Page 140 of Gunner

But he nipped me anyway, and a shiver ran down my spine. “You taste good too.”

“Gunner, I’m going to spill this coffee all over both of us if you don’t stop that.”

He took another sniff and licked my neck, then stepped back. “Fine, but I’ll hold you to it that you’ll strip for me later.”

“Don’t you need a break?” I hid my smile by taking another sip of the coffee. “Don’t want to ride you too hard after all.”

“You’re what? Eight years younger than me? You’re not too far behind the rocking chair either.”

“Fair enough. By the way, did you go back to my office last night without me?”

“No. Why?”

“I just thought I locked it after—you know.”

“Making you come all over your desk?” He chuckled. “I honestly don’t recall a thing we did after. I was out before my head hit the pillow.”

“I noticed. Didn’t even take a shower after.”

“Didn’t I shower this morning? Besides, I didn’t hear you complaining when I woke up with you stuck on me.”

My face heated. “Where’s Zeus?”

“That’s right. Change the conversation. Zeus was sprawled out in the hall the last time I saw him. Lazybones didn’t want to walk this morning, but I’ll try again later.”

I frowned. Zeus had his routine down pat, and he never deviated. When I was late to take him out, he would find me with his leash in his mouth and nudge me toward the door.

“Is he sick or something?” I found Zeus in the living room, lying on his bed. He raised his head slightly, then sank back down. “Hey, bud.” I raised his face to examine him. He looked all right. “Are you coming down with something?”

“You think he’s sick?” Gunner asked.

“I don’t know, but he’s definitely acting strange. Will you keep an extra eye on him today? If he doesn’t feel any better—”

“I’ll take him to the vet.”

“I was going to say that you should call me, and I’ll take him.”

“You have your hands full at work. I can take him.”

“You sure?”

Gunner nodded.

I sighed with relief. Since I had Zeus, he only had a stomach bug once, but seeing him mopey wrenched at my heart. “Feel better, bud. When I get home tonight, I’m cooking you a big juicy salmon.”

When I still didn’t get any reaction out of him, I scratched his head.

“You should go, or you’ll be late for work,” Gunner said. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you up to date.”

“Don’t forget.”

“I won’t.”

At the front door, Gunner halted. “I’ll meet you at the car. I forgot something.”

“You don’t have to walk me out.”

“Why not? Wouldn’t miss the chance to let that nosy neighbor of yours see I spent the night.”

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