Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“Turkeys don’t sound very sexy,” Chase says, and I have to stop myself from telling him that I think they’d all look sexy in absolutely anything. “Anyway, you’ll just have to come by if you want to see what we’re wearing,” he adds.
“So you are stalking me, in your relentless mission to get me to come to your club.”
“We’re here to look at the dogs,” Dodge says. “I promise.” His grin warms my insides like a big sip of hot cocoa.
7
I don’t want to say no
“What kind of dog are you looking for?” I ask, gesturing for the men to follow me to the large building that runs along the back edge of the property.
“We’re not sure,” Diesel says. “Growing up, we had a beagle. She was a good dog.”
“Aww, I love beagles,” I say.
“Are there any here available for adoption?” Dodge asks.
“There’s a beagle pointer mix. He’s a great boy. He’s estimated to be five years old. Are you open to an older dog?”
“Sure,” Chase says, his tone making it sound like the question was unnecessary. Inwardly, I breathe a sigh of relief, glad that they’re not like many people who only want to adopt puppies. Sure, puppies are extra adorable, but they also require a ton of hard work that many folks don’t have time for. Meanwhile, older animals are stuck here at the shelter for months or even years.
“This is Barnes,” I say when we arrive at the dog’s enclosure. As he always does, Barnes meets us at the fencing, tail wagging.
Each of the men offer greetings — “Hi, Buddy” “Hi, Barnes” — and crouch to the dog’s level.
“He’s house trained,” I say, “super friendly, as you can see, and he likes to play, but being a little older, he’s also pretty chill. He needs walks every day, and though he should do fine being left home alone, beagles can get bored and destructive if they’re left alone for too long.”
“Since we usually only work at the club three nights a week, we’re home a lot,” Maddox says.
“When you’re not out stalking me?” I tease.
“Oh, right, I almost forgot about that,” Maddox says. He looks to his brothers, “Guys, maybe we’re too busy to adopt a dog. Stalking Jade is turning into a full-time job.”
A laugh bursts out of me. “Spending time with a dog will be a lot more fun than stalking me.”
“Oh, I highly doubt that,” Chase says, arching a brow suggestively before turning back to the dog. “No offense, Barnes.”
I’ve never met flirts like these men. Must come with their line of work.
“Would you like to take him outside and get to know him better?” I ask. When the men say they would, I get a leash from a nearby shelf and clip it onto Barnes’s collar as his tail wags enthusiastically. The brothers take the opportunity to let the dog smell their hands and they pet him, before we walk through the building and out the doorway that leads to the attached play yard.
“That’s a pretty great setup, only having to work three nights a week,” I say. “I’ve been curious, how did you get into … dancing?”
“A friend of mine worked in a strip club when we were in college,” Chase says. “When he talked about how much money he made, I was intrigued. I tried it, and found out it was easy work, and also — this might sound funny — it was rewarding. I like making people happy.”
“Happy and horny,” Maddox adds.
“When we found out what Chase was doing and how much he was making, it was a no-brainer,” Diesel says. “I’m not the smartest guy; it wasn’t like I was going to be a lawyer or a doctor.”
“I’m sure you’re not dumb, running your own club at such a young age,” I say, surprised at how modest someone who’s obviously so talented, successful, and good looking would be.
“With my brothers,” Diesel says.
“Still,” I say, bending to unhook the leash. “Okay, Barnes, time to turn on the charm.”
I grab a ball from a bucket that’s near the door and hand it to Dodge, who’s closest to me. He shows it to Barnes and then throws it across the yard. The dog makes a beeline for it and returns with it in a few seconds.
“Do you know where he came from?” Chase asks, watching the dog play fetch.
“Someone surrendered him anonymously,” I say. “That’s why we don’t know his age for certain. He’s had all his shots, though, and the vet says he’s in great health. He’s been here for about three months.”
“He is definitely a lively guy,” Maddox says.
“He really does have a great temperament. He’s definitely near the top of my list of the animals I wish I could bring home with me,” I say.
Diesel joins in on the game of fetch, and after a few more rounds, it’s apparently time for belly rubs, with Barnes offering up his underside like he’s known these men all his life.