Page 9 of Exclusive

“Why the hell are you knocking? Got my hands full enough, surely you can open the damn door for yourself,” I groan as I assist JT with the monumental feat that is my front door.

Or not…

“What are you doing here?” I try to sneer, but my instinctual gasp at the sight of him foils my plan.

It hasn’t been that long since I’ve seen him, and it’s certainly not the firsttime I’ve ever laid eyes on him, so why my breathing’s staggered, body temp’s spiked, and heart’s pounding out a riotous rhythm, I’m unsure.

Except… I know exactly why. It’s because, despite my insistence to the contrary, I quite simply, have absolutely no control over my reaction to Sutton Ellis.

Since the first time I met him, and the only person in my life, ever — he always renders me powerless. Even when I put up a fight, I go in knowing I’ve already lost.

As if able to read my mind, which I’m not convinced he can’t actually do, he barges even further into my space, into me, with his seductive murmur. “Let me in, Sugar. I’m here to help ya out with our lil’ guy.”

Our lil’ guy. Said so sweetly, his perfectly plump lips tipped in a grin, arms filled with bags of what I assume are supplies. I’ve moved aside, giving him room to enter, before my brain realizes my body sent the invite. And as he brushes past me, I take a gluttonous inhale, his sexy scent that belongs only to him infiltrating all my senses.

He sets the bags down on the kitchen counter, looks around, and then at me. “Where’s he at?”

“Who?” I wisp, my eyes refusing to be held by his,instead greedily raking the length of him.

“The dog, babe. Castello. Where is he?”

“Oh shit!” I fly out of my trance, racing down the hall to figure out, and stop, whatever disaster’s keeping the heathen so busy. “Castello,” I scold in my meanest, but-not-meant-at-all-because-I-love-him, voice when I find him. “This, sir, is a huge no-no!”

The heat hits me in a single overwhelming wave — Sutton’s now standing right behind me — and his deep laugh tickles my ear. “You remember the movie E.T.?”

“Um, vaguely; think I’ve seen it maybe once, a long time ago. Why?”

“There’s a scene where E.T.’s hiding in the closet with all the little girl’s stuffed animals. Just chillin’, right there in plain sight, like part of the collection. Reminded me of that.” He laughs again, his warm breath assaulting my skin. “Where, oh where, is Castello? I can’t seem to spot him amongst all these shoes.”

I snicker too, because it’s just too damn cute not to. All of it. The shift in Sutton’s voice, as though he’s talking to a baby, and my precious pup, little eyes peeking out from the pile of shoes he’s buried himself beneath, the chewed corner of one sandal still in his mouth.

“He’s been givin’ ya some trouble, huh?”

“You could say that.” I sigh. “He’s lucky he’s so precious. I can’t stay mad at him. But yes, I’m exhausted. That’s why I sent JT-” I spin around to face him, scowl in place. “Speaking of, you never answered me. Why are you here, and where’s JT?”

He slides both his hands to my hips, bearing down as he moves closer. “JT’s at home, with his, and I’m here to take care of mine. That’s our dog. You’re my woman, and anything either of you need is my job. My privilege. Honor.”

I’m so tired of being angry, hurt, alone, that his growled territorialism tempts me to give in, take a collapse of faith into him. But I can’t, for his sake, so I turn my head and squeeze my eyes shut. “Sutton,” I clear the lump in my throat and try again. “Sutton, I love the dog, thank you by the way, and I’m more than willing to share him with you, but-”

“Look at me,” he crafts both a demand and plea into his silky grumble, one strong hand caressing my cheek as he glides my face back to his. “Open those big brown eyes for me, Sugar.”

Eyes still closed, I whisper, “That’s two ‘Sugars’ and one ‘babe’ since you got here. You have to stop that. I can’t take it.”

“Why not?” he asks huskily, foreheads now touching, his thumb skimming up and down my neck.

“You know why.”

“Pretend I don’t. Tell me.” My loyal lil’ soldier, Castello, tries to rescue me, choosing now to join us, nipping and pawing at my legs for attention, but Sutton’s not having it. “Down,” he commands in a stern tone that Castello instantly obeys.

I open my eyes, looking to confirm that the ornery rebel pup, who hasn’t listened to a damn thing I’ve said since arriving is, in fact, now laying at our feet. “Well, that’s just some bullshit there, Castello. What, you think your mama’s a pushover?”

“He doesn’t know you very well yet if he does,” Sutton laughs. “But, while he’s on sabbatical, and seeing as how I caught ya flustered enough to let me in, can we talk? I mean really talk.”

There’s not much to say, yet so much left unsaid, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to take a full, deep breath with the load off my chest… so I nod.

“Thank God.” He exhales some of his load. “I know I should jump on the chance right now, before you change your mind,” he gives a slight chuckle, “but there’s something more important to take care of while you’ll let me. You.”

“What do you mean?”

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