Page 15 of Clint & Ivy

“Are you ready to feel the heat of such masculine energy?” Elle asked Ivy before lifting the latch and releasing Hanzee.

The little shit bolted from the carrier and walked around the condo with his tail on high alert. Once he decided nothing was out of sorts, Hanzee returned to sniff the new person.

Giggling over the little dog, Ivy hid none of her excitement. Hanzee quickly realized the pretty blonde was going gaga over him, so he sat his ass next to her on the ground and let her pet him.

“My people and I raided a farm years ago and found a few litters of Chihuahuas. Many of us got one.”

“Mine is named Hobbs,” Elle explained. “He’s far more handsome than this turd-muncher, but you’ll see that tomorrow when you come over for dinner.”

As Ivy and Elle doted on a spoiled Hanzee, I was comforted by my sister’s presence. The next week or two would involve many changes, and I worked best with my team.

IVY

In my entire life,the only time I felt truly in control of myself was when I was locked away in my bedroom suite. I’d imagine various scenarios with my imaginary friends. We went on fun trips and saw the world.

In my head, I was the life of the party and said many wild things. Yet, once a real, live human being entered my space, I shut down the best parts of myself and waited to be bossed around.

With Clint, I couldn’t hide. He’d rather I say something wrong than say nothing at all. For us to get to know each other, I’d need to show him the real me. As we stood in the kitchen, I started feeling more casual with him.

Once Elle arrived, I felt powerless again. She was the kind of woman I wasn’t—tall, strong, and confident in her skin. I didn’t blame her for not liking me.

Still in the kitchen, I listened to Clint and Elle speak near the windows. I didn’t hear every word, but enough to know she thought I was bad news and Clint wasn’t sending me away.

Nearby, a little dog shuffled around in a small black carrier. I wanted so badly to get closer and see it.

When I was little, my mom had a friend who came to stay with us. The woman owned a Pomeranian named Star. I absolutely loved the little dog!

I would take her for walks around the estate and have her play in my room. When Geraldine and the woman had a falling out, I was crushed over losing my new furry friend. I cried every day for weeks, praying my mom would feel enough pity to get me a pet of my own.

“They’re filthy and will give you diseases,” Geraldine insisted when I begged for a dog or cat. “You’re too sick for a pet.”

After Geraldine died, I nearly talked my uncles into letting me get a pet, but they always found a reason why we had to wait. Looking back, I didn’t know why I hadn’t adopted a pet online, had it delivered, and hidden it. My uncles ignored me a lot after I was an adult. I could have done many things if I’d been braver.

A powerful man like Clint ought to have a big dog. The animal enclosure in front of the windows was sized for a larger animal.

But Hanzee was a little fluffy Chihuahua. I dropped to the ground as soon as he left the carrier. To my delight, the dog circled the area before hurrying back to me. Soon, he crawled into my lap.

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