Page 27 of Incomplete
He crouched until we shared the same space, and his woodsy scent enveloped every fiber of my being. I swallowed hard and chewed my lip in response to his heated stare bearing down on me.
“Come on, sweet girl, we’ve got a show to finish.” He winked before scooping Sheba up in his arms, causing my heart to flutter while I was left convincing myself he was referring to the dog.
Together we resumed our baking show, and between our laugh-out-loud hysterics and Sheba’s cuddles, my flustered state of mind calmed.
“She’s really taken with you,” Boden commented.
“The feeling is mutual. How are you ever going to give her back?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I love having a dog around, but it’s not practical with my shifts. I’d feel bad leaving her alone for so long.” Sheba rolled onto her back again, leaving an invitation open for belly rubs.
“When’s your sister back?”
“In a few days.”
“Maybe you can play with me while your uncle is working? Would you like that, yeah.” I nuzzled my face in the side of hers. “I bet you would, wouldn’t you.”
I looked up at Boden, who was eyeing me with a knowing grin. “What? Don’t tell me you don’t talk to her in a cute, annoying baby voice?”
“No, it’s not that,” he smirked.
“Honestly, she can stay with me while you’re working if that helps,” I offered with no regard to probe further into what he’d thought because if he felt an ounce of this connection between us, I needed to shut it down.
Friends. I told myself we could only be friends.
Why did I feel I was close to adding a new mantra to my list?
“I’m off the next three days,” he said, letting me off easy.
“Any plans?”
“That depends.”
“On?”
“Whether or not I have company.”
I looked down at the sleeping pup curled up on my lap. “Good thing you have this little one, then.”
“True, but she doesn’t have the skills I’m looking for.”
I chewed nervously on my bottom lip, not sure how to respond.
“Do I make you nervous?” he asked.
“Maybe.” I swallowed.
He left the weight of my reply hanging in the air before offering me a reprieve with his intentions. “How are you with a paintbrush?”
I blew out a weighted breath, which nearly caused me to unravel. “It’s been a while, but it’s like riding a bike; once you’ve done it, you don’t forget how.”
“Perfect.” He winked. “I knew you had the skills I was looking for.” He leaned forward, put his glass on the coffee table, and plucked Sheba off my lap. “Time to get some shut-eye, beautiful, and be ready for us at eight a.m.”
What did I just get myself into?
Chapter13
Boden
