Page 64 of H E R

She squeezes back, and when I look at her, she’s beaming. She closes her eyes and nods approvingly.I like him, she mouths.

Me too. Too much.

Dylan’s phone buzzes and he thumbs through it, then places it near the gear shifter. The dark pools of his eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror, and just as quickly, his gaze shifts back onto the road. His expression is guarded and stealthy, fixed on something dire.

Who the fuck is messaging him?

He pulls up into the lot and Jasmin and I both pop up and lazily snake out of his car. Max barks and Dylan shushes him.

“I cannot believe you left him outside.” I bend and Max rushes to me and lets me lean into him for a hug.

What if he ran off? What if he got hungry or thirsty? What if the bugs crowded his space? I look up and shoot Dylan an angry glare.

“He’s fine. He loves it. He’s got his own shed out back and it’s stocked with water.”

I scratch behind Max’s ears, and he leans into my hands. “Yea, what about snacks?”

Dylan crosses his arms, and Jasmin clears her throat.

“Right, well, I’m gonna head on inside, and I’ll leave you two to discuss pet care arrangements.”

I stand, and Dylan takes my hand. “She’s staying with me tonight,” he says to my best friend, who’s retreating to our trailer, her eyes drooping and body ready to collapse.

I look up at him quizzically.Am I now?

Jasmin waves at me and winks. “Goodnight, Justice.”

Dylan brings my knuckles to his lips and nibbles them gently. “Come on, I’ll let you in. Make yourself at home. I’m going to feed Max.”

Dazed, I follow him to the door and watch as he unlocks it and guides me inside. The screen door closes behind me and I’m alone in his tiny mansion.

The inside is temperature controlled and impeccably clean. Nothing is out of place. Everything is sleek, new, and sturdy. The last time I was here, I was in a complete funk. Denial guided me and tore me open from the inside out.

Today is different.

I look out the window; the night sky is reaching its end, and a dull orange is creeping up the horizon. In less than forty minutes, the brightness will take over. I lean away from the shutters and search for a bathroom.

20

Redemption

Max’s dog house is a climate controlled shed that looks more like a one-room studio for a person. He’s trained with me since he was a newborn pup and loyal to a fault—until he met Niki. He’s sitting at the front door now, whining for her to let him in while I fill his food bowl, refill his water canister, and adjust the temperature. I whistle for him to come and eat, and he struggles to follow the command. I roll my eyes and stroll outside.

“Your food is there, Maximus. Choose wisely.”

Jason couldn’t have warned me about the invitation. He wasn’t able to get one, even if he’d upped the ante of his charms. But he knew more than one man was consumed with Niki and would make a move on her. It’s why he grew tense, watching me and praying I wouldn’t snap. I actually think I reacted quite well, considering the situation.

I pat Max’s head and stroll into the trailer, then lock the door behind me.

It’s silent inside, and for a second, I worry my little fox has retreated to her own trailer, but then Max wouldn’t have been glued to the spot he was still probably in. I take my shoes off and set them near the door, then peel my suit jacket off and toss it on the couch. I take my shirt off and smile when the missing buttons remind me of Niki’s eagerness and writhing body.

My dick begins to harden at the mere thought of her wet cunt taking me, her whimpers and lust-filled eyes.

I look around at the open space and frown. There are two bedrooms hidden from view, and I make my way to the master suite. I find her staring at my open closet, her fingers entwined in one of my shirts, her back to me.

She’s barefoot and wearing a black oversized t-shirt. It’s slightly tucked in by her hip, which shows off tiny blue shorts. Her hair is pulled back into a neat yet loose braid. I lick my lips at the sight of her. I’ve seen her dressed in seductive lingerie and naked, but this is her temptress outfit. When she’s relaxed, comfortable, and genuinely herself. I want todrop to my knees and do her bidding, kiss her ankles and pleasure her until she screams my name.

A woman like Niki doesn’t just give herself to anyone. Notreally. And I want to be the first and last man who gets the true her. Aimlessly, I throw my shirt into the hamper, and it alerts her to my presence. She turns and languidly trails her big brown eyes over me.

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