Page 43 of Stunner (Whiskey Dolls 3)

“You know, if we have a few minutes to spare, I’d like to take a look at Triumph, see how he’s healing.”

“Sure. Of course.” I stepped aside so he could enter, desperately trying not to swoon into a puddle right there on the floor.

He moved with ease into my apartment, his sheer size making the whole thing feel smaller, and crouched down low, stroking a giddy-with-excitement Triumph as he talked low and lovingly.

My mom looked at me with wide eyes, mouthing,“So hot,” before fanning herself. I waved her off with a glare before he could see her, but I’d be damned if I hadn’t been thinking the same thing.

“He looks good. Everything healing up great,” Owen said as he rose back up to his full height. “You’re taking great care of him, sweetheart.”

Swoon!

“Thanks,” I murmured almost bashfully.

He held out his hand for me to take, that soft smile back on his chiseled face as he asked, “You ready to go?”

“Yep. All ready.” I took his hand, mine feeling so small and delicate as his long, strong fingers wrapped around it. “Mom, be sure to lock up on your way out.”

“No worries, sugar pie,” she said with a wave. “I’ll take care of everything. You two have a good time. And I know you’re both fully grown, but neither of you are too old for condoms. Safe sex is the only way. Remember that!” she called loudly as I slammed the door on her.

Kill me now.

20

ASHER

“I’m telling you, man, there’s something dead in there. It’s not normal how bad his farts smell.”

I hid my snort behind the rim of my glass before taking a sip of my Manhattan as Marin threw her hands up in exasperation. “Pierce, do you really think this is the right time to be having a conversation like this?” she asked her husband, who’d been talking to Owen about his dog’s flatulence problem for the past five minutes, hoping my date would have an answer for him.

“Something has to be done,” he demanded with a pout. “I can’t take it anymore.”

“It’s not that bad,” my friend insisted with a roll of her eyes.

Pierce let out an indignant snort. “Really? So you’re saying Titandidn’trun us out of our own room last night? My back’s still shot from sleeping on that damn couch.”

I took another drink in an effort to fight back my need to laugh. If this conversation lasted much longer, I was going to getreallydrunk, which didn’t bode well for the plans I had for later.

“It could be his diet,” Owen offered casually, totally at ease, no matter the topic of conversation. “Do you feed him tablescraps? Some dogs can’t handle people food. That could be the problem.”

“We don’t feed him scraps, but that doesn’t stop him. Damn dog’s getting into the trash every time I turn around. I don’t know what to do. I’m at a loss. The dog is untrainable!”

“Have you thought about keeping your garbage can in a cabinet, maybe?”

At Owen’s suggestion, Pierce and Marin looked at each other, and by their expressions, it was clear they hadnotthought about that.

Seeing that look, Owen spoke again. “Look, don’t beat yourselves up. It’s easy to have the answers when you’re trained to handle them or aren’t living with the problem. Pets can be as stubborn and trying as humans. Give the cabinet thing a try for a couple of weeks. If the smell doesn’t get any better, bring him in. We’ll figure it out, and you’ll have your room back. I promise.”

“Thanks, man,” Pierce said, his relief palpable.

“Any time.” With the fart conversation over, Owen looked to me with a smile. He leaned in to place a quick kiss against the skin right below my ear before asking, “You need a refill, baby?”

I was sure my face was downright goofy as I nodded. “Uh-huh.”

He took my empty glass with a wink. “Be right back.”

He and Pierce wandered over to the bar to grab refills for Marin and me, and as soon as their backs were turned, Marin closed the distance between us and hissed, “Oh. My. God!” I forced my eyes from the tantalizing view of Owen’s ass in those dress pants and transferred my ridiculous smile to her.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love my man, and I will go to my grave thinking Pierce is the hottest thing on two legs,” she continued, and she had the right. Her manwasgorgeous as hell. “But how Owen looks at you and touches you like he can’t get enough?”She waved her hand in front of her face. “I think you two are at risk of setting the fire sprinklers off.”

---