Page 54 of Big Bad Bully
“What? You can smell it?” I hold the dog away to survey where the pee dribbled. It wasn’t that much–I can’t believe he can smell it.
He reaches for the dog, and I pull the little guy away to protect him.
Billy’s mask is his usual cruel visage, but he doesn’t appear any more annoyed than other times. “Give me the mutt. You go clean up.”
I hesitate. I seriously don’t trust this guy not to throw the dog off his balcony.
Well, maybe that’s too ungenerous. I hold the dog out doubtfully, and he takes it, lifting the pup eye to eye with him. “Be nice to Pepper.”
“You named him already?”
I give him a flippant why wouldn’t I? shrug.
Pepper whimpers and tries to lick Billy.
He stares at Pepper for a moment. I don’t know what in the hell he’s doing–but then he says, “that’s right,” like they’ve come to some understanding.
Since I was going for a sexy vibe and smelling like dog pee isn’t, I take his advice and head to the bathroom to get cleaned up.
When I return, I find him with his shirt sleeves rolled up, his watch on the counter by the tie. The corded muscles of his forearms flex as he washes the dog in his kitchen sink.
Oh, damn.
My ovaries just dropped an egg. Maybe two.
That should not be so sexy, but for some reason, it winds my crank. I’m not sure if it’s the view of his forearms, the semi-domestic sight of him at the sink, or seeing the normally cold, stiff asshole doing something generous for another being.
Even if that being is a little dog.
The drenched waif shivers, tail wagging, big brown eyes staring adoringly up at Billy.
He looks over at me. “What do you intend to do with this thing?”
I set my paper cup down on his glass coffee table and kick off my boots. “Honestly? I haven’t developed a plan beyond annoying you by bringing him here.”
Billy’s eyes shine in that strange silver-blue sheen they sometimes take on. “Was that your plan with the credit card, too?”
Something about being called out makes my nipples tighten. Like I want him to punish me over this. Want to see what happens when the mighty Billy Billions attempts to flex his power over me.
Which doesn’t make sense, since I spend all of my waking hours scheming about how to keep my power over him.
I cock a hip. “Is it working?”
“No.”
“Good. Because I plan to use it to buy stuff for Pepper.”
He turns off the water and grabs a kitchen towel to dry off the dog. When he finishes, he sets the sweet pup down on the floor and strides over to me. The little dog follows right at his heels, his whole butt wagging with the force of his tail.
“Good boy, Pepper!” I croon. “Are you all clean?” Yes, I’m talking to the dog to distract myself from the approaching danger.
I try not to look at Billy’s bare forearms. They’re not that sexy. They’re not sexy. Oh God–why are they so damn sexy?
Billy comes right up to me, crowding into my space. “What reaction were you looking for?” If I didn’t feel the electric magnetism pulling my body toward his, I might find him intimidating. I’m sure his employees cower when he brings this forbidding expression.
I put a hand on his chest to push him back, and he catches my wrist and twists it, spinning me until it’s pinned behind my back. It doesn’t hurt, but the agility of the move shocks me. Like this guy is some kind of Taekwondo expert or something.
He uses his grip on my wrist to pull me flush against his body. “Are you waiting for me to punish you?” His voice is a low rumble. So sexy. He’s so close I can smell his minty fresh breath. I’m acutely aware that mine probably smells like coffee. I close my lips.
