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“You have a dog?” She tipped her head to the side, considering me.
“Yeah, Scout.” I was revealing a small, insignificant thing, but it was something I hadn’t shared before. It made me wonder how she’d react to the rest of my story.
She smiled wide. “Do you have a picture?”
I pulled out my phone, scanning through my photos, which were mainly landscapes, until I came to a few of Scout. I’d taken them in the early morning light while I was watching the sunrise. He was resting on the deck.
Tilting the screen, she said, “He’s adorable.”
My heart contracted at her words. “He’s a good dog.”
“You’d better get home to take him out. He’s probably wondering where his daddy is.”
“He’s used to my crazy hours, but yeah, I don’t want him going too long without being able to go outside.”
I followed Remi to the door, reluctant to leave.
Holding the door open for me, she said, “We didn’t work on the fundraising thing last night.”
“We’ll have to reschedule.” I smiled, hoping it would be like the one last night. Hot and heavy with tons of naked skin.
Her lips quirked into a smile. “That can be arranged.”
I stood in front of her, wanting to capture this image in my head. Her standing in my button-down shirt, hair piled on her head like a halo, and a relaxed smile on her face. I stepped closer, unable to leave without giving her something to remember, too.
I cupped her face, kissing her long and deep, pouring everything I yearned for into that kiss. I wanted her to meet Scout. I wanted her in my kitchen, waking up in my bed, and padding around my house in my shirt.
The feelings hit me one after the other, overwhelming and insistent. This woman could be everything I’d always wanted. Reluctantly backing away, I said, “Have a great day, Remi.”
She smiled, her expression brightening everything around her. “You too.”
I turned to jog down the stairs before I changed my mind and stayed. “Call you later.”
“See that you do.”
I smiled at her cheeky response. I didn’t hear her door close until I opened the door to the sidewalk. I liked that she’d watched me leave, hopefully not wanting me to go.
I hoped she was feeling a fraction of what I was. It was like I’d been numb to life, and I was finally waking up to the beauty of everything. With Remi shining brighter than anything else.
Chapter Thirteen
REMI
I floated through the day, still on a high from those orgasms and waking up with Colton in my bed.
I felt so good, I thought it was time to showcase my new smoothies. I left my assistant in charge of the shop and took bottles of my whey smoothies to different health clubs, talked to the managers, and left the samples. No one had said yes, but no one had said no. I took that as a good sign.
My energy was so positive, someone had to say yes. The unprecedented good feelings made me wonder if Colton was a necessary part of my morning routine. Yoga, meditation, and Colton.
He lifted me up and put me in a better mood.
It was hard to believe given his known grumpy demeanor, but it was true. It wasn’t just the sexy times. He’d held me in his arms all night. I never took him for a guy that stayed overnight or cuddled, but he had. And I loved it.
Waking up early, my body sated from the orgasms, I hurried through my morning routine, wanting to cook him breakfast. I wanted to take care of him, to show him that he could have so much more in his life. Someone to care for him. Someone to love him.
Something told me he denied himself things that made him feel good. He avoided relationships and entanglements. I seemed to be an exception for him. But why?
I was surprised he owned a dog and possibly a house. He was responsible and hardworking, but he didn’t strike me as a guy who put much effort into his personal life or home. I’d have expected a cookie-cutter apartment on the outskirts of town. A place he crashed at the end of his shift. Not the picture of him watching his dog sleep as the sun rose over his deck.
