Tap Out (Reaper's Den Book One) - Nikki Mays Page 0,19

states like he just cured cancer.

“Babe,” I walk up and place my arms around his massive neck, “we can’t be together twenty four seven. It would be good to have someone around all the time that can and will protect me without hesitation.”

“I wouldn’t hesitate.” He grumbles.

I blink and try to keep my smile in check. “Honey, are you getting jealous over a puppy?” I can’t quite keep the humor out of my voice.

He gives me a dirty look, confirming my suspicions. “I’m not jealous of a dog.” I bite my lips to keep from smiling. “I just don’t understand what you need with a dog when I’m around to protect you.”

I shrug my right shoulder. “They’re great to cuddle with too.” I can’t even help myself. He’s really just leaving himself open for this.

“And I’m not?” He scoffs in an insulted tone.

I look down at the puppy and then up at him. “I mean, look at him.” I point to the cutest ball of fur in the world. “Who wouldn’t want to cuddle with that everyday?”

Danny pulls me into his chest and I land with a thud. He lowers his face to my ear. “I’m going to make sure that you enjoy cuddling with me a lot more.” The heat of his breath causing my body to break out into goosebumps. “Trust me on that.” He growls causing a full body shiver.

The mirth and satisfaction in his eyes when he pulls away weren’t lost on me. Well, not too much anyway. My brain had gone into figuring out how he was going to show me that he was better to cuddle with. But at least after that, he helped me pick out a puppy.

I mentally shake my head and snap out of my thoughts of that day. It seriously seems like a lifetime ago now. I give Danny a small smile and nod. “Yeah, I did. I named him Dante.”

Danny

Dante. She named him the name that I had chosen. I feel like someone just sucker punched me in the gut. If I thought that my arm was killing me, that pain is nothing compared to how badly the ache in my chest is.

“Dante.” I whisper. “You kept that name?” I look over at her, my eyes devouring the sight of her. I’ve barely seen her these last few months and my eyes are drinking her in like she’s cold water after I’ve been in the desert for months.

She nibbles on her bottom lip. Something that she does when she’s nervous or feeling awkward. She gives me a tiny shrug. “It’s a good name. It suits him pretty well.”

“Yeah?” I smile at her, unable to help myself. She still has that twinkle in her eyes that she had when she first met him. I didn’t think love at first sight was real until I saw her fall completely in love with him that day.

The smile that she gives me is more genuine than the one that she’s been using since I got here. “He’s feisty, strong, smart, but sweet. He’s perfect really.”

“I’m glad darlin’. I’m happy that you have him.” I say whole heartedly.

I can see the shutter come over her eyes and I know that tiny glimpse is all that I’m getting. “Yup, sweet and loyal. The only guy that I need in my life these days.”

I groan, I can’t help it. “Stace, it wasn’t even like that.” I begin but am halted by her raised hand.

“I’m sure that it wasn’t Dan. But honestly it was the reminder that I needed.” She drawls.

My eyes narrow. “A reminder of what?”

“Of what your past is like. Of what and who you’re used to. It was the bitch slap that I needed to bring me back down to earth.” Her voice is so sad that I’m pretty sure it kills my soul.

“Stace,” I try again but am thwarted by the tiny woman who owns my heart and soul.

“Can you please just not?” Her eyes bore into mine, pleading with me. “I’m at work right now and can’t do this. I can’t be a mess. I have to be professional. So please, if it isn’t something medical related, please don’t call me into your room again.”

I grit my teeth and manage a brisk nod. I understand what and why she’s asking. I don’t like it, but I’ll abide by her wishes.

She gives me her fake and sort of creepy looking smile and turns to leave.

“Hey Stacey?”

I can see her shoulders sag. She turns