Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90607 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
So far, nothing. Which was fine. He had a lot to handle. He told her club business could take a while.
“Are you okay?” Lauren asked, coming out of hiding as soon as the last customer left.
“Yeah, I’m okay. It has been a crazy few days.”
“Yeah, I heard one of the dogs somehow got trapped in the sewer, and everyone had to help out.”
Ava had heard that as well. She knew another dog had curled up at the back door of her mother’s house. Hazel and Violet had decided that was fate and adopted the dog, and now had a beautiful Jack Russell living with them. She was a feisty little girl, but that just made her all the more lovable. Bernice also got on well with her, and they had decided to call her Erica. Erica and Bernice. Both dogs’ names had been taken by her father. It felt right to continue his memory in owning a dog.
“I heard,” Ava said. “It has been strange, hasn’t it?”
“Well, at least it will settle down now. Those poor dogs, though. I can’t believe anyone could be so cruel as to set fire to an animal shelter.” Lauren sighed.
“Have you taken any of the dogs?”
“Yes, I currently have three back at my apartment.”
Ava laughed. “Three? How did that happen?”
“I don’t know. I helped save two dogs that I think are mongrels, and then another that was a cocker spaniel.” Lauren shrugged. “They have certainly made life interesting, and One loves vanilla frosting.”
“One?” Ava asked.
Lauren went a bright shade of red. “I might not know what to call my dogs, so they are One, Two, and Three. I know that’s bad, but I never had a dog before, and well, you know. I’m trying my best. I’ve already gone and got them all these sweet beds, and lots of toys.”
“Do they chew the furniture?” Ava asked.
“No, and that surprises me. I mean, they are so well-behaved. I don’t leave them for long, and I take them out, walk them. They are the cutest.” Lauren sighed. “Now that I am talking about them, I miss them so much.”
Ava laughed, and then she turned toward the shop window as lights shone through.
“I think that is my ride tonight.”
Pat wouldn’t be bringing the bike, as he had also opted to have Bernice for the night.
“Go, go, I’ve got this. Have some fun, and I will see you soon.”
Ava chuckled, wished her boss a good night, and headed out.
Pat was already out of the car, rounding to the passenger seat, and opening the door for her.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Anything for you.”
He made her heart go crazy.
Once inside, Pat didn’t stop there, he reached in and secured the seat belt in place.
They hadn’t been together since Halloween night. Ava couldn’t believe that had entered her head, but they’d not had sex since then. They rarely touched. It had been so busy with the dogs and work.
She checked the back of the car to see Bernice snuggled beneath a blanket. Her little girl hated the cold and was constantly trying to find some heat.
“How is everything?” Ava asked.
“It’s as good as can be expected.”
They drove all the way to her place, which wasn’t far. Ava couldn’t help but tense up as other cars passed them. Since the garage shooting, along with the animal shelter fire, she had come to realize quickly that someone was targeting the club. Pat hadn’t said anything, nor had she asked, but she knew it was happening. And it was fucking scary as well.
“Are you okay?” Ava asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
She waited to see if he was going to tell her more, but he didn’t. They arrived at her apartment block, and neither of them lingered. Pat climbed out, and before she had the chance to, he’d grabbed Bernice into his arms and carried her across the parking lot toward her building.
Ava typed in the code to get inside, and they took the elevator to her floor and stepped out. She already had her keys ready and let them in. Once inside, she flicked the locks in place and turned on the light. Pat put Ava on the floor, and her little puppy dog went straight to her bed and snuggled beneath it.
She had time to put her bag on the coat rack, along with her jacket, and then Pat was there. He cupped her face, tilted her head back, and his lips were right on hers.
Melting against him with a moan, she slid her hands up his chest and then wrapped them around the back of his neck. She didn’t want to let him go. It felt so good to finally touch him, to have him back in her grasp.
“I’ve missed you,” Pat said.
His hands started at her waist, but they soon slid down and grabbed her ass, which she didn’t have a problem with, as he pulled her in close.