Never Be Tamed (Impossible Love #6)(5)

"Dude, what are you doing?" I said in my head.

"Ahhhh," he replied.

"Please redeem yourself … and me," I begged.

For some reason, I cared what this guy thought of me in the moment. Maybe because it'd be my only chance at a good impression. Once he realized who I was, it'd be all over. So stupid, I know.

Just then, Oscar sat down in front of him and held out his paw to shake, clearly apologizing for what he did.

"Thanks, buddy. I have a rawhide with your name on it."

"Please." Oscar rolled his eyes. "Make it a bone-in ribeye or I'll spray this sucker again, and trust me, it won't be pretty."

I gave the demanding monster a subtle nod. It was worth it.

"Thank you so much for finding him, I just turned my back for a second … " I stumbled when I found his eyes again.

"You sound like you're talking about a toddler." He chuckled.

"Well, they are one and the same," I said before I smiled at him. It was my real smile, one I rarely used. When you had a reputation on campus like mine, body armor was a must. Every expression, look, and emotion was part of my mask. It was the only way to protect myself. But for some unexplainable reason, I didn't feel the need to use it with him.



       
         
       
        

He leaned over and gave Oscar a pat on the head.

"You're just a softie, aren't you?" I mused aloud.

"Not usually," he said, almost confused.

"Then it must be Oscar's charm."

"Something like that." He rubbed the stubble on his chin, and I began to lift my hand to trace his path. There was no food to be found in his facial hair, and his shirt was clean-I inhaled the crisp, soapy scent. Why couldn't my date have been with him last night?

Geez, get a grip!

I snapped my hand back. Yes, it might be time to do something about this dry spell. I'd lost all ability to act normal with humans. Well, human men. Hot, human men. My mantra played in my brain, even as my body chose to shut it down. Which reminded me, dogs before dudes. I needed to get my booty off to the shelter ASAP.

"Oh crap, sorry, I need to get moving."

"Okay," he said, his voice dropping an octave, along with the expression on his face.

"It's just I'm running late for work. I've got to get these guys back inside. But hey, thanks so much for grabbing Oscar. And I'm really sorry about your pants." I bent over to reach for my dog, but tripped, and as I tried to right myself, my hand grazed fantasy man's crotch.

Oh. No.

On contact, my entire body went rigid and heat pricked at my cheeks. Could this day get anymore awkward? I closed my eyes and pulled myself together before I stood up.

Maybe he didn't notice.

He cleared his throat and shifted his stance.

Oh, he noticed alright. I, on the other hand, pretended nothing happened and quickly latched the leash around Oscar's collar, my face burning with embarrassment.

"That's okay, Oscar and I have kind of bonded. I'll help you get him inside," he said as he took the leash.

Crap.

He rolled the end of the leash through his fingers, but didn't take a step forward. Neither of us did. We were frozen, eyes locked on one another with this force of energy creating a bubble around us.

It felt like … I don't know, something big was happening. Good or bad? I had no idea.

"Okay, we're just over here in this building," I said, once the current began to lose its intensity.

He made a weird face and indicated for me to lead the way.

"It's right up here down the hall," I said.

We pulled up to my door, Ruby and Molly were happily running in circles between my legs. "Thanks again for helping me. You know, Oscar really is a good boy. I wish you would've been able to meet him under different circumstances."

"I think that could be arranged," he said, searching my eyes. 

"Oh, really?" What the heck was happening?

"Yeah, I'm new to the neighborhood and could use a tour. What do you say the three of us go for a walk? Or should I make that the five of us, tomorrow morning, and you can show me where to get a cup of coffee."

I knew I should say no. It wouldn't be long before he realized who I was, bad girl on campus, slut, mean girl, and his precious little sister's enemy. Tabitha Kelly, aka angel, good girl, love of my ex's life. Trouble was, she did seem to be all of that and it made me crazy. Which is why I tormented her whenever I could. Or, I used to. Things had been different now. I was different now. Here, away from campus, I didn't have to put on a show. I didn't have guys talking about me because of a few stupid mistakes. I didn't have the other mean girls trying to form alliances, or other girls trying to protect their boyfriends from me. I was just the dog walker, or even better, I was the girl nobody noticed.

So what harm would one little coffee date do? It'd be nice to be myself and enjoy a hot beverage with a friendly face.

Okay. I'd do it.

I opened my mouth to respond, but was quickly interrupted.

It was Tabitha Kelly, of course it was. She opened the door of the apartment across from mine. Oh no. No, no, no.

And as much as I hated what was going to come next, I had no choice … it was time to put on a show.





Chapter Four





Michael





What the hell was that? And what was I doing? Tab and I just had the talk about women and how I was trying to stay away to focus on securing a job with the Minneapolis PD. I didn't need to be asking for a tour with the hot chick from the canine club.

Yet she was a distraction that I could totally appreciate. A gorgeous strawberry blonde, little makeup, and it seemed like a big heart to boot. Did I mention she was gorgeous? In a tight little package, probably from chasing after the dogs. I couldn't help but wonder how soft that skin was, or how she'd feel wrapped up in my arms. It'd been too damn long since I had a woman under me, above me, or against the wall. Hey, I wasn't picky at this point. But what'd Tabby always say, don't shit where you eat? Yeah¸ probably not a good idea. Still …

As I followed her inside, we made our way into the building and up to the second floor. Jesus H, walking behind her did nothing for the raging hard-on she'd given me earlier. I know it was an accident when her hand ghosted over my dick, but fuck, it was hot. Yep, I was that pathetic.

It was clear she had no clue that I was her new neighbor, which gave me a thought-maybe I should ask her out before she realizes it. So I asked her to go on a walk … with the dogs. What the fuck? I was so far off my game it was ridiculous, but I wasn't ready to let her go.

Her face lit up when I asked the question, but when she opened her mouth to answer, it was Tabby's voice I'd heard.

"Geez, Michael, what's taking so … " she interrupted herself once she got a look at who I was talking to.

It was a little embarrassing. Sure, Tabby hadn't seen me with anyone since I moved to Minneapolis, but then her face got all scrunched up, like the way it did when her mom started in on her about something.

"Tab, this is … " I left the question open, hoping the dog whisperer would fill in the blanks and I could discover her name. To my surprise, it was Tabby who answered once again.

"Jenna," she said.

"Tabby," the dog whisperer, AKA Jenna, said in a different voice than the one she had been using on me.

"You two know each other?" I asked, turning to Tabby. But when she said her name again, something inside my brain clicked. I remembered why she was familiar. I didn't realize it at first because she looked so different than the first time we were introduced, when she was all polished in makeup and designer clothes. Today, she looked sweet, and not at all like the rich bitch that Tabby described that very first time she introduced us.



       
         
       
        

But as Jenna's expression and demeanor began to shift before my very eyes, I was starting to see it.

"Tabby," Jenna said with a smirk. "I didn't realize you and Noah broke up, are we neighbors now?"

"Nice try, Jenna," Tabby replied with just as much snark. "I'm helping move my brother in." She emphasized the word brother.

"Well, shoot, I was looking forward to slumber parties and drinking cosmos. I mean, that is what you and Jules like to do, right?"

Oh boy, it was time for me to jump in. "I thought you looked familiar," I told Jenna, trying to redeem myself in front of Tab.

"Well, I recognized you," Jenna said, her voice rich with flirtation. "Tabby, your brother is such a hero. He saved me and Oscar outside there, but unfortunately we had a little mishap with his pants." She winked at me.

Oh, hell no, did she know what she was doing with that accidental graze across my cock? Or was she just trying to get under Tabby's skin?

"Yeah, they do seem to have your scent on them, Jenna." Tabby wrinkled up her face.

Shit, it was time to shut this thing down before I had a catfight on my hands. I'd never quite seen Tabby like this before, but it was nice to know she could take care of herself.

"I was helping Jenna with her dog, he escaped out the door I'd propped open," I explained.

"And I was going to return the favor by helping him with his pants," Jenna chimed in. With that, Tabby yanked me inside before I could say goodbye to my new neighbor.