Page 7 of Daddy's Naughty Dog Trainer

"Aww, did you miss me, buddy?" I coo, letting Lucky lick my chin before gently directing him to sit. He obeys instantly, his tail still wagging a mile a minute. "Look at you! Someone's been practicing."

I notice the corner of Sean’s mouth turn up just slightly. "We've been working on the basics every day, like you suggested. Consistency and all that."

"I'm impressed." And I genuinely am. Most owners half-ass the homework I give them, but it's clear Sean has taken it seriously. "Let's see what else he's learned."

We go through the basic commands I’d taught him. Only three. Sit, stay and come. Lucky nails every one of them. Sean stands a little straighter with each success, that control-freak energy channeling into something productive. It's actually... kind of hot.

"You've done really well with him," I say as Lucky holds a perfect stay despite the treat I've placed on the floor in front of him. "He's picked this up way faster than I expected."

"We've been practicing for twenty minutes every morning and every evening, precisely at 7:15." Of course, he has apreciseschedule. As physically attractive as he is, his control over every single detail is a turnoff. I’m more wild and free. Impulsive. I don’t like to be micromanaged. Maybe I have this all wrong.

"Well, it's paying off. Let's try something a little harder today.”

I pull out my phone to check the training plan I've made for Lucky, but truth be told, I'm also testing out Maya's suggestion. I deliberately take longer than necessary, scrolling through notifications from the group chat that's been buzzing with questions about "Mr. Daddy Dom Security Expert" all week.

Sean clears his throat. "Is there something important on your phone?"

"Just checking my notes," I say airily, swiping away a particularly explicit message from Jackie about what she thinks Sean might be like in bed. I feel heat rise to my cheeks and hope he doesn't notice.

But Sean notices everything. His eyes narrow slightly. "Your notes about dog training have you blushing?"

Busted.

I lock my phone quickly. "Just a text from a friend. Nothing important."

"If it's nothing important, perhaps we could focus on the training?" There's an edge to his voice now, something that makes my pulse quicken. "I am paying for yourundividedattention, after all."

The word "undivided" somehow sounds like both a reprimand and a promise in his mouth. I slip my phone into my side pocket. "You're absolutely right. Sorry about that."

He holds my gaze a beat longer than necessary, and for a wild second I imagine him taking the phone away from me, telling me I can have it back when I've learned to pay attention.

I force the thought away. "Let's work on 'leave it' today. It's a crucial command for puppies who like to put everything in their mouths."

For the next hour, we work together seamlessly. I show the techniques, Sean follows my instructions precisely, and Lucky proves himself to be a quick learner. By the end of the session, Lucky can reliably ignore a treat placed right in front of him until Sean gives the release command.

"That's fantastic progress," I tell them both as I pack up my training gear. "Next week we can start working on leash manners."

Sean nods, hands in his pockets. "I've been meaning to ask. I have a work thing Monday. A retirement brunch across town that I can't miss. Would it be possible to move our session to another day?"

"I think I can make that work," I say, pulling out my phone again to check my calendar. "How's 10 AM Tuesday?"

"Perfect."

As I'm entering the new time into my schedule, my phone buzzes with another group text. I try to ignore it, but curiosity gets the better of me, and I sneak a peek.

Maya: UPDATE REQUIRED! Has daddy laid down the law yet??

I feel my cheeks warm again and quickly lock the screen, but not before catching Sean's raised eyebrow.

"Friend again?" he asks, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

"Something like that," I mutter, shoving the phone back in my pocket.

"You know," he says, stepping closer, "where I’m from, it’s considered rude to check your phone in the middle of a conversation."

I lift my chin. "Good thing we're done with our session then."

His lips twitch, almost a smile, but not quite. "Are we?"

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