Show Me, Baby:A Masters of the Shadowlands Novella(14)

Her color deepened, and the way her pupils dilated said she wouldn't be adverse to some rough sex and ravishing.

Then she blinked and shook her head. "No. No, I don't think so." She set her hand against his chest and stepped away.

"All right." He wouldn't push; she'd had enough stress for one night. He  gave her hair a teasing tug, took the keys, and unlocked her door.

From the darkness inside, a whirlwind of a black-and-white dog assaulted her in a torrent of bouncing and barking.

She yelped and staggered back against Jake's body.

Fuck, she was soft. He steadied her and reluctantly released her.

"Oh my God, you scared me spitless, baby." Ignoring her dropped bag, she  squatted to give hugs and scratches until the dog bounded away, turned  two happy circles, and dove in for more.

"I'm afraid he might be a little crazy." She laughed as the pup ran out  for another circle. Her gaze rose to Jake. "Is he supposed to act like  that?"         

     



 

"Totally normal." Jake grinned. "This your first small dog?"

"First pet ever," came the muffled response as she buried her face in  the dog's fur. When she lifted her head, her pleasure was bright enough  to melt icecaps. "I never knew how … how … wonderful a dog was."

She smiled at the pup. "Of course, you're absolutely the best dog ever, so other dogs might not measure up."

Never had a pet? Jake raked his hand through his hair. What kind of  parents didn't give their kid … something? He and his sister had conned  his folks into cats, dogs, rabbits, birds-even mice and hamsters and  gerbils, until one too many escaped, and his mother had decreed a no  rodent establishment. "How come no pets?"

"My mother didn't like animals. And later, when … Well. I never got a  pet." She concentrated on picking up her spilled bag, and the light in  her face dimmed.

As she rocked, trying to rise, he put a hand under her arm and helped her to her feet.

"Thanks." She gave him an uncertain look. "I appreciate you bringing me home. So-"

"While I'm here, I want to examine the dog. What's his name again? Anger? Fury?"

Her smile popped back out. "It's Rhage-with an ‘RH'."

Right. Why the hell would she spell a name that way? Shaking his head, he lifted the pup and walked into the living room.

Pretty place. Rainie'd overcome the apartment's off-white walls and  beige carpet by scattering bright floral pillows over her  white-denim-covered couch and chair. Artwork of ocean vistas hung on the  walls, and the coffee table and end tables were constructed of glass  and driftwood. The entire room had a beach-at-sunrise ambiance.

Jake took a seat on the couch and stroked Rhage's soft fur. The dog was already filling out a bit. Eyes clear. Happy smile.

"Easy, boy. Let me check you over." He palpated the abdomen. Soft, non-distended. No tenderness.

Rainie sat down beside him, petting Rhage as she listened to her cell's  voice messages. A junk call. A friend hoping to meet for lunch. The  closure of a phone account for a Lily someone. Absently, she rubbed her  forehead.

The alcohol was probably wearing off. Jake set the dog down and patted her thigh. "Where's your aspirin?"

"In the bathroom. Do you have a headache? I'll get you some."

"Stay put, baby. I'll find it." After tossing his suit coat over the  back of a chair, he crossed the room, detouring to check out the shelves  beneath the television stand.

She had a ton of books, mostly historical and contemporary romance  novels. Even the suspense stories were-judging by the covers-still  romance. The DVDs were predominantly chick flicks. The Princess Bride  DVD had been played so often the cover was cracked. Dread Pirate  Roberts, hmm?

Someone was a romantic.

In the bathroom, he rummaged for the aspirin and finally found it under  the sink. With two tablets in his palm, he stepped out to an empty  living room.

Loud voices drew him to the front of the apartment where Rainie stood at the door, talking with someone.

He stayed back, not wanting to intrude, although-wasn't it rather late for visitors?

An unhappy realization dawned. For all he knew, she had a boyfriend. Or two. Had a date planned.

But she didn't sound pleased with the guy. When her spine went steel-post rigid, Jake decided to step in.

On the front step, the man was focused on Rainie, not seeing Jake behind  her in the shadowy hallway. The blond was good-looking enough, although  his slick GQ impression was ruined by a fucked-up sneer reminiscent of  Professor Snape in Harry Potter. The guy told Rainie, "I said this  already. You make me happy; I'll make you happy."

Jake scowled. What the fuck?

Just in case his female audience missed the point, the guy patted his  groin. Had a hard-on, Jake noted. Jesus, what an asshole. If Rainie  wanted this guy, then, as a Shadowlands Master, Jake was going to go all  Dom on her ass.

"And I told you already, Cory, I'm the office manager," Rainie said. "Not a whore."

"You look like a whore to me. Try behaving like one. You fucking go down  on me"-Cory unbuckled his belt-"or the only money you'll make will be  from hooking on the streets. Cuz you won't be working for me."

"Seriously?" Her voice went higher with her shock. "Cory, are you insane? You can't run that place without me."

"I can do anything I want to. And that includes fucking the staff."

She let out a growl of pure anger, but the asshole grabbed her wrists and yanked her out the door.         

     



 

Jake shook his head in surprise. Alcohol must have impaired her  reactions or she'd have emasculated the guy. Oh well. He stepped around  Rainie and punched the asshole in the snout. Cartilage crunched  satisfyingly.

"Fuck, fuck!" Hands clapped over his face, Cory staggered back. "Jesus!"

Gently but firmly, Jake pushed Rainie behind him, catching a glimpse of  her wide eyes. "Easy, sweetling. Just let me finish this up."

He advanced on the asshole.

"What the fuck!" Cory'd regained his balance-and discovered his nose was busted. "I'm going to kill you, you-"

Right. A punch to the solar plexus doubled up the idiot. Jake quickly  sidestepped to avoid any blood spatter-and hammered an elbow onto the  guy's back over the kidney.

Cory hit the pavement with a pleasant thump. Crying and swearing, he curled into a ball.

Jake considered kicking the bastard's junk into his throat. No, Sheffield, that would be overkill. He turned to check on Rainie.

Hands pressed to her mouth, she stood in the doorway. Eyes wide and horrified.

Hell. She'd probably never seen a fight before. Might even like the  asshole. Well, if she did, he was going to have a long, long talk with  her.

Jake cleared his throat to get her attention. "Please tell me you two aren't friends."

She shook her head no, then called, "Hey, Cory."

The asshole had made it up to his knees. "You-you fucking-"

"I quit."

"And that answers my concern nicely." Jake guided her into her  apartment-pushing a snarling Rhage back-and closed the door. With the  pup trotting at his heels, he walked into the living room and settled  Rainie on the couch.

Dropping down beside her, he pulled her close. "Your ex-boss is an asshole, sweetling."

"Yeah. He really is." When her lower lip trembled, she mashed her mouth into a flat line. "Looks like I'm unemployed."

"I'm sorry, baby. You know, you could take legal action."

She shook her head. "The company belongs to Cory's father. And Bart … he means a lot to me."

Compassion, again. He was beginning to realize how deep her caring spirit went. "Have you been working there long?"

She stared at the wall, looking little-girl lost. "A few years.

Long enough to feel the loss. Hell. "Do you have a plan in mind?"

Her face was still shell-shocked pale. "I-I guess I start job hunting."

"What exactly do you do? I know some people."

"No. But thank you." Her chin lifted. "I can find work, and I don't need  much to survive. Not anymore." Her gaze turned toward the end table and  a photo. A thin, white-haired woman posed cheek-to-cheek with a beaming  Rainie, who looked about eighteen.

The grief in Rainie's face broke Jake's heart. Hell, she couldn't catch a break, could she? "Your grandmother?"

"Miss Lily. She … gave me a home when I was seventeen." Rainie's eyes  gleamed with tears before she turned her head away. "She's gone now. So,  aside from Rhage, I don't have anyone to spend money on."

With a whine, Rhage crawled into her lap, and she buried her face in his fur.

Jake stayed silent, hurting for her.

Yet the more he discovered about her, the more she pleased him. The  woman was more than a fun-loving submissive with attitude. She possessed  a deep well of character, one he wanted to explore.

Her first thought about losing Miss Lily was regret at not having the  elderly woman to care for. And a self-centered woman wouldn't rescue an  injured animal, ruin her suit, risk being bitten-or spend money on it  afterward. Someone had a heart big enough to match her abundant body.