She grins again and leans down to pet Pixel, who turns over, presenting her front side covered in white fur for belly rubs. Lola laughs but obliges, completely melting me. She likes dogs. More specifically, Lola likesmydog—and the admiration, it seems, runs both ways.
Pixel has a mood-lifting effect on most people once she’s accepted them, and I watch Lola carefully, waiting for her eyes to stop looking so fucking sad, but even as she smiles, her lids remain at half-mast. When she’s done petting, we both stand.
I scratch the back of my head. “So, um, you need help finding stuff?” I ask.
“Nope. I’m sure I can figure it all out if you don’t mind me poking about.”
“Not at all. I’ll let you get to it, then, Iggy,” I tease.
Her nose scrunches up. “Iggy?”
I nod.
“As in . . . ?”
“Iggy—”
“Pop!”
I smile with approval that she got it.
Lola laughs. “Oh, I get it.” She playfully smacks her forehead. Then she snorts when she laughs in the geekiest, most adorable way. “Because of the peanut butter.”
Could this woman be any more perfect?
3
LOLA
My heart hammers in my chest, and not just because of the scare from Pixel’s initial attack. Karl tried joking around—to make me feel at ease, I can tell—but now it’s a bit awkward. He says his goodbye but then just stands there, not making a move to go away and leave me alone to clean.
It’s also awkward because I didn’t imagine that moment between us. His hands at my waist, my hands clinging to his forearms, creamy peanut butter smooth between our skin where we touched. It’s not like we kissed or did anything inappropriate, but somehow, that moment has me feeling like I cheated on Ethan, and I’m already deep in my guilt about it.
I glance around the kitchen, trying to decide where to clean first. Sofia was right; I almost cried when I saw the mess. But I didn’t get the chance to wallow in that thought too long before Pixel launched at me, fangs bared, fleshy gums stretching between her sharp teeth and curled lip.
I’d never been so frightened in my life. But all it took was a little peanut butter.
There’s no way I can work in this awkwardness, and I’m about to dismiss Karl as politely as I’m capable of when the click of heels on the marble floors draws our attention to a stunning woman who joins us in the kitchen.
“Darling.” She nearly moans the word out. “Why’d you get out of bed so early?”
She clearly hasn’t seen me yet, and she goes to Karl, wraps her hand around the back of his neck, and dives into his mouth. His hand flies to her waist, and he groans into the kiss in the most sensual way.
They’re beautiful together, and it takes my breath away. Their tongues massage each other slowly, even as Karl’s eyes fly open with surprise and track me in the kitchen as if suddenly remembering I’m here too. He brings his palms up to push her away gently, and she responds by grabbing onto his waistband and pulling his lower body to press against hers. Their kiss and embrace are so erotic; heat pools where my thighs meet.
Ethan doesn’t kiss like that.
Finally, Karl frees himself from her grip and wipes his mouth, almost as if he’s wiping away the kiss. He clears his throat. “Sandy, this is Lola. Lola, Sandy.”
Sandy turns to face me, startled, and smiles brightly. “Oh, sorry! I didn’t know we had company. How rude of me. I’m Sandy. Nice to meet you.”
I smile back at her. She seems nice. “Lola. Don’t mind me. Pretend I’m not here. I’m just going to get started.”
“Started?” Sandy asks.
“Oh, sorry. I’m housekeeping for you today,” I explain.
“Oh,” Sandy says. “Well, thank you. This place could use it.” Then she turns to Karl. “I have to go, but call me later?”