Page 43

Not that a dog would stand a chance against someone with a gun, for instance, but they serve as an early warning system and can pose a deterrent to anyone approaching.

Dana laughs, a deep, full-throated sound that settles warmly in my chest.

“For sure he’d get a kick out of that,” she confirms. “For years he’s been trying to pawn off one or another of his rescues to me.”

“You don’t like dogs?”

I’d never considered it, but I guess it’s possible.

“Of course I like dogs. I love animals, but pets weren’t allowed in my apartment.”

“You don’t have that problem here,” I point out.

She stares off in the fire, pressing her index finger against her smiling lips, as if she’s contemplating the possibilities.

“A dog would have plenty of space here,” she mumbles.

“Sure would.”

“Nice to cuddle up with on chilly nights like this.”

She wraps her arms around herself and shivers.

“Cold?”

“A little…”

I reach over and take her hand. “Come here.”

For a moment it looks like she’s going to refuse me, but then she gets to her feet and allows me to pull her down on my lap.

It’s a tight fit, but it works when I encourage her to sit sideways, her legs draped over the armrest. She’s tucked in against my shoulder and, with a simple turn of my head, I can brush her forehead with my lips. It feels good, supporting her relaxed body with mine. I could sit like this for hours.

Leaning my head back, I let my eyes drift to the skies overhead. It’s a crisp clear night, and up here the stars are plentiful. You don’t get sights like this in town or the city, where light pollution fades out most of them.

“Rick…”

Her voice is hesitant so I turn my head to look at her. Her face is tilted up to me.

“Right here.”

“So is security what you wanted to talk to me about over dinner?” Her fingers play restlessly with a button on my jacket. “I wasn’t sure if that’s what you were referring to.”

I rub a hand along her leg from her knee to her hip.

“It wasn’t, I was going to bring up this thing between you and me, but I think we’re pretty much on the same page. Or am I wrong?”

I inch my hand up under the edge of her fleece jacket, getting distracted by a strip of bare skin at her waist. I feel her body shiver when I stroke the pad of my middle finger over the exposed surface. My body responds too, and in a way I’m sure Dana notices as well.

She shifts slightly in my lap, just enough to brush my cock and I hiss at the sensation.

“Sorry.”

“Mmm, don’t apologize for that. That was a good hiss.”

Her lips stretch into a smile as her hand comes up to curl around my neck.

“Good,” she hums, before adding, “And to answer your question; you’re not wrong.”