Page 31 of Finally Home

His words reaffirm everything I’ve been thinking, and I gently squeeze the puppy in my arms. “Don’t worry, Mr. Hendrick. I plan to. I also plan to bring this little guy back to see you every once in a while, just so you know your last pup is doing alright.”

His grin grows, and he gives the sleeping pup one last gentle pet. “Call me Walt.”

CHAPTER 17

WREN

I’ve just wrapped up my meeting with the divorce attorney when I hear Rhodes’s front door open.

“Hey! How was your day with Mama and Daddy Gray?” I call out, still typing up the last of my notes on my tablet for my call with Jeremy and his lawyer later this week. I haven’t done much more than update him through texts since I got here, and I miss the big guy like crazy.

There’s no response, so I close out my tabs and set my tablet on the coffee table. “Rho?”

I go to stand when out of nowhere, I’m tackled back to the couch by a blur of shiny fur and puppy breath. “Oh my God!” I squeal and pick up the huge fluffball, holding it under its soft arms to get a better look at what is an absolutely precious boy. “You are the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Whose baby are you, huh? You’re absolutely dashing. Yes you are!” He squirms in my arms and attacks my neck with aggressive licks and little nips, and I can’t contain my laughter.

“I can already feel myself being replaced.” Rhodes’s deep voice is filled with warmth. He’s in the entry to the living room, a blinding grin on his handsome face as he watches the surprisingly big dog attack me with affection.

As soon as I see him, a wide smile makes its way onto my face until what he said registers, and then my jaw drops. “He’s yours?” My voice is practically a squeal and the pup yips in response. I immediately squish his little face between my hands and plant a kiss on his nose in apology.

My best friend laughs, walks over, and drops down onto the couch next to me. He ruffles the little guy’s fur. “Sure is. You know how Mr. Hendrick has a farm out past Ridgeville?”

I nod with a smile. I need to go see Walt soon; it’s been way too long, and I miss the old grump somethin’ fierce.

“Well, you know I’ve wanted this breed for pretty much my whole life. So, when my dad told me Walt only had one pup left, and he was a gray Newfie? I knew it was meant to be. I drove out there this morning, and he glued himself to my side right away.”

I smirk at him. “So, he’s like the dog version of you? Because I seem to remember you doing the exact same thing to me eight years ago.”

He winks and leans in to drop a too-short kiss on my lips. “Totally worth it.” My surprise must show on my face at his show of innocent affection but he just chuckles. “Anyway, this wild little one still needs a name. Got any ideas for me?”

I’m beyond touched that he’s asking for my opinion, and a little part of me is secretly thrilled at the prospect of naming a pet with him, even if it’s technically not my dog. I run my fingers through his soft, silvery gray fur and look at his light blue eyes while I contemplate my answer. It only takes a few seconds for it to hit me, and I grin at Rhodes.

“I think his name is Finnegan. Finn for short.”

He glances back and forth between me and the puppy with a mix of emotions on his face before finally settling on joy. “Finnegan Gray. I love it. What do you say we take Finny here outside to go potty and then we can head to the pet store to get all the things he needs to feel comfortable in his new home.”

My heart swells with affection for this man. Rhodes has wanted a dog as long as I’ve known him and the childlike awe in his eyes now that he finally has one is making my feelings dip into dangerous territory–the kind of territory that usually precedes three little words that would change everything between us.

Panicked at the direction of my thoughts, I set Finn aside and jump up off the couch. “That sounds great!” My voice is high and reedy, so I clear my throat and plaster on what, I hope, looks like a genuine smile. “You take him outside and I’ll just go… get ready.” I turn and rush up the stairs before he can respond.

You have got to chill out, dude. The number one rule you suggested was no catching feelings.

Confused thoughts swirl around my mind while I strip out of my slouchy clothes. Just as I lean over to pull on a pair of jeans, my door opens and I squeak in surprise and turn around, holding the material to my chest.

“Jesus, Rho. You’re fixin’ to send me to an early grave. What are you doing just barging in here like that?” I’m not actually mad about it, just startled.

He doesn’t say anything as his eyes rake down my mostly naked body. My panic from earlier begins to fade when I see the desire in his eyes and heat pools low in my belly. His expression gives nothing away as he takes slow, measured steps towards me.

My heart beats faster the closer he gets, and I barely feel the jeans fall from my fingertips, too distracted by the way he backs me up until my knees hit the edge of the bed. His long, calloused fingers push my hair behind my ear. I expect him to drop his hand but instead he pushes it to the base of my skull and grips a fistful of the strands, pulling it hard until I have no choice but to drop my head back.

I gasp and my fingers grip his soft shirt as his mouth crashes onto mine. His tongue licks along the seam of my lips, demanding entrance as I moan. I feel my panties growing damp, and I know he feels it too when he moves his leg between mine and drops one hand to my lower back to encourage me to grind on him.

Rhodes breaks the kiss with a ragged groan when I do exactly that, leaning his forehead against mine. His minty breath washes across my face as he lets out a small laugh. “Goddamn, baby. You’re ruining me in all the best ways.”

My pulse soars, and I don’t want to think about the implication of his words, so I slam my lips back to his. The friction against my clit is almost too much, and I whimper into his mouth.

“Panties off and get on the bed, Starling,” he pants. I scramble to do as he asks and nearly trip when my panties get caught on my foot. I would feel embarrassed, but I’m too turned on. Finally, I win the fight against my bra clasp and collapse onto the bed, rolling onto my back and sliding up until my head rests on the pillows.

The heat in Rho’s eyes is unmistakable, and I feel myself getting wetter by the second the longer he stares. My clit starts to throb, and I squirm around on the bed. I try to find some friction by rubbing my legs together but he lets out a snarl as he dives on top of me and immediately takes one of my stiff nipples into his mouth to suck on it. My back arches, and I let out a cry at the unexpected jolt of pleasure.

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