Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

Riggs

My boys are extra wiggly this morning.

And not in an excited, happy way.

Unfortunately, when my bags are by the door, my boys know I'm leaving.

Gretzky hates the bags so much, he's pissed on them a time or two. Gordie growls at them, and at the bottom of one are teeth marks from where he gnawed at it. Poor guys. It breaks my heart to know that leaving them makes them anxious. I wish I could take them with me everywhere. They're so well-behaved that I know they'd do awesome, but it wouldn't be fair to leave them in a hotel room or drop them off at a kennel they don't know when I'm at the rink. As much as I think they'd do great in the rink, and the players would enjoy kisses between plays, I know they'd get in the way.

I think that's why Dan suggested Clara. He knows how much the boys mean to me and that Clara would care for them like they're hers. I knew that fact from the jump. I also knew I wanted her naked at first glance.

Which has posed a wee bit of discomfort in my pants.

Okay, a lot of discomfort.

I'm fucking steel here.

All night, I tossed and turned as I thought of her. Her glossy pink lips, the challenge in her eyes. Fuck me, she's passionate. I love that she gets that determined little twitch in her nose when she's convinced she's right. I mean, she wasn't wrong, but I didn't want her to know that. I love how her eyes brighten when we talk about the four-legged creatures we both love, and what's best for them.

The seductive way her eyes drooped when she told me goodbye still has my cock harder than a frozen puck.

She's…got me in a choke hold, and I don't even think she knows it.

I hear the sound of dogs singing "Jingle Bells," which not only has my dogs going nuts but has my brows pulling together.

What the hell?

Before I even reach the door, I see a long bright-orange bus with groovy yellow, pink, and purple flowers painted all over it. It also has paintings of dogs, playing and sleeping in all sorts of places. The windows are covered with big flowers that have faces on them, and her business name is written in big bubble letters. It's so over the top, so loud and bold.

So her.

She honks the horn again, causing the song to restart, as she waves and grins widely at me.

I can't help but smirk.

This girl is way out of my league.

I throw open the screen door, and the dogs whimper beside me as she comes down the stairs. She's wearing a pair of yellow biker shorts and a pink crop top that has my mouth going dry and my cock straining against my slacks. He is still pissed at me that I didn't take her home after our dinner on Saturday. But I'm finding when it comes to her, he's an addict. I need to get him some help.

ASAP.

She waves at me, and I start for her, the boys hot on my heels. They are still wiggling and whining, wanting desperately to get to her.

Same, boys. Same.

"Go on," I say, and they shoot off to greet her. She drops to her knees and cuddles them close to her, kissing her noses and heads as she coos sweet nothings.

Lucky bastards.

"Y'all ready to go? Yay!" she gushes as they climb up into the bus. She follows behind but then pauses. "Wanna come in?"

I nod, unable to speak, as I get a full view of the tight globes of her ass. I want to bite each cheek, leave my mark so that if anyone gets a peek, they'll know her ass is mine.

I pause.

Well, that's a hell of a thought.

I swallow hard as I go up the stairs. Inside the bus are power fans to cool the dogs in the summer heat, while a bunch of pups sit in seats like fucking schoolkids with seat belts on. The bus is the same color inside as on the outside. Bright and overwhelming. Just like the girl who is cooing to all the dogs. They bark, howl and look so damn cute, I can't help but grin. I watch as she gets Gretzky and Gordie in a seat with Darcy. She gives them all kisses before turning to me. "Pretty nifty, huh?"

"Nifty?"

Her eyes dance with excitement. I see pride there too, and I can't help but also be proud of her. This is awesome. I'm overwhelmed by the color and how the sun plays off the light flecks in her navy eyes. I'm still smirking, and it feels so unnaturally natural, I'm worried about my health.

"Duh, dude. We're groovy around here."

I actually laugh. At her.

Of course. Disguising my laugh with a cough, I nod. "This is really awesome. You should be proud of yourself."

She beams. "Thank you. I am."

I nod, and I know this is my cue to go, but I can't. "Did you come from a workout?"

"I did." She looks down at herself. "I didn't get to change."

And thank fuck for that. I lick my lips and beg myself to keep my eyes on hers. "Did you eat?"

Why did I ask that? Why do I care?

Because she said the other night that she always forgets to eat and then inhales her food at dinner after a long day.

Foolish girl.

She gives me a surprised look. "I got an iced coffee," she says, pointing to the front where her coffee is in a cupholder.

"That's not food, lass."

Her eyes sparkle as a small grin moves across her lips. "I know, but I didn't have time."

"Make it," I demand, and her grin falls.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You're out here working your ass off, and it's hot as fuck out. You need to eat and hydrate."

She salutes me. "Yes, Coach, Sir, Man Guy!"

I give her a dark look, and she grins. She then leans in, and I get a whiff of her cherry smell that has my cock begging me to make all the bad decisions. Ones that involve her bent over the nearest surface. "Just so ya know, I'm an adult."

I scoff. "Barely."

She glares. "I am twenty-one years old, thank you."

"Aye. Yippee, huh? Go get you a drink with your twenty-one-year-old self, but God forbid you get some food, aye?"

Her navy eyes narrow. "Do you get more Scottish when you're annoyed?"

This fucking girl.

I blink, and I wait for the attraction to die down. I wait for myself to realize she is a baby and I can't fuck her.

That realization doesn't come.

And that pisses me the fuck off.

Through clenched teeth, I say, "That's adorable. Now, wait here."

"For what?"

"Because I told ya to," I throw over my shoulder at her. I look back in time to see her pout, her nose and brow wrinkling as I jog back to my place.

Why do I find that so cute?

I hurry into the kitchen, making her two peanut butter sandwiches and then cutting up some apples and strawberries for her. I select one of my travel cups and fill it with ice water before grabbing her key that I had made. I carry everything out and find her sitting in the driver's seat. Her brows pull together, and something flashes in her eyes as I close the distance between us and hand her everything I've made her.

"You made me food."

"Yeah. I can't have you falling over with my dogs."

"This is very kind of you." She takes a bite of the sandwich and grins. "I love PB and J."

I nod. "Good. Now, eat. And don't let me find out you've skipped meals again."

She grins, that damn challenge in her eyes. "And what happens if you do?"

This girl is just as much of a menace as her fucking fool of a dog. My fists clench as I keep my gaze locked with hers. I want to tell her exactly what will happen and how she won't be able to sit, but if I do that, she'll know I want her.

I can't want her.

Frustrated, I snap, "Just do it, aye?"

Flames dance in her eyes, and everything inside me tightens. "Maybe I want to know what will happen."

I blink. Is she flirting with me?

I swallow hard. "Believe me, you don't."

"Will you make me run laps?"

I glare at her, my heart slamming inside my chest. "No, I have something more in mind."

"More?" she asks, her lips curving in a sneaky little grin. "Are we talking, like, dirty more? Or, like, running more?"

Unable to handle her, I turn to the boys and kiss them both. When Darcy licks me, I glare at him. "Behave, you."

I should be saying that to his mom.

Clara's angelic giggles run down my spine, and my stomach clenches. "Tell Daddy bye, boys!"

Daddy.

Fucking fuck me sideways. My eyes drift shut as I inhale sharply. I turn to look at her, drinking her in and wanting her to say that again—but to me.

While my dick is deep inside her tight little cunt.

I gotta go.

"I'll be in touch," I say, moving past her.

"I sent you the link for the app. Make sure to get it so you can see all the pictures I post, and I'll text you when I get to the house tonight."

"I don't like apps."

She gives me a dry look. "Okay, Grandpa."

God, are you there? Help me, please. "Text me the pics, aye?"

"Aye-aye, Captain."

I want to laugh, but I don't want her to know I think she's funny. Or that I enjoy her messing with me. I nod, feeling like my heart is about to break free from my ribs. "Sounds good. Be safe, Clara."

"You too, Riggs."

I step out, and she closes the door behind me. I look over my shoulder when she hits the horn, grinning widely at me. I can't stop myself from laughing, which is unlike me. I can't help it. Not only do I hear the dogs barking to "Jingle Bells" again, but I swear she is a ball of sunshine. She's so luminous, and I love being on the receiving end of her glow.

Which I'm sure will end up burning me to ashes.