Page 8 of Quid Pro Beau

Like the lovesick fool he is, he stays right by Daisy’s side.

Finally I get us free and reclip the lead to his collar.

“So, how are you settling into your brother's cabin?”

“It's okay; it's an adjustment. Maybe I’m just not used to being so alone. I had a roommate in my flat in London, and then the first week here, I had to pretend the noises I heard in the cabin weren’t my brother and best friend doing naked things together.” She touches my arm. “Don’t get me wrong, I love that they’re together. That they fell in love. It seems like it was inevitable in many ways. But I don’t wanna hear them getting it on, ya know?”

I laugh. “Yeah, I get that.”

“Anyways, so it’s an adjustment and there’s a lot of insomnia with pregnancy, so I wake up with every little noise. Then I work myself into a lather about what it could be.” She waves a hand. “I’m ridiculous. I’ll get used to it. It’ll be my new normal.” Her hand goes to her belly. “Until this one comes around and turns everything upside down.”

“You know, I might have a solution for you. And frankly, it would be a really huge favor for me—not that you were offering to do me a favor, or that I am owed one. But Mouse here, can't really stay at the sanctuary anymore.” Mostly because Mouse is my fucking dog. But I leave that part conveniently out. “All of the other dogs make him nervous, and he's just not settling in. Would you be interested in maybe fostering him, and he could stay with you? Just for a little while. Like on a trial basis.”

“That would be amazing,” she says.

“I mean you did ask him if he wanted to come home with you. Seems only fair that you follow through,” I say with a wink.

A goddamn wink.

Since when am I the kind of guy who winks at a woman?

Since Daisy, apparently.

chapter four

Daisy

Beau and Mouse follow me inside Flynn’s cabin. “Sorry it’s such a mess in here. I just kind of showed up on their doorstep.” I say all of this while I’m picking up pieces of my clothing that are literally piled on the single chair in the living room. The couch is bare except for the folded bedding I’ve been using.

“It’s a small place, don’t worry about it.” He nods to the couch. “You aren’t sleeping in the bed?”

My eyebrows nearly climb into my hairline. “Uh, no. Not after all the noises I heard. Vivid imagination and I just couldn’t. Even after changing the sheets.” I shrug, clutching my clothes to my chest. “I’m weird, I know.”

I head down the short hallway to the bedroom and dump my pile of clothes on the bed.

I come back out and find Beau on his knees in front of Mouse. His athletic shorts mold to his ridiculously muscular thighs.

Saliva pools in my mouth. My hormones have been out of control lately and my libido is off the charts. What a great time to be single.

His t-shirt fits across his broad torso like it was made for him. His dark blond hair is once again tucked beneath a backwards ball cap and damned if I don’t want to take it off of him and run my fingers through his hair. There are some scars peeking up from the shirt where his shoulders and neck meet.

He notices me standing there and immediately comes to his feet. His hand goes to the back of his head and he rubs. “He’s already eaten today so you won’t need to feed him. But I can bring some food for you tomorrow.”

“That would be great. Will he let me know when he needs to go out?”

Beau nods. “Yeah, he’ll uh, go sit by the door.”

“What a smart boy,” I coo. Mouse ambles over to me on his long legs. “He’s so tall and his coat is so unusual looking. Do you know what he is?”

“The vet said likely part Husky and part German Shepherd.”

“Oh, that fits. Especially with his eyes.” I look down at my new foster friend. “Such a pretty boy, aren’t you?”

“Listen, I really appreciate this. You’re doing me such a favor.”

“Don’t mention it. I think Mouse and I will get along very well.”

“Is there anything I could do for you? You know in return?” I swear his eyes heat and slowly peruse my body.