Piper and Maddie were out front. I watched as Piper took a seat on the porch while Maddie went into the yard with a pail of toys.
This time, I wanted to make sure I said hi.
“Mind if I call you back?” I asked. “Something just came up.”
“Sure. But I better see you tomorrow!”
“You will.”
I ended the call and turned my attention to Mick.
“Come on, bud, let’s get some fresh air.”
Chapter 10
PIPER
Iknew it was wrong, but damned if I could help myself.
Ever since seeing Valentino yesterday, he’d been the only thing on my mind. Last night, Britt had snapped her fingers in front of my face more than a few times while we were out getting pizza, my mind continually drifting back to my impossibly sexy new neighbor.
“Mommy!”
Maddie’s voice cut through the air, snapping me out of my trance. I’d had her in the corner of my eye, but I wasn’t quite sure what she was yelling about.
“What is it, baby?” I asked, sitting up.
“Look!”
She pointed in the direction of Valentino’s house. Right away, I saw what she was talking about. Mick, her new best friend, was at the border of our property. His tongue was out, and I could tell that he wanted nothing more than to break into a run and go play with his new friend.
“Mick wants to play!”
“He sure does.”
I realized something—if Mick was out, that meant his owner wasn’t too far away. Sure enough, I turned my attention to the top of the steps in front of Valentino’s house to see that he was standing there. He was dressed in blue linen shorts that showed off his powerful legs, and a white polo that clung to the sculpted muscles of his upper body. On his face were a pair of tortoise-shell sunglasses and an easy smile.
“Hey, neighbor!” he called out, giving me a wave. It was no small distance between my house and his, so he had to raise his voice a bit.
It was more than a little surreal to see the man I’d been fantasizing about for the last twelve hours right there in the flesh. I felt a flutter of excitement in between my legs at the sight of him, my heart beating faster and faster.
“Hey!” I waved back, needing a moment to collect myself before I knew what else to say.
“Didn’t want to impose, but it looks like those two want to spend a little quality time together.” He nodded toward Mick and Maddie. “What do you say?”
Maddie’s eyes flashed with intensity. “Please, Mommy! He’s so cute!”
It was impossible to resist a little girl who wanted nothing more than to play with her new puppy friend.
“Sure—but only for a little while; we’ve got lots more unpacking and organizing to do, OK?”
“OK!”
“Go on, Mick!” Valentino’s voice carried across the yard. Mick, being the well-trained dog he was, waited until he had the go-ahead before breaking out into a run and cutting the distance between him and Maddie. Once he reached her, Mick wasted no time licking Maddie’s face like crazy as she giggled in delight.
Valentino stood with his hands on his hips, a smile on his face as he watched the two play. Part of me wanted to keep a bit of distance between us, but I knew it would’ve been rude as hell to not invite him over.
I lifted the pitcher of iced tea I’d brought out with me, big slices of lemon floating near the top.
