Page 28 of The Chance

She’d fallenfor his line—and the puppies. That was what it was.

Aubrey somehow found herself at the ranch with that man. Waiting for her sister to reappear. Apparently, Giavonna had captured all three of the younger women and was doing something with them somewhere in Barrattville. Where there were shops. Ayla loved shopping, even if she rarely bought anything. It was the atmosphere and the people—and doing things with friends. That was priceless to Aubrey—knowing Ayla had people she was connecting with.

Her own best friend had been waiting, all snuggled up on a certain redheaded doctor’s lap in a rather large wooden rocking chair Grady Hiller had apparently made himself. Genny’s shirt had been slightly misbuttoned and her lips red and swollen.

There had been a ridiculously happy expression in Genny’s hazel eyes.

It hadn’t gone away, even through dinner. And she’d smirked at Aubrey for showing up with Guthrie, too. Aubrey knew there would be questions. As soon as Genny could get her alone.

Guthrie didn’t seem to be in a hurry to go back to his condo, either.

No. The man lured her back out to the barn. To the puppies. There were eight—Dog George, Dog Gene, Dog Guthrie, Dog Grady, Dog Gunn, Dog Giavonna, Dog Genesis, and Dog Greer. They were adorable. Aubrey was seriously in love. And if Ayla wanted one and they decided they could take care of a puppy safely—Ayla would have to be careful not to trip over a puppy—but they’d never had a pet before. And a dog…would bark if someone tried to get in again.

Aubrey was still processing the idea of someone being in her house. It would probably take her a lifetime to forget.

Ayla and her friends didn’t get back until late. Her sister had already taken her meds, and was obviously exhausted. Aubrey suspected they wouldn’t be going home tonight.

She told herself it was because it was too late.

It wasn’t even eleven yet—and they only lived seven miles away. But…she didn’t want to drive home, in the dark, and spend her first night back there. Not yet. Just…not in the dark. Not tonight, of all nights.

She’d forgotten what the date was, in all of the craziness lately.

Guthrie did a good job of distracting her. From the moment they’d sat down at the Hiller dining room table, he had distracted her. His knee had pressed against hers and she had felt his heat right next to her and she had somehow ended up even closer to him as dinner had progressed.

Then, Ayla was in her guestroom, and Aubrey was in hers. And…there had been a beautiful man at the door. Luring her out to see the puppies one more time.

The man was a menace.

Now she had puppies crawling all over her. Aubrey picked one up and cuddled him close. “I have never had a puppy. Aylahas always wanted one, but I have always been so busy, and we always rented, and I was afraid she’d trip and I’d not be there to help her…”

“I think a puppy would be a wonderful idea. Dog Guthrie needs a home. He can sleep in your bed every night.”

When had he moved so close? “I’m sure he’d try…”

“Dog Guthrie loves cuddles with beautiful Aubreys.” He held two puppies in his hands. Just letting them chew on his shirt and lick his face. When he laughed, Aubrey’s heart sort of lurched right in her chest.

The man just looked perfect right there.

They stayed right where they were, for what had to be over an hour. Just…cuddled up close together, a litter of puppies climbing all over them. Aubrey had never felt so relaxed in years.

She snuggled Dog Genesis in her hands and kissed the baby on her little head before putting her back with the mother dog. Mama Dog Gayle—as Grady had apparently named her—was ready for her babies to go to sleep. Aubrey wanted to stay right where she was. As long as she possibly could. But she stood, and then…

He was there.

His arms were around her waist and Aubrey was being pulled against Man Guthrie’s chest. Her arm—the one without a bunch of stitches—went behind his neck. Almost before she even realized it. “What…what are you doing?”

“We’re both doctors. I’m sure you can figure it out.”

Hell, who was she kidding? This was exactly what she wanted.

She just didn’t feel like this with other men. She hadn’t in a long, long time. “Can we?”

“I’ll tell you what, I will show you what you do to me, and you can figure it out for yourself. And…you can tell me if you want me to stop and not be a man dog, anytime you want.”

“I can do that.”

Then Aubrey just…pressed closer. And kissed the man holding her. The way she hadn’t kissed a man in far longer than she wanted to think about.

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