Page 46 of The Stud

It doesn’t mean that she wants me toleave.

“Could uh…” moving my face away from his direct tongue bathing occurs, “Bear tone down the welcoming committee greeting, please?”

“No one said you were welcomed.”

The teasing in her tone has me rolling my eyes. “Am I unwelcomed?”

“Undecided.”

“You’re wearing my number.” It’s my turn to take a playful timbre. “I ammost certainlywelcomed.”

“Portero,” she calmly states prompting Bear to resume his attack position.

Once more, I focus on the wrong topic. “Does that mean protect?”

“Goaltender.”

“Which is the one who protects the net orhouse…” It’s impossible to not beam brighter. “Even Bear is a hockey fan?”

“Yeah, the bobblehead of you LMC gave out last season is his favorite chew toy.”

I twitch a single glare which gets her giggling, a sound I swear I love more than the roar of a packed barn.

“Banco.” Her furry guard abandons his position to sit directly beside her feet. “Now, why exactly are you here?”

“Does that mean heel?”

“Bench.”

“Why are all of your dog’s commands in Spanish?” Finally able to sit up, I do. “Is that your second language?”

“Not exactly,” she innocently brushes off with a small shoulder bounce. “Just know a few phrases. Random words. Dad’s not even fluent anymore despite what he tries to claim when he’s around his cousins.” There isn’t time to comment or ask additional questions. “Explain your presence or I will actually let Bear attack.”

“I came to see if you were alright.”

“You could’ve texted.”

“I don’t have your number.”

“And you didn’t have my address either, yet you got that.”

A small cringe is presented on a muttered, “Fair.”

It wasn’t easy.

Getting it from security was quite a feat all on its own.

“And what’s with the littering?” Arden motions to the area around me where a few of the groceries have managed to fly free. “I don’t need a fine. Our homeowner’s association is worse than league with that shit.”

“Soup.”

Her eyebrows pull together in confusion. “What?”

“I uh…I was gonna make you soup.”

This time her shoulders noticeably soften. “Why?”

“Need the whole team healthy for the first game.” I reach for the nearby bag of produce. “I understand it’s just an exhibition; however, I want you there.” Diverting my attention away from her sweetening stare over to the can of black beans I need to grab is done out of precaution. “We uh…we all need you there.”

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