Reid - Maddie Wade Page 0,45

for a man like Reid, and she had a feeling she was halfway there already.

“Thank you, Reid,” she said as she leaned in and kissed him, offering all the gratitude she felt in the kiss.

He pulled back as things began to heat up. “Killing me,” he said with a wicked smirk before exiting the car as she laughed.

He opened her door and helped her out, keeping her close with his arm around her waist as he led her to the door, his eyes on the space around him. He rang the bell, and they heard a deep woof followed by the sounds of a man and woman.

The door flew open and she was greeted by a beautiful woman with dark hair to her shoulders that shone like a shampoo commercial, skin that was so flawless it looked airbrushed, and a smile that lit up her emerald green eyes. She was breath taking, as was the giant who stood behind her, a protective hand around her small waist.

“Zin, Celeste, good to see you.”

“Reid, Callie, come in,” the woman said as she pulled open the door with a smile.

They stepped inside, and Callie caught sight of a beautiful black German Shepherd sitting quietly behind Celeste, watching them intently. He didn’t move or jump at them just waited, his eyes moving between them and his mistress.

“Oh, he’s beautiful. Can I pet him?” Callie directed her question at Celeste.

Zin scared her slightly; he had a dangerous vibe about him and yet Celeste looked at him with adoration, as did the dog.

Celeste grinned. “Of course.” She nodded at the dog who immediately moved forward to greet them, his entire body moving as his tail wagged. “Say hi, Samson.”

Callie dropped to her haunches and greeted the big dog with scratches to his ears. He nuzzled her face, giving her a lick on the ear. Callie laughed as she looked up at Reid. His face was soft as he looked at her, and she felt her tummy dip and her heart stutter again.

Mewling from the living room had Samson backing away from her and moving toward the sound. Callie straightened and smiled at Reid who had taken her hand in his. They followed Celeste into the living room as Zin held out a hand for them to go first. Her eyes immediately zeroed in on the small fluffy bed where a fluffy gold and black puppy was woofing at Samson, trying to get him to play while the big dog looked on with a tilt of his head.

“Oh, she’s adorable.” Callie’s face pulled into a grin.

Zin snorted. “Not at two, four, and six am she wasn’t.”

Celeste laughed. “Oh hush, you big grump. You’re the one who suggested she sleep in the bedroom, so don’t pretend you don’t love her.”

Zin growled and pulled Celeste into his arms as she laughed and squealed. “Pixie, I love you, and that means that I’ll put up with almost anything to make you happy.”

He kissed her upturned lips and Callie watched with unabashed voyeurism at the apparent love and passion between the couple. It was magnetic and beautiful and the sort of love that she and girls the world over dreamed of. She sensed Reid watching her and turned to see an intense look on his face as he studied her.

“Almost anything?” Celeste said snapping Callie from the spell Reid had cast with his eyes.

She turned to see Zin whisper something in Celeste’s ear that made her blush and then sigh before she pulled away but not far enough that she lost his touch.

“Sit down, and I’ll get us some drinks.”

She and Reid sat on the couch while Celeste disappeared into the kitchen and Zin knelt on the floor and gently shoved Samson aside so he could lift the puppy into his arms. Despite his size and gruff exterior, he handled the puppy with infinite tenderness. Celeste had his card marked all right. He was a giant teddy bear.

“This is Delilah. She’s a Belgian Malinois.” He set the puppy who was trying to chew on his knuckles on Callie’s lap, and moved away to sit on the floor beside Samson.

Callie glanced at Reid as she petted Delilah and fell a little bit more in love with her. Her eyes caught Reid’s and she smiled loving that he had thought to bring her here. He always seemed to know what she needed.

Celeste came back in with a tray of drinks and the four of them caught up. Callie realised Celeste worked for Fortis