Page 36 of Baby For The Billionaire Silver Fox

“Why? Allergies?”

“They didn’t trust me to be responsible, and they were too engrossed in their own issues.” She continued to stroke the dog’s head. “I would have liked a dog just like this one. He’s the perfect size and very chill.”

“That’s sad. We had dogs, one after another, growing up. They’re the best—talk about unconditional love.”

“Who’s a handsome boy? You are!” she crooned. He opened one eye and looked at her lovingly. “Right back at ya,” she gushed. Lucky dog.

We stared out at the lights of the town in companionable silence for a while. I got up to pour myself another drink, and she followed me into the kitchen for some water.

“I’m pretty sure Nana will be okay with the dog, but I think I should prepare her for it rather than just come out of my room in the morning with a dog in tow. Would you be okay keeping him for just tonight?”

“Sure, I’d be happy to,” I said. I moved closer to her, staring into her eyes, trying to read them. She tilted her face up to me, and I brushed my knuckles down her cheek. I kissed her, softly at first, then with more firmness and hunger. Desire coursed through me as the kiss deepened, and our tongues danced with urgency.

Suddenly she pushed me away. “Please,” she said with a bleak look on her face. “Let’s not.”

I roughly ran my fingers through my hair, trying to cool my jets. “Okay. Well, let’s get you home,” I said. Why the walls? Had I been crazy to think she wanted me as much as I wanted her?

“I’ll come by for the dog tomorrow. Please let me know if you hear of anyone coming forward to claim him,” she said as I dropped her off. Before she got out, I took her hand and brushed my lips across the back of it. She looked at me with such longing in her eyes I knew I was right about her wanting me too. But I couldn’t figure out why she was denying it.

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Nicole

“Nana,doyoumind?”I asked after I explained last night’s dog rescue. “He seems well-behaved, and if no one claims him, I’ll get him to the vet and make sure he gets his shots.”

“As long as he’s potty-trained, it’s fine,” Nana answered. We were enjoying a cup of coffee in the sun-filled kitchen.

“What’s his name?”

“I have no idea. I’ll have to try a bunch on and see if he responds to any of them. I’m sure there are lists of dog names online that I can pull from.”

I sipped my coffee, enjoying the small amount I allowed myself. “I wonder what his story is and why he was in that alley. I wonder if he’s had a journey. That reminds me of a movie I saw when I was a kid. I don’t remember what the name of it was—I called it2 Dogs and a Cat.”

“Was it a tear-jerker? Lots of movies with dogs end with the dog dying.”

“No, it had a happy ending after many trials and tribulations along the way.”

I stood up and scooted my chair back to the table. “I’m going to meet up with Lexi for a quick visit before I get the dog. I’m sure several of her baked delicacies will jump into my mouth while I’m there.”

Nana smiled. “It’s nice to have friends in high places.”

“And thank you. About the dog,” I said and squeezed her soft shoulder as I walked by her to put my mug in the dishwasher. I really wished she was my grandmother.

“See you later. Bring me home a blueberry scone, would you?”

I was tempted to run the stop signs on my way to Lexi’s coffee shop, just thinking about her blueberry scones.

Lexi was arranging pastries in the display case when I walked in. I was struck by how in charge and confident my friend looked. She’d come a long way, and I was so proud of her.

I walked towards her, and she straightened up, assessing me. “How are you feeling? Tea and something to eat?”

“Are you kidding? My sleep was filled with sugar plums dancing in my head because I was so looking forward to coming in here this morning. I’ll take one of those and one of those,” I said, pointing.

She rang me up after I again insisted on paying, and we sat down at a table.

“Nice crowd,” I observed.

“It is that time of day. But I see some out-of-towners.”

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