Page 54 of Truck Me

I glance over at where Bullet is curled up on her bed, watching me with hopeful eyes. She’s been quiet, letting me work, so I decide it’s time to reward her.

“You wanna go out for a run?”

Her eyes perk up, making me smile. That’s a yes.

After washing up, I grab my coat. I don’t even have one arm in a sleeve before she’s on her feet and bouncing in front of the door.

I chuckle as I have to fight to reach around her to get it opened. “Down girl. Can’t open it if you’re pushing against it.”

She whines but takes a step back. As soon as the door is open, she takes off for the treeline. I’m still standing in the doorway, fighting to get my gloves on, when she disappears down the trail. Of course she’d head right for the Weber’s house.

Then I hear laughter. With all this snow, school was closed. I should have known Rayne would be outside playing in the snow. She loves it just as much as Bullet does. In fact, I’m surprised she hasn’t been over to ask if Bullet could play with her.

Then a different laugh fills the air. A much sexier, older laugh that has my dick standing at attention. I groan and adjust myself as I follow my dog.

* * *

Before I even make it halfway down the path, I hear Rayne squeal, followed by a bark from Bullet. They both sound happy to see each other.

But it’s Charlotte’s voice that has me picking up my pace.

“Hey there, girl.” It’s silent for a few seconds as I picture Charlotte kneeling down to pet my dog. “Did your master let you out to play?”

Fuck. Me.

The way her voice sounds low and raspy—so very different from her normal soft, sweet tone—is giving my dick all sorts of ideas.

Wrong ideas.

Bad ones.

Things I do not need to be thinking about.

Her voice is probably strained from being outside in the cold and nothing more. It’s not because she’s thinking of me as her master or that she wants to play with me. She’s talking to my dog, for fuck’s sake. I’ve got to stop thinking so many dirty, sexual thoughts about her.

When I step out of the treeline and into their backyard, my eyes instantly lock with Charlotte’s. Her eyes darken, and I swear she sucks in a breath before a wide smile covers her face. It’s a fake smile, same as she used in her beauty queen days. I fucking hate it.

She gives my dog another pat before she pushes to her feet. “Hey. Haven’t seen you in a few days.”

I shake my head. “At least a week, I think.”

Her smile fades, and a pained expression replaces it. But before she can say anything, Rayne barrels toward me and wraps her arms around my waist.

“You’re here!” she says against my chest. “I wanted to come see if you could play with us, but Aunt Char said we should leave you alone.”

I narrow my gaze on Charlotte, not liking that she kept Rayne away. I return Rayne’s embrace by wrapping my arm around her and hugging her closer. “You can come see me anytime. You know that.”

“That’s what I told her, but she wouldn’t listen.”

I shift my gaze to Rayne and give her a smile. It’s forced, and anyone who really knows me can probably see that. Hopefully Rayne doesn’t. “I’ll be sure to let her know you’re always welcome.”

Rayne lets go of me and turns to her aunt. She places her hands on her hips like she’s about to give her all kinds of what fors. “Did you hear that? I can visit Garret anytime I want.”

“Hey.” I give a strand of Rayne’s hair a tug. “Don’t sass your aunt like that.”

“It’s okay.” Charlotte waves off my comment and smiles. “I know she’s allowed to visit you. I just wanted her all to myself for a while.”

“Why didn’t you just say that?” Rayne sounds frustrated and maybe even a little hurt.