British Black Sheep - Lauren Smith Page 0,59

her everywhere she could. She couldn’t help but giggle.

“Do you like her?”

“Like her? Only a monster wouldn’t like her. She’s precious. Are you sure I can take her home?” Brie rubbed her cheek against the puppy’s silky head. That sweet innocent puppy smell filled her nose and her eyes with tears. This was of those things she’d missed out on her whole life: the bliss of holding a puppy in her arms. She turned to Alec, whose soft hazel eyes glowed in the gilded light from the chandelier above them.

“I know you want this to be over but give me one last night just to hold you.” His voice was soft and slightly raspy as he entreated her with his plea.

“It’s not that I don’t want to be with you, Alec. We keep saying we’re adults, but that doesn’t mean things can’t get complicated, even if we don’t intend for them to.”

Alec nodded. “I understand. And it’s not like I haven’t had those same concerns. It’s fair to say that I’ve grown fond of you in the time we’ve had together.”

“I’m fond of you too.”

“So, it must seem like a cold and callous thing to have those kind of feelings, yet agree to end things as well.”

“And there’s the matter of our jobs and separate lives.”

“Yes, I know. But wouldn’t you regret it more if we didn’t make the most of the time we had?” His hands cupped her shoulders and slid up and down her arms as he waited for a response. She slowly nodded. It was impossible to deny herself what she wanted.

“One more night.”

One more night to pretend she could have the life she always wanted. Alec leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. The puppy wriggled for a moment then rested in between the two of them. Alec tangled his fingers in Brie’s hair as he kissed her deeply. His mouth slanted over hers and the kiss turned into a slow burn that whispered of dark nights and secretly sinful pleasures. There was a lifetime of dreams and desires passing between them as their mouths danced with one another.

The puppy whined, as if telling them she wanted to play too. They broke apart and laughed. Alec ruffled the puppy’s ears.

“You need to name her.”

Brie held the puppy up to peer more deeply into the dark pools of her brown eyes.

“She looks like an Ainsley to me.”

“Ainsley it is.” Alec held open his arms. “She has a kennel already. Want me to put her down for the night?”

“Does she need to eat? Or, you know, go out?”

“No, she’s been taken care of by a footman.”

“Great.” Brie kissed Ainsley’s forehead and then passed the pup to Alec, who carried her over to the little kennel and tucked her in before closing the door.

Ainsley whined softly for a moment before settling down.

“Thank you, Alec. She’s perfect. I don’t know how she’ll adjust to my apartment, but at least I live across from a park.” Brie was already picturing her life with the puppy and it made her smile.

“I wanted you to have something special to remember this place…to remember us.”

Brie’s throat tightened and her smile faltered, but she regained her resolve. It was like he said: she’d regret it more if they didn’t make the most of the time they had.

“I can think of another way to remember this.” She gripped his sweater and pulled him to her, kissing him hard. She didn’t want any more regrets, at least not for one more night.

13

Christmas morning came quietly on soft snow-tipped paws to Merryvale Court. Brie lay beside him in her bed, Ainsley tucked between their naked bodies. The puppy stirred and rolled onto her back; her chubby legs spread open as she fell back asleep. He rubbed the soft belly, making one tiny back leg kick as he found a ticklish spot.

“How on earth did you end up here?” he murmured to the dog.

Brie opened one eye to stare at him. “It’s my fault.” She bit her bottom lip to cover up a grin but failed. “She cried early this morning and I just had to let her out. She wanted to be in bed with us.”

“If you spoil her now…”

“I know.” Brie groaned. “I’m going to be a terrible dog mom.”

“I suppose that’s a matter of opinion. I’m sure Ainsley will think you’re the best.” He scratched his fingers under Ainsley’s chin. The puppy sighed and licked her lips in contentment.

“What time is it?” Alec rolled over