“I want to,” he tells me, and those gray eyes meet mine. “I’d like as much time with you as I can get.”
4
Aiden
“Are you sure those shoes are up for the walk?” she asks as she looks down at my feet.
“How far are we walking?” I say with a laugh, thinking it can’t be too far.
“About six miles.” My eyes widen and she laughs as she shakes her head. “I’m teasing. It’s only about four blocks.”
Even though it’s only four blocks, I know my feet are going to protest. I don’t normally have to walk that much when I’m dressed for work, and when I have to go long distances I have sneakers on. My feet will probably be killing me by the time we walk the four blocks, but it will be worth it.
“So what do you do, Aiden?”
I love the way she says my name. It’s like she’s been doing it her whole life. It’s easy and sounds so sweet.
“I work in the family business.”
“So the mob?” She looks over at me and her smile is infectious.
“Only part time when they need the muscle,” I joke, and I watch her turn away and bite her lip. “No, it’s a lot less glamorous than that. I run a shipping company that my father started that sends textiles all over the world.”
It’s hard to see her expression when we’re walking in the same direction, but I’m trying to look at her while not tripping over my feet.
“Yeah, stick with the mob story. It’s much better.”
I laugh, and I don’t remember the last time I smiled this much. It’s not that I’m not a happy person in general, but there’s something happening here right now and I’ve never felt it before.
“Tell me all about Caroline.” I glance down at Elvis and then back to her. “Besides the fact that you’ve got a boss that wears fur.”
She laughs and I love the sound of it. Is it my imagination that we’re having this connection like never before? God, what if this is one-sided?
“I’m a dog walker.”
“I can see that,” I joke, and she shakes her head.
“Not just with Elvis, but lots and lots of fur bosses. I have about thirty right now that I walk during the week.”
“At one time? How is that even possible? You’re so tiny.” My eyes scan up and down her body, and I think that she’s not so tiny in certain places, but the crosswalk ahead doesn’t allow me to linger on her body too long. It’s probably for the best anyway because if my cock gets any harder I won’t be able to walk.
“Not normally. I take them in shifts.” I push the button and Elvis sits down and waits for the light to change. “He’s my old guy and doesn’t like walking as much as he used to.”
When the light changes we step off the curb, but Caroline is jerked back by the leash. We turn to see Elvis sitting there unmoving as she tugs on it.
“Oh boy, don’t do this to me.” She leans down and I can hear her talking through her teeth. “Do not embarrass me.”
She gives him another tug, but the dog has made up his mind. He’s not going anywhere. Caroline sighs and I try to fight my smile as she puts her face in her hands and then shakes her head.
“I’m sorry, he’s getting worse about this. I think he knows I’m going to carry him, so he gives up.”
“Wait, you have to carry him?” I look down at the tired dog and I swear when Caroline turns her head he winks at me.
“Yeah, it’s becoming a habit.” She leans down to pick him up and I step beside her.
“Here, let me.”
“No, don’t do that. You’ll get your suit dirty.” She looks over at me with a shocked expression as I scoop the dog up and begin to walk. “Seriously, Aiden, it’s okay. I can do it.”
“I’d say he weighs about fifty pounds.” I look over at her and she nods. “Have you ever had to carry him the entire way home?”
“Well, not the whole way,” she says and bites her lip. “But I’m sure I can manage.”
She’s tiny. There’s no way she can get this dog to where she’s going. Elvis cuddles into me and I feel his wet nose on my cheek. “I think he’s happy right where he is.”
“I think you’re right.” Her smile could light the way home if it were the middle of the night, and I need her to keep doing it.
“You said you haven’t been here long. How do you like Chicago so far?”
“I love it.”
She’s animated as she talks about moving here and chatters about her best friend whom she lives with. She talks nonstop about finding dog clients and how she quit school but it was the best decision of her life. I learn so much about her on the walk to her home, but when we get there it’s not enough. I want her to keep talking and tell me every moment of her life ever, but how do I explain that without sounding crazy?