most part, and that she isn’t too fond of men. She growls at them.”
Gretchen tuts to herself. “That doesn’t bode well. Narrows the pool of potential adopters.”
I can’t make this my problem. I have enough of my own. “Here,” I pull a couple of hundred dollar bills out of my wallet and hand them to Gretchen, “this should pay for her basics until you find her a home.” I peel two more off. “Maybe she could do with some therapy. Can dogs get therapy?” I frown.
Gretchen smiles for the first time since she heard I was here to hand in the dog. “That’s generous of you, and yes, we can organize a couple of sessions with an animal behaviorist.”
We stand there looking at each other for a few, long moments. Then I put a collar and a leash on the dog. “Be good,” I say before handing the leash to Gretchen, who nods.
I walk out. I half expect the dog to break free and to come after me. Or to start howling and barking. She does neither. I heave out a huge sigh. That was easier than expected.
The next day…
It’s been hours and hours. All of the painting at Buns and Breads is done. I even stayed for a beer with the team who helped make it happen. Make that half a beer. It got tedious. I get bored easily.
I can only hope that Stephan and his girlfriend have cleared out by now. I walk into my house, and the scent of sex hits my nostrils. I can hear a couple of heartbeats. Three, to be exact. I enter the room. “What the hell?” I snarl as I see her.
The dog. She’s here. How did she get here?
I hear Stephan’s girlfriend mutter in her sleep. I ignore them, my eyes on the Doberman. She’s fast asleep. Curled up in a tight ball that somehow diminishes her substantial size.
“Fuck!” Stephan groans. I hear him scrambling. It sounds like he’s trying to cover his woman. They’ve clearly been fucking up a storm on my sofa. I can scent condoms, semen – a truckload of the stuff – perspiration and pussy. I feel my hackles rise.
“Relax!” I assure Stephanus. “I didn’t look at your girlfriend.” Why would I? She’s not my type at all. Far too fucking nice. I look up at him. His hair is a mess, and his eyes are bleary. I caught them napping after hardcore sex. Lucky fuck! How long has it been since I got laid?
Too long.
Forever.
No wonder my blood pressure feels sky-high. No wonder I keep getting headaches lately. I need to empty my balls again soon. I get prickly otherwise.
Stephan is grinning like the village fucking idiot. I want to pop him one in the jaw, so I look back down at the dog who sleeps on, seemingly oblivious. “Was she here when you arrived, or did she turn up since?”
“Is that a dog bed?” he asks, frowning. Stephan scratches his head, making his hair worse. “Did you buy that for the dog?”
I wasn’t about to let an animal sleep on my bed, or on any of my furniture for that matter. It’s not like I could let the creature sleep on the floor. I might be an asshole, but I’m not cruel. Then again, I can be cruel but not where an innocent dog is concerned. Of course I bought it! Fuck! I shouldn’t have to explain all of this, so I don’t. “Answer the question!” I narrow my eyes on Stephan.
“Yes. Your dog—”
“Not mine!” I growl at him because my last nerve is on the verge of snapping.
“The dog was here at your front door when we—”
I curse. It’s a choice expletive that doesn’t make me feel any better. “Really?” I say to the beast, who cracks open one eye. “We spoke about this. I don’t want a dog.” I sigh. “I can’t have a dog. You need someone else. Not me.” She wags her tail. Fucking wags it! All of twice, but I’ll be damned if the action doesn’t make me feel guilty. Like I did something wrong.
I didn’t!
Fuck that!
I’ve walked circles around this animal ever since she arrived unexpectedly and totally uninvited. I go to the already open closet. I take out a leash and a collar. I had planned on giving these to Night and Shannon for their dog. I thought they were too nice to leave at the pound. At least they’ll come in handy right now. I put on