Page 65 of Unexpected Ventures

I breathe, “Yes.”

He smiles into my mouth. “Don’t worry, I brought you a bag of toys too.”

I swallow hard. I have no idea what that means.

The sound of giggles causes us to pull apart. The kids are getting louder and must be coming back around to the front. Dominic mouths, “Later,” as I nod.

I need a minute to collect myself. My panties are soaked. I have to fan myself with my hand to calm down.

Dominic is now a few feet away from me, but he inhales deeply. He turns around, looks down at the area now throbbing for him, gives me a sexy smile, and licks that lower lip of his. His ability to smell my arousal is not helping my current situation.

The kids come into sight. Valentina shouts, “I think she’s hungry. She was trying to eat the grass. And she kept trying to hug our legs.”

Hug our legs? I have to hide my smile. It figures Dominic would have a horny dog. “She must be a hugger like your father.”

Dominic winks at me before he pulls out a big bag of food from the trunk of his car. As soon as we walk in the door, the dog takes off for the kitchen table. The kids had dropped a few of their snacks on the ground, and she quickly gobbles it all up. I guess she was hungry.

We have dinner while the dog has hers. I turn to Dominic. “What kind of dog is she?”

“She’s a Goldendoodle. Part Golden Retriever and part Poodle. They’re supposed to be excellent with kids.”

As the puppy finishes her dinner, she flops over to us and starts eating what the kids have dropped on the ground from their dinner.

Matteo watches her with glee. It’s adorable.

Dominic smiles as he looks at Matteo. “Have you thought of any names?”

In his little voice, he says, “Aspiradora.”

I snort my drink from my nose and start coughing. Dominic silently laughs as he looks at Matteo. “Why Aspiradora?”

Matteo points to the puppy continuing to clean the food off the ground. I get it. The dog is like a vacuum cleaner.

Dominic nods. “Well, Matteo, Ilovethe name Aspiradora. It reminds me of someone I know.” He smirks as he gives me a little side-eye. “Maybe we can call her Dora as a shorter nickname.”

Matteo smiles and nods in agreement.

Luke looks up at me. “Mommy, Colton said that the little league is doing a father-son night at the Phillies baseball game next week.” That’s the local professional baseball team in Philadelphia. “Can you ask Uncle Trevor to take me?”

I had seen that email come through. I know Trevor will be out of town that day. I considered calling Gary, but we haven’t seen him in six months. I was planning to ask the little league if I could go with Luke but didn’t want to mention it until I had an answer.

I give him a small smile. “Honey, Uncle Trevor is out of town that day for work. I’ll ask if I can take you.”

Luke puts his head down. “No, that’s okay. I don’t want to be the only one there with a girl. Maybe next time Uncle Trevor will be in town.”

My heart breaks for my baby. He got such a shit deal when it came to his father. Trevor said he’d cancel his trip, but I wouldn’t let him. He does enough for Luke.

Dominic shrugs. “If you want, I’ll go with you, Luke. I’ve been dying to take Matteo to his first game. Maybe the three of us can go together. You can teach him about the players.”

Luke’s face lights up. “Can he, Mommy?”

I turn to Dominic. “Are you sure?”

He smiles. “Absolutely. If you’re good with it.” I nod, trying not to let my emotions overtake me.

Valentina interrupts, “Excuse me, baseball isn’t only for boys. Maybe I want to come too.”

I can’t contain my smile. Valentina is a girl after my own heart. “You’re right, though I’m happy to spend that day with you doing whatever you want.”

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