Page 131 of Hateful Games

Not happening. I can imagine the faces of my employees when I walk in with dog hair all over my suit. Instead, I caress and pet her head until she scurries away to join Fire. I have to help her up because she’s too short to climb. “You have them spoiled, Rose.”

“You’d understand if you had any pets.”

Glancing at her, I notice she hasn’t come out from the bathroom. “Why are you only poking your head out?”

“I forgot my clothes. Can you get out?”

Any other time, I would mess with her, but we’re already late. “Ten minutes.”

“You took half an hour and expect me to be ready in ten?”

“Yes.” With that, I turn and leave the room. Bunny has somehow managed to slide open the balcony door and is now enjoying the view of the high-rises. His tail wags happily.

While Rosalie gets dressed, I order breakfast. I also text my assistant to push the seven-o’clock meeting to nine. I’m done drinking a fresh cup of coffee and Rosalie still hasn’t emerged from the bedroom after more than ten minutes have passed.

I swear if she’s doing it on purpose…

Striding back to the bedroom, I fling the door open and collide into her. Instincts have me grabbing her waist to avoid her falling. Annoyed eyes clash with mine when I tighten my hold rather than immediately let go.

“Trying to suffocate me with your nauseating presence?” she taunts.

“Do you ever run out of insults?”

“Depends on—”

“It was rhetorical.”

“I thought you were running late.”

“We are.”

“Then why are we having this pointless conversation?”

“Because I enjoy having you in my arms.”

She tries to hide the blush by skirting her eyes to the side. I shouldn’t be saying things like that and give her ideas that she shouldn’t have. Yet I take victory in her not pushing me away, like she should. I have to let her go when Maggie tries to insert herself between us.

“So, you have a clingy dog, a horny dog, and an angry one.”

“Stop insulting them.”

“I don’t think they’ll take offense.”

“I do.”

“It kinda loses its credibility since you take offense to everything I do or say, Rose. Makes you biased.”

“Whatever.”

I check the time and tell her, “I ordered breakfast. Have some while I ask the valet to bring the car around.”

Her face perks up at the mention of food.

Behind her, I catch Fire sniffing around the room and I think he’s looking for a place to piss. Maggie notices and joins him. Before either can, I walk toward them. Picking both the pets in each arm, I stride to the bathroom and kick it open with my foot. Dropping them, I point to the shower. “Do your business.”

Then I slam the door shut and turn to Rosalie, who’s watching me with a soft yet strange expression.

“They know not to pee inside of the house.”

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