Page 74 of Further To Fall

My hands flew to my mouth. “Did he just pee on the bed?”

“Yes,” Austin gritted out.

“I guess he didn’t like being locked in the bathroom.” I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

Austin turned his blazing eyes to me. “I’m not letting him watch us fuck. I’m not into that voyeuristic shit.”

I couldn’t hold my laughter in any longer, and once it started, I couldn’t stop it. “I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t be laughing.”

“He ruined the comforter!” But as soon as the words were out of his mouth, Austin started laughing, too. “That damn dog.”

I wrapped my arms around Austin’s waist. “He’s a good dog.” Austin was silent. “Most of the time, he is,” I argued.

Austin just shook his head. “We need a dog trainer.”

“Oh, fine. Let’s go get some ice cream and throw out this bedding. Come on, Blue.” I rolled up the comforter, and Austin took it out to the trash. Well, I’d never forget my first time, that was for sure.

38

Carter

The next morning, I was tender. But I liked the reminder my sore muscles gave me every time I moved a certain way. I smiled to myself as I tapped out a text to Taylor. Of course, I had to tell my bestie that I had finally crossed that barrier with Austin.

She was thrilled for me and was peppering me for details I’d never give her. I hadn’t told Taylor about the new stalker developments other than glossing over a second break-in at the house. She knew I was staying with Austin now, but I didn’t want to worry her, since she was already dealing with so much stress, helping her mom recover from chemo treatments.

Taylor:Just tell me how big his dick is, and I’ll leave you alone. Or better yet, snap a dick pic!

I spit my coffee all over my placemat.

“Jesus, Carter, are you okay?” Austin stood from his chair across from me and grabbed a handful of paper towels.

“Sorry,” I coughed. “Taylor was being a perv.”

Austin just shook his head and handed me the towels. He was used to Taylor’s and my antics. “Do you want to spend the day with me at the gym?” he asked. “We can bring Blue.”

“Sure.” I took another sip of my coffee and succeeded in keeping it in my mouth this time.

Austin sat back down. “I have something I want to run by you when we’re there.”

“What?”

“Patience, Firecracker. I’ll tell you when we get there.”

“Oh, fine.”

We finished up breakfast and then headed to the gym with John following behind us in another car. I hated that this was the new normal, but I was grateful to have someone at our back—just in case. I found myself looking everywhere for any sign of a shadowy figure, clearly up to no good. Austin reached over and took my hand. “Everything will be okay, I promise.”

“I know, I’m just so sick of looking over my shoulder.”

He squeezed my hand. “We’ll check in with Detective Massey when we get to my office, see if he’s come up with anything.”

I leaned across the console and kissed Austin’s shoulder. “You’ve been amazing through all of this. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Good thing you’ll never have to find out.”

“I love it when you say that.”

He smirked at me. “I know you do.”

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