Perfect Risk (Mason Creek #1) - C.A. Harms Page 0,24

chance to consider my actions.

That backfired.

“Cujo is a menace.” Throwing her hands up in the air, in a huff, she looked down at Gus who was still playing innocent. Sitting on his ass, his head tilted to the side, one ear up and the other laying relaxed.

“Cujo.” I did my best to keep a straight face, but I was failing miserably.

“He has it out for me.”

Sadie twisted her body to the side, bringing the fact that yes, her entire backside was also caked with mud. Bending at the waist she gets closer to Gus. Again, his head tilted to the side as if he was thinking really hard while staring right back at her. “Bad dog!” She pointed at him to emphasis her annoyance. “Bad, bad dog!”

I snickered, I honestly tried not to, but I couldn’t control it. Gus looked so confused staring up at her with his big dopey dog eyes. The same eyes that have gotten him that second piece of turkey when I told him no more. He gets under your skin, easily, I’m a sucker when it comes to his soft side.

Repositioning her body, she once again faced me, and my gaze immediately dropped taking her in fully once more. Thankfully, she was still irritated and missed the part where my eyes landed on her chest and remained there for a little too long.

Damn she looked good soaked and covered in mud.

“He zoned in on me and lunged, he needs to be on a leash.” She pointed out to her side, but held my stare. “He’s insane, I tell you.” Gus barked, and jumped up wagging his tail. Nudging her hand with his head I could see her anger falter just a little.

“Yeah, he looks like he’s ready to attack.” Gus moved into her side, rubbing up on her leg and I’ll admit I was a little jealous of my dog at that point. “What’s his crime, chaffing your leg from rubbing against you too much?”

And the anger returned.

“This is all a ruse. He is not this way when you aren’t around. Ten minutes ago, he was chasing me around my house and barking at me.” I looked at Gus then back to Sadie, still unsure of exactly what took place and how she got so muddy. Wet most likely because she was standing out in the rain, but I didn’t picture her rolling around on the ground.

“Do you always go outside walking in the cool air in your pajamas?” Looking down her entire body I paused on her house slippers. Big purple fuzzy, house slippers.

“I locked myself out!” Stomping her feet like a child I dared to hassle her even more. Something about seeing her fired up, I admit was a turn on. I knew I was only poking the bear, but the humor in the entire situation I couldn’t get passed.

“And I suppose that you being locked out is also Gus’s fault?”

With narrowed eyes, glaring holes through me she held out her hand in front of her. “Never mind, can I just get the spare key?”

“Really I want to know,” I couldn’t wait to hear this story.

“Key.” The way she said that one word was like a sharp knife cutting through the amusement.

Without looking away from her I reached around to the hanging key ring and feel for the single key at the end of the holder. Holding it in my hand I dipped my head motioning for her to get going so I could follow.

“Just the key,” Sadie was a spitfire, who knew. “The two of you can stay right where you are.”

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?”

Without another word she moved her hand closer to my chest and I lifted my hand, placing the key in her palm. When she tried to pull away, I wrapped my hand around hers. “But I’m enjoying our time together, are you sure you have to go?”

And we were done.

Jerking her hand away she spun on her heels and practically marched off to the cottage. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

“Ridiculous,” she growled, “both of you!”

I dropped my gaze to Gus and he too was looking in the direction she stormed off to. Once again his head cocked to the side.

“I know buddy,” I roughed his fur behind his ears. “She’s got my full attention too.”

Just when I thought we were getting past all the pent up anger my dog had to go and piss her off once again. With Sadie and I