Page 54 of Sit, Stay, Love
A gasp burst from Sera’s mouth. ‘I take it all back. You should carry that thing around with you at all times and spontaneously do what you’re doing now.’ She quickly snapped the photo.
He quirked a brow. ‘You like my sword, milady?’ His voice had so much gravel, he could have laid a road with it. He got down on one knee and offered her his weapon.
She bit her lip and swallowed hard. Then she shoved him with her foot, and he tumbled backwards onto the floor, laughing. ‘What do you want me to say with the photo, show-off?’
He crossed his legs and placed the sword across his lap. ‘Say, “May the power of DragonMight forever protect you and Lord Jasper”.’
‘What’s a dragon mite?’
He chuckled and used the sword to push himself up. ‘The sword.’
‘Oh.’ She typed the message and hit send. ‘I guess I never noticed your sword in the movies.’
‘Just my arse?’ He smirked.
Heat filled her face, then her chest, her belly, her thighs and in between them. ‘Oh look, they texted back,’ she shifted in her seat, grateful for the save. ‘You’ve made Garry very happy.’
‘Good,’ he said, propping the sword against the wall. ‘Come on. I’ve cooked mushroom risotto.’
They stepped onto the back deck, and Sera gazed out over the pool to the expanse of ocean that lay beyond. Dusk was settling, and the crests of the waves shimmered in the evening light as they softly crashed against the shore. ‘No wonder you don’t want to move,’ she said. ‘I’d never get used to this view.’
‘Is it all right if I give Buffy a treat?’
She turned and saw him holding a jar with a bone on the lid and blinked. ‘Did you buy a treat jar?’
He shrugged. ‘Maybe. Okay, yes. I went to the pet shop today.’
Her heart tugged.
Buffy sat in front of him and he reached into the jar and pulled out a liver strap.
‘Tell her gentle,’ Sera said.
‘Gentle,’ Ethan repeated, gingerly holding the treat out for the dog. Buffy carefully took it between her teeth. ‘Good girl.’ He patted her head.
‘Wow! Look at you.’
He grinned and bowed with a flourish. Then he pulled her seat out. ‘Ms Madden.’
Her heart raced up her throat. There were candles alight on the table – their wax freely melting onto the timber – along with a vase with a white camellia bloom and some red wine, which had been decanted into an elegant glass jug. All the hallmarks of a date.
She frowned.Oh… Shit. Are we on a date?
She slid into her seat and he pushed in her chair before pouring her a glass of wine.
Sera gave a light cough. ‘We should work out exactly what we’re going to do with your training. Map out the days so we have a solid plan.’
‘I’ll do whatever you decide is right.’ He sat opposite her. ‘I’m in your hands. I’ll even go back to the dog park if you want me to. I trust you andI’m ready to do the work. I had a Zoom meeting with the producers today. The movie has a title now. It’ll be released to the media soon.’
‘That’s exciting! Can you tell me what it is? Or is that illegal?’
‘I can tell you, but then I’d have to kiss you – I mean kill you.’ He smirked. ‘It’s calledSit, Stay, Love.Feels weirdly prophetic.’ His gaze held hers, loaded and intense.
She shivered, picked up her glass and took a nervous gulp.
‘I also asked about the casting of the dog. If they could keep me across where that’s at, and if I could meet the dog before it’s confirmed. They said they’d do a chemistry read when I got back to town.’
‘A chemistry read?’
