Page 33 of Why Not Me?

“He needs to go for a vet check, just to ensure they know he has a new owner and to refill his medication. I think that’s two days from now, so in a few days.” She beams at me, her excitement palpable.

“I don’t have any clients that evening, if you want some company and help getting him settled into your place—” I leave the question hanging, not wanting to intrude.

Allie’s smile is so bright, she lights up the room. “I would love that!”

“It’s a date.” I return her smile. It feels amazing to be able to plan these things and not worry about anything or anyone else.

We finally leave the restaurant when they tell us they’re closing. We’re the last two people, aside from staff.

On our way to Allie’s house, I feel her glancing over at me. She met me in front of her building when I picked her up and I can see her debating whether or not to invite me in.

When I pull up outside the front doors to her new condo building, I put the car in park but leave it running.

Allie licks her lips, starts to say something, stops, and then says, “Do you want to come up?”

Nodding, I maneuver the car into a parking spot. Allie leads me inside. Her new building looks much nicer from the outside than her old one. It’s sleek and modern with clean lines, glass balconies, and pewter accents.

The foyer is brightly lit, the tile floor so clean it shines. A guard greets Allie as we pass.

“Wow, Dawn outdid herself in finding you this place.” I follow Allie onto the elevator, watching as she pushes seven.

“She really did. I got an incredible deal. The money I made from the sale of the old condo was a sizeable down payment. My mortgage is manageable, the building is new and safe, and it’s close to work. All the features I wanted.”

She unlocks her door, leading me into her home. It’s so cozy, eclectic, and totally Allie. Her living room is a cool gray accented in jewel tones. Her walls are covered in black and white photos.

We don’t explore the rest of her apartment, settling onto her couch with a glass of wine.

“I had fun tonight.” Allie smiles at me, chewing her lower lip as she sets her glass down.

I don’t have a chance to respond because Allie is straddling me, her lips on my neck as she presses her body into mine.

“What happened to—” I groan out as she nips my earlobe.

Her lips crashing into mine cut me off, her tongue stroking mine as she winds her hands into my hair. My hands grip her hips before sliding up her back and under her shirt.

Allie rolls her hips into me, both of us groaning at the friction. The chemistry between us, the way we come together, has always been passionate and explosive.

Allie’s shirt hits the floor, mine following shortly after.

She tears her bra off, leaning back as I suck a nipple into my mouth. I’ve missed the silky feel of her skin. I’ve missed how responsive she is to me. Every moan, whimper, whispered word is genuine. My brain is in a fog as we grope, grind, and devour each other.

Her breaths are coming in quick pants when I kiss my way back up to her lips. Her passionate response to me setting me on fire.

Pulling back with a groan, I cup her cheek in my hand. “If we don’t stop we both know where this will go, and I know you want to take things slow.”

She drops her forehead to my shoulder with a disappointed sigh. “You’re right. I want you so badly, but we need to do this right this time around. I want to build a foundation to our relationship, not just teeter on a rickety platform.”

Allie slides off my lap, handing me my shirt. We dress and she walks me to the door. She brushes her lips across mine.

“Goodnight, Landon.” Her breathy voice makes walking out of the door challenging, but I know it’s what’s right.

The pen scratches across the paper as I sign my name one last time, the mound of paperwork and extensive contract detail out the expectations I’m agreeing to when I take Blade home. The primary ones that I agree to maintain his medication and regular vet checkups and that should the adoption not work out, I agree to return him to the rescue. It’s one of the reasons I chose this particular rescue, because they strive to match the right animal with the right person. I try to still the shaking of my hand as I slide the stack over to the staff member.

“Take a seat while we get him ready.” The lady smiles at me, I can’t remember her name I’m too excited. Many of the volunteers came to say goodbye to Blade, their fondness for him moving.

Taking the seat next to Landon, I give him a shaky smile when he takes my hand before I turn to stare at the doors. I’ve been counting down to this day since I was told I was approved. I even put a countdown on my calendar.

His vet check went well. Blade has some minor neurological damage from when he was thrown out of a car as a kitten. Due to this, he doesn’t move with the typical feline grace. He struggles with stairs and moving over anything that isn’t flat ground. Aside from that, he’s totally healthy.

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