Page 13 of Lead Me A Stray

Like we’ve done this a hundred times before, Mack and I maneuver the cage, ducking our faces against the rain as we make our way to the door. It’s awkward, but I get the key in the lock and prop it open with my shoulder as I move backward into the lobby.

Shoes squeaking on the tile, I do my best to whisper calm words to the dog I’ve already decided to name Arrow. I know heprobably won’t tolerate an actual bath, but I need to warm him up before I can get him into a kennel. Mack helps coax Arrow from the cage as I grab one of the muffs to go over his ears and a blow dryer.

It’s slow going, the dog struggling to break free from Mack’s grasp, so I do what I can before calling him good enough and giving him a treat.

“How did you even find him?” Mack asks quietly as we get Arrow into the kennel with food and a cozy blanket on his cot. He doesn’t eat but digs at the blanket until he’s made himself a nest and curled up.

“Someone called.”

“You shouldn’t have been out there alone,” he says, leading me back into the lobby with a stern look on his handsome face. Water still drips from his hair, and his shirt is covered in dog hair but clinging to every dip and groove of his abs.

“I called you.”

He makes a noncommittal noise in the back of his throat before hitching his thumb toward the back. “Are you stayin’ a while?”

“Yeah, I have some paperwork and want to ride out the storm—make sure everyone is all right before I head home.”

“I’ll grab us some dinner after I change.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I’m just gonna grab some clothes from my truck,” he says, once again ignoring my protests. Or maybe he just realizes how halfhearted they sound. Either way, he’s out the door again and I turn and head into the office, locating a cozy set of sweats that we keep for emergencies in the closet.

In my duffle bag at the bottom, I find a new pair of panties, socks, and a sports bra as well as running shoes and flip-flops that I only use when I have to shower here. But footwear can wait. Grabbing the hem of my tank top, I cringe as I pull itup my body, the material suctioned to my skin. The relief is overwhelming as I manage to get it over my head, the material landing with a plop at my feet.

Mack’s boots scuff against the floor, sounding like he’s come to a quick stop outside the office. I didn’t hear him come in—didn’t remember he’d be back before I could change.

“Piper.” His voice is a dangerous rumble as I turn toward the door, not bothering to cover myself. He’s seen me in a sports bra before—heck, he’s seen me in a bikini, but this isn’t a pool party.

“I decided to change too. I forgot you’d be back so soon. Just let me get a shirt?—”

“Don’t,” he warns, dropping a small gym bag onto the carpet as he closes the door behind him with a snick.

“What are you doing?”

He stalks across the room, yanking the back of his shirt over his head more gracefully than I managed and chucking it on the ground.

“What I should have done the other day.”

Strong fingers dive into my hair as his mouth descends over mine, my lips parting on a gasp as he tilts my face to deepen the kiss. His tongue slides against mine, and I’m nearly breathless, moaning as he kisses along my jaw, nibbling at the sensitive skin behind my ear before moving down the column of my throat.

“Oh my God.”

“Tell me to stop, Honey Girl. Tell me to walk away.”

“Don’t you dare.”

“How important are these papers?” he growls, his palm flat on a small stack on the desk.

“Nothing I can’t sort through later.”

“Good girl.” I want to call him out at the ridiculousness of the alleged praise, but before I can, he swipes the papers off, the sheets cascading to the ground as he backs me to the edge andlifts me onto the wood surface. “I can’t get over how gorgeous you are.”

His mouth is back on mine, swallowing every little whimper and moan as he cups my breasts, his fingers slipping under the elastic band before pulling my bra off and tossing it over his shoulder.

“Mack.”

“I’m gonna devour your sweet little pussy and then I’ll fuck you until you’re too tired to stand,” he taunts, squeezing and kneading my breasts, licking, sucking, and pinching my nipples until I’m squirming. My nails dig into his bare shoulders as he pushes me back to lie on the desk.