Page 54 of The Bitter Rival

I run my hand down my face and reach for my cell phone. “Hey, Charlie. I hate to ask you to do this in this weather. Is there any chance you can pick up some dog food?” Pause. “No, I didn’t get a dog. I have a stray who’s been hanging around the house. I haven’t figured out where he comes from, but he just keeps coming back here. I’m unsure if he’s eaten. I’ll try to find a place for him tomorrow, but for tonight, I’m just going to let him stay in the garage.”

“I can head out right now, Dr. Lee.”

“No, no, Charlie. Wait until the weather calms down first. I don’t want you getting into an accident over some dog food.”

“Okay. What kind of dog is it?”

“It’s a chocolate lab. Why? Any idea who it might belong to?”

“Nah. I just didn’t know if it needed little fluffy dog food or big dog food.” He laughs.

Lord, I didn’t even think about that.

An hour later, Charlie comes to the door with a large bag of food. “Charlie, this will feed him for a month.”

“Well, I didn’t know how long he was staying.”

“One night. That’s how long he’s staying.”

Charlie squats down to pat the dog, and again, Boomerang rolls on his back, waiting for his belly to be rubbed. “This dog’s got to belong to someone. He’s too well cared for.”

“I think so too, but I contacted the police who don’t have any inquiries into missing dogs. They recommended I take him to the pound.”

I watch as Charlie scrunches up his face, mimicking my thoughts on the matter. “Don’t they put them down or something if no one comes to get them?”

“Hell, man. Don’t tell me that shit.”

“I’m just saying.”

Another large clap of thunder is heard outside the house, and the dog looks up. God, his big brown eyes are almost as hypnotic as Isabella’s. I guess it’s no surprise I’m caving to his staying overnight. I mean I’ve named the dog for God’s sake. The dog puts his head back onto his paws as if acknowledging his place.

“Let me know if you need me to take him out or anything, sir.”

“What? Dogs don’t pee in the rain?”

“Nah, I meant for a walk. I’m sure if he’s got to go, he’ll go rain or shine.”

“Well, he’s not staying long enough for me to worry with a dog walker, Charlie.”

“Okay.” He laughs.

Good lord. What’ve I gotten myself into here? Women and dogs in my house? The train’s come off of the tracks here.

Isabella

Dragging my weary bones into the house, I deposit the milk and bread on the counter before going to check on Austin. I’ve been working more evening shifts lately, and I tend to worry a little more, as Margaret is usually in bed at this hour. I know Austin will knock loudly or call me if there’s an issue. But I still can’t help but worry all the same.

Poking my head in the doorway of Austin’s room, I realize the day has caught up with him as he’s completely crashed for the night. I turn to the right, taking in the brilliantly majestic fall colors painted on the wall. It’s breathtaking. The mural is still in process, but it’s glorious. The detail with which he’s painted the individual leaves is incredible. They truly resemble the ones Luke and Jenna plucked off of the ground for him.

Suddenly, it dawns on me, he’s actually kept his word. I fully expected to see the leaves all over his bedroom floor. I try to be flexible with his process of painting on our walls but dragging a rake into the house to clean those up was where I needed to draw the line. Smiling, I start to back out of the bedroom doorway when something catches my eye. Looking closer, I see them. They’re all in his bed. He’s lying on those darn leaves.Ugh. I hope there weren’t any spiders in there.

I don’t have the heart to wake him up tonight. And he didn’t make a mess on the floor, so… I head back to the kitchen, shaking my head. I place the milk in the refrigerator and head toward the bathroom for a quick shower before bed.

Placing my nightclothes on the counter, I start the water. Feeling the hot spray hit my skin, I relax into the steamy liquid and give thanks for the week past and the one to come. I’ve had two interviews for the opening in the radiology department. I’m a little apprehensive about the job as it’s a busy emergency department and they’d prefer someone with experience. However, given my references from Jeff and the other supervising technicians, things still seem hopeful.

I apply the eucalyptus mint body wash over my skin and inhale the relaxing scent. Looking down, I shake my head and laugh. If someone could see me now. There are distinct bite marks around both of my nipples. I guess after he let me tie him up on his birthday instead of offering to let him do the same to me, it’s only fair. Gah! Every night with him is better than the one before. And it isn’t simply the sex. I’m clear on that now. The way he held me, stroking my hair and my back. It was so tender. I was chastising myself almost immediately for allowing myself to consider he could be treating me that way. But when he asked me to stay, I knew it was real. If only Austin had been with Bailey, I would have stayed.

Arriving at the house to pick up Austin was awkward. I don’t like lying to anyone, particularly my family. They were generous enough to watch my child so I could study, and instead, I went out for dinner and then home with Sebastian for an evening of hot and kinky. Luckily, there were no bite marks above the collarbone. Regardless of love bites giving me away, I think they suspected something was up. I’m thirty-seven years old, for gosh sakes. They can’t possibly think I’m celibate. Needless to say, I said as little as possible, grabbed Austin, and got the hell out of there.

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