Fur and Phobia Read online

  “Okay. Is it friendly?” He could feel her, trembling in his hand.

  “It is.” Oh. Man. Poor Abby. Aaron really felt for her. “Tell me when you have to stop, okay? Let me tell you about Muffin. She’s nearly ten, really cute, a little lazy, not at all yippy.”

  “Muffin? And is ten old for a dog?” Her eyes were fastened on Muffin, watching every motion.

  “It is. If you figure the old one human year is seven dog years thing? Yeah. She’s like, seventy.” Muffin was putting on an acute show of cute, romping around at Lee’s feet.

  “She... she’s very active, for an old dog. Is she yours?” Her steps were slowing.

  With his free hand, Aaron gave Lee the signal to have Muffin sit. She did at Lee’s command, looking adoringly up at the handler. “No, she’s Lee’s now. The man with her. She belonged to an elderly lady who went to a nursing home. The family didn’t want her.”

  “No? Wh...why? Does she bite?” Abby slowed down further, almost stopping.

  “No.” Lord. Aaron moved his thumb, caressing her elbow, soothing her. He hoped. “No, she’s a doll. They said she shed too much. They left her in a box at the shelter, with this nasty-ass note.”

  “They... they got rid of her because of her hair?”

  That was better. She wasn’t shaking now. Sympathy was good. “Yep. She’d been with her owner eight years. Then boom. Out.”

  “That’s sort of mean.” Abby leaned against him a little, still watching Muffin. “Does she... I mean, are they smart enough to know?”

  “You mean does she miss her mom?” Aaron sighed, feeling just as bad for Muffin as he did for Abby. “She looks for her every day.”

  “Oh.” Oh, those pretty eyes filled with tears. “After two whole years?”

  “Yep. She likes Lee a lot, though, see?” He motioned again and Lee bent and opened an arm to Muffin, who wiggled right up to lick his face and settle so he could carry her.

  Abby winced, took a step back. “He could get his face bitten, his eyes.”

  Damn. Aaron stepped back with her, his hand settling on the small of her back. “They have trust. Look how big he is next to her. She knows he could do her a lot more damage, right?”

  She nodded, curves pushing right into his hand. “Yeah. Yeah, he doesn’t look worried. She... well, she sort of looks like a cotton ball. With eyes and teeth.”

  “And a pink tongue.” Yeah. She kinda did, and Abby didn’t, and Aaron tried not to get distracted by the feel of her. “Can we try a few more feet?”

  “Okay.” She stepped closer, one step, two, then the shivers started again. “I bet she gets dirty.”

  “I bet you do too.” He tried finding the common ground. “You probably dig more than she does.”

  That got him a laugh, that ponytail just swinging as she grinned. “I would imagine so. I bet I’m easier to clean.”

  “Oh. Uh-huh.” Down boy. Any further flirting could wait until Muffin was gone. Aaron cleared his throat. “Yeah. She, uh. She likes baths. Do you?”

  “I love the water. I swim every day. What about you?”

  “I’m a big fan. I love to go to the lake. Splash around.” They moved up two more steps.

  “Yeah? Me too. Pools. Hot tubs. Lakes. When it comes to the water, I’m easy.” They were almost right there, Abby looking up at him, eyes focused.

  “Yeah? You like bubbles?” She’d look fantastic in a bubble bath, suds just to her nipples...

  Her cheeks went bright pink and he’d bet Abby wasn’t thinking about Muffin anymore. “I do. I should buy stock in peach bubbles. I soak every day, if I can.”

  “Peach, huh?” He grinned, tried not to sniff too obviously. Damn, he liked the smell of her. He really did. Stroking her back, Aaron stopped them, not wanting to shock her with how close she was. “I like that sort of pine scent, myself. Not like Pine-sol, but like...I dunno. Forest.”

  “Pine oil is very distinctive. Masculine. Sexual.” Muffin got tired of waiting, barking and bouncing, trying to get his attention. Abby’s eyes went wide and she pushed right behind him, hands on his hips.

  “Sorry. I. Oh, sorry.” Making himself solid, Aaron backed her off a few steps. “I think that’s enough for today. Can you go over there and wait? I owe Muffin a treat and some petting. Then I can maybe take you for coffee?”

  “Coffee. Okay. Coffee. She’s a pretty color. You can tell her, if it matters.” Abby took off like a bat out of hell, moving across the grass.

  Shaking his head, Aaron went to give muffin pats and biscuits. “Good girl. She thinks you’re pretty. Yes she does.”

  Muffin wagged and panted, little button eyes just shining, watching Abby go.

  “I know, honey. You wanted to say hi. Next time.” Her ears perked as he scratched behind them. “Thanks, babe. She did well.”

  Lee chuckled, nodded. “Looked like you were doing pretty damned good yourself.”

  “I was. I hope to. You know me, honey.” Aaron winked. “Best go get her before she bolts. Here, have a five. Get Muffin here a cheeseburger on the way home.”

  “I will. She is pretty. You know you’re going to have to share, right? Oh, and don’t forget, it’s first waxing, tonight. Be home before dark, lover.”

  “I told you I would, but we’ll have to cross that one when we come to it. Right now she’s afraid of Muffin. Can you imagine what she’ll think of your hairy butt? I’ll be home before dark.” Clapping Lee on the back, Aaron gave Muffin one last scratch and headed off to corral his coffee date.

  She did have a pretty ass, nice and curvy, enough to make a man howl. She was sitting on the tailgate of a wee green Japanese pickup, feet swinging, eyes just a little shiny. “I’m sorry. I tried not to freak. Honest.”

  “You did really well, hon. We just got a little...well. I got distracted.” Winking, he sat next to her, nudging her. “So. You like lattes?”

  “Yeah. You?” There was a sprinkling of freckles right on the tip of her nose. Cute.

  “I’m all for it. And cake. I love cake.” He had a horrible sweet tooth. Thank goodness the dogs kept him so active, or he’d have a paunch. “Let’s go. I’ll even let you drive.”

  “Oh, you’re a modern man.” He got another chuckle, Abby wiping her eyes. “Okay. Come on. Topaz’s has cheesecake with real strawberries.”

  “Yeah.” Aaron watched the gentle sway of her ass as she got in the driver’s side, and he licked his lips. Maybe they could get that cake to go.

  ***

  Abby got to the coffee shop without one squealing turn, no shaking hands, nothing.

  She even made jokes, got the CD into the player without dropping it, laughed. Go her.

  “So, are you a black, strong coffee guy or a latte guy?” See her. See her make conversation. Go her.

  “Oh, I like both,” Aaron said, hand on the small of her back as he guided her to the counter. “But today I think I want a nice plain cappuccino so nothing overpowers the strawberry cheesecake.”

  “I love the hazelnut lattes - not too sweet, not too strong.” God, his hand was warm, solid. Strong.

  “They’re good. I like peppermint, though, too. In the winter. Makes my nose tingle.” He laughed a little, the sound warm, intimate, really shaking off the freak outs from the little dog.

  “Ooh. I love candy canes to stir my coffee. It seems so decadent.” They ordered - a latte and a piece of cherry pie for her and a cappuccino and cheesecake for him.

  “Oh. Or cinnamon sticks in apple cider.” His eyes sparkled, and she’d swear he bounced a little. He was so enthusiastic. Made her wonder where else he would work so hard.

  “Oh, now you’re making me wish it was December and snowing.” She paid for their food, grinning back and up at him.

  “Snow is fun. Do you ski?” Oh. Was that a leading statement or what? Like he might want to be around come ski
season? Down girl.

  “I try. I’m not great at it, but I enjoy it. I love the fire-buttered rum-cuddling under a blanket afterwards part.” Okay, desperate much?

  She turned to apologize when the shop door opened, a couple coming in with a giant beast who was tugging and yanking at a too-tiny leash. Oh. Oh.

  “Abby? What...” He trailed off as he turned too, stepping in front of her. “It’s okay, honey. He’s not coming at you. Okay? We’ll get you on out of here.”

  Aaron waited until the dog went toward the “order here” area before pushing her to one side and taking her arm, pulling her around in a wide arc toward the door.

  “D...d...dogs don’t belong in coffee shops.” Especially not big dogs with huge teeth and tiny leashes. Especially not them.

  “Oh, it looked to me like he was a regular. There. We’re out. Come on and sit down. Or do you want me to drive you home?”

  “I.” Her cheeks burned, eyes fastened onto the ground. God, she was pathetic. Pathetic.

  She just wanted to go home and hide until, oh, next year.

  “You shouldn’t let your cheesecake go to waste. I’ll take you back to your car after.” And then drown herself in her bathtub.

  “We’ll go to your place, then. No worries, honey, okay?” He was being very sweet. Somehow that made it worse. They went to her car, Aaron gently prying her hands off her pie box and drink cup.

  No crying.

  None.

  Just get in, drive. No crying.

  “Here. Let me, okay? I know you can drive, but you don’t have to.” Yes. Okay. She went dutifully to sit in the passenger seat and Aaron started up her car, nudging her to put her seatbelt on before handing her the food.

  “I live over on the hill. Green Street.” She wasn’t crying. Or sniffling. Or anything.

  “Okay. We’ll be there in a few.” He drove so smoothly, no jolts or sharp turns, just easing around, asking for directions when he needed to turn. “Okay. Here we are.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry. Come in. You can at least drink your coffee in peace.” Her house was little, neat, old. Simple. The neatest thing about it was the English garden in the back, the rose bushes in the front.

  That and the claw-foot tub where she was going to spend the rest of her evening, anyway.

  “Thanks. You did really well, you know.” He took everything from her and let her go open the door.

  “Yeah. Gloriously. I’m a fucking basket case who can’t even buy coffee without embarrassing herself.”

  “No.” They got inside and Aaron set everything down, turning to put his hands on her shoulders, his eyes dark and serious, his voice firm. “No. You had just dealt with your fears in a controlled environment and then got blindsided. You did fine. I’m pleased.”

  “If you keep being nice to me, you’ll make me cry.” God, he had the prettiest eyes.

  “We can’t have that.” Laughing, he got her coffee. “Here, drink up. The sugar and caffeine should help.”

  “I’ll go get some silverware. Find a seat.” Her house still looked like late grad school garage sale, but she had a real sofa and one good end table that her dad had refinished.

  “Thanks.” He waited for her, took his fork, but as she just sat and stared at the table he put his hand over hers. “Look, maybe we should put this in the fridge, have it later. Is there something you do to relax?”

  “Like yoga? No. I soak in the tub, go swimming.” She turned her hand over, touching him. “I’m sorry, Aaron. I... Man, I wish Dr. Ballard had found me an ugly old scary guy to see me as a nutjob. It’s hard to come off as classy and attractive when you’re wigged.”

  That had him laughing right out loud, squeezing her fingers. “Oh, honey. You’re wonderful. I’m glad we got to meet. And I look forward to more work with you. Is it selfish to hope you don’t get over your fear too quick so you need me longer?”

  His touch made little tingles run up her arm.

  “Probably.” She couldn’t help smiling, rolling her eyes just a little at herself. “I’m not always a dork, you know. Sometimes I’m quite clever and fun.”

  “I bet you are. If you’re this neat when you’re terrified...” Goodness he was a charmer. His fingers slid up to close around her wrist, rubbing over her pulse-point.

  She hummed, fingers curling right along with her toes. “You’re warm, like a furnace.”

  A really, really studly furnace.

  “I always run a little warmer than the average guy. Only my nose gets cold in the winter.” Aaron grinned, scooting his chair around a bit. “So is it nosy to ask for a tour?”

  “Oh, no. No. Come on.” She did laundry last night, so no random dirty unmentionables scattered anywhere. “I just moved. I’m renting, but the landlord says I can buy, if I want.”

  “Yeah? It’s nice. Does it have a yard?” Following along, Aaron stayed close to her, occasionally brushing against her.

  “Oh, yes. It does.” She grinned, maybe bounced a little as she led him through the still-empty dining room and into the tiny, bright kitchen. She’d painted the walls yellow, the cabinets white and the barstools bright blue. She loved it. “My father helped me install the French door so I can look out onto my garden.”

  She opened the door, let the intricate garden with its paths and hedges, its flowers and tiny pools and trellises, speak for itself.

  “Wow. That’s a heck of a garden.” She could swear he sniffed. Hard.

  “Thanks. It’s looking good. I want to plant some lemon trees in pots, I think, so I can drag them inside in the winter.” She inhaled, chin lifting. It did smell good -- green, alive, spicy.

  He actually ventured out, touching this plant, admiring that one, turning in circles almost like he was chasing his tail. “This is amazing. Really.”

  Abby just beamed, doing a little wandering herself, finally in her element. She plucked a leaf here, a weed there, just making sure everything was growing, happy.

  She shrieked a little as he came back in a rush, grabbing her and dancing her about in a little foxtrot or two-step or something. “I really like your garden.”

  Abby laughed, her hair coming loose from its band as they danced around, falling around her face. “Thank you. It’s sort of my passion.”

  “You can tell. It tells me a lot about you.” They gradually slowed, standing together, arms looped around each other’s waist. Aaron just sort of... stared right into her eyes.

  Oh.

  She didn’t think too much. There were times it was just a pointless waste and staring into those chocolate brown eyes was one of them. Abby took a step closer, face lifting for a kiss.

  She got it, Aaron bending to press his lips against hers, soft and easy. His tongue traced her mouth, pushing inside gently, opening her. Tasting her.

  It was so easy, to just relax and open up, let her tongue slide against his. As the kiss deepened, she pushed closer, rubbing into Aaron’s warmth, arms wrapping around Aaron’s neck.

  He made a soft sound, hand flattening at the small of her back to hold her close, his tongue pushing in again and again to taste her. Oh, he was good at that, that kissing thing.

  Her fingers slid into Aaron’s hair -- Oh, soft. Soft and thick, lucky man.

  “Mmm.” His arm slid more fully around her, sort of bending her back over bone and muscle, arching her hips right into him, against his thigh. “Pretty, honey. Real pretty.”

  Flatterer. She smiled against his lips, belly tightening up as she stretched. Mmm. Coffee.

  He must have felt her smile, because he chuckled, turning them, lifting her a little so she rubbed against his hip, just like that. Man, he was strong.

  Heat flooded her, little jolts of lightning firing between her nipples and clit, making her moan, making her hips tilt just so. Okay. Yeah. That was. Uhn.

  “Like that. Yes.” His
voice became a throaty growl, his teeth nipping at her lower lip, but not hard enough to hurt. Just enough to make her tingle. Holding her up with one arm, Aaron put his other hand over her left breast, pushing, squeezing, his palm right over her nipple.

  Oh, that felt perfect. She pushed right back, moaning as his fingers got a little tighter, the sensations got a little sharper. “Aaron. You. It feels good.”

  Better than good.

  “Uh-huh.” Tasting her again, Aaron moved them, carrying her, finding a flat surface. A wall? Her wicker lounge? Something. Aaron eased her down, his weight heavy and good on her.

  One of her legs wrapped right around Aaron’s hip, tugging them together even tighter. Oh. Oh, he was hard. Hot. Wanting her.

  His heat pressed against her center, even through their clothes, his cock sliding hard against her, pushing at her clit. It made her head fall back, made her clutch him and moan.

  His lips found her neck and she shuddered, tingles slamming through her. Her toes curled tight, chin lifting so he could kiss more, lick, taste.

  Again, he gave her exactly what she wanted, lips sliding down her throat, his tongue pushing at the spot where her pulse beat hard. He hummed, sucking lightly, not hard enough to mark, but enough to feel.

  The sounds that came out of her were embarrassing, so wanton and needy, but he didn’t seem to mind them, hips shifting faster and harder against her.

  “Abby. You’re making me crazy.” His words came just as hot as her sounds, breathy, dark, little puffs of air against her skin. He rocked them, pulling her leg up higher on his thigh, opening her.

  “Is... is that bad?” God, she was wet, wanting more, wanting to feel Aaron hot inside her.

  “No. S’good. Very good.” Oh, so was his mouth on her breast, even through her shirt and bra. Aaron was so hot he practically burned her.

  “Good.” She tugged at his shirt, wanting to touch skin, to feel that heat from the source.