Only Her (A K2 Team Novel)(14)

With a peek out the window, she saw Cody standing on his porch, a cup in his hand while he watched his dogs. Like the first time she’d seen him, he wore only a pair of sweat pants. The man must be immune to the early morning chill. If he would appear like that every morning, it would give her a fabulous kick-start to her days.

“You’re one magnificent man, Cody Roberts,” she said, following it up with a sigh. When he called the dogs and went inside his house, she fed the cats, then showered and dressed for work. His silver truck was gone when she backed out of her driveway, so she probably wouldn’t see him again until he came back from wherever he was going. She would tell Michelle, her receptionist, not to come get her when he dropped off his dogs, even if he asked for her.

As she turned onto the street leading to her clinic, she sent up a little prayer that no more poisoned pets would turn up. Also, she needed to contact the police again. Not much they could do without any leads, but they could keep an eye out as they patrolled the neighborhood.

She slowed as she approached her building. At the sight of the man leaning against the bed of the silver truck with darkened windows, Riley cursed her stupid heart for doing a happy dance. His two dogs sat at his feet, their attention on him. Maybe she should hire him to give obedience lessons to some of her more rambunctious patients. Giving him a wave as she drove past, she parked in the back. Neither Brooke’s nor Michelle’s car was in sight, which meant she would have to deal with Cody, so there went her plan to avoid him.

Perversely irritated, she took her time as she turned on the lights, started the coffee pot, booted up the computers at the front desk and in her office, and made a quick check on the three small dogs, two cats, and one extremely vocal potbellied pig being boarded. When she could think of nothing else to delay her, she unlocked the front door.

Mr. Magnificent leaned against a post under the overhang, arms crossed over his chest, dogs again sitting docilely at his feet. For all appearances, her sexy neighbor appeared to be half asleep. Riley wasn’t fooled, though. As much as he might wish otherwise, she was beginning to see past the image he projected. Under that lazy stance and deceptive calm a storm brewed. Not good that storms fascinated her.

“Cody.”

“Riley.”

She sputtered a laugh, and was rewarded with a crooked smile and a flash of that dimple. Yep. The man intrigued her. So much for keeping him at arm’s distance. “Come in. My receptionist isn’t here yet, so I’ll get these guys checked in.” Cody and his dogs followed her, stopping at the counter. She went on around.

“Will you use the food I brought for them?”

“Of course.” She resisted sliding her hand over his bad boy scruff, and it was close, but she didn’t lick her lips either. Yummy was the word of the day, though. He wore an olive-green T-shirt that stretched across broad shoulders, and tan cargo pants covered his bottom half. Testosterone radiated from his every pore, and she lowered her gaze to the check-in sheet to keep him from seeing the lust that was surely shining in her eyes.

“I’ll get their stuff out of my truck in a minute then.” He glanced down at the dogs. “They need to stay together, okay?”

“No problem.” Certain that she’d gain control of her libido, she lifted her head, her gaze falling on the small logo on his shirt. “What’s K2?”

“Where I work. Is there someone around at night when you’re not here? You know, should one of them get sick or something.”

She’d never had anyone ask her that question before, which just went to show how much he loved his dogs. He’d been keeping their conversation all business, and she followed his lead. “I have a college student who sleeps here at night. He leaves at six, so the boarders are only unattended for an hour, until I or one of my staff arrives.” Apparently, he wasn’t going to explain what K2 was, which made her all the more curious as to what he did.

“I’m not sure when I’ll be back. Hopefully in a few days, but I’ll keep in touch.” He locked gazes with her. “Can I get your cell number? You know, so I can call and check on them. I might not be able to call here during normal hours.”

She broke eye contact before she embarrassed herself just staring at him. It made sense to give him her number, but it seemed like they were moving into alien territory. Did she want him to be able to call her anytime he wished? She glanced up to see he was watching her. “Sure.” She rattled off her number, and he put it in his phone. “I’ll need yours. In case of an emergency, which I don’t expect to happen, but better safe than sorry, right?” She waved the boarding form in front of his face. “I need it for our records. That’s all.” Now she was babbling.