Page 6 of The House Guest
He shook his head. “I’m not crazy about dogs.”
“Ohhh.” I gave him a disappointed look.
He tilted his head. “What?”
“People who don’t like dogs can’t be trusted. Cats, too.”
“And monkeys, I presume?”
“All animals, yes. It says something about you if you can’t tolerate the kind of pure, unbiased love they have to offer. It’s the purest form of love there is.”
“I didn’t say I couldn’t tolerate them. Just not interested in getting my face licked.”
“Face licked is better than balls nicked. The sooner you warm up to them, the better off you’ll be and the lesschance of that happening. They’re yours now, whether you like it or not.”
He grimaced. “Clearly they’re not happy with me.”
“They will be once they can sense the good in you. If what Benjamin says is true, I know it’s in there somewhere.” I grinned.
“What’s Benjamin saying about me exactly?”
“Just that you’re not all that bad.”
He cracked a smile. I was now able to appreciate just how gorgeous Dorian Vanderbilt was, as the ugly personality that had masked his face faded a bit. Actually,stunningwas probably the right word to describe him. A perfect, symmetrical nose to match his perfectly angular jaw. His eyes were a blue-gray color, like oxidized steel.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me…” I cleared my throat. “Now that I don’t have to move my crap out today, I’m gonna go make myself a late lunch.”
He gestured toward Tallulah and Tess. “Feel free to take them with you.”
I pointed to a chair in the corner of the room. “Go sit over there, Dorian.”
His forehead wrinkled. “Why?”
“That’s where your dad would sit at night and read or have a glass of scotch. Just humor me.”
Dorian moved to the corner of the room and sat in the upholstered chair.
I led the dogs over to him. “Come on, ladies. It’s okay. This is Dorian. Your brother.”
Dorian rolled his eyes and chuckled. “Great.”
“Tallulah likes to be rubbed between the ears. Tess, too. Don’t be surprised if Tess rubs her asshole on your feet, though. That’s just something she likes to do.”
“Something to look forward to.” He reluctantly rubbed between each dog’s ears until they seemed completely unaffected by him. Slowly enamored, actually.
I giggled. “I’ll leave you guys alone.”
After I left the living room for the kitchen, I ran into Benjamin.
“Dorian is letting me stay,” I announced.
He winked. “I knew he’d smarten up.”
“Smarten up, huh?” I nudged him with my elbow. “Seems to me likeyoutalked him into it.”
“I might’ve put in a few good words for you.” He shrugged. “I wasn’t gonna let you go without a fight.”
“I appreciate it, my friend.”
