hour alone. “Cereal for dinner or cereal for dinner?”
Muppet barked his answer.
“Cereal it is.”
My phone dinged, and I pulled it from my purse.
Tech Nerd: You almost done in there?
Me: Are you outside?
Tech Nerd: …
Tech Nerd: Maybe.
I shook my head at Muppet. “And I thought I was crazy.”
Muppet barked again.
I was already having better conversations with him than I did with most humans.
Me: How do you feel about dogs in your fancy car?
Tech Nerd: You’re not supposed to embezzle from work. But if you’re going to do it, I can only fit four. Five tops.
I used to wonder how those annoyingly chipper people could smile all the time without their cheeks hurting. Thanks to the animals and Alexander, I finally had my answer.
It did hurt. It was just worth it.
I grabbed my stuff and Muppet before heading outside to Alexander’s car. My body was sore, and I was wiped, so I was grateful I wouldn’t have to deal with the bus. Not that I was gonna tell him that. “I think I’m going to have to change your name in my phone.”
“To what?” he asked as he closed the distance to help with my load.
“Stalker.”
“In my defense, I missed you.”
As far as defenses went that was a pretty damn good one.
“What do you have it as now?” he asked, not expecting me to reciprocate the sentiment.
“Tech Nerd.”
“When it comes to you, stalker would also be accurate,” he openly admitted with a chuckle. He scanned over my head—which, given our height difference, just meant he looked straight ahead—before kissing me.
I knew he didn’t care who saw us. His discreetness was for my benefit. It made me melt into him, which pretty much nullified that effort, but it was still appreciated.
If I hadn’t blown our stealth, Muppet’s barking surely had. It didn’t matter that he’d never seen Alexander before, he went wild, barking and fighting to lick before barking some more.
The barking I didn’t get.
The urge to lick Alexander, I definitely related to.
“Is this your sister’s dog or are you actually swiping office supplies?” Alexander took the leash before the amped up pup tugged my arm out of its socket.
“This is Muppet. And he’s not just Aria’s, he’s my new nephew. I’m bribing him with treats so I can be his favorite.”
Wrapping his arm around me, Alexander grabbed my ass and hauled me closer. So close, I could feel his hard muscles and his hard something else. A wicked smile curved his mouth. I’d never known a smile could be so depraved, yet there we were. “You’re my favorite. And you don’t even have to bribe me with treats.”
“Really? Because I was thinking earlier that I was in the mood for you to eat my treat while I enjoy yours.”
Alexander’s hold on my ass tightened, his fingertips digging in. “I take back what I said. Bribe me. Multiple times. All the fucking time.”
“Too late.”
“You, my pretty flower, are a tease.” He released me and opened the passenger door.
Muppet jumped right in and faced forward. If he had thumbs, he probably would’ve buckled up.
“This is gonna be awkward since I like to hold hands while I drive,” Alexander said.
Once we were all in the car—with Muppet panting on my lap with his head out the window and my hand securely in Alexander’s—I asked, “Could you afford a private island?”
“Yes,” he said simply.
“Would you name it Briar Isle?”
His lips tipped. “If you wanted.”
“I don’t. I’m not big on sun and sand chafes. But I was just curious if you could. Anywho, what’s the plan for tonight?” At the look in his eyes, I added, “Before that.”
“Figured we’d go to my place and I’d fix you dinner, but I’m guessing your sister has to pick her dog up later?”
“You’d guess correctly.”
“And I’m guessing you don’t want her to pick him up from my house.”
“That is also correct.” Before he could take offense, I rushed on. “I do want you to meet her. Eventually. It’s—”
“All good, flower.” He squeezed my hand. “It’s all good. We’ll go to your place. Do you have anything I can cook?”
“Cereal, bread, and frozen fish sticks.”
He grimaced as he began driving. “I’ll drop you off and go shop.”
“I don’t have pots or pans.”
“None?”
“I have a cookie sheet and a microwave.”
“Got it. We’ll go to your place and order delivery.”
That was it. Simple as that.
Even though he was okay, I still wanted to explain. “I’m private, but it’s more than that. Aria’s spent the last six years worrying over me. I’d say like