Page 109 of Pulse

“Funny enough, the box she was in had a note that said her name was Judy. I thought that was kinda perfect since you’re a lawyer.”

“What does Judy have to do with being a lawyer?”

“Judge Judy, of course,” Pulse said with a wide grin.

Talia burst out laughing just as Judy reached her. She had no fear, clambering right into Talia’s lap and going to work on the drawstring of her joggers. Her soft fur was a dream to pet, and her big puppy eyes would melt even the iciest heart.

She was instantly smitten.

But she had never taken care of anyone or anything besides herself.

Could she do it? Did she have what it took to nurture and care for such a tiny, helpless creature?

“I know you’re worried you won’t be able to do this,” Pulse whispered. “But that’s crazy. You are the most warm, giving, and loving woman I’ve ever met. Being independent and strong as fuck doesn’t take away from any of that. Besides, we’ll be raising this little lady together.”

They would, wouldn’t they? Pulse had moved into her house the week before, and she couldn’t have been happier. At least, that’s what she thought until that moment.

She blinked, but instead of dispelling the tears, it pushed one out and down her cheek. How did she get so lucky to have met this man when she did?

“Thank you,” she whispered. It felt like an insignificant way to express the vast well of gratitude in her, but Pulse seemed to understand. Words couldn’t capture the love she had for him.

“You’re welcome.” He kissed her as the puppy tried to dig a hole between her crisscrossed legs.

They stared down at Judy, who seemed to have worn herself out already. She flopped down and rested her adorable snout on Talia’s knee. Two seconds later, a soft puppy snore filled the air.

“I’m so happy,” she whispered as she settled back against the man she loved. “You’ve made me happier than I’ve ever been.”

“Tell me if that ever changes,” he whispered back. “Because your happiness is the most important thing to me.”

That statement let her know they’d never need to have that conversation. She’d be happy with him for the rest of her days.

THIS WAS ONE of the most relaxing and satisfying nights Pulse ever had. He could have sat by the fire forever with Talia in his arms and died a happy man. But the night would come to a close soon, and everyone would head to their respective houses, where, for Pulse, things would only get better.

He’d strip Talia down, and they’d slide between the sheets to spend the next few hours pleasuring each other.

Unless, of course, their new fur child decided she couldn’t sleep in her new house.

“Oh, Curly’s coming over,” Talia said. She tensed a bit.

“What’s up, Prez?” Pulse asked as Curly reached them.

“Mind if I sit and chat for a minute?”

“Of course.” Talia didn’t move away from him, but she straightened between his legs so she wasn’t resting on his chest. “Everything okay?”

Curly scratched Judy behind her fuzzy ears. “Damn, she’s a cute one, isn’t she?”

Talia beamed, already the proud doggy mama. “She is.”

“Any time you want to drop her here or at our house to hang out with the rest of the pack, you’re more than welcome. I know it can be hard to leave them alone when you have to work all day.”

Talia’s breath caught. “Thank you. We’ll probably take you up on that.”

“Thanks, Prez. That’ll take a lot of worry off our shoulders since we both work crazy hours sometimes.”

Nodding, Curly let the pup go back to sleep. “There’s one other thing I wanted to talk to you two about.” He turned his attention to Talia, whose eyes widened.

Pulse knew what was coming. After everything went down with Tomás last month, she’d told him about her father’s connection to Curly and how it had come out at the same time as Pulse’s secret. But hers ended up on the back burner and hadn’t been discussed since. It weighed on her, so Pulse appreciated his president addressing it.

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