Dalton, Tymber - Doggy Tales [Doggy Tales] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

He gently chucked her under the chin. “I just wanted to see how long it took you to come right out and say it.” He straightened and walked to the door, opening it. She still sat at her desk, stunned.

  “Well, are we eating lunch or not?” he asked.

  She nodded, fumbled her lunch bag, and followed him out the door on feet that didn’t seem to touch the floor.

  * * * *

  Tessa followed him to the elevator, unable to ask him more because three other people rode down to the lobby with them. But those huge, golden-brown eyes stared at her, slightly crinkled in amusement at the edges, as if he knew exactly what state she was in.

  Damn it! How did he do that to her? And why had he kept her in limbo all these months if he knew she liked him?

  Their usual spot was vacant, and they sat on the low stone wall near a fountain in the park next to their office building in downtown Tampa.

  “How about tonight?” he asked.

  “Tonight what?”

  “Are you backing out on me already?”

  “Oh. Oh! Yes. Where do you want to go?”

  He shrugged. God, he was gorgeous. “Where do you want to go?”

  To bed with you, she thought. He looked at his lunch and smiled as she said, “Why don’t you choose?”

  “Then why don’t I pick you up tonight at seven?” He met her eyes, and she dumbly nodded.

  His eyes crinkled again as he wolfed down his sandwich. God, the man could eat fast. As usual, she was still working on her sandwich by the time he’d finished his whole lunch.

  He was an unusual man, with broad, strong hands, yet he could type twice as fast as she could and more accurately. His first day in the office with her he’d spent sneezing, and at the end of the day she felt embarrassed when he admitted it was her perfume. When she didn’t wear any the next day, he offered a sweet compromise, asked her to bring the bottle in the next morning.

  He’d waited out in the parking lot and asked for the bottle, then showed her how to spritz it and walk through the mist to get just enough on her.

  Tess would never forget how cute he’d looked, his nose wrinkling slightly as if sniffing her, then his broad, beaming smile.

  Jesus, I’d kill for him if he’d smile like that at me all the time.

  “Much better. That’s more than enough to make you smell gorgeous, girl,” he’d said. And coming from him, it didn’t sound the least bit arrogant or conceited or derogatory.

  In fact, her heart had pleasantly fluttered at his words. “Where’d you learn that?” She never realized she used a lot, thought the small spritz she normally used wasn’t over the top.

  “I have a pack of sisters,” he’d said with a grin. “Don’t worry,” he added, “you haven’t been blasting everyone out. I’m just overly sensitive, so don’t feel bad.”

  That was her first experience with Scudder’s almost freaky skill of sensing her thoughts and moods, and it still surprised her every time he did it.

  * * * *

  The day crawled. When five o’clock rolled around, he walked her to her car. He already knew where she lived, having picked her up once or twice when her car was in for repairs. He leaned in close. “I’ll see you at seven,” he murmured, and her lower belly contracted in a pleasant way at the near-growling timbre of his voice.

  She quickly nodded and got into her car, speeding home to change. She showered and settled on a sundress and paced the living room for twenty minutes until he showed up right on time. He’d showered and changed into jeans and an ironed chambray shirt, casually gorgeous.

  Hell, he’d be gorgeous no matter what he wore—or if he wore nothing at all.

  Especially if he wore nothing at all.

  When settled in his passenger seat, she was pleasantly surprised he’d opened and held the car door for her. She took a moment to study him. “So why keep me panting after you all these months?”

  He didn’t look away from the road, but his lips curled in a slight twist that melted her heart. “You’d just broken up with your boyfriend when we first met, if you’ll recall. I’m not the brightest bulb, but I know a rebound relationship is usually doomed to failure. Besides, we’d just started working together. I didn’t want to come on too strong.”

  Their company had a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in regards to workplace dating. As long as everything personal stayed out of the workplace and there was no sexual harassment, they wouldn’t get in trouble.

  At a red light he looked at her, fixing her with the full-on force of his big eyes. “I’m still not going to the party Saturday night, though,” he softly said. “It’s nothing personal, and it has nothing to do with you. Any other night, I could go. You should go. Have a good time. The truth is, I have some family stuff to deal with for a couple of days. I’ll be back for work on Monday.”

  That wasn’t quite the truth, and she sensed it, but she didn’t want to push the issue. He was taking her out tonight, and she was enjoying herself already.

  Until they got to the restaurant. Scudder opened and held her car door, took her hand, and led her inside. In the foyer, he left her near the door and approached the hostess for a table when she heard a familiar, coarse voice.

  “Tessa, you bitch. What the fuck you doin’ here?”

  Her whole body stiffened. Scudder whirled around, immediately on the defensive. She almost thought he snarled.

  Then Scudder was at her side when Reuben, her ex, walked over. He’d apparently been in the restaurant’s bar and smelled like a brewery himself.

  Instinctively, she pressed closer to Scudder’s side, and despite her fear she felt calmed when he put his arm protectively around her. “You okay, Tess?” Scudder softly asked.

  “My ex,” she whispered. Scudder gently pushed her behind him.

  “You have a problem?” Scudder said, drawing himself up to his full height. Reuben was five inches shorter than him, and definitely not in as good of shape.

  “Yeah, I got a problem with that bitch.”

  “Don’t call her that.” Scudder’s voice had definitely dropped to a low, warning growly tone. “You’ve got two seconds to turn around and walk away, buddy.”

  Tessa peeked around Scudder’s side, her arms encircling his waist. Waves of defensive, protective anger washed off him, like heat shimmers on hot asphalt. Despite her fear, she was incredibly turned on.

  No one had ever fought for her before. Ever.

  Fortunately, a manager interceded and escorted Reuben off the premises. Only when he was gone did Scudder’s posture relax. He turned to her, his arms around her. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded and burst into tears.

  * * * *

  He’d never witnessed her black eyes, her days of coming to work wearing sunglasses inside all day, but he’d heard from a few people that her ex used her as a punching bag. Yet another reason he never tried to put a move on her, because he sensed her fragility, carefully hidden behind her bravado and playful teasing. There was no reason to rush things, because he smelled her only interest was in him.

  He was a patient, patient man.

  How lucky for him he’d gone to work for Callahan Consulting and met her. He’d felt love at first sight, and knew he’d have to wait a long time before acting on it. Damn the timing of the party. Why couldn’t they have it the week before Halloween? There was no way he could go, not on that night, not this soon, but he knew she was ready to take the next step after she’d ratcheted up the flirty banter over the past few weeks. He’d sensed how disappointed she was that he couldn’t make the party, and he wanted to make it up to her.

  Truth be told, he preferred a quiet evening alone with her, anyway.

  He pulled her into a quiet corner in the restaurant’s foyer. “Why don’t we go back to my place? I’ll cook you dinner. Would that be okay?”

  Her green eyes looked full of fear. She met his gaze and nodded. Still frightened, trembling, her heart raced like a rabbit fleeing for its life.

  He put a protectiv
e arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. “Let’s get out of here, sweetie,” he whispered. On the way to the car she studied the ground as they walked. Good thing, because it meant she didn’t see how he swiveled his head and flared his nostrils, looking for any sign of Reuben hanging around.

  They made a quick stop at a Publix for groceries, and it didn’t take him long to pull her out of her funk. She was sweet and cute, and God help that asshole if he had five minutes alone with him. He’d rip his throat out for hurting her. At five six she was perfectly curvy and her shoulder-length, unruly brown curls begged for his fingers to tangle in them. Something caught in his throat when he imagined what she’d look like naked in his bed.

  His jeans tightened as he tried to stifle the thought. Unfortunately, he’d already spent plenty of nights stroking his cock with his hand as he thought about Tessa’s beautiful green gaze.

  They had a good dinner and ended up on his couch in a passionate embrace he was reluctant to end. By eleven o’clock, he knew he had to take her home or take her to bed, and he didn’t want to rush that end of things.

  He gave her one final, deep kiss before sitting up. She tried to pull him back down on top of her, and it took every ounce of his will not to let her. “All good things come to those who wait, darlin’,” he said. “Don’t you know that?”

  She stared at him from the couch, her cheeks flushed and her hair even more disheveled. “I don’t want to wait, Scudder. I want you to make love to me.”

  He stood and caught her hand, pulling her up. “Not tonight, sweetie. Believe me, I do want that, but I want you to get to know me better before we take that step. Besides, I don’t have any protection.”

  She tried to kiss him again, and his reserve faltered as she ground her hips against him. “You don’t need any,” she said, her voice husky with desire. “I’m on the Pill.”

  “You don’t know where I’ve been, sugar. Maybe the vet hasn’t given me my shots and tags lately.” That was a fib. He was clean, and her sweet, fresh, natural scent could only mean she was, too.

  She pouted. “You’re a bad liar.”

  He grinned. She was already attuned to him in some ways. “Seriously. Let’s take things slow.” He pulled her to him. “We’ve had a great night, but we work together. Let’s do this the right way so we don’t screw things up.” He brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead. “It would break my heart to lose you as a friend just over one night in bed. I’d rather have you in my life for the long term.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “All right?”

  * * * *

  She rested her head against his strong chest, his arms protectively around her, and closed her eyes. He never wore cologne, and she’d toned her cologne down even further over the months. He smelled, good, warm, strong. “Then you’d better get me home.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “How about I take you out tomorrow night for dinner?”

  “Okay.”

  When she casually draped her arm between the seats during the ride home, he took her hand and gently squeezed. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right, but what a welcome relief it was. Reuben had pushed quick and hard for a relationship and sex. In retrospect she understood why, because he was controlling and abusive.

  Scudder was nothing like Reuben. When he stood between them in the restaurant, she instinctively knew Scudder would have protected her had Reuben tried anything.

  Back at her house, Scudder opened the car door for her and walked her to her front porch. “Do you want me to go in with you and check it out?”

  She shook her head. “I’ll drag you into bed.”

  The moon wasn’t quite full yet, but it was more than bright enough to reveal his sweet smile. “Soon enough, Tess,” he whispered, brushing one last kiss across her lips. “Soon enough.”

  * * * *

  He waited until she was inside and had locked the door to return to his car. His nose worked the air. There was something…wrong. He froze, listening, cocking his head, but after a moment he got in and drove a couple of blocks away to a Walmart Supercenter that was open twenty-four hours. He parked in the distance, near a shadowy stand of trees on the edge of the lot.

  It wasn’t a full moon, but it was close enough.

  * * * *

  Tess turned on all the lights in the house as she walked, checking the sliding glass doors and making sure all her blinds were drawn. Maybe she should have asked him to check the house. It had been a shock running into Reuben like that. A really bad shock.

  Terrifying flashbacks had started her trembling, but Scudder’s gentle voice and strong touch had soon soothed them away. He wanted to take it slow. It was agonizing, but she would let him lead her now that she knew he liked her.

  Her car alarm went off and she jumped, startled. Probably a stray cat. She grabbed her key ring and opened the front door, clicking the button on the remote. The alarm shut off, but there was a large, dark shape standing by the trunk. When she stepped closer, she realized it was Reuben.

  “We’ve got unfinished business, bitch,” he said.

  Her feet froze, old terrors immobilizing her. “Get out of here. I’ll call the cops. I have a restraining order against you.”

  He took a step toward her, staggering slightly. He was really drunk. “Who cares?” He charged. She screamed and tried to turn to run when a large shadow rounded the corner of her house and slammed into Reuben, knocking him to the ground.

  A dog.

  She raced for the house and slammed the front door behind her, locking it. With trembling fingers she dialed 911.

  The dog’s vicious snarls and Reuben’s panicked screams for help drifted into the living room, but in less than five minutes she heard a siren and peeked out the front window. When the deputy arrived, the dog leapt off Reuben and trotted to her front porch, sitting there, staring at her through the window, its tail wagging.

  It looked like a huge, jet-black Lab.

  She cautiously opened the front door, and the dog wagged its tail harder, his whole butt wiggling, almost seeming to smile at her. Then it trotted over, turned, and sat facing the front walk.

  Reuben was still screaming as the deputy handcuffed him, so he couldn’t be hurt too badly. After another deputy arrived and they locked Reuben in the backseat of one of the cruisers, the deputies took her statement. Lucky for Reuben, he didn’t have a mark on him, but apparently he’d wet his pants as the dog had grabbed his throat and held on without breaking the skin.

  Tess idly stroked the dog’s head after it nosed her hand. “Is that your dog, ma’am?” the deputy asked.

  She shook her head. “No, I’ve never seen him before. But I’m damn sure glad he showed up.” She had a horrifying thought. “You won’t take him, will you?”

  “Not if you don’t want us to. He didn’t bite him.” The deputy looked at the dog. “He’s a good-looking dog, doesn’t look like a stray. I suggest getting him to the vet tomorrow if you can’t find his owner, get him his shots. That way, no one can say anything.”

  She nodded. When the deputies finally left, she stopped at the open door.

  “Want to come in, boy?” She assumed he was a boy, but she hadn’t examined him.

  He padded through her front door, his huge club-like tail happily wagging. God, he had to be well over a hundred pounds! She’d never seen a Lab as big as him.

  She poured him a bowl of water, and he eagerly lapped it up. Kneeling next to him, she ran her fingers through his fur, checking him. Yep, a boy, and he didn’t have a collar. He also didn’t appear to have any fleas or ticks, thank God, and he seemed pretty clean.

  Cupping his large head in her hands, she looked into his huge, golden-brown eyes. Something about him calmed her, made her feel protected, beyond what he’d done for her. Surely he belonged to someone to be in such good shape.

  “Thank you, boy.”

  He nuzzled her cheek and licked her face.

  After that scare, she let him curl up on her bed. Putti
ng her arm around him felt right. He smelled good, too, almost…familiar?

  She fell asleep and dreamed of her dinner with Scudder, wishing she could be curled around him.

  * * * *

  Around five o’clock, before false dawn even touched the sky, she was gently nosed awake by the Lab. He stared at her, licking her cheek, softly whining.

  The events of the night flooded back, and she looked at her overnight guest. “Hey, boy.” She stroked his head and laughed when he rolled onto his back so she could scratch his belly. “I hope you’re homeless, because I’ll adopt you if you are. If not, I owe your owners a huge thank-you.”

  He sat up and whined again, looking toward the bedroom door.

  “You gotta go out?”

  He jumped off the bed and paced halfway to the door and stopped.

  “Okay, hold on.”

  He patiently waited for her at the front door. She opened the door, and before he went outside, he turned. She knelt down and he licked her, nuzzling her neck. His breath brushed her cheek. When she met his eyes, she realized he was leaving. She didn’t know how, but she sensed it.

  Great. Now I’m talking to dogs. I need a life.

  The dog panted, almost smiling, and licked her one last time before bounding out the door and around the corner of her house.

  Tess tried to go back to sleep, but it eluded her. She took a long shower, thinking about the feel of Scudder’s arms and lips—

  Why didn’t I call him?

  She thought about it. Why hadn’t she? He should have been her first call after the deputies got there, but…

  That dog had saved her.

  She hoped the Lab was okay, and if he was homeless, she hoped he’d come back.

  * * * *

  Scudder dropped his keys on the table by his front door and scrubbed his face with his hands. At least he’d gotten a little sleep. It wasn’t worth trying to go to bed now. He needed to take a shower and get to work.