Rise (Rise & Fall Duet #1) - Grahame Claire Page 0,49

Avoiding his wrath was worth the hassle of putting everything back in its place.

Muffy careened toward me the second I opened the door to Grey Paws.

I braced for impact.

Instead of pushing me with his big paws, he sat at my feet. His tail looked like a windshield wiper as it swept across the floor.

“Burke wouldn’t have gotten that kind of reaction,” Teague said as he approached. “You know you can pet him, right?”

“Burke? I don’t think so,” I said tightly.

He laughed. “No. Muffy.”

Stiffly, I patted his head. His tail moved at a faster clip.

“I have no food. None of”—I waved my hand around the space—“whatever it is a dog needs.”

He slapped my shoulder. “We’ve got you covered.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. He was a little too animated. Too accommodating.

“What are you not telling me?” I asked warily.

He held up both hands. “Nothing.”

“Well hello, handsome. It sure is nice to see you.” Miss Adeline ambled over and pointed to her cheek.

I bent to kiss it.

“Hey, Lincoln.” Pepper wiped her hands on her overalls. “What a pleasant surprise.”

I narrowed my eyes at Teague, who grinned.

“Did I forget to mention he was coming by?” he asked innocently. “Muffy’s going to crash with him for a few days.”

“He is?” Pepper asked incredulously.

“Teague . . .”

“I promised him we’d set him up with everything he needs,” my brother said quickly. “Look how excited he is.”

I scowled.

Muffy stamped his feet as if he and Teague had worked out this entire scenario. Pepper and Miss Adeline clearly knew nothing about the scheme.

“It will be wonderful for him to have some one-on-one time.” Pepper’s features lit. “He’s really taken with you.”

Why I had no clue.

I wasn’t exactly a welcoming, warm and fuzzy kind of man.

Pepper and Miss Adeline immediately went into a frenzy gathering supplies. In minutes, they had a pile so large I’d need a moving van.

“I thought this was only for a couple of days,” I said as I took an armload of something from Miss Adeline.

“Oh, it is,” Teague said in a rush.

“I know what you’re doing.” I spoke where only he could hear.

Muffy circled the mountain of things, sniffing.

“You have to give him a treat every time you take him out. Or when he obeys a command.” Teague ignored me. “Sometimes he’ll stare at you, which means he wants a treat.”

From the sound of it, I’d need a backpack with a treat dispenser at all times.

“What do you propose I do with him while I’m at the office?” I spoke even more quietly, like I didn’t want Muffy to hear.

“Take him with you.” Teague punched my shoulder. “Better yet, take a few days off. Work from home.”

I could imagine the shocked looks if I showed up with a dog to Hollingsworth Properties.

“I thought Pepper wanted me to do this.” I leveled him with a look.

“She’s totally on board.”

“Where’s your truck? We’re going to need it for all of these things.”

And I’d need to clear out a bedroom to store it.

He looked past me and grinned. “Lexie. Eric. How was the park?”

My brows rose. What was my troublesome brother up to?

“Lincoln!”

That reaction from Eric never got old. It was undeserved, but something I . . . appreciated.

“I told you he might be here,” he said to Lexie as he dragged her over.

She was the perfected version of herself. An emerald silk pantsuit with black designer shoes peeking out. Her dark hair was slicked back in a low bun, not one single strand out of place. She donned large gold circular earrings, but no other jewelry.

She was stunning.

For a moment, I thought she wasn’t going to look at me. When her eyes collided with mine, it was the previous evening all over again . . . only intensified and with an audience.

The kiss that I couldn’t kick out of my head resurfaced with a vengeance.

I wanted a repeat performance. One where I could take my time and savor every delectable inch of her mouth.

Her lips parted as if she could read my thoughts.

For once, I didn’t care someone was privy to my innermost thoughts.

Muffy nudged my hand. When I didn’t react, he pawed it.

“Looks like he’s ready to go home.” Teague cleared his throat. “I mean, on vacation.”

I cut my eyes to my brother, but they were immediately drawn back to Lexie. “I like the green.”

“I suppose that will pass for a greeting. You’ve done worse.”

“Would you prefer a different version?” I cocked my head in challenge.

“You’re wearing green too.” Eric pointed at my