“Why not?”
I shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t have pegged you as a pet lover. You surprised me.”
“Surprised me too. You have that effect on me.” He caught my eye, bringing his fingers to my jaw, caressing it lightly. Goose bumps broke out on my skin. “And I can’t shake off this incessant need....”
“What need?” I whispered.
“To make you do something outrageous.”
His lips were on mine the next second, warm and sinfully sexy and determined. He wrapped his hand in my hair, cupping my head as he explored me. He overwhelmed my senses and my body. I was lost to the world, needing him to continue kissing me more than anything else. My lips were on fire, and when he cupped my thigh over the fabric of my dress, he lit up the rest of my body too. I was shaking lightly.
He groaned against my mouth, pulling back slowly. I came to my senses, realizing he’d kissed me here in full view of Manhattan. I mean, we were in a car, but still, I was sure the waves of heat radiating from us could be felt everywhere. This man was something else. Wow. I was tempted to check if my underwear had melted away. It felt like that, anyway.
Glancing up, I found him looking at me with those gorgeous, piercing eyes.
“Mel,” he murmured, touching my lip with his thumb.
I shook my head, drawing in a deep breath.
“Dylan, I... I like you a lot, but Isabelle told me some things.”
He frowned. “What things?”
I shimmied in my seat, avoiding his gaze. I was afraid I’d end up kissing him again if I looked at him for too long.
“That you just want to have fun. You're in that phase of your life, and I'm different. I want other things.”
He smiled, still touching my cheek. “I know. She told me, right after warning me not to ask you out.”
I jerked my head back in surprise. “What? When did that happen?”
“That evening after your fainting spell. She couldn't figure out why I didn't take my eyes off you. And since you swore me to secrecy, I didn't tell her about the fainting spell.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Really? That's the only reason you were looking at me?”
He smiled seductively, taking his hand away from my face. I immediately missed his touch, but this was for the better. I couldn't want this man. He was a great guy, but we wanted different things from our lives right now.
“We can be friends,” I blurted, realizing I sounded awkward. But I didn't know how to fill the silence. “Like I am with Isabelle and Brayden and Tess.”
"Friends," he said slowly, as if he was testing the word and wasn't sure if he liked it. There was a little twinkle in his eyes. “Okay.”
My pulse was speeding up just because he was looking at me. Yeah, I had a feeling this friendship thing wasn't going to be very easy.
Thankfully, the driver came back, putting the new bowl in the seat next to him. The gym was only a few blocks away, but it was much faster by car than on foot. Even so, the few minutes' drive was enough for me to feel on pins and needles.
I couldn’t ignore this tension between us, and somehow I didn't think it would get more manageable at the gym. When we got out of the car, he put his hand at the small of my back, making me simmer.
Oh, Christ. Dylan Gallagher was dangerous for me.
"See you in a bit," I said once we were inside. “I’m going to check on another client while you do your warming up on a treadmill, okay?”
“Sure, Mel, see you in a bit.” His mouth curved in a half smile as if he were laughing at a private joke.
I was hoping these twenty minutes would help us cool off.
No such luck.
I came back exactly twenty minutes later and immediately spotted Dylan running. It was not easy to ignore how sexy he was when he wore a tight tee and pants. Was this guy gorgeous or what?
Since he had his back to me, I felt safe to drink him in. I started at his ankles, because even those were sexy enough to be admired, and worked my way up slowly.
When I reached his upper back, I realized he was looking over his shoulder—at me. Oh, wow. What was the protocol for checking out a friend after you’d had a hot-as-hell kiss? I had no clue how to navigate these murky waters.
He jumped off the treadmill, walking over to me. I sucked in a breath.
“Careful, friend, I think you're sending me mixed signals,” he said.
I sighed, holding up my palms in defense. “I admit, caught in the act.”
He laughed, but then his eyes were serious as he turned his gaze on me. “Mel, if this is uncomfortable for you, say the word and I'll get another trainer.”
“No, no, it's fine. I have to get used to all this testosterone and sexy muscles.”
He laughed. “You're surrounded by guys working out every day.”
I shrugged. “I know, okay? But I don't kiss all of them, just you.” Lowering my voice to a whisper, I added, “Besides, you’re hotter than everyone here. Can you please stop being so hot? It messes with my concentration.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Chapter Eight
Dylan
I got home late that evening, realizing that was not the best scenario for my new temporary roommate. I named the puppy Cody in my mind but didn’t want to call him by any name. Isabelle and Brayden should do it. I bent down and scratched his ears before I analyzed the scene in front of me.
“What did you do, break into my shoebox and chew everything?” And by everything, I meant five pairs of shoes. “You managed to do all this damage in the thirty minutes since the sitter left?” She’d messaged earlier, giving me the rundown of the day, and also said he was determined not to sleep in the brand-new crate I got him today.
I took a picture of my chewed shoes and sent it to Mel. I didn't know why, but I wanted to share this hilarious moment with her. She’d completely thrown me for a loop today when she’d said she wanted to be friends, especially after giving in to the kiss like that. She’d completely surrendered to me. Just remembering it was enough to make me hard. Fuck.
I wanted Mel in my life. I had no idea what to do about the crazy way I wanted her. During our session, it took all my self-restraint not to kiss her in the middle of the gym.
She called me right away, as I was putting the shoes up, out of the puppy’s reach.
“I'm so sorry that he chewed your shoes. Did he also damage your furniture?”
“I haven't checked yet. He's been on his own for half an hour. How much damage can he do during that time?”
“Oh, you don't want to know the answer to that.”
“I guess I'll find out soon enough.”
“So he and the sitter aren’t getting along, then?”
“No, they are. The sitter had to leave earlier than anticipated, and I was a bit late, but she did say he's not sleeping in his dog bed.”
“Oh, well, he does have to get accustomed to that. Where did he sleep last night?”
“On the couch, I think. That's where I found him in the morning next to a huge mess. I forgot to take him out at night.”
“Hmm... well, some puppies do prefer a couch. Oh, Dylan. I can’t believe he chewed your shoes.”