Page 1 of Edged

Chapter One

Kaley Clark drove her Fluff and Puff van down the road, proud of the professional yet friendly look of the logo painted on both sides. Impish dogs and sly cats and her contact information—the perfect advertisement of the business she’d started a few years ago and needed to thrive.

She parked in the circular driveway of the ranch style house, surprised not to see her client, Clara Pierce, waiting at the door to welcome people to her home. She hoped Clara was okay.

Securing her shoulder-length auburn hair, Kaley pulled her equipment out of the van, made her way up the front stairs, and rang the bell. Nugget, Clara’s Maltipoo, barked. The door opened and… Kaley took a step back.

Anthony, or Payne as they called him in the club, stood there, his black hair mussed, and his blue eyes dazed. “Can I help you?” His deep voice sent shivers up her spine.

“I’m—”

A voice Kaley knew well came from behind the man she couldn’t take her eyes off. “It’s Kaley, let her in, Anthony. Remember? She’s here to groom Nugget.”

“You’re the dog groomer?”

Kaley bit the inside of her lower lip, hoping her heart would resume a normal rhythm. She’d watched Anthony from afar, intoxicated by his powerful shoulders and piercing eyes. His intensity both excited and intimidated her. “People have trouble believing I’m the dog groomer.” She glanced down at her apron with her logo on it. “I don’t know why.”

“Maybe because you’d make the perfect model for painting,” he said, his gaze roving from Kaley’s head to her toes and back again. She warmed at the appreciative look in his dark eyes. “My apologies,” Anthony said, stepping back. “Come in.” He reached for her folded up grooming table. “Here, let me take that.”

“I’m fine.” She shifted past him.

Clara’s voice rang out strong and clear. “I’m in the family room, dear. Don’t let my grandson take you off guard,”

“Is she okay?” Kaley asked in a low voice.

“Sprained ankle. She’s been told to stay off it.” He shut the door as Kaley walked down the small hallway.

Nugget started whining and wiggling when she saw Kaley. “Hi, Clara.” The woman was sitting with her leg propped up on a pillow, trying to hold the energetic dog.

“Allow me,” Anthony said, maneuvering around her to remove the baby gate across the doorway. “We’re trying to keep Nugget confined to this room so Gran doesn’t go running after him.”

“I see.” Kaley slipped by him and smelled paint and turpentine. She’d heard Anthony was an artist, and his comment when she first arrived backed that up. Did he paint his models clothed or nude? Her body heated at the thought of being painted by him in the nude. Not that it was going to happen, but she could fantasize.

Nugget leaped out of Clara’s arms and launched herself at Kaley. “Easy, Nugget.” Kaley set her stuff down and caught the dog as she jumped into her arms. Laughter bubbled up as doggy kisses covered her face.

“Nugget,” Clara admonished.

“It’s fine,” Kaley said, tightening her arms around Nugget so the small dog didn’t fall. “Are you in pain, Clara? I could have done this on another day.”

“It’s nothing.” Clara waved her hands. “Doctor’s being cautious.”

“Doctor is making sure you heal,” Anthony said, giving Clara a pointed look.

Kaley’s knees weakened. There it was, that Dom stare. Oh yes, she’d seen him around Wicked Sanctuary, and she’d kept her distance. The man oozed power that made her apprehensive, but that didn’t stop her lady bits from sitting up and taking notice.

“The usual?” she asked Clara. She was here to groom the dog, not make eyes at Anthony. No matter what her body said.

“Oh yes, dear. That would be wonderful.”

“All right. Let me go set up in the laundry room, and I’ll come back for Nugget.” Kaley turned.

“Do you need help with anything?” Anthony asked as he cupped her elbow.

Tingles flowed from her elbow throughout her body. She didn’t want to react to him this way but couldn’t seem to control herself.

“I’ll be fine.” She watched him remove another baby gate and walked into the laundry room. Kaley was aware of Anthony watching her while she set up. Her skin prickled with…it wasn’t exactly excitement, but it wasn’t dislike either. In fact, it felt quite dangerous, something Kaley tried to steer well clear of.

“Come here, Nugget,” Anthony called, and the dog came running into the laundry room. Did everyone follow the man’s orders? Kaley picked the dog up and put him into the sink and began bathing him.

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