Page 76 of Pigeon

I guide Ivy outside with one hand while using the other to flip Rex off. I never did tell Ivy about the cameras or my obsession with watching her on them. When I see her looking at me with raised eyebrows, I say, “Home first, then I can explain that comment.” She finally nods in agreement, and I ignore her snickering at me, watching behind us as we walk to the truck.

Ivy pushes the console between our seats up and slides over to my side. Leaning against me, she’s asleep within a few minutes. Placing my hand on her thigh, I drive my woman home while wondering if that’s all the payback Rex is going to send my way. I doubt it, but a guy can always hope.

Carrying a sleeping Ivy into the house, I take her upstairs and lay her on the bed. The pain meds must be doing a number on her because she sleeps through me removing her boots, socks, and jeans. Tucking her under the sheets, I strip, prop her foot on a pillow, and climb in beside my slumbering wife.

“You can quit fussing with my foot, Pigeon. It’s fine. I’m fine. Explain what Rex was talking about,” Ivy asks while we’re sitting at the table eating breakfast. I should say that I’m eating while she’s nearly mainlining coffee. Woman likes her coffee. That’s very evident if you open the right cupboard.

“Don’t want to,” I answer before taking a deep breath and diving into this topic. “When the first litter of puppies came up missing, Margie contacted the security company and asked about having cameras installed. None of the employees were told because she didn’t know if it was an inside job or not. Turns out, it wasn’t. It was the guys who snuck in the night you were there. They wanted puppies or kittens, but the puppies were easier to get to. Don’t ask what they wanted them for because, believe me, you really don’t want to know.”

“So, that’s how he knew when those men showed up? I always thought it was because I called your number first, and he just happened to see the call, assumed I was in trouble, and sent Cash.”

“Yeah, he saw what was going on and called Cash and Horse since they were closer than I was.”

“And he mentioned it last night because?”

“Because he wanted to put me on the spot. Rat bastard. I, uh, well, I watched the cameras at the rescue a lot, Ivy. I always insisted it was for the rescue’s safety, but it was more than that. I fucking loved watching you and how you interacted with the animals. I told myself, and the guys, it wasn’t you I was watching, just how you are with the animals, but that wasn’t the whole truth.”

“And what is the whole truth?” Ivy asks in a soft voice.

“You intrigued me, even before the cameras were installed. When the club would help with projects there, I volunteered because of you. I kept telling myself that I was too old for you, that it kind of made someone my age a pervert for watching you, but I couldn’t not do it.”

“We’re almost 14 years apart in age, Pigeon. That’s not a big deal, you know. Our age difference doesn’t matter to me in the least, and I’ve never bothered to think about it. Stop letting it bother you.”

I cup her chin with one hand, lean closer, and kiss my wife. When she suddenly jerks back, I wait for what I knew was going to come all along.

“Oh my God! I didn’t know anyone could see me! Holy crap balls, I’m so embarrassed!” Ivy shouts then slams both hands over her mouth.

I wait, watching her wide eyes bounce around while she thinks of the times she thought she was alone at work. I grin when I see realization hit her eyes, and they stop moving and focus on mine. Dropping her hands, she lowers her face to the table. Resting her forehead on its hard surface, I listen to her horrified voice.

“I’m beyond mortified that someone—that you—watched me singing and dancing with the animals! I can’t sing worth a crap and yet had an audience while doing it! Please tell me that no one else ever saw those videos!”

When I don’t answer, Ivy lifts her head and stares at me. When I still remain silent, she covers her face again.

“Who else?” she whispers through her fingers.

“Rex and Reeves.”

“Well, that’s just effing peachy! I’ve already embarrassed myself with Reeves and the whole flashing incident, but now I can never face Rex again either!” she moans loudly.

Laughing, I pull her hands down and hold onto them. Giving them a squeeze, I wait until her eyes meet mine again.

“Yes, you can. You were amusing as hell, and they got a kick out of your antics. You enjoyed your job, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. I fucking love you and who you are with the animals, so don’t ever change that about yourself. I’m so fucking proud that you’re my wife because God knows I don’t deserve you. That being said, embarrassing moments or not, I’m not giving you up.”

I watch as Ivy’s face softens, calms, and then she leans toward me. I meet her halfway; our lips meet, and I know she’s going to laugh about the shows she put on someday. Maybe not today, but someday.

“If you ever want to see me naked again, you’ll make those videos disappear before Axel finds out about them,” she orders softly against my mouth.

I nod, agreeing with her because there’s no way I’m going to allow Axel to keep me from seeing Ivy naked.

“Ivy!” I shout. “Where did you say the beer is? There’s none in the fridge.”

“I thought I put some in there a few days ago. Check the laundry room. Should be some there,” she answers from the living room.

There isn’t any there either, so I grab a Coke instead. Walking into the living room, I slide behind Ivy on the couch and stretch out. Pulling her tight to my front, I kiss her neck.

“Didn’t find any?” she asks.

“No, it’s fine. I texted Gunner and told him to bring some.”

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