Chapter 9
Aspen
I can’t believeI’d given in to Cade’s demands that I stay the night, but the flutter of anticipation deep inside my belly and the little devil on my shoulder, dancing with excitement, had me forgetting my obligations.
What obligations?
True. I’d fed the chickens. The house was clean within an inch of my life; any cleaner and it would have rivaled the best hospital in our area. For once, I wasn’t hearing Molly whining around the clock, and I hadn’t had to cook for myself.
How long has it been since I had a pizza this good?
Not finishing my third slice, feeling as though I was ready to burst, I set my piece of pizza down and got up to inspect Cade’s bookshelves a bit more closely.
Patterson.
Rice.
Dickens.
Poe.
Some nonfiction works based on world history, criminology, and even healthcare.
Then there’s little ol’ me thrown into the mix alongside some of my romantic suspense idols.
“This is quite the collection,” I said more to myself than to my host.
“I like things quiet,” he responded, making me jump. I hadn’t heard him get up and move toward me. “Whenever I have free time, I like to chill with a good book. Renegade appreciates the rest too. Between my day job and helping the guys at Nightshade, we haven’t had much downtime, except for recently. The doc told me I had a moderate concussion. I’ve been off of work until this past week.”
“Hmm. I’m glad you’re okay.”
Suddenly, his arms were surrounding me, the warmth of his chest seeping into my back. “Now what’s this about me owing you a book?”
Oh, right.
“You took that copy of Sheltered Rescue you were reading when you left my place,” I said.
“No, I didn’t.” Turning on him, I’d suspected he’d loosen his hold, but he didn’t. His face displayed his confusion. “I put it back on your shelf next to the others before I got gone.”
“You did?” I whispered, but somehow, I just knew he was telling the truth, with the intense look of sincerity in his eyes. “But it’s not there.” Instead, I shook my head, more of a way to get myself out of this trancelike sensation that was setting in, and said, “Maybe I just misplaced it. I am working on the follow-up to it after all, and I must have grabbed it and forgotten about it.” But even as I said it, I knew it wasn’t the case. I never misplaced my books, which led me to wonder where it could have gone.
“You sure?” I could feel his deep rasp through his chest, soaking into mine as his face grew nearer.
“Mm-hmm.”
Then his lips captured mine, demanding more from me than when I’d first showed up on his doorstep.
Now, I might be a bit on the inexperienced side, but I’m no nun. Cade’s lips were made to sin, and those unholy talents of his had me at their mercy.
With a simple kiss, one he took his time with, I found myself wanting to peel every stitch of clothing off, lie down on the nearest flat surface, and offer myself up to the man pressed against me. Instead, my rational self kicked in and I pushed him away.
“What’d you do that for?” I huffed out through heavy breaths, instantly hating myself for the look of rejection I spotted in his features.
As quick as I’d seen it, he replaced the expression with a small smirk. “Didn’t I tell you earlier that we weren’t done?”
Call me crazy, but the self-assuredness he displayed was charming more than it was asshole-ish in nature.
“We’re done for now,” I spat, trying to break his hold on me, but he didn’t let go.
“I can’t stop thinking about you, Aspen,” he whispered.
“Stockholm,” I blurted.
His laugh was short and lacked hilarity. “Doubt it.”
His arms fell away from me and I felt the loss of his heat immediately.
I shrugged. “You were in duress. It makes sense.” Turning away from him, I stepped to the side, making my way toward the couch, where I dropped onto the cushions and proceeded to chug the rest of the beer I’d been drinking.
“Another?” he offered with what sounded like humor in his tone.
I couldn’t look him in the eyes. “Better not.”
“Afraid you’ll lose control?” he pushed.
Maybe.But I chose to lead with, “Not in the least,” and straightened my posture to project as much confidence I knew I wasn’t feeling right then, meeting his eyes to punctuate my meaning.
“Suit yourself, then,” he said, then headed for the fridge as Molly lifted her head to look at me and huffed what seemed like annoyance at my stubbornness before settling in to Renegade’s side once more.
My own dog had my number. Jeez, was I that transparent?
Cade
I knew she’d said no to the drink, but her eyes had said yes, and seeing as I felt overwhelmed by the sparks that flew during that kiss, I figured instead of mauling her, I could at least indulge one of her wants, even though she’d refused it.
Popping the cap off two bottles of the brew I had in stock, I took a deep breath, reliving the moment I got a real good taste of Aspen Ridge.
Beer and woman.
Soft and warm.
She’d melted into my hold, giving as much as she got in those swift few moments, and I now found myself pitching a tent in my jeans for the umpteenth time at the mere thought of her. And I knew it wouldn’t end there either.
Get yourself under control, Summers.
With things finally beginning to deflate down there, I headed back to the living room, only to find the woman I’d been enthralled with, for the better part of the last month, cuddled up with Renegade and Molly on the floor.
“I still can’t believe he knocked her up,” she muttered, then accepted the beer I held out for her without hesitation. “And I see I am as transparent as Molly has led me to believe.”
“How long now?” I asked, choosing not to comment on how easy she’d been to read, then I parked my ass on the edge of my coffee table just so I could be close to her.
“Thirty days or so. She’s practically halfway there already and I had no clue,” Aspen pouted. “I feel like I’ve failed at being a good doggy parent.”
“Don’t feel bad,” I said. “I never thought twice about what could happen. Ren never got fixed because working dogs seem to do their job better when everything is…” I searched for the best word to talk about my dog’s junk.
“Intact?” Aspen provided with a laughing tone.
I nodded my response, observing her with the furry couple as I took a sip of my beer. No matter how pissed off she seemed to be when she’d first arrived, she was showering as much attention on Renegade as she was Molly, and both canines were soaking it all up.
“Are you ready to be a daddy?” she cooed to my partner.
I swear Renegade lifted his head with excited eyes and nodded before sneaking a lick at her hand, then at Molly’s snout.
“I hope Grandpa over there is ready for furry trouble.”
That got my attention. “Who, me?”
She smirked. “Yes, Grandpa.”
“Why can’t I be the cool uncle?” I asked, not really liking the title that suddenly made me feel old beyond my years.
“Because you’re his owner,” she giggled, “and if I’m being labeled as Grandma, I’m sure as hell not going down with that title on my own.”
I laughed along with her, then thought about what all of this entailed, and I found myself discovering how Aspen must have felt when she first discovered the news. Anxiety hit me.
“What the fuck are we going to do with seven pups?”
She bit her lip, then whispered, “I don’t know.” Her hand buried itself in the fur behind Molly’s ear. “I feel sad giving them up, but it’s unrealistic to keep them all, you know?”
“Mm-hmm.” My mind was reeling with possibilities however, but I wanted to think on things before suggesting anything to the woman seated across from me. I had less than thirty days to figure out my plan, then propose—a solution that is.