she mumbles as I pump into her from below, turning our once languid pace fervent.
“We’re just getting started,” I growl out as my own climax rips through me. My lungs seize and my body shudders from the force of my orgasm as I pump the last of my release into her.
“You promise?” she asks as I grip the back of her thighs and stand, holding her body flush to mine as I carry her back to my bathroom so we can clean up.
“I fucking promise,” I tell her meaning it with every fiber of my being, because while this thing between us is new, it feels like the start of something wonderful.
ONE MORE STEP would mean certain death. I had just rounded the corner, my bag slung over my shoulder, when I was greeted by a beautiful yet terrifying beast. Immediately I dropped my bag, only to have the dog’s growl grow more sinister. I remained frozen near the elevators, watching as the massive German Shepherd looked at me like I was going to be the perfect snack.
As I tried to hold my breath, I wondered if, like a shark, it could smell fear.
“Don’t move,” I muttered to myself over and over.
My body flinched a fraction and the dog moved closer, baring its teeth. No matter how hard I tried to calm my growing fear, the pounding of my heart reminded me that I was in trouble. The sweat began to bead at my hairline, and I knew that even if this animal didn’t kill me, I would be maimed for certain.
The dog barked—a terrifying sound—and I lunged slightly, recoiling just as a strong male voice called out.
“Peggy! Settle!”
Almost instantly, the creature softened, its ears relaxing before it sat obediently as the man approached.
“Peggy?” I muttered as I exhaled a shaky breath. “I was almost mauled by a dog called Peggy?”
“I am so sorry, miss. Are you okay?”
I shook my head in disbelief, still staring at Peggy, wondering if she was about to disobey her owner and finish the job. I took a timid step back, only to find myself losing my balance, everything in my view tilting as I found myself staring at the ceiling.
“Oh shit,” I heard the man mutter just as two strong hands reached down to touch me.
“Ouch,” I groaned.
As I was lifted to a seated position, I grabbed my head and waited for the throbbing to subside. The pounding was so harsh that I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping to alleviate the pain, but it ached more than a hangover. But at least a hangover was the indication of a fun night out. This was the end of an already annoying and terrifying exchange.
“I should report you,” I grumbled as I rubbed the ache at the base of my head. “Dogs are supposed to be on a leash.”
“I know. She just…”
“There are rules around here, ya know? If you can’t control your animal, perhaps you shouldn’t have one. And it definitely shouldn’t be running loose in the building.”
“She,” he said simply.
“Excuse me?”
“She. She shouldn’t be loose in the building,” the man corrected.
“What are you talking about?”
“Peggy isn’t an ‘it.’ She’s a pet—a part of my family.”
“Oh good lord,” I groaned, pulling myself to my feet. “I love dogs as much as the next person, but it’s still a dog.”
Peggy made a whiny noise as she lay down at her owner’s feet—an owner who I could only identify by his shoes because I was still looking down, trying to piece together how my morning had gone to shit so quickly. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before fixing my eyes on him and he was…breathtaking.
It was the only word to come to mind. Striking green eyes. Light brown hair. Strong jawline that only paled in comparison to his muscular physique. What the hell was an underwear model doing in my building?
“A dog?” he repeated.
Peggy sat upright and he gently stroked her head as he leveled his eyes at me. I had done nothing wrong, only leave my apartment for work, yet I was being judged.
“Look, I can’t deal with this…with you,” I stammered. “I’m already late and I really need to get to work, Mr.—?”
The man tentatively reached out a hand and I awkwardly accepted. His grip was strong, but warm and soft. I was never one to put stock in butterflies and tingles, but there was definitely something happening. Probably because