Her words had no effect on the dog who continued to growl and pull at Will’s pants legs. “Stop it, now. Bad dog.”
Outside of prying his mouth open, she didn’t know how she’d calm her dog. He’d been difficult in the past with visitors, but never this bad.
“Do you think he knows I’m a lawyer?” Will asked, looking mildly amused.
Instead of outrage that her dog was destroying an expensive suit, he looked more entertained. Well, at least, Will had a better attitude than could be expected. How could she get Sebastian to stop? “Sebastian,” she tried to put enthusiasm in her voice that she wasn’t feeling. “Do you want to go for a walk?”
The dog halted his assault and looked up expectantly. She moved toward the kitchen keeping her eyes on her dog unsure if he’d turn and go back to biting Will’s trousers. As she passed the key rack, she picked up his distinctive gray leash. Sebastian’s hopeful mien transformed into dog euphoria as he pranced right up to her, waiting for her.
Feeling guilty for tricking her dog, she snapped on the lead, led him to the garage and pushed him in the darkness that smelled like gasoline and slightly soured milk. By the time, she’d let Sebastian back in her garbage would probably be scattered over the garage.
The miscreant taken care of she leaned against the door for a few seconds buying time. Unfortunately, Will followed her through the dark kitchen.
“Does your dog object to all your dates?” His warm voice sounded mellow, not the least bit upset that her dog had made him into a chew toy. The shadows made it hard to read his expression.
“Well, uhm,” she stalled, caught on the word date. Goodness, a date, most men would have ended the evening once her dog sunk his teeth into their pants leg. “It’s hard to say. True, he’s not a fan of men, but he’s a rescue and a man could have abandoned him.
“Maybe.” Will readily agreed, as he drew closer. “I’ll tell you what I think.”
Tonya watched his approach aware she needed to discourage him. It mystified her that despite her inappropriate questions and a minor mauling by her dog he acted as if he were attracted to her. Not an ogre, but she hadn’t tried too hard to play up her good features tonight. His arms were around her before she could think of a suitable answer. Her arms wrapped around his neck with her fingers tangling into his hair.
His lips on hers made her forget her objections, although none was that strong. His body touching hers felt right. This is the way it should be. His scent tantalized hers as she inhaled. Cologne, something line with a citrus note, laundry starch, a slight tang of sweat, with an after note of warm male. If Will were wine, she’d buy a case; no make that very bottle ever made. A slight buzzing existed at the edge of her awareness, but it didn’t seem to fit into the scenario. Peculiar.
Will’s lips left hers allowing her enough time to answer his unspoken request. Instead, she stood on her tiptoes rubbing her check against his beard stubble.
A familiar voice came from the living room. ‘Tonya, I don’t think your doorbell is working? I tried it, but no one answered the door.”
Marc, of course, he was coming to give Will a ride back to his car. How could she forget that? The buzzing was her doorbell.
Will cursed softly into her hair before loosening his embrace. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is the end. I found the only genuine woman in the city. I’ll be damned if I’ll let you slip through my fingers.”