Page 88 of Men or Paws
“Are you sure?” he asked, his bottom lip curving up.
“Yes, of course. It’s just, I didn’t think you went out in public much, that’s all.”
“I love getting out when I have time—I just have to be a little selective where I go sometimes. Besides, this will give me a chance to make it up to you for making you bark like a dog.”
I crossed my arms. “Like I told you before, it’s going to take much more than a fancy meal to make up for that.”
“Not a surprise, but I’m up for the challenge. And I know just the place to take you for a bite to eat while we’re out. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I am, but I’m not sure if I should trust you to choose a restaurant, since rumor has it you eat dog cookies.” I laughed.
Rocco shook his head. “It makes me gag just thinking about it. And I’m not taking you to a restaurant.” The devious grin on Rocco’s face grew broader. “Trust me, you’re going to love it.”
“Okay,” I said, wondering if he was going to take me to a food truck. “I’ll let you get to your meeting then. Just knock on the door when you’re free to break away.”
Rocco nodded. “Sounds good.” He glanced toward the main house, then back at me, hesitating. “Hey, why don’t you go ahead? I’m going to stay here in the water for another minute and, uh, cool off.”
I was pretty sure I knew the reason.
“You got it,” I said, knowing he would most likely watch me and my backside get out of the pool and walk toward the guesthouse.
Don’t get me wrong, I was comfortable in my skin, but I wasn’t skinny as a toothpick like most of those women Rocco had been associated with.
For some reason, it didn’t bother me one bit.
It was like I said before, he needed to take me as I am, flaws and all.
I had to admit I was feeling quite sexy in my new bikini.
Smiling at Rocco, I headed toward the steps and got out of the pool.
I quickly dried off, and call me crazy, but I didn’t wrap the towel around my waist as I walked toward the guesthouse, even though I was almost certain he was still watching me.
Then the devil on my shoulder persuaded me to have a little fun with Rocco.
I channeled my inner Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and flexed my glutes, just like he had done to me when he’d caught me spying on him in the pool. I added a few “which way to the gun show” bicep flexes. I had to use all my willpower to keep myself from doubling over from laughter.
“You’re killing me over here,” Rocco called out.
With one last silly Venus de Milo pose (but with arms), I glanced at the reflection of the pool in the guesthouse window to see if Rocco was still watching me.
He most certainly was. I gave him a for-real sexy pose, blew him a kiss, and headed inside.
I had a feeling he wasn’t getting out of the water anytime soon.
Chuckling to myself, I went inside and closed the door behind me.
I had no idea what had come over me, but I don’t think I have ever felt more alive and invigorated in all my life.
ChapterEighteen
Rocco
I was suffering from a newly-discovered medical condition called “Beth on the Brain.” The only problem with that was a prescription from a doctor wasn’t going to alleviate any of my symptoms. The only cure was another dose of Beth, live, in person, as close to me as possible, and I needed it ASAP before my condition grew worse.
It was crazy I felt this way since I’d just seen her. Something had definitely changed with Beth, which attracted me to her even more.
For one thing, she was less uptight around me, more relaxed than I’d seen her, as evidenced by her working her booty by the pool.
