Page 5 of Hard and Unprotected
A perfect black eyebrow quirked.
“Nothing at all,” he drawled, the corner of his lip curving upwards.
Right, right. I’d forgotten.
“Oh, okay,” came my stammer. “Well, why don’t you take the bag to the register and I’ll grab some other things for you while you’re waiting? It’s no trouble. “
I blushed again, hoping he didn’t notice. But of course, that azure gaze missed nothing. Sweeping over my frame, another smile pulled at the corner of his lips.
“Sure thing,” he rumbled. “We’ll just be over here. Come on, Bowzer.”
And with that, master and pet moved towards the registers. Meanwhile, I kicked into gear like there was a fire under my butt. Dashing through the store, I grabbed anything and everything that made sense, piling stuff high in a shopping cart. An XL doggie bed, dishes for food and water, and toys. Lots and lots of chew toys. Plus some heartworm medication, a doggie toothbrush just in case, and a book on pet care. That would be enough.
A few minutes later, I rolled up to the cash register just in time to hear the man chatting with Leah, my manager.
“Maggie’s been very helpful,” he said to Leah, a middle-aged married woman with two kids in high school. Nonetheless, she was drooling over the handsome customer, her frizzy gray hair even wilder than usual.
“Oh of course,” she purred. “Maggie’s our best.”
“Exactly,” said the dark man. “And your best employee deserves a raise.”
What? Really? He was putting my name in for a raise? This guy was not only a hero, but a god. I blushed rosily, bosom heaving once more.
“Oh thanks,” was my breathless interjection. “I appreciate the compliment.”
The man turned my way then, another smile playing at those perfectly sculpted lips.
“Thankyou,” he drawled, a twinkle in those eyes. “Maggie, right?”
Was it my imagination or was there some kind of hidden meaning in that sentence? My inner voice scolded me.You’re overreacting, it scoffed.Please girl, get a grip. Act normal for once.
So I nodded briskly once more.
“Yes, that’s right, and it was my pleasure, sir. And please make sure to give one of those training schools a try. Your sister would appreciate it, I’m sure, and it’d be good for Bowzer.”
His bright blue eyes dipped down, and then up, and then down again. Oh my god, did this alpha just give me the once over again? In my lowly DoggieMart apron, with my hands dirty from stocking food?
But it was true. The powerful man’s eyes gleamed even as he jerked the pit bull’s leash, urging him up.
“Sir sounds good on your lips,” he growled, so low that only I could hear. “Realgood.”
My eyes went wide as my mouth dropped open from shock. But then the moment ended.
“Thanks again,” the dark man called in a normal voice, including Leah this time. “Appreciate it, ladies.”
With that, he was gone, the pit bull padding obediently in his wake. Oh my god, oh my god. Did that really happen? Did our sexy visitor just check me out over and over again, before suggesting that I call him “Sir”?
But it was true. And as a shiver ran up my spine, I stared at his departing form. Because somehow, I knew that my unnamed customer would be back again … and I couldn’t wait.
2
Evan
This dog fucking sucked.
“Come on, Bowzer! Goddamn it,” I grunted, dragging the pit bull into the lobby of my building, the muscles in my arms burning.
Fuck, he was big.