Page 61 of Sit, Stay, Love
He gazed at her, his eyes flitting back and forth, his expression desperate. Then he quickly leaned in and crushed his mouth to hers.
Her world became oddly quiet, the sounds of the bush vanishing, the barking of the dogs just a whisper on the wind. She fisted the grass, her fingers ripping at the green shoots, as a warm shiver tickled at the nape of her neck.
Their knees lightly touched as their bodies instinctively curved towards each other, and her heart lurched just from that tiny hint of heat.
He teased her lips open with the tip of his tongue, the warm sensation rocking her from head to toe. She followed his lead, deepening the kiss, as her toes scrunched in her boots and her pulse raced.
She wasn’t sure how long her lips had been on his when the sound of a clearing throat broke the hot kiss.
She glanced up in a half daze to see Toby standing at the gate of the exercise area, his jaw hanging and his skin ashen.
‘Uh… the dogs are… um…’ He rubbed his chin. ‘They’re back in their kennels.’
Sera’s face was engulfed in an inferno. She scrambled to her feet. ‘Oh. Th-thanks.’
‘Are you okay, Ethan?’ Toby asked.
Ethan nodded. ‘The cute fluffy white one bit me.’
‘Yeah? The little ones can be real shits. I can’t tell you how many have sunk their teeth into me. Make sure you clean it up. Dogs mouths can be pretty gross.’ He glanced over his shoulder. ‘I, um… I should go, I guess. I’ve got to get back to the surgery.’
‘I’ll walk you out.’ Her throat was tight, and she was having trouble catching her breath.
Ethan pushed himself up. ‘I’ll go wash this.’
‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ she said. ‘I’ll dress it for you.’
‘See ya, man,’ Ethan said to Toby.
Toby nodded.
Sera trudged beside Toby towards his truck, their feet impossibly loud on the rough dirt of her driveway. Her stomach churned and blood whooshed in her ears. She was so desperately mortified, and she didn’t quite know why.
‘Was that the first time you’ve kissed him?’ he asked without looking at her.
She didn’t answer.
He blew out a long breath. ‘I’m guessing that means no.’
‘We kissed for the first time last night,’ she said, trying to still the tremble in her voice. ‘But we decided we shouldn’t do it again, because we’re working together.’
He snort-laughed. ‘That decision obviously stuck.’
‘I don’t know what happened.’
His face searched hers. ‘You really like him, huh?’
She nodded.
‘Not just hot for him?’
She shook her head. ‘He’s sweet and we get on really well.’
‘I guess I hadn’t realised you were looking for someone.’
‘I wasn’t. I haven’t liked anyone for ages.’
A tight hiss left his mouth, and he slumped against the side of his truck.
