Page 136 of King of Pain

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He’s early.Nearly a half-hour early.

I make my way to the door and pull it open, my heart slamming against my ribs when I see him.

Ant.

Standing there, a leash in hand, Little G at his side.

His hazel eyes darken as they drag down my torso, lingering on the sweat still clinging to my skin. The heat in his gazeburnsthrough me.

“You did that on purpose,”he accuses, stepping inside.

I bite back a grin and crouch down instead, shifting my focus to Little G. “Hey, bud.”

He hesitates, his little brows pinched as he sniffs the air, unsure. I extend a hand, letting himfigure it out.It only takes a second before his nose twitches, his body tensing, unsure—

And then, heloses his damn mind.

High-pitched whines and wiggling andpure, unfiltered joyradiate from his body as he lunges forward, paws scrambling up my chest.

“Hi, buddy! Yes, I missed you too,” I laugh, catching him as he practically climbs me. His tongueattacksmy face, tail wagging so hard his entire body shakes. “So fucking much.”

I hold him closer, my throat tightening. Three years.Three years.And he still loves me like I never left. We really don’t deserve dogs.

I glance up at Ant, emotion thick in my voice. “Thank you.”

His expression softens. “You're welcome. I know you love him.”

I swallow thickly and stand, Little G still wiggling at my feet.

Ant's eyes drop back down to my torso.

I smirk.Oh, this will be fun.

“Now,” I ask, tilting my head, “what did I do on purpose?”

Ant blinks, dragging his gaze back up to mine. “You knew damn well what you were doing answering the door like—”

He gestures erratically at me, waving his hand up and down my body. “That.”

I chuckle. “Normally, I would take credit for that kind of move, and while I love having your eyes on me, this was purely innocent.”

Ant narrows his eyes. “Mmhmm.”

“By my calculations, Pacini,youwere nearly half an hour early,” I say, reaching down to give Little G more scratches. “I just got back from the gym.”

Ant crosses his arms.“Fine. Whatever.But can you put a shirt on?”

I grin. “Actually, I'm all sweaty. Why don't you and Little G make yourselves at home, and I'll rinse off quick before I visit with him?”

Ant waves me off, barely suppressing a smile. “Yeah, okay.Go.”

TRACK FORTY•NINE

Pictures of You

Anthony

Chance disappears into his bedroom to rinse off, and I’m left standing in the middle of his luxurious condo with Little G at my side. I let out a slow whistle, glancing around, taking in the high ceilings, the sleek, modern finishes, the sheer elegance of it all.