Page 40 of Redemption in the Dark (The Righteous 5)
“He’s protecting you,” Wolf said from behind her, and this time she did let out a yelp as her heart jerked and her stomach flipped in her body.
She glared over her shoulder. “Does no one in this place believe in making noise when they walk?”
He looked way too sexy with his black sweatpants sitting low on his hips and no shirt on. Wolf’s arms were crossed over his chest, showing off his well-defined, muscular arms as well as a set of abs that would make anyone’s mouth water. He needed to be on a menu that only she could order from—he was that delish.
She didn’t usually mind sharing. “The more, the merrier” was her motto, but a possessiveness prickled at her mind as she looked him over. Her eyes traced the lines of the tattoo peeking above and below his crossed arms that lead into his pants, and she had to peel her eyes away from the candy that was him to focus on his face.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I just didn’t want to interrupt the two of you. He hasn’t done that in a long time.”
Duke peered around her leg at Wolf but stayed put as she continued to rub his head. “What do you mean he’s protecting me?”
Wolf pushed away from the wall, and as he did, she mentally scolded herself to keep her eyes on his face.
“Duke’s a veteran. It was his job to look out for his handler.” A shadow crossed Wolf’s face, his eyes holding a sadness in them, and she understood all too well.
“What happened to his handler,” she asked because the way he saidhis handler,she had a feeling that it wasn’t him.
Wolf reached out and scratched the side of Duke’s head, their fingers softly brushing, sending little butterflies off in her stomach.
“His handler didn’t make it back from overseas, and Duke saw it happen. He hasn’t been the same since.”
Wolf raised his eyes to hers, and she wanted to cry, but she didn’t even understand why. Clearing her throat, she looked down at the dog whose eyes made her want to cry as much as Wolf’s.
“So why is he protecting me?”
“I don’t know, maybe he thinks you need it, or maybe he just likes you better than me. I’m sure that shocks you since I’m so easy to like.” Wolf smiled as he teased and slowly stood. “One thing is for certain, no matter how much Duke likes me, if I tried to hit you right now, he’d rip my face off. It’s an honor to have an animal choose you like that, Maeve.”
Wolf made his way to the kitchen, and she didn’t know what to say as she watched him calmly walk past like he hadn’t just complimented her and ripped her heart out in a single go.
“Would you like a coffee? I’m not sleeping anymore tonight and can put a pot on.”
“I’d love one, thanks.” Maeve stood, and as she did, Duke moved from between her legs and once more glued himself to her left leg. “Should I tell him to stop?”
“I can teach you his commands. I know them all.”
He looked over his shoulder, and her heart and stomach did a complete backflip that made her legs shake. Why God felt the need to torture her, she had no clue. She also couldn’t fathom why fate had placed her in this man’s home. Or why she kept having inappropriate thoughts of him ordering her around like a dog, but suddenly she wanted a studded collar and to get down on her knees. Fuck, at this point, she’d beg for even a good girl.
Unsure her voice wouldn’t come out sounding like a pubescent teen, she nodded and made her way to the couch. A blanket was folded up at the one end, and she grabbed the brightly colored piece of material, wrapping it around her shoulders. Its large size swallowed her before she curled up cross-legged. Duke hopped on the couch and laid his head on her lap, and as soon as her hand found his fur, she felt calmer.
She’d never been a dog person. She hadn’t disliked them, just never had one as a child. Her stuffed Bunny was the closest thing she had to a pet. Then she took a left turn in life, and the thought of having a pet was not even possible. She’d been in no head space to look after a living creature, especially when she couldn’t look after herself.
“Thanks, Duke,” she said softly as her hand slowly ran the length of his body. He made a small whine sound and looked up at her. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to tell me.”
“You tell him to, settle. That is his command to relax and know that he is off duty,” Wolf called out from the kitchen as the coffee started to drip.
She felt oddly insecure speaking to the dog with an order but whispered, “settle.”
She could feel Duke’s head get heavier on her leg before his eyes closed. Where all of this raw emotion was coming from was beyond her, which seemed to be the norm around Wolf, but she had to wipe away a tear as she continued to pet Duke.
The sound of the freezer door opening had her looking up. She followed Wolf’s every move like she was his stalker, the way he opened the loaf he pulled out of the freezer and then proceeded to whip up some type of batter with spice. He was so confident and secure in his skin, and she envied that about him. For just a day, she wished she knew what that was like.
“French toast?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m making French toast. Would you like some?” He held up the heavy-looking black pan.
“I’ve never had it before, but I’ll eat whatever. I’m not picky.” She lifted her shoulders and let them drop.
