“You adopted a dog?”
“Yeah. She’s an adorable little terrier mix. I pick her up tonight after work. Want to come along?”
“Absolutely. But what about your apartment?”
“I can have a pet.”
“You can?”
“Yeah, and it’ll get me out to walk, which is good. Besides, she’s already two, so house training won’t be a huge thing.”
I laugh. “It just so happens that I picked up some treats today at Betsy’s.”
I spend the rest of the afternoon working on my posts until I leave to meet Tessa at the shelter.
I both love and hate the shelter. I adore seeing all the dogs, but I end up wanting to take every single one of them home with me, and I can’t.
Today is particularly difficult. I fall in love.
A small puppy sits alone, away from the rest of her litter. She seems to cry to me, and her sad brown eyes sear into my soul. She’s black with white markings, probably a heeler or border collie mix.
She’s my dog. I feel this so deeply, but my building doesn’t allow dogs.
“Can you take her as well?” I ask Tessa.
“You know I can’t handle two dogs.”
“Please, Tess? My heart is breaking.”
“Call Braden.”
“No way.”
“He’s super into you. He’ll probably take her, and you can visit her all the time.”
I give her idea brief consideration. Braden’s still in New York. It’s after six, though knowing him, he’s probably still working. Or he’s out to dinner on business.
In the end, though, I can’t do it. I can’t be the needy girlfriend who begs for a puppy.
A shelter worker brings Rita out for Tessa. She’s white and gray, maybe a Scottie or highland mix, and her tail wags nonstop. She’s so happy to be going home, and I can think only of my sweet Penny.
Yeah, I’ve already named her. I’m a glutton for punishment.
“I need to get out of here,” I tell Tessa.
“Okay. I get it. I’ve already done all the paperwork, so we can go.” She puts Rita on the leash she brought, and we leave.
I planned to go home with Tessa and help her get Rita settled, but I can’t. I beg out.
I lost my heart to a sweet little pup.
Just like I’m losing my heart to Braden Black.
And I still don’t know the secret he and Addison are keeping.
What the hell have I walked into?
Chapter Fifty-Three
I haven’t heard from Braden, but I assume our date for the gala is still on.
I do my makeup and sweep my hair into a slightly messy bun. Then I don the black dress. I paint my lips with Cherry Russet to do the “formal” post for Susanne. I go into my hallway, take a quick selfie, and type in the copy I wrote earlier.
Wearing my Cherry Russet lip stain by @susannecosmetics again. My go-to color is perfect for everything from a day at home to a formal evening! #sponsored #lips #kissme #formal #littleblackdress
I return to the bathroom and remove the Cherry Russet. Only then do I paint my lips bloodred and fasten the pearls in place.
I’m transformed.
And a knock sounds on the door.
Shudders rack my body as I open the door, my hand trembling.
My jaw drops.
Braden stands in the doorway, clad in his black tux and looking delicious. A plain black mask covers his eyes, and in his arms he holds a bouquet.
Of roses.
Bloodred roses.
They match my lips perfectly.
He walks in swiftly, closing the door behind him.
His dark demeanor fills my small apartment. He owns this room. He owns me.
He’s going to kiss me. I see it in his eyes. I feel it.
He comes closer to me, and I inhale his spicy, woodsy scent. His leans toward me, his firm lips ready to take mine—
Only a millimeter away, and he stops.
“I won’t,” he says gruffly. “I won’t ruin those perfect lips. Not yet.”
I sigh. “Please.”
“Not yet,” he says again, this time in his dark voice.
I tremble before him. My body responds to everything Braden. I’m ready to give in right here and right now. To hell with the gala. Let’s just fuck.
“I missed you,” I say softly. “Why didn’t you call?”
“I was busy,” he says.
“You couldn’t find two minutes?”
He grabs my cheeks. “Baby, if I’d called, I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself from getting on a plane and flying back to you.”
I inhale swiftly. His words send an erotic thrill through my body.
“I couldn’t do that. I did it once, and I nearly lost a deal because of it. I had to take care of business.”
I nod. I know he was busy. But God, I’m hopelessly into him. Hopelessly in lust with Braden Black.
Hopelessly falling for a man who has a secret he won’t divulge.
He doesn’t love me. He doesn’t want a relationship. He doesn’t—
“Christopher’s waiting,” he says. “Let’s go.”
I grab the bag I packed.
“What’s that?” he asks.
“Oh.” My cheeks warm. “You said for me to bring over some clothes and stuff.”