Page 14 of Training Rain
“Yas.” She watched the dog, and when she said the name, he picked his head up off the rug and turned to give her his full attention. His tail thumped against the hardwood floor.
“What does it mean?”
“Snow.”
He examined Yas’ dark speckled coat. Black and brown swirled together to form brindle fur. “Because that’s where you found him?”
“You found him.” She smiled and turned toward him.
His stomach jumped and his chest tightened. What was it about her? “I suppose I did.”
Yas stood and walked over to where Jess was sitting. His hand was resting on the arm of the couch. Yas tucked his nose under Jess’s palm. He patted the dog’s head and gave his ear a good scratch. “Now go lie down.”
Even though he’d said the words in a low, tired voice, Yas gave his fingers one lick before returning to the warmth of the space in front of the fireplace and lying back down.
“Did you make him do that?” He looked over at the other side of the couch. Her eyes were closed and her chest rose and fell slowly and evenly. He’d been so entranced by the dog, he hadn’t noticed her falling asleep.
Getting up, he longed to lean down and kiss her. She was so perfect and beautiful. He stood over her. “Rain, you should go to bed.”
She didn’t stir.
All day her hair had been pulled up and stuffed under a white cap. Now it fanned out across her cheek. He brushed it aside and took in how beautiful she really was. He had no right, but she was asleep and he indulged in looking at her for a long time. Everything about her was too much. Her lashes a bit too long, her skin a bit too smooth and now he knew it was also as soft as it looked. He wanted to explore her, but he wanted her awake, alert and willing. That was never going to happen.
With a sigh, Jess shook himself back to reality. He slid one arm under her knees, the other behind her back and lifted her. Yas followed at his heels as he took her to the bedroom.
He lowered her to the bed and her sleepy eyes opened. “What are you doing?”
“Just putting you to bed,cher.”
Her eyes closed, her lips were so close, so kissable. “Why do you sometimes slip into that Cajun accent?”
“Mmm.”
She was asleep again before he’d completely rested her on the bed. Immediately she rolled over and away from him. A shock of color poked out from the arm hole of her tank top where it stretched from her twisting. On closer inspection, he saw the edge of a red and black tattoo. What he could see looked as if it was the edge of a wing or maybe a horn. Everything about her made him want to know more.
He turned toward the door. Yas sat in the doorway watching him. “I’m going, pal. No need to look disappointed.”
The dog panted and followed him out of the room. Jess closed the door and Yas lay down in front of it.
A cold shower would be his best medicine, so he headed for the bathroom.
