Page 110 of Not That Ridiculous

“If someone started trying to claim any part of my territory? I’d assert my dominance.”

“Okaaaay.”

“Just so you know.”

“Okay. I know.”

I wasn’t an idiot. He was still holding the side of Phil’s head, rubbing his ear gently.

He was as territorial about Phil as Dougal was about the coffee shop.

He’d been weird when Craig showed up in my drive yesterday, and I didn’t think he was too keen about the Jasper-Phil lovefest earlier, either.

“Good,” he said. “And sorry.”

“For?”

“I didn’t mean to cause a fuss bringing Phil in. It was supposed to be a nice surprise.”

“It was a nice surprise. My two favourite guys showed up. How is that not nice?”

My cheeks heated at my thoughtless words.Two favourite guys.

“Yeah?” Kevin settled a hand on my waist and shifted closer.

“Much as I hate to interrupt this enchanting moment,” Adam said from the doorway, “Jasper’s done something to the bean grinder, and a group of tourists just came in.”

“Right!” I said, leaping back. “I’m coming!”

Phil snorted with surprise at my sudden movement.

Kevin caught me with a hand around the back of my neck before I got out of reach, tugged me close, and pressed a hard kiss to my mouth.

“Oh,” I said softly when he pulled back, a little startled.

“I’m taking Phil to the park before I go to the gym. Do you want me to take him home after, or drop him at the newsagent’s?”

“Home, please.”

“All right.” He cut his eyes across the room to where Adam was leaning in the doorway, ankles crossed and hands in his pockets as he regarded us, his head tipped to one side. He looked back at me. “Bye,boyfriend. See you tonight.” He kissed me again.

I watched him and Phil leave out the back door, then girded my loins and turned to face Adam.

He smiled at me, wide and open in a way he almost never did. “Kevin Wallis, huh?” he said.

I opened my mouth to snap something sarcastic, and then…didn’t. “Yeah,” I said, and mentally rolled my eyes at how shy I sounded.

Out in the main shop, the grinder came on again and made a noise like it was choking on a rock.

I shoved Adam out of the doorway ahead of me, and rushed out to yell at Jasper.

20

And that was it. I was in a relationship with Kevin Wallis.

Kevin had decided that he fancied me, he loved my dog, he wanted to fix up my house and give me orgasms as often as possible, and when Kevin set his mind to something, it was a done deal.

Now, when he came into the shop every morning with Craig Henderson for his coffee and pastries, he leaned over the counter between us and kissed me before he sauntered off with his order.

---