If you want to kick anything off the list, you can. You don't need all these toys, but he'll have to keep himself occupied with something when you're not at home. Where is he anyway?”
“In my apartment with a dog sitter. You said it wasn’t good for a puppy to be alone, and I found an app specifically pairing people with pet sitters.”
“No, a dog sitter is good. Trust me. Otherwise, you can go home and find the legs of your furniture chewed on. I've seen it happen. By the way, I have a session with Isabelle tonight. Did you tell her about the puppy?”
“No. It’s a surprise.”
“Good to know. I won’t tell her anything, then.”
He glanced at the counter, cocking a brow at the mountain of supplies waiting for him. “That list looked long, but somehow this seems like even more than I expected.”
“It looks a lot because it's all piled up on top of each other.”
“Okay, let's get this over with so we can head to the gym.” He took out his wallet, then pulled his card out.
“Are you taking all this with you to the gym?” I asked while he paid. “Because then we can ask him to keep it here until you're done. That's possible, right?" I asked the sales associate, who nodded.
“It’s fine. My driver is here, and he’ll take everything to my apartment. He can also take us to the gym.”
“I won’t say no to that,” I declared. Even though it was still early June, the humidity this morning was insane.
The sales associate frowned after he packed everything but one bowl. “Wait, this food bowl is chipped on one end. I’ll bring you another one.”
“Okay. I’ll get these to the car in the meantime,” Dylan said. He took four bags by himself. I carried the dog bed. We put everything in the trunk before slipping into the back seat.
“Wait, we forgot the bowl,” I said.
The driver looked at us. “I can go inside. It's only going to take a second.”
“Okay, thanks,” Dylan said.
The second we were alone, the air in the car crackled with tension. I licked my lips, looking away. A few moments of total silence passed, but the driver didn’t return. I couldn’t believe I was up in knots just because I was alone with him.
“Thanks for coming with me, Mel,” Dylan said.
“You’re welcome. I honestly still can’t believe you took that puppy home.”
“Why not?”
I shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t have pegged you as a pet lover. You surprised me.”
“Surprised me too. You have that effect on me.” He caught my eye, bringing his fingers to my jaw, caressing it lightly. Goose bumps broke out on my skin. “And I can’t shake off this incessant need….”
“What need?” I whispered.
“To make you do something outrageous .”
His lips were on mine the next second, warm and sinfully sexy and determined.
He wrapped his hand in my hair, cupping my head as he explored me.
He overwhelmed my senses and my body. I was lost to the world, needing him to continue kissing me more than anything else.
My lips were on fire, and when he cupped my thigh over the fabric of my dress, he lit up the rest of my body too. I was shaking lightly.
He groaned against my mouth, pulling back slowly.
I came to my senses, realizing he’d kissed me here in full view of Manhattan.
I mean, we were in a car, but still, I was sure the waves of heat radiating from us could be felt everywhere.
This man was something else. Wow. I was tempted to check if my underwear had melted away. It felt like that, anyway.
Glancing up, I found him looking at me with those gorgeous, piercing eyes.
“Mel,” he murmured, touching my lip with his thumb.
I shook my head, drawing in a deep breath.
“Dylan, I… I like you a lot, but Isabelle told me some things.”
He frowned. “What things?”
I shimmied in my seat, avoiding his gaze. I was afraid I’d end up kissing him again if I looked at him for too long.
“That you just want to have fun. You're in that phase of your life, and I'm different. I want other things.”
He smiled, still touching my cheek. “I know. She told me, right after warning me not to ask you out.”
I jerked my head back in surprise. “What? When did that happen?”
“That evening after your fainting spell. She couldn't figure out why I didn't take my eyes off you. And since you swore me to secrecy, I didn't tell her about the fainting spell.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Really? That's the only reason you were looking at me?”
He smiled seductively, taking his hand away from my face. I immediately missed his touch, but this was for the better. I couldn't want this man. He was a great guy, but we wanted different things from our lives right now.
“We can be friends,” I blurted, realizing I sounded awkward. But I didn't know how to fill the silence. “Like I am with Isabelle and Brayden and Tess.”
"Friends," he said slowly, as if he was testing the word and wasn't sure if he liked it. There was a little twinkle in his eyes. “Okay.”
My pulse was speeding up just because he was looking at me. Yeah, I had a feeling this friendship thing wasn't going to be very easy.
Thankfully, the driver came back, putting the new bowl in the seat next to him. The gym was only a few blocks away, but it was much faster by car than on foot. Even so, the few minutes' drive was enough for me to feel on pins and needles.
I couldn’t ignore this tension between us, and somehow I didn't think it would get more manageable at the gym. When we got out of the car, he put his hand at the small of my back, making me simmer.
Oh, Christ. Dylan Gallagher was dangerous for me.
"See you in a bit," I said once we were inside. “I’m going to check on another client while you do your warming up on a treadmill, okay?”
“Sure, Mel, see you in a bit.” His mouth curved in a half smile as if he were laughing at a private joke.
I was hoping these twenty minutes would help us cool off.
No such luck.
I came back exactly twenty minutes later and immediately spotted Dylan running. It was not easy to ignore how sexy he was when he wore a tight tee and pants. Was this guy gorgeous or what?
Since he had his back to me, I felt safe to drink him in. I started at his ankles, because even those were sexy enough to be admired, and worked my way up slowly.
When I reached his upper back, I realized he was looking over his shoulder—at me. Oh, wow. What was the protocol for checking out a friend after you’d had a hot-as-hell kiss? I had no clue how to navigate these murky waters.
He jumped off the treadmill, walking over to me. I sucked in a breath.
“Careful, friend, I think you're sending me mixed signals,” he said.
I sighed, holding up my palms in defense. “I admit, caught in the act.”
He laughed, but then his eyes were serious as he turned his gaze on me. “Mel, if this is uncomfortable for you, say the word and I'll get another trainer.”
“No, no, it's fine. I have to get used to all this testosterone and sexy muscles.”
He laughed. “You're surrounded by guys working out every day.”
I shrugged. “I know, okay? But I don't kiss all of them, just you.” Lowering my voice to a whisper, I added, “Besides, you’re hotter than everyone here. Can you please stop being so hot? It messes with my concentration.”
“I’ll do my best.”