Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 82(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 82(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
But as Damien reaches the threshold, Doug makes one final desperate attempt at freedom. He twists violently in Damien's grip, his small body writhing with surprising strength. Damien adjusts his hold, finally getting Doug under control.
"Come on, you little escape artist," Damien says, stepping fully into the hallway with Doug secured in his arms.
I follow them to the doorway, my hand on the door frame. Damien turns back to face me, and for a moment we just look at each other across the threshold.
"I should—" he starts.
"Yeah," I agree quickly, though I'm not sure what either of us was going to say.
I'm about to close the door when Doug suddenly erupts into violent motion again. This time, his struggles are successful. He slips from Damien's grip like a furry eel and hits the floor running.
Straight back into my apartment.
"Doug, no!" Damien lunges forward, but Doug is already past me, his tiny legs carrying him toward my living room at breakneck speed.
Panic seizes me. The thought of being alone with him, who might destroy my apartment or hurt himself out of spite, overwhelms every rational thought in my head.
I don't think. I just react.
I throw the door wide open and run straight to Damien, launching myself into his arms without any consideration for dignity or propriety or the fact that I'm wearing pajama pants and no bra under my oversized sweater.
His arms come around me automatically, catching me against his chest. I wrap my legs around his waist, my arms around his neck, clinging to him.
Damien's hands settle on my back, one between my shoulder blades, the other dangerously low on my spine before he lowers both to grip my thighs. I can feel the heat of his palms through my sweater, the solid strength of his chest pressed against mine.
That's when I realize what I've done. I'm wrapped around my landlord like a koala, my face buried in his neck, breathing in his scent. I can feel every inch of his hard body against mine.
He smells incredible, but he feels even better.
I pull back just enough to meet his eyes, and the intensity I find there steals what little breath I have left. His gray eyes are dark, focused entirely on my face with an expression I can't quite read but that makes butterflies flutter in my belly and my pulse race.
We're so close I can see the flecks of silver in his irises, can feel his breath against my lips. His gaze drops to my mouth for just a moment before returning to my eyes.
Oh no. I'm in big trouble.
3
DAMIEN
She's wrapped around me like a vine, her legs locked at my back, her arms around my neck. The suddenness of it knocks the breath out of me. For a split second, I freeze, my hands instinctively gripping her thighs to steady her. Her face is inches from mine, those blue eyes wide with something between panic and wait, is that desire?
Doug's nails click against the floor as he disappears deeper into Alyssa's apartment, but I can barely focus on that now. Not with her soft body pressed against mine, the heat of her pussy against my stomach.
I clear my throat. "Doug won't hurt anything. He's just exploring."
"He hates me," she whispers, still clinging to me.
"He doesn't hate you." I adjust my grip on her thighs, trying not to think about how perfect they feel under my hands. "He's just protective. I need to show him you're a friend."
A friend. Right. Because friends hold each other like this, pressed so tight you can feel each heartbeat.
"What do you mean?" Her breath fans against my face.
"Dogs are pack animals. If he sees me accepting you, he'll follow suit."
She blinks, processing this. "So you have to ... what? Pet me?"
Christ. The image that flashes through my mind makes my cock twitch against the zipper of my jeans.
"Not exactly. Just ... be around you. Show him we're comfortable with each other."
Her arms loosen slightly around my neck, but she doesn't let go. "So I should stop hanging off you like a monkey?"
The corner of my mouth twitches. "Probably not the worst idea."
I expect her to disentangle herself immediately, but she hesitates, her eyes dropping to my mouth for just a moment before she slides down. The friction of her body against mine sends a jolt of electricity straight to my groin. I grit my teeth, fighting for control.
"Sorry." She straightens her sweater once her feet touch the floor. "I panicked."
"It's fine." It's far from fine. I'm suddenly very aware of how small the hallway is, how close we're standing, how she smells like vanilla and something warmer, spicier. "Let's go find Doug before he nests in your yarn."
The mention of her precious materials gets her moving. She turns and hurries back into her apartment, and I follow, shutting the door behind us.