Page 54 of Tamed to Be Messy

Perhaps a confirmation that Nick isn’t the settling down type? Better to know all the facts on the front end, right?

Someone, please tell that to my heart. “Are you sticking around to see your fur baby take his first steps?”

He smirks at me. “You’re not going to let that go, are you?”

I tug my lips in, fighting the laughter bubbling up from my belly. This is just too much fun to pass up. I finish adjusting the straps on Bandit’s wheelchair. “Okay, big guy, give it a try.”

When I rise, Bandit looks up at me with these big brown eyes full of trust and excitement. I point to a spot on the other side of the room. “Stand over there and call him to you.”

Nick does as I ask, then crouches down with his hands out. “Hey, Bandit. Come over here.”

Do I notice how his button-down shirt strains over his biceps when his arms reach out for Bandit? Maybe a little. And do I zone in on the view of his chest as he leans over? How could I not? The man is ripped.

Yes, Nick’s a very attractive man, but these weeks have shown me his quiet strength. Something I find even sexier than that glimpse of toned pecs. That’s a chest I can picture resting my cheek on for comfort or snuggling into while we watch a movie together, because the closer I get to Nick, the more I realize he makes me feel safe. Even protected, which is odd, because I have two brothers who do that on a regular basis.

However, with Nick, it’s different. He doesn’t make me feel like someone’s kid sister who needs looking out for because he sees me as the woman I am.

“Good job, Bandit!” Nick’s vigorously rubbing Bandit’s head and ears when he connects his gaze with mine. “Did you see that?”

And now I’m picturing him doing the same thing with a toddler about to take his or her first steps. Back off, hormones!

“Yeah.” Most of it…when I wasn’t staring at Nick. I sit on the floor and cross my legs. “Come, Bandit.”

At first, Bandit clumsily navigates the turn in his wheelchair, but then he takes off toward me, and his tail raises into a bigger wag than I’ve seen him do so far. I cradle his face and kiss the spot between his eyes. “Wow, look at you go, buddy. You even wagged your tail.”

Nick’s standing nearby now with his hands riding his hips. His expression is a mix of pleasure and pride all at once. And it’s directed at me.

“You’re amazing, Hannah. You said Bandit would be running around in no time.” He holds his hand out toward Bandit. “You were totally right.”

If I can feel the blush rising in my face at his compliment, I’m positive he sees it, too. “Thank you.”

I continue to love on Bandit to hopefully hide my reaction to his words. Plus, I kind of need to release some of the emotions Nick is evoking in me so I don’t do something stupid like give in to this overwhelming impulse to plant kisses all over his face.

Instead of reminding myself of all the reasons I shouldn’t get involved with Nick, I’ve started looking for reasons I should. Like his dedication to his work and his commitment to the team he works with. And the way he makes me feel when we’re together. Like he sees and values what I do and who I am.

He checks the clock prominently displayed on the wall by the massage table. “I better get going. Do you mind keeping him until I’m done? I can swing by here or your place to pick him up.”

Done? Seems like an odd word to use in conjunction with a date. Does he just see it as something to ‘get done’? “Sure, no problem. If you need more time, I can just take him over to your apartment and get him settled for the evening.”

He seems lost in thought for a moment. Is he trying to decide if that would interfere with hisdate? The word even sounds sarcastic even in my head.

Nick reaches into his pocket and pulls out his keys. “That’s actually a good idea.” He hands me the key he twisted off the ring. “Just slip it under the mat when you leave.”

My fingers brush his as I take the key, sending a buzzing sensation up my arm. “No problem.”

“Thanks, Hannah. I’ll see you later.”

Once the door shuts, I bury my face in the soft fur at Bandit’s neck with a sigh, then lean back to look into his soulful, dark eyes. “You don’t have a date tonight, too, do you?”

He lets out a muffled bark.

“Just me? Aww, I knew you were the one for me.”

If only that was enough for my wayward heart that’s seriously crushing on a certain lifeguard. Again.

CHAPTER 20

Nick

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