Winking!I did not wink.
Gabe barked out a laugh, which then caused barking to start from the other side of his condo door. “Hold on, Pucks. I’m coming, I’m coming.”
Would I be saying that last part later? I bit back a snort. I wasn’t that tipsy right now, but my brain was officially in the gutter.
“Sorry,” he said. “Why are you smirking?”
“What? Umm, I’m not. Can I meet him now?”
He laughed. “I’d like to tell you that he’s well-behaved and won’t jump, but he’s three and still acts like a puppy when he gets excited.”
“As long as he doesn’t pee on me.” Being peed on would definitely be a mood killer.
“He’s usually good, I promise.”
I snickered. “Gabe, just open the door already or he’s going to bust through it. I’m sure the neighbors would love that.”
Gabe unlocked his door and barely pushed it open before a fluffy, adorable dog had his paws on Gabe’s suit-covered thighs.
My first thought was how I could relate. I wanted to get my hands on Gabe’s amazing thighs, too. I giggled.
“Whoa, Pucks. I missed you, too, buddy.” Gabe gently guided the dog back so I could enter the condo behind him. Then hecrouched down to let Pucks lick his face and shed dog hair all over his tailored suit.
“Okay, Pucks. You know how I’ve told you about Dani a lot? Well, she’s finally visiting, so you’re going to be on your best behavior, right? We want to win her over.” Then he leaned in closer to Pucks’s ear. “She’s a cat lover.”
It was adorable. Which was a word that hadn’t been very prevalent in my vocabulary until I met this man. He was just a big, hot softie, and I was a huge fan of that, apparently.
“Cats are wonderful,” I grumbled.
Gabe looked over his shoulder at me, flashing me a grin, then focused on the dog again.
“See what we’re up against? So, be the goodest pup ever, okay?”
Pucks licked his face—in agreement, I guess—and then sat back, looking at me as Gabe stood up.
“Nice to meet you, Pucks. I’ve seen all your videos,” I said with a laugh. I swear he understood me as his tongue lolled out in a doggie smile. Gabe’s smile matched, but he kept his tongue in his mouth.
I scratched Pucks’s ears, and oh my god, they were so soft. He leaned into my hand in response.
“See. Totally in love with you already.”
There was that word again. Not that Gabe meant anything serious by it, but it made my chest clench for a second.
“He’s not bad, I guess,” I said, unable to stop smiling. The combo of a few drinks and an adorable man and equally adorable pup had me giddy. I did not get giddy.
“I’m going to run him upstairs quick to pee. The owners set up a little dog area for the pups in the building, so we don’t have to take them down to the street all the time. Want to come?”
“Sure.” The cool night air would probably do me good right now.
Gabe grabbed a leash and we headed back to the elevator to take a quick ride to the rooftop.
This building was amazing. Every amenity anyone could need. And when we walked out of the elevator, I took it all in. There was a pool and loungers, twinkle lights everywhere, and an outdoor gym set up.
I loved my home, but it definitely wasn’t nearly as fancy as this. And the cool air felt good as it washed over my overheated body and cleared my head.
“You look so peaceful,” Gabe said, startling me out of my thoughts when he stopped next to me. “I’m sorry if tonight was a lot.”
“What are you talking about?”
