Page 35 of Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast
How could he, after looking into those beautiful little brown eyes, think of anything but keeping him? I also thought the Vet Tech was mistaken. Most of the shelters nearby were no-kill. I’d looked while we waited as I gathered my courage to confront the gruff man before me. I made a decision Beast wouldn’t like, but it was too freaking bad.
My legs shook, but I forced my feet forward until I was side-by-side with Jaxon. I had to do this before I could second guess myself. I laid my hand lightly on his forearm and put on my brightest smile.
Using my cheeriest voice, the words rushed out of me. “Now, Jaxon, darling.” I purred, giving him a look that I hoped was full of adoration. I added a flutter of my eyelashes for good measure.
It was hard to see him through all the blinks.How do girls do this?
The shocked look on his face made me want to giggle. I bet people didn’t surprise him often, or maybe the women that flirted with him were far better at it than me. Either way, I couldn’t stop now.
He cleared his throat, his expression dawning with what I hoped wasn’t horror at my bold move. I mean, he did almost kiss me earlier today. He couldn’t be immune to my attempts at flirting—good or not. I hurried on before he could get a word in. “Of course we’ll take the dog.” I turned my attention to the woman behind the counter. “When should we come back for him?”
She gave us a funny look. “Around 2:00 p.m. two days from now should be fine. We’ll call if we think we need more time.”
I nodded and thanked her. I tightened my grip on Jaxon’s arm and tugged hard to steer him in the direction of the exit. It was in my best interest to move him out the door before he could speak up and ruin everything.
Besides, if he kept his mouth shut, I could picture how hot he looked saving that sweet dog. That vision helped me keep the ridiculous expression on my face.
Once we were outside, he seemed to find his voice when he stopped short a few feet from his car. Paul got out and paused when he heard Beast’s sharp tone. “What the hell was that about? I’m not getting a fucking dog.” He crossed his arms defiantly.
I flinched at his tone and smiled. “Of course not.” At least he didn’t bring up how I pretended we were in a relationship. I didn’t react well on instinct, and I panicked. A well thought out, thorough plan was more my style.
His narrowed eyes regarded me with suspicion. With my hand still firmly on his arm, I shifted my grip to his bicep. It took everything in me not to pet and squeeze it. Did he work out every day? How did a guy like him, a scholar, get this buff?
“Dr. LeBeau, you just said—”
I yanked him closer to the car, grateful Paul had already pulled open the door for us. After pushing Beast inside, which I could admit was only possible because he let me, I slid in after him. I smiled my thanks to Paul as he shut the door.
“Lily. I told you to call me Lily. And it’s just temporary. How can we let the poor baby go to a shelter?”
“I don’t want a dog,” he grumbled.
I patted his arm. “It’stemporary. Only a short time before we find him just the right home.” A home with me, I hoped.
“No.”
I smiled. “Yes.”
He growled. “Absolutely not.”
I squirmed in my seat. When his voice got rough like that, all I could think about was him whispering dirty, sexy things to me as he kissed every inch of my body with his grumpy mouth.
He was myboss,I reminded myself. I needed to get my head on straight. “You won’t even know he’s there. I’ll take full responsibility for him.” I drew an X across my heart and held up two fingers in a solemn promise.
A short, bark-like laugh escaped his mouth. It startled me at how rusty it sounded while also making me smile. I liked hearing him laugh.
“Did you just cross your heart as a promise?”
I nodded.
“Were you even a Girl Scout?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Maybe. If the answer’s yes, does that mean you’ll let him stay?” I gave him what I hoped was my,I’m a responsible dog owner, expression.
“Fine. If he so much as pees on the carpet or chews something he shouldn’t, you’ll find him a new place to stay.”
“Got it.” The dog would be a perfect angel. I crossed my fingers and tucked them under my leg so Jaxon couldn't see them.
“And you’ll be taking him with you when you leave.” It wasn’t a question. He’d made it very clear he didn’t need or want a dog.
