Page 20 of Doggy Style

Yessi runs her hands through her hair. “I’ll walk you guys out.”

Eden gives me a polite wave, then Avril hugs me. “Nice to meet you, Preston. Take care of my girl, or you’ll have me to answer to.”

Charming.

I tap Yessi on the shoulder to get her attention. “I’m going to hop in the shower really quick and meet you back down here.”

Her eyes glance at my body admiringly before snapping back up to meet my gaze. “Shower?”

“Yeah, Hugh lives above this place. Check out our store. I’ll be done in a few minutes.”

I race upstairs, strip naked, and jump into the stall. As the hot water runs down my body, I wonder what Yessi’s backstory is. Why did she start rescuing dogs? How is she still single? Some guys might be turned off by her strong opinions and convictions, but I find that attractive in a woman. I’m assuming that if she had a boyfriend, she would’ve told me two nights ago when I asked her to come with me to a tropical paradise. Why am I so drawn to her?

It isn’t love at first sight, more like an insatiable lust, a lust I haven’t felt in months.

Not since Kira.

But Kira longed for the limelight. And for the first time since I became infamous, I desire anonymity.

I towel off, get dressed, and head downstairs. Yessi is crouched down in front of the kennels, petting the min pin through the bars.

“You ready? We need to go.”

“Yeah. I just feel so guilty, leaving Nemo here. He was at the shelter for a month, then at the vet, and he probably feels abandoned again. He doesn’t even know what’s going on.” She stands up slowly.

And that’s when I see it. Her heart. Yessi doesn’t even know this dog, but she already loves him.

I wonder what it would like to be loved by a woman who cares so much about others.

Lately, I’ve been so wrapped up in curating my image to make this store a success that I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to focus on someone other than myself.

Maybe I have become a selfish asshole.

I gently take Yessi’s hand. “He’ll be fine. I’ll have the vet come to check on him today and I’ll make sure the kennel tech plays with him.”

Her eyes blink open wide, hypnotizing me. “Thanks for doing this for the dogs—no matter what your motivation is.”

“I know you think I’m a jerk, but I can already tell you’re a sweet, loving woman. Not to mention incredibly beautiful. Give me a chance, Yessi. You take care of all these dogs all the time—let me take care of you for a week.” As I speak, she stares at the floor, fidgeting with her nails. But then she raises her head to meet my gaze head-on.

“This is the craziest thing I’ve ever done. But you saved Gidget’s life, and you can save so many more.” She exhales. “I’m going to try to keep an open mind, but that’s all I can promise you. Besides, I’ve always wanted to go to the pet expo, and I really do need a vacation.”

That’s all I need. A maybe. I have a chance. Before she can object, I lift her hand to my lips and kiss it.

She doesn’t flinch.

I help her up off the floor, and we walk outside. I load our luggage into the limo, and we sit in the back seat. Next stop—paradise.