Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“I can help,” she offered as soon as the parade inside ended.
“We’ve got it.” Jerico walked over to join her. “I’m having the guys put everything in the basement. We’ll take some time and go through it. Get a message to your landlord that the place is empty. Maybe he’ll let you out of your lease early. Here are the pictures.”
Jerico sent all of them to her phone. “Make sure you send those too for proof the place was clean.”
“You’re expecting someone to break in?”
“It would fit the profile of a guy out of control,” Jerico confirmed.
“Thank you all for cleaning the place. You’ve done so much.”
“With the six of us, it didn’t take any time. Where’s the dog collar?” Jerico asked.
“I dunked it in the kitchen sink. How did you know it was dirty?” Aspen asked, trailing him back into that room.
“Good girl. I’m not worried about it being dirty.” He pulled out the collar and examined it.
“Are you looking for something?”
“Yep. And I just found it.” Jerico pulled a pocketknife out of his pocket and used the blade to pry open the two layers of leather on one side. “The stitching is missing here, and there’s a lump.” He pulled out a white disc and twisted it apart to remove a battery.
“What was that?”
“A tracker. It’s water repellant, but not water resistant. I don’t think he had time to get a lock on our location since he just got out of jail.”
“He didn’t care enough to feed Rexy, but he kept track of his movements?” Aspen asked in disbelief.
“It appears that way.”
“I even bought him that collar and had the tags made. That’s my phone number on them!” Aspen could hear herself sputtering. She was so mad.
“Rexy is with us now. We’ll do what we need to do to safeguard him,” Jerico told her.
“Why do you even care?” Aspen asked. She hated to be suspicious about why he’d even help her, but why was he helping her?
“You’re my Little.”
There was so much conviction in that short sentence she didn’t know what to say other than, “How?”
“How do I know you’re my Little? I feel it in here and I think you do too,” Jerico told her, tapping his chest. “Let’s test it.”
He tangled his hands in the back of her hair and pulled lightly to tilt her head back. Leaning close, he whispered, “Tell me no now.”
Without even thinking about it, Aspen rose on her tiptoes to press her mouth against his. Jerico immediately took control of the kiss. His lips wooed her, tempting her to dare to open her mouth. Of course, she had to take that dare. Heat flared between them as his tongue slid into her mouth, exploring and tasting.
“Ahem!”
Jerico lifted his head and glared at Koa. “What?”
“The guys sent me to ask. Where do you want the clothes?” Koa asked.
“Put them on the couch. I’ll come help.” Jerico stepped back.
When they were alone, he told Aspen, “You feel it, too.” He moved around Rexy, who was plastered next to them, telling the dog, “Next time, give me a warning, will you?”
Rexy woofed his apology softly, making Jerico laugh as he walked out of the room.
“Really, Rexy,” Aspen echoed, and dodged the happy tail that whomped against her legs.
She walked into the family room to see her scant possessions draped over the couch. Zale walked in with a bag in each hand. Aspen stepped back to give him room.
“We’re just putting stuff in the basement for you to go through,” he explained.
“That’s perfect. Thank you. I can carry a load,” she offered and headed for the door. Rexy trailed right behind her.
“We’re almost done. It’s probably best if you watch the dog while we’re going in and out,” Zale suggested as he exited.
That magical word, out, got a big reaction from Rexy. He woofed and looked up at Aspen.
“Do you need to go out, Rexy? I’m sorry. Let’s put your collar back on. It’s wet, but I can still hold on to it.”
She raced back into the kitchen to rinse off the blue leather and sopped some water out with a couple of paper towels. It took a bit of maneuvering to get it fastened around his neck.
“Okay. Good boy. Let’s go out.” She was going to have to find her biodegradable dog poop bags. In the meantime, a few more paper towels would work.
Rexy had already fallen in love with the big backyard. Aspen watched him gallop around, never straying too far as he looked for a perfect spot to do his business. Giving him a little privacy, Aspen looked at the houses surrounding Jerico’s. There were a couple in view with swings or wooden play forts. The patio of the home behind him had a plethora of brightly blooming potted plants. Aspen liked the idea of having happy families around. What a change from the neighborhood she’d come from.