Page 93 of Chasing Shelter

“Don’t talk about my soulmate like that,” I clipped. “And I took Grem to the vet. He’s a hundred percent healthy, even though he’s a little underweight.”

Trace’s mouth twisted into a grin. “Soulmate, huh? Fits. You did leave claw marks on my shoulder.”

I gaped at him. “I didn’t.”

He only grinned wider. “You did. Don’t worry, I wear your marks with pride.”

My cheeks heated, and I couldn’t hold his gaze. “Sorry about that. I, um, might’ve gotten carried away. I haven’t—I mean—I’m not used to?—”

Trace moved in, ignoring Grem’s snarls. His fingers went to my chin to tip it up, so I had nowhere to look but his face. Trace’s expression had gone a little stormy, the dark green of his eyes looking almost black now. “You haven’t had someone go down on you before?”

I swallowed hard, searching for the right words to explain. “I haven’t dated a ton. My dad pushed me in Bradley’s direction the second I graduated high school, and he, um, didn’t like that.”

Trace’s eyes turned pure shadow and storm. “Means something, you trusting me with that. And I won’t lie; I love knowing I got to give you that for the first time.”

“Oh.”

“So damn cute,” Trace muttered, a little of the storm easing.

The sound of car doors slamming pulled us from the moment, and Trace moved back out to my front porch. “Over here, Keels.”

At the sound of his favorite person’s name, Gremlin started wiggling and yipping. I followed Trace out and down the steps to seeKeely running across the front yard toward us, backpack smacking against her body as she flew.

Grem’s wiggling intensified, and I laughed as I set him down. He went straight for his girl, and Keely squealed as he leapt in the air. She instantly sat, welcoming all the doggy kisses and cuddles.

“I’m pretty sure I’ve been replaced as bestie,” I mumbled.

Trace chuckled and patted me on the back. “I’ve been there. Brutal.”

As I looked up, I saw an unfamiliar woman crossing slowly toward us. She was beautiful, her blond hair cut in a stylish bob that hit just below her chin. Her outfit didn’t tell me much, mostly pulled-together business neutrals, but there was a little flare in the form of her belt. The clasp was gold and formed a delicate array of flowers. But when I reached the woman’s face, her expression was wary, and there was more than a little uncertainty in her eyes.

This had to be Trace’s ex and Keely’s mom. And,of course, I was meeting her in paint-splattered coveralls and tangled hair.Awesome.

“Ellie, what’re you doing?” Keely asked, giggling as Grem licked her cheek.

“I’m painting a rainbow on my living room wall,” I told her with a smile.

That had Trace’s ex pulling up short, genuine confusion spreading across her face. “You’re painting a…rainbow…on your living room wall?”

Trace tried to cover a laugh with a cough. “Leah, this is our neighbor, Ellie. Ellie, this is Keely’s mom, Leah.”

I noticed that he didn’t voice what either of us were tohim. And I wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about that. But what did I expect?“Leah, this is my neighbor, Ellie. I had my fingers buried in her a few hours ago and made her come so hard she thought she was having a stroke.”

I needed to pull it together. “It’s nice to meet you, Leah.”

“You, uh, too,” Leah said.

Keely looked up at me as she cradled Grem in her arms. “Can I help you paint?”

I looked quickly around the group, trying to survey thetemperature and not wanting to step on any toes. “I’m not sure what you’ve got planned with your parents, but if it’s okay with them, it’s okay with me.”

“One hour,” Trace said. “Then we’ve got our dinner and bedtime routine.”

“Yay!” Keely cheered, pushing to her feet and charging toward the house. “Bestie paint party!”

I laughed, ushering her inside, but not before glancing over my shoulder. Trace and Leah looked like they were in some sort of tense standoff. I had to force myself to turn back around and focus on the task at hand. “Not my circus, not my monkeys,” I muttered.

“Are you getting a monkey next?” Keely asked, wide-eyed.

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