imagine how it would feel if he squeezed. “I’m a scientist and I was just explaining the biological reaction to anxiety.”
“Right,” she said with a snort.
He pulled a little more of her panty free. “A neuroscientist,” he clarified. “I study brains for a living.”
Carly snorted. “Uh-huh. And I’m a supermodel.”
He knew she was not a supermodel, but Max was attracted to women who had curves, and he was discovering that Carly had some of the most enticing curves he’d seen in a very long time. He managed to get a bit of the zipper undone and discovered she was wearing a thong. “Seriously. I am,” he muttered absently, absurdly transfixed by that thong and imagining all the places it went on her body.
“Please hurry. This is so awkward.”
“What is awkward? Me being a scientist? Or the zipper?” He managed to free the thong and unzipped the zipper.
She whipped around. “Thank you!” She reached behind her to the zipper.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. That thing is, like, way too tight.”
She glared at him with her flushed cheeks and sparkling blue eyes and with the memory of her hip still on his fingers, he was, once again, slightly aroused.
“Max?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for freeing me. But I’ve had a really long day. Really long. Being stuck in this skirt and having to ask you to free me is just the icing on the cake. My sister is having her fourth meltdown of the week because her children are demons and she is a pushover. These dogs are eating all my nice things and one of them is stinking up the place, and I had to throw out my Jimmy Choos. Victor is questioning the show lineup, and I haven’t had even a moment to go to the store and get the jug of wine that I so richly deserve, so if you would be so kind as to take your dog and go and let me wallow in my self-pity, I would appreciate it.”
A number of responses flitted through Max’s brain. A number of questions, too. But she looked at the door, and it was late, and it was clear he needed to go. “Can I reimburse you—”
“Nope.” She sighed. And then she smiled a little. He would even say it was a warm smile. “Thank you for the offer. Really. But it’s not necessary. I was just making a point.”
So this was it, then. He looked around her to the dogs on the couch. “Hazel, come.”
Hazel obediently crawled off the couch. Baxter followed, trotting after her.
“Here are her things,” Carly said, gesturing to the box he’d sent home with her.
Max picked them up and started for the door. The two dogs trotted ahead.
“Baxter,” Carly said wearily. “The last thing I need is for him to get in the herb garden again.” She went around Max to the door to grab Baxter.
Max opened the door, and Hazel trotted out without a single look back. Baxter tried to go, too, but Carly held on to his collar. Baxter’s tail began to wag pretty hard. He whimpered. Max dipped down and rubbed Baxter’s nape. “You’re a good dog, Baxter. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. And you come see me if you ever need a couch.”
“Dogs do not belong on couches. Baxter knows that,” Carly said, and got down on her knees next to him to hold him from racing after Hazel.
Max stepped out onto the porch. He paused there and turned around. “Carly, I do want to thank you again for your help. Sincerely. I don’t know what I would have done.”
She softened and smiled again. She had an adorable smile. “Don’t mention it,” she said. “I really like your dumb dog.”
“I think she likes you, too.” He glanced at his car where Hazel was patiently waiting. And still, he couldn’t make himself go. He turned back once more.
Carly was still smiling. “Sorry for biting your head off,” she said. “I’ve been pretty stressed lately.”
“Apology accepted. Sorry for explaining anxiety to you.”
She laughed a little. “Apology accepted. I did need to calm down because I was on the verge of one helluva panic attack. I was imagining having to call the fire department. That would be humiliating.”
Max smiled. He walked off the porch. He could hear Baxter whimpering and trying to scamper behind them. He turned back.
“Take care of yourself,” Carly said, and shut the door.
Max walked on to his car. He opened the door to the back seat and Hazel climbed