Page 11 of Pretty Puppy

Lee growled to himself. Not true. He’d had enough. He’d hadplenty.

The heat in the club was getting to him and he swiped at the sweat beginning to form at his hairline. “Well, it was nice to see you. You look well.” He gave a curt nod. “But I have to get going.”

“Oh, sure. I don’t want to hold you up. I’ll just see you around the resort then.”

Lee was already moving forward and almost tripped over his own feet. “Say what now?” He gave himself a mental shake. “You and your…whatever are staying at Mountain Lake?” Anger boiled under his skin. Ash was definitely fucking with him, and he wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction by taking the bait. “Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. Make sure to speak to the head of guest relations so you can try out one of the remodeled suites.” Lee smirked. “On the house.”

There. Take that.

“Oh, gosh. That’s so sweet of you. But I’m staying in the staff quarters. You know, because I’m the new pup trainer for Pet Play by the Lake.”

Lee inhaled through his nose, the room getting swimmy as he tried to stave off the urge to explode.

Ash continued, “And that’s not my boyfriend or Master—I just met him. He’s my roomie. Shane hired him as the pony trainer.”

Okay, Lee had died and gone to hell. This was the only rational explanation for the utter nightmare he was currently trapped in. Going to Europe for the next three months wasn’t completely out of the question at this point. Too bad he had a damn business to run.

“Well,” Lee gave him a tight smile. “So you’re a Top now? Or switch?” He let out a light laugh. “I never knew that about you.” He shrugged as if it was all no big deal. “Then again, you were so young. You were still trying to figure it all out. Isn’t that what you announced to me out of the blue before you left and disappeared from my life?”

Ash lowered his head and a pang of regret over his harsh words tightened Lee’s chest. Ashhadbeen young, only nineteen. If he was being honest with himself instead of focusing on his own pain, it was his own fault for letting himself get so lost in someone who was still at the beginning of their journey in life.

Unfortunately, he’d been telling himself that for years, but it still hadn’t lessened the hurt.

Lee brushed the back of his hand over his lips. “I apologize, Ash. I didn’t mean for that to come out the way it did.”

Ash shook his head then lifted his gaze. “No, you’re right. I deserved that.” Ash stared up at him with those soft, wide eyes that had always held him in thrall.

Lee cleared his throat. “We’ll let bygones be bygones, all right?”

He stuck out his hand. Shane had hired Ash and he trusted the man to do his job, so no point in making an issue of it. His personal life had no bearing on his business.

Ash smiled, his features brightening, which only added to his beauty. Yet, the masculine edge that hadn’t been there when he was younger Lee found even more enticing. Lee swallowed hard. He was going to have to work extra hard to keep out of Ash’s path. The last thing he needed was to make a fool of himself the way he had before.

Ash clasped Lee’s hand, the heat building between their palms. Lee brushed his thumb across Ash’s skin before he could stop himself, so he gave their joined hands a quick shake then let go.

“It was nice to see you, Ash. I look forward to seeing how those new pups do after you’ve given them some training.”

“Thanks. I’ll do my best.”

Lee smiled, but this time it felt genuine. “I’m sure you will.” That was one of the traits in Ash he’d always appreciated. He went out of his way to make Lee proud. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Lee.” Ash shifted on his feet. “And you look good, too.”

Lee fussed with his jacket, glancing over his shoulder to give a last goodbye to Ken, but his buddy had disappeared. He pressed his lips together. Undoubtedly, he’d been intent on giving him and Ash some space, but now there was no goodbye buffer.

Lee turned back around and was met with Ash’s hopeful expression. He ran his hand across the top of his head, confused as to why Ash was still lingering. His discomfort had grown to epic levels, so it was time to retreat.

He smiled again, giving Ash a quick nod. “All right then. Later.”

Before Ash could say another word, he swiftly made his way through the crowd, his heart thundering as he drew closer to the front door, desperate to get out into the cool air. Once he’d made it to the parking lot, he didn’t slow his pace. The sooner he got in his car and drove away from evil temptation, the safer he’d feel.

As Lee slammed the door to his vehicle, he exhaled, gripping the wheel and chastising himself for losing control of his emotions. Seeing Ash again was no big deal. Knowing Ash would be under his roof for the next month was inconsequential. It’s not as if he’d never crossed paths with an ex before. Who cares?

Lee slammed his palm against the steering wheel.Hecared. He’d never stopped caring.

Lee turned the key and brought the engine to life. “Fuck me,” he muttered.

Yeah. He was fucked, all right.

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