Page 94 of Worst in Show

That’s a first as far as compliments go, but the wonder in his voice stifles my laugh. “And you’re not?”

He smiles. “Not like you. But being with you makes me think I could be.”

His words make my throat tighten. Shame on me for pegging him as a one-dimensional snob when we first met. The more he shows me, the more I want to know.

“For the record,” I say, once again nudging my lips near his, “I like you just fine the way you are right now.”

“Yeah?” His arms encircle me, lifting me closer.

“Mm-hmm.” The only thing that would make this full body embrace better is less clothing, but considering where we are, I’m thankful for the obstacle. Lord knows what would happen otherwise.

“Want to get out of here? We could train twice this weekend to make up for lost time if you want.”

Training… Who cares about that?

He can bet his sweet ass I want to get out of here.

The car smells of food from the containers of leftovers Diane insisted we bring along as we drive home. One of the dogs yawns in the back of the car, and shortly thereafter, I do, too. It’s nearing 10:00 p.m., but I don’t want the night to end. Not yet. Not when he looked at me the way he did in the barn.

Leo’s fingers tighten on mine when we pull into the courtyard behind his place.

“Good birthday?” he asks, turning to me.

“Best ever.” My thumb strokes the back of his hand.

“I think I’m going to have to work on raising your standards. I barely did anything.” A small smile tugs at his lips as he opens his car door. “Let’s get these guys inside.” He indicates the dogs in the back.

Is that truly how he feels? Like he didn’t do enough for me tonight? I join him in the back and gather my leashes, but then the urge to set him straight is too strong. I grab hold of his sleeve to bring us both to a stop. He looks down at me, his eyes immediately going tender.

“You thought of me,” I tell him, adding weight to my words. “You remembered it was my birthday when I hadn’t even told you directly.” I look down at where our hands have found each other. “You always remember.” I bring his hand to my lips. “I need you to understand how amazing that felt.”

After a beat, he simply nods, placing his hands on either side of my face and pressing his lips to mine. It’s a soft kiss and over too quickly with the dogs tugging around our legs.

“I’ll walk you home,” he says. “Come on.”

We’re slow-moving on account of Boris, but eventually we reach my door where he holds all four pups at bay while I unlock it. My time is running out. How to know if he’s thinking what I’m thinking?

“Are you tired?” I ask. “It’s only ten o’clock. Do you want to have some tea?” The words spill out of me in a rush that I’m sure gives my state of mind away, but he doesn’t bat a single lash.

“I’ve got cookies in the car,” he says in that low, sexy voice of his. “From Dawn. If you don’t mind coming back to, um, my place.”

Thank God he’s smooth like that. “Let me bring the dogs upstairs, and I’ll be right back.” I don’t wait for his response before I head inside and rush through evening procedures. Cholula paces behind me when I put up the gate, hopeful, but she sits when I tell her to. “No more play for you tonight, girl.” I reach over the barrier to scratch her ears. “You’re going to be good?” She yawns, and I take that as a yes.

Leo is pacing outside when I open the door. “Ready?” he asks.

As ready as I’ll ever be.

Inside his door, he takes my coat before disposing of his own. “Make yourself at home,” he says, moving deeper into the apartment.

I follow him, the angles and shapes of his space now familiar rather than forbidden. “It smells good in here. I’m trying to figure out what it is.”

“Food from the restaurant next door.” He sets the bags of leftovers on the counter and starts rearranging the fridge.

I step up to his kitchen table and lean against it. “That’s what it is. I couldn’t place it last time, either. You know, I used to picture you living in a fancy magazine spread—cold, sterile, immaculate. It’s nice to have been proven wrong.”

He closes the fridge. “That’s interesting.”

“What is?”

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