Page 14 of Jay

“Jay. Pick Deuce up around ten-ish. His appointment is ateleven.”

“Got it. Later.” I walk out of the lounge and into my private room and think about the cute blonde I’ll be seeing tomorrow. Could Addy and Dex beright?

Could Cassie really like me? I do know they’re right about one thing: I need to move on from Rachel. Maybe Cassie is the one to help medothat.

cassie

Igroan loudlyas I look at the appointment list for today. I’m grateful for every appointment I get, but I know Dex or Addy will be bringing Deuce in this morning, and they’re going to question me about what happened with Jay yesterday at Castle Ink. I finish trimming the Bichon Frisé that’s on my table. Chris is currently cleaning out the bath ready for Deuce - now there is a dog that loves his bath. He just sits there and lets the water wash over him. I know that Addy or Dex are going to bring up why I ran yesterday, and I don’t really wanna tell them that I chickened out of asking Jay out for a drink one night. Addy had convinced me that he would say yes because he knows that he needs to get out more. I was going full steam ahead to ask him out, but then he walked from out the back room, and my mind went blank. It was like my brain had been taken over by someone or something, it refused to let mespeak.

My body heated up from the inside out, my palms were clammy. Sweat started running down between my boobs - and it’s November, for crying out loud! I can feel myself getting warm just thinking about him. There is no way that any man can have this much of an effect on a woman, he must have some sort of superhero powers. That’s it, I am one hundred percent certain that Jay Castle is a superhero. I wipe my sweaty hands down the front of my jeans, dreading the moment Dex and Addy walk through the door. Chris calls me from thebackroom.

“Cass.” I walk through to the back to see what he wants. He’s just finishing up cleaning the bath. I walk in and enjoy the view that’s in front of me. Chris is bent over the bath, drying it with a towel. His arse is pretty damn perfect. It’s a damn shame that he bats for the other side. I swear the man that lands Chris is one luckybugger.

“What’s up, sexy?” I ask, as I lean against the door frame. Chris slowly stands to his full height, making sure his headdoesn’tspin.

“I know you’re going to want to kill me but my sister just phoned and her car broke down. I need to go and pick her up.” He rushes out thewords.

“Okay, and why would I want to kill you for helpingStephanieout?”

“Umm, I kinda forgot to write down that Mrs. Jones is bringing in Dougie for a wash and trim. You’re going to have to do it, and I know that Deuce is on his way. I’ll come back as soon as possible, I swear.” He gives me the puppy eyes because he knows they work on me every,singletime.

“Oh shit,” I mutter, my heart rate picking up. I was banking on Chris running interference for when Dex or Addy dropped Deuce off. No chance now.Bugger.

“I know. I’m so sorry to leave like this, Cass, but I can’t leave here there on her own. She’s ready to pop that baby out soon.” His sister is nearly thirty-six weeks pregnant with her third child. I blow out a heavy breath and look at my friend. He loves sister, and he’s excited for the new baby toarrive.

“Tell me you love me.” Oh shit, the puppy-dog eyes again, and that bloody bottom lip. He sticks it out like he’s a poutingtoddler.

“Fine. Go. I still love you but you owe me big time for this.” He bounds over to me and kisses my cheek, wrapping me up in his burly arms. I breath him in because Chris always smells nice. He’s my safe place. Hecalmsme.

“I’ll be back as soon as possible.” He leaves the room and I walk over to finish preparing the bath for big Dougie. Dougie is a three-year-old GoldenDoodle.

Ten minutes after Chris leaves, Mrs. Jones comes through the door with Dougie. Her hair is perfect. She looks like a trophy wife; all big blonde hair and big boobs, legs that go on forever. She never looks bad, always done up to thenines.

“Hi, Mrs. Jones.” I bend down and scratch Dougie behind his big, fluffy ears. “Hey, Dougie.” His tongue laps at my face, making me laughoutloud.

“Ewwww, Dougie. NO,” Mrs. Jones shouts at him. He doesn’t stop, he’s a big, oldsofty.

“He’s fine, Mrs. Jones. Is it just a wash and trim?” I say, still kneeling on thefloor.

“Yes, please, Cassie. We have family coming down this weekend and I want him looking and smelling his best.” She hands me the lead andwalksout.

“I’ll text when he’s ready for pick up,” I yell after her. I shrug my shoulders and climb to my feet, pulling Dougie along with me to the bathing area. It’s like one big wet room. My father designed it for me. I start the shower and hook Dougie up, so that he doesn't run off. He’s a very temperamental boy. I pick up the shower head and start to wet his fur down, and lucky for me, he just sits there. For now. I add some shampoo to his fur and lather him up until bubbles are covering his fur and he looks like a giant fluffball. A bark comes from the front of the salon, and Dougie goes mental. He starts barking and jumping around inthetub.

“STOP, Dougie. Quiet down.” I try to calm him down but it doesn’t work. A bark comes again, and I know that bark. My heart starts to race because I know who is out in the reception area. Well, I thoughtIdid.

“Hello? Cassie?” comes a familiar voice. A deep voice I never thought I would hear today. The type of voice that makes women go weak at the knees. I bet knickers get wet listening to him speak. Holy heaven of Thor. Jay has brought in Deuce for his appointment, not Dex or Addy. Why me? I try to control Dougie, but he’s having none of it. He starts shaking his body and water and bubbles fly everywhere, soaking my clothes. I unhook his leash and try to grip him to calm him down. Dougie likes big hugs, so I’m praying this works. But nope. He shakes, and his fur ripples with the movement. Dougie jumps from the bath and I manage to catch him, but my foot slips on the water and we both tumble to the floor. I rise to a seated position and pull Dougie to me by his collar. I scruff up his face and pull his nose closetomine.

“I knew you were going to be trouble today, boyo,” I say to the soggy dog. He licks my face in response. “Yeah, kisses won’t work on me, bud.” I don’t move until I hear a throat being cleared from the door. My head snaps in the direction of the noise, and at the sight of Jay leaning against the door frame, my breath catches. Deuce is at his side, looking like the bad-arse dog he is. Gently pushing Dougie away, I go to stand, but me being the clumsy self that I am, I manage to slip and fall back onto my bum. Jay bursts out laughing but comes to myrescue.

His feet come into my view and I drag my gaze up his body. He’s wearing tanned boots that are halfway laced up, dark blue jeans and a black t-shirt, under a black leather bomber style jacket. Damn, he looks good. My lady bits tingle at the sight before me. This man really should be on the front cover of a men's fashion magazine. Women would swoon over him and then beg at his feet for him to take them to bed and ravish them. Hell, I want that. And yes, I am willingtobeg.

I squeeze my thighs together and my face heats up at my thoughts. My gaze lands on Jay’s face and I notice his crooked smile. Damn it, does he know the thoughts running throughmyhead?

“Thoughts… No. But I saw the way your thighs just clenched. I have an idea.” He winks at me and I pray to the Gods of Asgard that they open up the ground for it to swallow me up. I need to learn to not speak my thoughts out loud. I close my eyes and bury my head in my hands, taking deep breaths, trying to calm my erratic heartbeat. I feel a wet nose touch my bare arm, and I keep my head bent and covered from Jay, but twist to see big brown eyes staring at me. Yeah, Dougie has the whole puppy-dog eyes down to a T. I chuckle at him and a give him aquickhug.

“Cass.” Hearing my name come from his lips causes my body to rack with shivers, and my nipples to tighten beneath my t-shirt. I’m wearing my white – yes, white - Star Wars t-shirt. It has an Ewok on it with the caption ‘Ewoks are my spirit animal’. My mum bought it for me. I look up at Jay again and see that he has his hand held out for me, ready to help me up. I take his outstretched hand and climb to my feet. Our eyes lock, and I feel like the breath has been stolen from my lungs. How can he affect melikethis?

“Thank you,” I manage toforceout.

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