Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
"He isn’t the only one," I mutter as she walks over and sits on the sofa. Salty curls up in her lap and glares at me like, “Don’t even think of moving me.”
I grab her coffee and follow them into the living room. Her aqua eyes light up when I hand it to her. “Here’s your white chocolate mocha.”
She leans back, Salty stretched across her lap like a fuzzy, farting security blanket. "Thank you so freaking much." She takes a sip of the coffee and groans loudly. The sounds coming from her mouth are too goddamn much for my cock. The fucker chooses that moment to turn to stone in pants.
“You’re welcome, baby.” I turn and walk over to grab my own coffee just to give myself time to cool the fuck off.
Once I have my cock under control, I turn back and find her sitting with her leg tucked under herself. She’s the picture of lazy Saturday perfection. "So, what’s the plan for today?" she asks.
"Breakfast. Then the dog park and maybe a late lunch after that." I’m aiming for casual, but it sounds like a declaration of intent.
She bites her lip, and it takes everything in me not to kiss her right there. "Sounds like a plan to me.” She takes a bite of her scone, her eyes closing in bliss, and she makes a soft noise that shoots straight to my groin. "Man, this is so good," she says. "You ever try the lemon bars from Gobble Me Up? They’re criminally addictive."
"Not yet. But I’m open to corrupt influences." I sip my coffee, watching her.
I want to touch her. I want to pull her into my lap, bury my hands in her hair, and never let her go. Instead, I sit next to her and brush my fingers over hers.
We finish breakfast, and the clean-up takes all of ninety seconds, since we basically inhaled everything. “Ready to go for a walk down to the doggie park?” I ask as Salty’s ears perk up, already knowing what the words mean. He hops up and rushes to the door.
Nadia watches the little show then throws her head back and laughs, and I want to memorize the sound. "Let’s do it."
We head out with Salty leading the way, zigzagging between the crowd in the lobby like a demon on a mission. Nadia keeps pace beside me, arms brushing, hair drying in loose curls that catch the light.
The dog park is only half a block from the main entrance, fenced with black wrought iron and bordered with beds of wildflowers. There are already a few dogs running around. I unclip Salty’s leash, and he makes a beeline for the biggest, floofiest poodle in Worthington Hills.
"Oh my God," Nadia says, watching Salty strut up to the poodle with zero fear. "He has a girlfriend."
"Her name’s Bella. She’s his arch-nemesis, girlfriend, and therapist all in one." I watch as Salty does his patented play-bow, then sprints in circles around Bella while she pretends not to notice him.
We take a seat on one of the benches near the fence. Nadia snuggles against my side while I wrap my arm around her shoulder and watch the dog drama.
She laughs when my silly dog runs circles around the much bigger poodle. I want to kiss her so bad it makes my teeth ache. Instead, I reach out and tuck a loose curl behind her ear, letting my thumb graze her cheekbone.
We watch Salty and Bella play for a while, comfortable in the silence. Other dogs come and go, but Salty never loses sight of his girl. He barks at her and chases her until they’re exhausted.
We leave the dog park a couple of hours later, and Salty is a changed man. He barely manages to trudge up the sidewalk with his tongue hanging out, and his eyes are glazed over with exhaustion. Nadia laughs the whole way back, and when we get to my apartment, Salty launches himself onto the couch, burrows under a throw pillow, and immediately starts snoring.
"The little man is probably out for the afternoon.” I pull her curvy body close and lean down to place a soft kiss on her nose. “Would you like to have lunch at Rosalie’s Diner?"
Her face lights up. "Oh my God, Rosalie’s Mushroom and Swiss double cheeseburger is my favorite. Add onion rings, and I’ll be your bestie for life."
“It’s a deal,” I agree. I’m already planning to keep her for life. I glance over at the couch. Salty is sprawled upside down, tongue dangling like a pink party streamer. I grab the remote, putting on a rerun of Bluey just in case he wakes up while we’re gone.
Nadia giggles. "It’s adorable how you spoil him."
"I’m glad you think so, baby," I say, and before I can talk myself out of it, I kiss her. Not a peck, but a slow, searching kiss, the kind that lingers even after our mouths part. She melts into it and slides her hand up the back of my neck to hold on. I lose track of time as her taste flows through me. Her curves press against my body, sending every ounce of blood in my body straight to my cock.