I pressed my lips together and did as he asked, cursing inwardly. He stuck his hand through the window. Miu-miu growled and snapped at his fingers.
“Little bitch.” He laughed. “It's my girlfriend’s birthday next week and she wants a puppy. Was thinking of getting her one of these. But not if the fucker is going to snap at me.”
Buddy, I don’t give a fuck what your girlfriend wants. I just want to get out of here.
His mobile phone started to ring.
“Listen, we’re already running late. Open the gate before you answer that, okay?”
I pressed the button for the windows to close as I waited for the gates to swing open. He waved me out just as he put his phone to his ear. It took every bit of my self-control not to go screeching out like the house was on fire.
Chapter Sixty-Five — Eva
I heard the bark before the doorbell rang. It sounded just like Miu-miu and for a moment a pang went through my heart. I’d never thought I’d miss her this much.
Sadly, I knew it wouldn’t be her. In the middle of packing up the few belongings I wanted to keep after selling the apartment, I’d ordered Chinese takeout and now I couldn’t find my darn purse to pay the delivery guy.
Remembering the cash I kept in the kitchen drawer for emergencies like these, I bristled when the guy rang the damn doorbell again.
“I'm coming,” I yelled, and went to open the door, annoyed at his impatience and ready to give him a scolding along with a generous tip. He’d been delivering here for more than a year now, and I knew Syd was only a kid trying to earn extra money to get through college—but still, ringing twice in such a short period of time seemed over the top.
I jerked the door open, acid words already on my tongue. Tired and sweaty, with my back aching from bending over, I wasn’t in the best of moods. The aroma of the food hit me instantly, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and my stomach grumbled in protest.
“Chinese takeout,” a voice said before I could get my words out.
Harrison. And Miu-miu.
“What the hell?” I took a step back to take it all in. Yep, there he stood with the dog tucked under his arm, holding out the paper bag that smelled so good, and a huge grin on his face. “Harrison?”
“That’s me, Eva. Happy to see us?”
“What? How?” I asked, stunned to see him and the dog.
He shoved the tail-wagging, yapping Miu-miu toward me and I eagerly took her from him. I hugged and kissed her, still not believing my eyes. After four days not hearing from him, I’d given up hope that he’d listened to a word I’d said. Now he stood here, in front of my apartment with my dog.
Harrison laughed. “At least you’re happy to see one of us.”
“Oh, I am. But where’s Syd? I haven’t paid him.”
“I intercepted him on his way up. He’s been paid and tipped, so stop worrying. Although you do look cute with that frown between your brows.”
I hadn’t been called cute in over a decade. “Cute? I mean . . . thank you . . . for paying Syd, not for saying I’m cute.” Three minutes and Harrison was messing with my head already.
“Can I at least come in? Or do I get a tip and the door closed in my face?”
“Um . . . it's a mess. I'm a mess.” Understatement of the year. I shrugged. “I'm packing.” I flicked the stray hairs away from my face and wiped my brow with the back of my hand, avoiding eye contact at all costs.
He peered over my shoulder. “It looks fine to me. I can help instead of going to gym? Lifting boxes is the same as lifting weights.”
Licking my lips, I covertly checked him out from beneath my lashes, taking in the tight sleeveless vest and shorts covering his perfectly sculpted muscles. Damn he was fine. My mouth watered—for the food and for him.
“Come in. How did you find Miu-miu? And don’t say the delivery guy.”
He laughed. Shit, I'd nearly forgotten how sexy his voice was. It did funny things to my insides.
“Let’s just say I used some of my privileges and leave it at that, okay?” He closed the door behind him. “Hmmm, no spanking tonight. I tested and you locked your door. Good girl.”
It was my turn to laugh. Damn, just mentioning the spanking had my hormones run rampant through my body. I squeezed my thighs together and changed the subject.
“Can I get you a drink?”
“Actually . . . that food smells good. I forgot to eat before I came. Share with me?” He cocked his head to the side, a sheepish grin on his face.
I made my way to the kitchen with the food. “Sure. I always get carried away when I order takeout. There’s probably enough food here for five people—very hungry ones.” I laughed.