Page 51 of Ruin Me
I sprang up with a hand on his chest holding me upright. “You are never satisfied.”
“Not yet, but I will be.” He pulled my arm free and raised his head to meet me in a kiss, however barking from the other room reminded us of the recent addition to the household.
“I bet they need a walk.” I pulled out of his arms and went in search of my clothes.
“Are you really opposed to having the dogs?” He went to don a more casual outfit than the dress shirt and pants he wore earlier.
I pulled on a fresh pair of panties and sweats. “They’re here now.” I peeked at Kent and slumped my shoulders. “And they’re too adorable to abandon. I really didn’t stand a chance.”
Kent grinned and stood. “Good, and the burden of training them won’t be on your shoulders alone. Remember, we’re partners.”
“Yeah, but if you had asked, I would have voted for a cat.” I strode to the door.
“Cats can’t protect you the way German Shepherds can.”
I shrugged. “Still.”
Kent ushered me out of the bedroom to tend the dogs. As soon as we appeared, they wagged their tails and barked.
“We shouldn’t hold off the housing situation. Apartment living isn’t ideal for GSDs.” I kneeled down and opened the kennels.
“We’ll find a solution that works until we build ours.” He handed me a leash while he put the other on the second dog.
I peeked at him, wondering if this was a delaying tactic.
“Call me superstitious, but I want to capture Carol and her accomplice before we buy any property together. Something about having her negative energy surrounding us when we’re supposed to be happy doesn’t sit right with me.”
I nodded, accepting his response. Carol was a problem. So was whoever helped her.
We left the apartment with my guards in tow. Would I ever get comfortable with so many men following me?
“What should we name them?” Kent pointed towards the dogs, dragging us in their enthusiasm to reach the park area built on the compound.
“How about Benson and Stabler? They were my all-time favorite duo on Law & Order: SVU.”
We spent an hour tiring the puppies and beginning rudimentary training with treats. When we returned to the apartment, Kent disappeared while I sat on the floor, and played with them until they collapsed at my side.
From the corner of my eye, I glimpsed his profile. I turned to find him observing me, but like so many times, I couldn’t read his expression.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
He pushed off against the wall and closed the distance between us. “I’m wondering if you need another refresher.”
I smiled, my heart lightened from my earlier burden. “I don’t need a reminder.”
“But that memory of yours…” He picked up the pups and placed them in their kennels.
“Isn’t so short that I need a reminder so soon.”
“Maybe I need one.” He returned and held his hand out to me. Once I placed mine in his, he pulled me into a standing position.
“Yeah? I doubt it.” I spoke with a whisper, although I had no reason to lower my voice.
With Kent so close and the determined glint in his eye, we were the only two people to exist.
He placed his pointer finger beneath my chin and pushed my face up. “Who’s your man, Madison?” Kent asked with his lips a hair’s breath from mine.
“You are. I told you before.”