With Emily leaving for the rest of the day, it would make installation a whole lot easier and less of a struggle to keep certain cameras a secret.
Yeah, this turn of events was great.
So why didn’t he feel relieved?
Because he was admittedly frustrated for reasons that would now require a cold shower.
Chapter Ten
Emily was blessed… and frustrated.
Three days had passed since her friends helped paint her living room, and the ESI guys donated and installed an incredible security system. And they wouldn’t allow her to pay them. All she’d provided were some roast beef sandwiches, iced tea, and coffee. Heck, Lyndsey wouldn’t even let her pay for the cinnamon buns.
Yes, she was very blessed.
Earlier today, she’d rescued four tiny Beagle puppies from under the porch of a little old lady who owned seven cats. Although the woman didn’t own a dog, she told Emily there’d been a white and brown stray hanging around the past week. Given the fact the puppies were about a week old, it fit the timeline.
She’d set a humane trap to catch the mom and had circled back twice that day to check it and look around, but so far, no luck. All of the ACR officers were aware and would continue to scour the area.
It was now evening, and she was lingering at the shelter even though her shift had ended a half hour ago.
Emily glanced down at the squawking, squirming puppy in her hand as she tried to feed him with a dropper. Hopefully, the mother showed up soon.
She was hoping someone else showed up soon, too.
Three days had also passed since she’d shared several drugging kisses with Holden, and she hadn’t seen the guy since. Between her hours and his, they had yet to rendezvous for more “taste tests” as she’d coined them in her head.
Yes, she was very frustrated.
That was new for her. She’d never experienced sexual frustration before, and she wasn’t even sure if that was what to call it since they hadn’t even had sex. Yet.
God, she hoped there was ayet.
With a quick shake of her head, she swallowed a snort. Thoughts like that were so out of character. She’d only known Holden a little over a week and was fantasizing about falling into bed with the guy. A very handsome, hot guy.
“There is no timeframe on lust,” Mel said, snagging Emily’s attention. The woman was helping her feed the puppies.
But how had she known her thoughts?
“I’ve been in your shoes,” her friend answered, as if reading her mind. “Besides, I can feel your restlessness. So does the puppy. Why do you think he’s fussing? It isn’t hunger. He finished his dropper.”
Emily glanced at the squirming, tiny little dude in her hands. Mel was right, the dropper was empty. She’d finished feeding him milk, but he was still feeding on her frustration. Blowing out a breath, she concentrated on calming her pulse and her thoughts before she set the puppy back in his makeshift bed where his other siblings currently slept. He snuggled into the litter and settled right down.
“Now that their immediate needs are taken care of, let’s focus on you,” Mel said, sending Emily’s brows up. “Relax. I don’t swing that way, I’m talking about Holden. He arrived about ten minutes ago. I saw him through the window behind you. He’s in the yard, walking two pit bulls and a Doberman.”
What?
Her heart shot past calm and headed straight for alarm. There were several pit bulls in the shelter, but only one Doberman, and Klaus was a handful.
“I think I better go see if he needs help,” she said, surging to her feet.
Mel grinned. “Yeah, you gohelphim and yourself.”
Smirking, she left the puppies’ kennel then headed straight for the door that led to the fenced in walking area out back. Her mind questioned how she hadn’t seen him but then realized he’d probably grabbed the dogs from the outside access to their kennels and never stepped foot inside.
As Emily entered the yard, Holden gifted her with one of his amazing smiles. The kind that lit his gorgeous eyes and messed with her pulse.
“Hi, Emily,” he said, approaching with three calm dogs at his sides.
